I bought my bike 7 months before I passed my test - if a good deal comes up (which it does tend to in winter - find a desperate dealer) go for it! Take most the petrol out the bike, take it off both or one wheel (centre stand maybe) get an optimate charger - just plugs into the battery then plug into the wall and keeps the battery healthy (http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/pr ... w=optimate something like that - £50 but you can use it even when the bikes up and running), declare the bike off the road. Then when you get it up and running, pump up the tyres, stick some petrol in it, lube the chain, tax it and off you go!