New old person wanting a toy

[Notbitingmynails]

Coming into some cash and want to do a direct access - any advice on size of bike (thinking 500CC for now) and also new -v - used. I know nothing mechanical but have driven cars for years and can ride a pedal cycle so should be OK with some good instruction.

 

Based in Cambridge so limited with motorbike sales, Honda, Ducati and Enfield / BSA unless I travel a bit further.

 

Would like something for commuting (25 miles max) but also a weekend toy.

 

Honda 500CL(?) and one of the new BSA bikes looks good. Not wanting to race or anything stupid.

 

Also any recommendations on training?

 

Not much to ask surely!

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

[bonio]

If you look at 600s and 650s you'll find more options. Get a secondhand bike because you will drop it and dropping a new bike brings heartache, and in 2 or 3 years you will want to move on and get something else.

When putting your shortlist together, get insurance quotes, as inurance can be costly for your first year.

 

As for training, I went to Ian Biederman who used to run his own business in Royston. Now he's the chief trainer at BMW Rider Training, still in Royston. My wife tried them but got on better with Bike Sense who used to run courses out of Bourne Airfield. They're still in the same area. The biggest outfit in the area are Camrider, who seem to do a decent job.

[Fiddlesticks]

First things would be some gear - helmet, gloves, jacket, trousers, boots. Direct Access will take a while with lessons and four separate assessments (CBT, Theory, Mod1, Mod2) so there's time to window shop.

Have fun, it's a great way of getting around.

[Simon Davey]

Welcome to the forum @Notbitingmynails

 

Bonio pretty much sums up above, but I'll just add..... Whatever you get, make sure it's comfortable. You don't want too much pressure on the wrists, and your legs shouldn't feel like they're being forced up all the time. 

 

Also, clothing. Try your helmets on with your intended jacket, my winter jacket actually pushes my helmet forward, which is darned annoying. 

[AstronautNinja]

As mentioned I'd mainly suggest running many insurance quotes and using that as a final guide for a sensible 600. 

 

I learnt on a Gladius which was spot on. 

 

I'm also new to bikes so have limited suggestions but there's a huge range of suitable bikes. 

 

Naked style bikes seemed far better on insurance than sports bikes. 

[RideWithStyles]

Yea agree with all.

 

first look at some insurance quotes, 2000-2010 jap bikes to something like 2015 or so A2 compliant bikes and something slightly different- see if you can afford or happy with what is on the table?

old japs are quite reliable, in the grand scheme at the moment cheap and parts readly available.

i wouldn’t look at bsa (yes it’s not made in china but…) at a real push a royal Enfield (better backing) but certainty not as a first bike as you’ll most likely still drop it or have a incident…

then kit- go to a proper motorbike clothing stores like sportsbike or J&S accessories, the range is by far greater, cheaper and the advice they will offer solid compared to a stealer or other con artist.

if your commute or rides all year or just sunny days? That makes a big difference to the kit especially if you want to keep to one that does as much as possible…oh and don’t read marketing BS on anything.

 

Be fore you look at bikes/buy, get the license done and acquired! Than will give some experience as to what a bike is like and what you get on with or not so you have a better idea of the next bike.

 

 

[bonio]

Getting to a place with a good selection of kit isn't easy from Cambridge. I seem to remember the nearest large place is J and S in Raunds. 

[Notbitingmynails]

Thanks for the advice - I was planning on doing theory first then a direct access. Already have the book. I may need a trip to get some gear as well, I know the training centre place I have contacted (Camrider) require at least boots and can lend other stuff, but would. prefer to have my own kit. So a nice pay day venture at the end of the month.

 

Re 2nd hand bikes - which actually makes sense rather than a nice shiny new one that I can break in a week - private or dealer? I know nothing about motorcycles apart from if they look nice or not. Thinking taking a small hit on dealer with some back up. Also it does open up my choices as Cambridge is limited but can go further afield if I can get a good price.

 

Insurance - Last time I did anything was for a car and after a few searches the websites just give me the same prices after a while.

 

Again - thanks for advice I think used would be a better idea and getting kit is top of the list now.

[AstronautNinja]

5 hours ago, Notbitingmynails said:

Thanks for the advice - I was planning on doing theory first then a direct access. Already have the book. I may need a trip to get some gear as well, I know the training centre place I have contacted (Camrider) require at least boots and can lend other stuff, but would. prefer to have my own kit. So a nice pay day venture at the end of the month.

 

Re 2nd hand bikes - which actually makes sense rather than a nice shiny new one that I can break in a week - private or dealer? I know nothing about motorcycles apart from if they look nice or not. Thinking taking a small hit on dealer with some back up. Also it does open up my choices as Cambridge is limited but can go further afield if I can get a good price.

