NE150N80

Hi All. I'm looking to buy a new bike and am weighing up in my head whether to fund it through finance (PCP) or a personal loan so that I can buy it as 'cash'. This is my 2nd bike and my first was funded through PCP. I wanted to get people's thoughts on what they feel are the advantages/disadvantages of both generally, but especially when negotiating price with the salesperson. i.e. it used to be that you could walk into a dealership and dig for deals based on the fact that you're going to buy the car/bike outright there and then. However, now I hear that dealerships value finance deals over a cash buy as they're getting more money in the long run. As this is only my 2nd bike purchase, I wanted to get the views of others, most of which will be more experienced than myself in buying bikes. Thanks all

Hi All. Last year I purchased my new 2021 125 bike on a 36 month PCP. The idea was that I'd probably move to a bigger bike within 6-12 months, but then my wife could continue riding the 125 for the next couple of years. Things happened faster than we thought and my wife and I no longer require the 125 - however we still have approx. 26-27months of PCP on it. And even if we look at handing the bike back at 50% of the term, the earliest I can get out of the PCP is Christmas. However, there is a young lad who's family are friends with ours, who just got his CBT and needs bike. He can't afford to buy one new, and as I have to pay the PCP anyway, I was thinking of trying to help him out by letting him borrow the 125 - he pays a bit towards the monthly PCP and pay he obviously pays for his own insurance. The bike is currently sitting doing nothing, which is a complete waste and I'm just trying to do a good deed. The advice I need from you fine people is to think of any pitfalls/illegalities etc. that I'm not thinking of. I don't want to commit insurance fraud - I just want to help the kid out. So again, the PCP is in my name and my address. The bike will be stored at his address, so obviously he will need his own insurance registered at his address as the primary rider. Is this doable? Is this a really bad idea? Any help will be appreciated!

Hi All I'm relatively new to biking (passed my Mod2 in October) and so this is my first winter From watching a lot of YouTube videos and reading a lot of articles, so in addition to loving my bike, I am sold on the value of keeping her clean (esp in winter). So I've bought a lot recommended cleaning products, brushes, cloths, microfiber mitts etc. etc. and I'm very happy at the end of each clean - the bike looks great and I'm reassured it's protected. Problem is. I'm then left with a load of brushes that have have dirt and grime all over them (especially those 3-sided chain brushes which is thick with gunk). What doe people do to clean their cleaning brushes? (Is this an insane question - sorry, I'm a noob!) Thanks!

Yes, I believe so - effectively they own the bike, so they don't want it leaving the showroom without it their asset being insured, which is completely understandable.

Sorry @billy sugger I should've mentioned that I'm 41, so can go straight to a full A license. Otherwise I think you're right!

Yeah I've heard this a few times about MCE!

Hi all! Hope you're all well! I'm looking for some recommendations or warnings about the some of the insurance companies that I'm looking at for my first big bike. So a bit of back story... After a lot of thinking & researching over the past year, I've chosen a CBR650R as my first big bike. With the market the way it is at the moment, bikes seem to be taking months to come into the country. So after passing my Mod 1, when I had the chance to grab my perfect CBR650R I jumped at it, even though my Mod2 is not for a few weeks. However, Honda are requiring an insurance certificate with the purchase of the bike (PCP), so I'm having to look at insurance quotes for a 650 bike, prior to taking my Mod 2, which results in crazy expensive quotes! I insured my little 125 through Bennetts who came very highly recommended, but they are also coming out crazy expensive for the 650. So my question (finally!) is peoples thoughts/view/opinions on the following companies: BMF Insurance Bikesure MCN Insurance Hastings Direct Devitt Carole Nash Any help would be much appreciated, as being new to biking, I know nothing of these brands. Thanks!!

