ColinWB

Thanks for all your advice. Like @bonioI found diddly squat difference between quotes on the comparison sites by running different quotes for disc lock/heavy duty chain and padlock/no devices. That included some of the insurers mentioned on this thread. I've still to call them directly though, as @Gerontious suggested. But for my own piece of mind I have ordered an Oxford disc lock with alarm and an HD chain with padlock - trusting, aren't I!

Hi, I'm getting a new CB125F at the weekend and have a locked garage to store it in. What other devices would you recommend?

Hi all, After completing CBT I'm looking for a bike, basically an Honda CB125. I'm seeing one on Friday and will need insurance if I buy it. Where should I look for insurance? Are there any motorbike insurance specialists, are the comparison website reliable? Thanks, Colin.

Welcome. The only daft question is the one you don't ask that would have stopped you doing something daft if you had asked it.

Thanks RWS, always good to learn from a previous owner . I've seen some less than complimentary reviews of the Honda CB125Fs rusting quickly but if they are still a class above the Benelli then they'll be a better deal all round. I've been driving for a long time and cycling even longer, but I don't cycle at motorbike speeds, being no spring chicken or Tour de France professional, so two wheel experience at motorbike speed is what I need.

I completed my CBT yesterday, and posted about it on another thread in the CBT Experiences section so I'm not going to repeat it here, except to say I will benefit from getting road experience on a 125 instead of going straight to DAS. The bike at the centre was a Benelli BN125 and it felt like a great wee bike, does anyone know if there are any pitfalls in buying and owning one?

Posted in another thread too, before I found this one, hope the duplication is ok. I did mine today with Biker School Glasgow. The instructor took me through the programme at a reasonable pace with plenty of checking that I'd grasped what he was teaching. My low speed control was initially jerky so we spent a bit longer on that until I was consistently smooth during low speed manoeuvres. That initial jerkiness was a bit off-putting so I was glad of the extra time. It meant a slightly shorter lunchbreak, but that wasn't a problem. The yard was not the biggest but enough to get to third gear, briefly, and the road markings meant tight turns were required. After lunch, on the road it really started to come together and I was more confident in the real life situations than the simulated situations in the yard, so smoother but not perfect (in case you thought I was getting cocky). Like in the yard the instructor talked me through everything intially, then progressively less until he was only directing the route, or the couple of times when I forgot to cancel the indicator . Back to the yard for the debrief and he was happy that I was competent enough to ride on my own, as was the other chap who was on the programme today. It was a lot to take in on the day and it changed my perspective, for the better. My intention was to go to DAS as soon as possible but I will benefit from getting more road experience on a 125 and going for the full license next summer.

@Dskywere how did you get on with your CBT in Ayr, with the crazy Whitletts roundabout/stopabout/squareabout? I did mine today with Biker School Glasgow. Yes they had the excess for damaging their bike but that didn't happen to me . I had visited them before booking and they explained I would have to have my own helmet and gloves - they had some for sale but pointed me to J&S in Glasgow too, which is where I bought my gear. On the CBT the instructor took me through the programme at a reasonable pace with plenty of checking that I'd grasped what he was teaching. My low speed control was initially jerky so we spent a bit longer on that until I was consistently smooth during low speed manoeuvres. That initial jerkiness was a bit off-putting so I was glad of the extra time. It meant a slightly shorter lunchbreak, but that wasn't a problem. The yard was not the biggest but enough to get to third gear, briefly, and the road markings meant tight turns were required. After lunch, on the road it really started to come together and I was more confident in the real life situations than the simulated situations in the yard, so smoother but not perfect (in case you thought I was getting cocky). Like in the yard the instructor talked me through everything intially, then progressively less until he was only directing the route, or the couple of times when I forgot to cancel the indicator . Back to the yard for the debrief and he was happy that I was competent enough to ride on my own, as was the other chap who was on the programme today. It was a lot to take in on the day and it changed my perspective, for the better. My intention was to go to DAS as soon as possible but I will benefit from getting more road experience on a 125 and going for the full license next summer.

Hi @Dave in Kerry and welcome. I'm a newbie too, found the folk on this forum very friendly and helpful

Exactly. And I'm lucky if I get over 20 mph on it these days lol.

Thanks to all who have given me advice so far. NC750X will be my first test ride after getting my full licence

Welcome from another Newbie. I've found the folk here to be very welcoming and helpful I wear gloves even when I'm on my pedal cycle!

Welcome from another Newbie. I've found the folk here to be very welcoming and helpful

Given he saw what I was looking at and listened to my questions before showing me the NC750X, he likely thought the same as you about it being the most suitable bike for me. It felt just right sitting on it in the showroom, but I'll only really know when riding it, won't I? So I've been reading the reviews and it seems to be no fuss, no frills, capable and reliable, frugal with fuel and 16k miles between valve clearance checks. All sounds very good. One question, with the fuel filler beneath the pillion seat, has anyone had an overspill when filling up and what were the consequences? That's two questions, actually

I've seen quite a few of them - Suzuki V Strom - on the roads, they appear to be good but I'll not know until I try it if it's right for me. What capacity is the best all rounder? I thought I had quoted Pie Man n my answer but obviously not

Thanks, I intend to. Thinking a bit more about it, £8k is a lot to spend on a first bike so I'll be looking for something substantially cheaper, maybe around £5k.

Just read MCN review of the Deauville, well worth looking into thank you.

Up to £8k. I've done a bit of looking around, a nice Honda dealer suggested the NC750X, said it's a bit like the Deauville with fantastic fuel consumption, generally a great all rounder.

Thanks Bender. I have a mate whose nephew did it on a KTM 125 Duke. Nephew said it was murder, surprise surprise, so would you really want something just above 150?

Hi, I'm Colin. I'm not a keen motorcyclist yet, was last on a bike about 40 years ago as a teenager on a mate's farm. Planning to do CBT in July and DAS shortly after that, so I can tour on a bike. Looking for suggestions/recommendations for suitable bikes. I don't want a racer, so the fastest/most powerful bike is not a requirement. It should be able to do the North Coast 500 without fuss, not struggle up steep hills, carry me and my clothes with a sleeping bag and mat and small stove with small pots and pans and kettle. Fuel efficient with good range so I don't have to worry about refuelling all the time and reliable, of course, so I don't get stranded in sparsely populated areas. Does that bike exist?