 

Insurance - Last time I did anything was for a car and after a few searches the websites just give me the same prices after a while.

 

Again - thanks for advice I think used would be a better idea and getting kit is top of the list now.

I bought a helmet, gloves, bike jeans, jacket and boots before the CBT as I had the same plan as you going from CBT to full licence ASAP. It was nice to do all my training in well fitting, clean, fresh gear rather than smelly, poor fitting rental gear. 

 

My training school also said the examiner would expect me in full gear for the tests etc. 

 

Things don't need to be massively expensive, I got a lot online scrolling through the sales. 

 

I'll try find the email for the theory practice website, they have every test question and many practice tests to do, cost me £5 for a year. It was excellent, far better than many I found 

[Simon Davey]

@Notbitingmynails

 

You can get some good gear online but..... 

 

Whatever you do, please don't buy a crash helmet online. It's the one thing that has to fit correctly. You'll try it on, it'll be squashing your cheeks so you can't talk, well, that's just about right if at the same time you can't move it around on your head. 

As long as it doesn't actually hurt, of course. 

Crash helmet padding does give a lot, so after a few weeks it will be comfortable. 

Edited October 10, 2024 by Simon Davey

[AstronautNinja]

4 hours ago, Simon Davey said:

@Notbitingmynails

 

You can get some good gear online but..... 

 

Whatever you do, please don't buy a crash helmet online. It's the one thing that has to fit correctly. You'll try it on, it'll be squashing your cheeks so you can't talk, well, that's just about right if at the same time you can't move it around on your head. 

As long as it doesn't actually hurt, of course. 

Crash helmet padding does give a lot, so after a few weeks it will be comfortable. 

This is a good point. I was lucky and the first one fitted great. I could of been in an annoying position returning the helmet etc. 

[RideWithStyles]

Having to do Returns are a pain in the arse and more faff than just spend the time in the shop for an hour and leave with the right one first time out. its better to see and feel them one after the other as it gives perspectives if you dont know what your looking out for so it is far more productive and time saving.

 

For the bike- it depends on the budget or who’s around you. At the worst case (small money stealers) is a good independent.

id go to smaller garage’s that probably doesn’t have or bother with a franchise of a manufacturer (loads of new bikes with a mark up premium) so like a small family run business so near me is shorrocks and Padgetts for example.

look out for a large variety of bikes, makes, ages and sizes as they have to earn a rep and work for it having a volume of customer satisfaction, they will probably have minimum of two proper mechanics plus maybe a fitter that filter between normal customers work and preparing bikes for sale rather than hide behind a fancy outfit and greed of money which youd be paying for.

 

Go look at a super market type place If your new or dont know what to look for as to gauge a prospective of your next bike by all means BUT don’t buy from THEM if your new or dont want/have the need/means to fix it yourself if it goes wrong.
most are not prepared well, if properly or at all prior and after purchasing.
warranty's is not worth shite and certainly not pay for.

As theyre business model is base on buy a cheap bike on the networking list in volume (let the numbers of odds work on that basis) and do f all to them if possible in the hope they don’t fail within the short legal time frame of accountability and customer rights…

i know they source work out on their returns because they can’t fix owt beyond a oil change and most of the time to unrealistic budget and cheap parts.

So to add the numbers and volumes go by not paying a proper mechanic to fix stuff as they get to each bike but minimal wage possible (and skill) to do the absolute minimum required first.

some may have a good experience i don’t doubt as they were one of the lucky odds but if youre new or don’t know and want to have a best chance of hassle free…Some will cry and shout But that’s my knowledge and advice between us.

Edited October 10, 2024 by RideWithStyles

[Notbitingmynails]

I have been doing some research and think for gear I will go and do a drive to a J&S which one is about 50 mins away. I'd like to get a feel for quality and fit obviously. Just did an internet search and for helmet, gloves, jacket, jeans and boots £450! Ouch. And that was the cheapo range.

 

Bike wise I will avoid "supermarkets" as they stack them high and sell them cheap. (got a car through Cinch and had to send it back as it had a warning light on that they couldn't fix - delivered with the light on too) I am also looking for after sales stuff as well, mainly good service and after care. Shame Cambridge is a tad light on that. Probably spend more on fuel than I want, but also time well spent in the long run.

 

But obviously need to get some gear and then pass the tests.

 

Learning to drive a car back in the day was so much easier! As no doubt was motorcycling - but my parents were not so keen.

[RideWithStyles]

Yes “investment” first time out is always viewed as expensive when viewed.
You can pay that amount on a cheapest helmet possible from an established and premium brand alone.

let alone, boots, gloves, pants and jacket….then if you want/need to upgrade the armour on the clothing.

make sure you have a actual back protector, and understand what level they all are and mean…some ain’t bothered (none) or somewhat bothered (lv1), and quite bothered (lv2).