So I know not everyone’s keen on the idea of a “dash cam”; i.e so people want even ride with people wearing cams. But personally I feel it’s the right thing to do and helpful in an accident situation. Also great to review when your going through nice road and scenery etc. So my two main questions are: 1. What’s people view placement of a camera? Helmet, chest, bars? 2. If you mount to helmet, what’s your preferred helmet mount? Thanks

Thanks all!! Yeah I completely agree with GoreTex suggestions, I know it can be a bit pricier but it’s so good at what it does, and thankfully the Cyclone trouser and jacket come with D3O armour. However, @jedibiker - your comments on the back armour are sensible, so I need to check that and see what level that is, and maybe look to get a higher level. Also @daveinlim couldn’t agree more about going into a shop - as sizing can be so different per brand!! SportsBikeShop in Boston were awesome! I ended up trying about 6 jackets on (although there were 3 straight away that I preferred the look of - including the Richa Cyclone). When I put it on, it was such a good fit, that the decision was made there and then! Similar story with gloves! Oh and I ended up going for the RST TracTech Evo 3’s. The Paragons are on their way back to SBS tomorrow. CBT next week - can’t wait!!!

Hi All. What can I say other than "Thank you!" and you've renewed my faith The Facebook discussion was heavily dominated by comments akin to "so you only value your life at £125", which not only causes a new rider a significant level of fear, it also makes me feels like I've made a really foolish purchase, when I thought I'd done well on my research etc. All of your comments have been fantastic and confirmed my suspicions that when you want a thoughtful, measured set of opinions, this forum is exactly the place to come as opposed to listening the through-away comments of randoms on Facebook. Really appreciate your positive feedback on the C70. As I first purchased the lid in September (COVID ruined the CBT plans for 7months!), this morning I re-checked SportsBikeShop and when searching for full-face helmets that are SHARP 5* rated, the three top rated helmets were: Arai RX-7V - £669 Shoei X-Spirit 3 - £489 HJC C70 - £125 (and as mentioned by @daveinlim this is the only one to have an integrated sun visor) I'm sure that the like of Arai and Shoei are worth their money and fantastic helmets but as someone who hasn't even done his CBT, I'm going to have to build up to the likes of them (submit for budgetary approval with wife ). For now, safety is my primary concern. @fullscreenaging Thank you for validating my reasons for spending more on jackets etc. I ended up going for: Richa Cyclone Gore-Tex Textile Jacket Richa Cyclone Gore-Tex Jeans Richa Hurricane Gore-Tex Gloves RST Paragon 2 Boots (although I'm thinking of swapping them for RST Tractech Evo 3 CE) Guys - once again, really appreciate your honest and measured feedback. Another example of an awesome forum demonstrating the biking community spirit that everyone keeps telling me about! Cheers!

Hi all. New to biking and doing CBT next week! Myself and my wife have bought our motorcycle gear and spent a decent amount of money at SportsBikeShop. However the helmet we both got was the HJC C70 which we chose because of the SHARP 5* rating and integrated sun-visor. I've joined couple of biking Facebook groups, and there was a very active post today on how much you spend on a helmet. I thought that, although our helmets were not too expensive at £125, they must be safe if they’re SHARP 5*? However a lot of people on the group were quite scathing of anything below £350-£400. So, I just wanted to gather opinions in here as I’m now a little worried that I should be investing more in the helmet. I’m new - please be gentle! Thanks

Hi All. So I'm completely new to motorbikes (got my CBT coming in a couple of weeks), and I've read that it's worth taking a motorbike maintenance course. I know there's load of helpful YouTube videos out there but can anybody recommend a maintenance course in the Peterborough/ Grantham/ Nottingham/ Bourne/ Sleaford etc. Thanks!

Looking at Honda CB125R 2019+

Hi all - looking for a 125 and after much exploration and learning that Chinese bikes really are a bad idea, I’m leaning towards a 2nd Honda CB125R. Just wondering how many miles a decent 125 (Honda, Yamaha etc) will do and what level of mileage ‘safe’ to buy in terms of when do faults start happening, reselling etc. e.g is 5,000 miles past the bike’s best or are generally good up to 10,000. Thanks all!

