Complete newbie questions

[Jdon]

Hi all, 

Apologies in advance for all the questions. 

I am looking to get a bike for commuting. The commute will be 20 miles and mainly a single A-road. I'm trying to decide what cc and license would be appropriate, but have seen a lot of conflicting opinions. As far as I can tell I can either go for just the CBT and a 125cc, or go for a DAS course and get a more powerful bike to cope on the faster roads. I have seen people say a 125cc would be fine, but am I better going straight for the DAS and maybe a 400-600cc straight off the bat. I would most likely get a new 125cc or a used 400-600cc being my first bike I am reluctant to spend much more than £2500, if anyone has some recommendations please let me know (I really like cruisers)! 

Sorry if these are stupid questions, but any guidance would be great. 

[Bender]

No stupid questions just stupid answers.

 

Plenty of bikes under your budget, me I wouldn't want to be looking at doing a daily commute on a 125 but cost of das may be prohibitive.

 

Do a CBT and start with that.

[Pie man]

[potatobroxd]

Commuting 40 miles everyday is definitely not an enjoyable experience on a 125. I had a CB125F and 60mph is using around 95% of all its power AND its quite unstable cruising at that speed given its light weight.

 

Is it doable? Yes. Enjoyable? Not a chance. 

 

If youre planning to commute on a bike long-term then id advise doing a DAS and get a bigger bike. For your commute, an R3 or equivalent would he well adequate

 

Edited May 24, 2021 by potatobroxd

[Pie man]

My daily commute is on a Yamaha MT07, light and agile and probably not much bigger than a 125. Although my commute doesn't involve using motorways or any fast flowing sections of A road, I still wouldn't like to do it on a 125. As for a cruiser

  

[Steve_M]

My first motorbike, a 125, was bought for a 14 miles each way commute on a mix of roads including a single lane stretch of the A47. It was just about adequate for that purpose. This was 30yrs ago when traffic was much lighter than it is today. 
 

I would say it is possible to do the sort of commute you mention, and it may be worth giving it a shot... if it works then all’s good, if not you’ve gained valuable experience ahead of looking for something a bit larger. 
 

I’ve done a quick search on BikeTrader and for your budget you can get range of bikes in the 250 - 400 cc all of most of which would be a good choice (I’d go for something like this... https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202105212911845
 

 

[Bender]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/bike-details/202008052126683?advertising-location=at_bikes&postcode=NE5 5BY&model=V-STROM 250&page=1&make=SUZUKI&include-delivery-option=on&sort=sponsored

 

 

[James in Brum]

I commuted south Birmingham to Rugby on a 125. I enjoyed it. Horses for courses. Bigger bikes are definite better but I valued the 18 months I spent on my 125. 

[jedibiker]

my mate owns a versys and a zzr1400 but uses a 125 honda for a commute like yours, mostly due to really good fuel consumption. so a cbt would do you fine until you get the bug for a bigger bike lol

[Jdon]

Thanks all for the responses, had been really helpful. Think I'm gonna go for the 125 and stick with the CBT for now and if I want something bigger in 6 months so be it. 

[Richieboy]

You will get bored, you will be doing your DAS in 6 months..........enjoy the summer (if we get one....)

[dynax]

As long as you can accept their limitations and prepared to carry out regular maintenance a 125 will do the job

 

[KiwiBob]

It doesn't matter what size bike you eventually get you will still have to start by doing a CBT.

 

Do that first then it may give you an idea what your commute would be like on a 125.

[fastbob]

DAS and then an ER5 .

[onesea]

Much depends on the geography of your commute:

If the traffic is free flowing roads are long and straight with hills cars will be impatient when you slow up steep hills.
If however the roads are less free flowing and fairly flat a 125cc will be fine,
Having not ridden a motorbike you will not miss the overtakes that a bigger bike can do,
If you already drive look at the flow of traffic and the speed and see how you think you would hold up with flow of traffic,

125cc are blown a bit more by the wind but if you have done pushbikes in a breeze this should not be to challenging,

Fuel consumption wise a 125 cc bikes do 100-130 mpg easily, a 600cc will do about 1/2 that. 1liter bike probably 1/3 of the 125cc.

My suggestion unless you live somewhere particularly hilly, spend 1k on a used 125cc to get you going, you will not much loose much if you sell it.   
Do your DAS and then decide what type of larger bike you want.

For commuting I would say light ish, tall and sit up with some fairing (I have TDM 900 for this), tall for commuting you can see so much more, light for filtering, fairing for weather protection.  If you buy wisely second hand and probably have 2 bikes!

Don't forget to factor the price of gear:
Lid, Jacket, trousers, boots 2-3 pairs of gloves etc

Anther thought for a 125cc 25 miles at 50 mph is 30 mins at 60mph is 25mins, you never manage that average so although psychologically you might feel it the difference time wise its only afew minutes. 

If our looking at 400-600 cc due to age restrictions on cc's and licence is it worth waiting to do full licence.

[Bungleaio]

If you’re capable of being sensible and not trying to go as fast as possible I’d say go straight for das.