Wear rating matters as to how long or speed they hold up to. Their ratings are a A,AA,AA+ etc.

if not factor that in and its shape and size the pocket that the jacket allows unless you want a separate under armour layer? 
mid you look on YouTube for bennets bike social on body armour will help you understand.

[bonio]

If you don't mind second hand there is (or used to be... I havent looked in the last few years) good kit available cheaply on Ebay. Should be OK for textiles. Not so good for gloves and boots where a good fit is more important. Nor for helmets... go to a shop and get the guy to help you find one that fits well.

[Simon Davey]

20 minutes ago, bonio said:

If you don't mind second hand there is (or used to be... I havent looked in the last few years) good kit available cheaply on Ebay. Should be OK for textiles. Not so good for gloves and boots where a good fit is more important. Nor for helmets... go to a shop and get the guy to help you find one that fits well.

 

Yes! 

I bought my bike last winter, needed a jacket, and got a fantastic used Bering jacket with thermal lining for £50, as good as new. 

[Tinkicker]

Motorcycles are an inverse sum.  The less engine size equals the more fun.  The greater the engine size equals the more responsibility. Buy a Honda Grom and take it from there.

[bonio]

5 hours ago, Tinkicker said:

Motorcycles are an inverse sum.  The less engine size equals the more fun.  The greater the engine size equals the more responsibility.

This is true. Sometimes. It all depends on the kind of riding you end up doing.

 

Smaller cc bikes are great on smaller roads. They're light and easy to manage and they'll skip happily around any kind of corner you throw them into.

 

But 125s quickly run out of steam if you take them on a dual carriageway, where you find you're stuck in the inside lane with not quite enough puff to get you past the truck in front, and even my 400 is short of umph when im trying to do an overtake on a local A road. For either of these I'd prefer to be on your average 600 and accept that it's probably not as nimble round tight corners.

 

In fact, a 600/650 makes a great all-rounder as it give a competent ride on nearly any road, other than an unrestricted autobahn. But I wouldn't choose one if I wanted a bike that was mainly for touring with luggage, especially where I might have to do reasonable amounts of time on motorways or the like. It's just not that much fun spending hours on a bike that's working hard to keep up. Even my 800 with its cruise control makes it harder work than it would be on a 1200, and I miss my GS most then. But at least I don't have to push that lump around gravelly car parks any more...

 

Edited October 12, 2024 by bonio

[Terry Came]

An awful lot will be what sort of riding will you be doing? Be honest with yourself. Are you going to be just pootling around country lanes and perhaps A and B roads? Are you going to want to use it for commuting? Will it include dual carriageways? If it is just pottering about, then one of the small, low powered bikes will be great, inexpensive to buy and run, but it will be slow and be positively unpleasant on dual carriageways and motorways. If these will be a regular feature on your journey, then consider something bigger, with the capability to hit 70mph without effort. As with everything else, you pays your money and take your choice.

[onesea]

Some thoughts for you:

• New Lid, and gloves,
• Second hand gear - what you want will change, eBay Facebook etc
• Second hand bike (you will drop it some how, we all do),
• Watch the MPG of bigger bikes - particularly if commuting, 
• Have second mode of transport - bikes need maintenance, and snow and ice not sensible riding weather,
• If commuting look at bikes baggage carrying capability - even a ruck sack can be a pain,
• Insurance costs can mount up in early years - it's not always about engine size,

Edited December 12, 2024 by onesea

[muldoon74]

I was intent on doing DAS after my CBT however...

 

On my CBT it became clear I needed (and would value more) getting a 125 and sticking on L plates for a while..

 

Got my Cb125F in Sept 2023 and still have it. Haven't been able to get out as much over the spring/summer as I wanted to (Bought it brand new and have put 2300 miles on it.)

 

I don't regret going the 125 route at all. Only 10.6 hp but such fun on the right roads.

 

I've commuted a few times (10miles each way, even coming home in the dark occasionally) so found out early that a top box is a must for commuting. I haven't got one yet but have bought a bigger rucksack (RST from infinity motorcycles).

 

Insurance renewal was £20 cheaper for 2nd year which has never happened for my cars. 

 

It's easy to get hung up as a new rider (as I still am even after just over a year) on nice shiny 500/650s etc but really, get yourself on a 125 for a year or so. Learn to ride then go for DAS. I hope to do mine March/April funds permitting.

 

I've had enormous fun on wee backroads at 30/40mph ( better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow)  just as much as trying to ring the neck off it on dual carriageway feeling very vulnerable as w**kers in Q7s etc blast past without a sideways glance or indicator.

 

As for kit, I'd  suggest just to buy the best you can afford. Helmet gloves and boots new. everything look for a bargain or just go new.