Ok yep - read enough reviews over the last couple of hours to confirm there is a real trend in Chinese bikes coming over to England and getting some form of classic styling with an inflated price tag, which you could get a CB125R with a few miles on! Thanks all

Hi guys. So in my motorbike infancy (my wife and I have our CBT in a few weeks), but I’ve begun to understand that when searching for a 125, most people will advise to go with Japanese makes and avoid Chinese makes at all costs because of depreciation, faults etc etc. So I wanted to gets peoples thoughts on Mutt’s machines. My understanding is that they’re engines are Chinese built but they are Suzuki engines built to spec, which is then shipped over to UK and the bike is built by Mutt in Birmingham. We probably won’t be looking to sell the bike on quickly (so not looking for a quick ROI), because although I’m looking to graduate to my full A Licence in a few months, my wife may stick on the 125 for longer. Anybody have any thoughts or opinions on Mutt bikes? Thanks

This alone is great feedback guys! Peatear - I've heard the same about MCE so if I'm honest I'll be steering well clear of them. Any other opinions would be very welcome, but I'll start to gather quotes, especially from Bikesure and BeMoto Thanks

Hi All Ahead of taking my CBT in a few weeks time, I just wanted to ask for opinions on insurance firms. I'll be looking at a policy which allows social and commuting use. I'm going to gather a range of quotes, but it's also good to go via recommendations Thanks!

Oh God I hadn’t thought of that! I definitely don’t want everyone to give away their security details! Was more just looking for opinions on what are the best Brands in each category, what are people’s thoughts on each category etc. (E.g. I’ve heard some people say grip locks aren’t worth it, and then other say they’re great!)

Hi All. New to this wonderful world of biking and taking my CBT in a few weeks, but do want to start thinking about how I’m going to protect my machine at home and at the station/work (when I eventually start commuting again). I plan on installing a tracking system like BikeTrac etc. And then installing bike anchors at home with a decent chain and lock. Then thinking about adding disc locks and possibly grip locks. So hoping to get some views on each of the following items: Trackers: Ground anchors: Chains: Chain Locks (for home and station): Disc Locks: Grip Locks: And any other things that are worth thinking of Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice guys! Yeah, I think I feel more comfortable getting a 125 so that I can get straight out after my CBT and start getting experience on a less powerful machine. Plan is ride ride this around on a day to day and take big bike lessons over a few months then take the Mod1 and Mod2. Steve M - thanks for mentioning the IAM and RoSPA... I was reading up about these the other day and am definitely very interested. I will be adding the Cadwell Park one to the list. I’m conscious I’m starting my biking life slightly late at 41, so I know I have some catching up to do! Extra courses very welcome. Is there value in doing both IAM and RoSPA, or are they effectively the same? I heard about ERS too?

Yeah I’m 41, so can go for the full A license. However, everyone I’ve spoken to has advised getting a 125 to hone road skills for a few months while you do big-bike lessons, leading up to Mod1 and Mod2. Welcome thoughts though!

Hey all! So I have my CBT at start of the May (cannot wait - earliest date we could arrange!) Looking on here and various Facebook groups, I see a lot of people seem to buy their first 125 prior to doing their CBT so they can crack on and start putting the newly acquired skills to practice. I’m guessing this also helps with insurance, in that you can take your time in finding the best price. Just looking for thoughts really, and opinions on what other people have done. Thanks!

Hi guys! So have my CBT coming up (after a 5month delay due to restrictions) and am looking to get a CB125R. Am looking for recommendations for bike covers. As commuting to a station (when everything gets back to normal) I’m guessing it’s worth having 2, a heavy duty one for home, and a light weight one that will fit in a ruck sack to take to the station. Any recommendations welcome. Thanks!

Also another very valid point... I guess they're more likely to spend time trying stealing the bike than opening a box for a helmet...! I'm learning