Steps to riding a Motorcycle

2011-05-03 11:50:35

#1

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6974|Devon, England

Currently, I've had a drivers license for almost 2 years but I'm just having issue upon issue with my car and costs associated, so I've decided to learn to ride a motorbike.

I've been saving and looking up total costs, etc. and think about £2k will do me nicely for a 125cc bike, clothing, helmet, and license.

The thing is, I don't know what order to go about doing these things. Should I buy the bike first, and then take my CBT on that? Maybe get some practice in beforehand (only rode a bike once before)? I did this with my car, so it seems to make the most sense to me.

Or should I get my CBT first, and then the bike and equipment after I pass? This will give me more time to find the right bike, I guess.

In two weeks I will have about £1k saved, then about 3 months after I can reach £2k.

Any advice from any bikers here would be appreciated.

There's also the issue of whether or not to go for the full license, as I'm over 21. But I feel I'd want some experience before I go ahead and do that.

Last edited by FFLink (2011-05-03 11:52:05)

2011-05-03 11:51:48

#2

13rin: Member; +977|6763

Take lessons/course first.

It won't save you money though. Then again, I ride a ducati.

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2011-05-03 11:54:00

#3

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6974|Devon, England

I've been looking at Yamaha YBR125's and Honda CG125's, which double my current mpg and will cost well under 50% of my current insurance costs, and about 70% cheaper on tax

Last edited by FFLink (2011-05-03 11:54:15)

2011-05-03 11:54:56

#4

jord: Member; +2,382|6961|The North, beyond the wall.

I've read up on it because I'm thinking of doing the same. I'd take the CBT on one of the bikes there, it's usually only about £20 more.

Get a Derbi GPR 125 or the Aprillia RS

2011-05-03 11:55:50

#5

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

Go to a motorcycle school. They normally provide the bike and equipment and teach you the basics like proper clutch use, how to make low speed turns, how to navigate parking lots etc. Here in the states it also qualifies as the road and written exams. Well worth the $300 I paid for two weekend classes.

Last edited by Jay (2011-05-03 11:57:45)

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 11:56:29

#6

13rin: Member; +977|6763

My instruction course was required by the state. Rained buckets both days. Got wet weather training for free! Everyone passed so it was kinda like a license farm. There were people in it that had no business being on a bike and I would bet on them dying on one if they continued to ride.

I did have the bike for a month prior to class, but I all ready knew how to ride. Got a 100% on the riding test and a 98% on the written. I intentionally missed the last question (about approaching a dog I chose 'kick it').

Good luck. Be safe. Look out for cagers, they could give a fuck about you.

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2011-05-03 11:56:44

#7

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

FFLink wrote:
I've been looking at Yamaha YBR125's and Honda CG125's, which double my current mpg and will cost well under 50% of my current insurance costs, and about 70% cheaper on tax

Get something used for your first bike. You will lay it down, guaranteed.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 11:58:09

#8

13rin: Member; +977|6763

Haven't dropped a bike yet.

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2011-05-03 11:58:28

#9

13rin: Member; +977|6763

shit...

I stood in line for four hours. They better give me a Wal-Mart gift card, or something. - Rodney Booker, Job Fair attendee.

2011-05-03 12:00:20

#10

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

13rin wrote:
Haven't dropped a bike yet.

Knock on wood. I dropped mine within a week of buying it. Hit a patch of sand while making a slow turn and high sided.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 12:20:50

#11

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6974|Devon, England

I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice

2011-05-03 12:28:30

#12

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

FFLink wrote:
I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice

Oh, also, 125cc is ridiculously small. You're going to outgrow it very quickly so see if you can get a bigger motor for a reasonable price. A 600cc would last you much longer (I started on a 1000cc).

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 12:35:02

#13

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6974|Devon, England

That would involve spending £400 extra on the full test and possibly even more on a bike, though. I'm not a speed-freak, and would be just to go the 1.5 miles to work and back, and the 5 miles to see my girlfriend/friends and back.

Last edited by FFLink (2011-05-03 12:35:56)

2011-05-03 12:35:41

#14

Ultrafunkula: Hector: Ding, ding, ding, ding...; +1,975|6757|6 6 4 oh, I forget

How much do you weigh?

2011-05-03 12:36:18

#15

FFLink: There is.; +1,380|6974|Devon, England

Ultrafunkula wrote:
How much do you weigh?

Hardly anything, 7-8 stone?

2011-05-03 12:39:05

#16

jord: Member; +2,382|6961|The North, beyond the wall.

Jay wrote:
FFLink wrote:
I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice
Oh, also, 125cc is ridiculously small. You're going to outgrow it very quickly so see if you can get a bigger motor for a reasonable price. A 600cc would last you much longer (I started on a 1000cc).

125cc is what you can drive when you pass the CBT.

2011-05-03 12:40:17

#17

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

jord wrote:
Jay wrote:
FFLink wrote:
I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice
Oh, also, 125cc is ridiculously small. You're going to outgrow it very quickly so see if you can get a bigger motor for a reasonable price. A 600cc would last you much longer (I started on a 1000cc).
125cc is what you can drive when you pass the CBT.

I have no idea what a CBT is. I just assumed it was a motorcycle classification like we add to our driver's license here.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 12:43:45

#18

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6783|so randum

Jay wrote:
FFLink wrote:
I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice
Oh, also, 125cc is ridiculously small. You're going to outgrow it very quickly so see if you can get a bigger motor for a reasonable price. A 600cc would last you much longer (I started on a 1000cc).

our motorbike license is sort of tiered. you can go out and learn on a 1000 if you want to, but it's restricted for a few years (if you're 21> this can be fast tracked though, its mainly to prevent chavs getting a 500+ for their first bike and slamming it into someone)

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2011-05-03 12:45:45

#19

Ultrafunkula: Hector: Ding, ding, ding, ding...; +1,975|6757|6 6 4 oh, I forget

Well then a 125CC would be ok to start with. I started with a 750CC GSXF and I got a bit bored with it after a couple months buuut I guess it depends on the bike itself. Try get a supermoto. They're hella fun and easy to drive.

2011-05-03 12:45:55

#20

Finray: Hup! Dos, Tres, Cuatro; +2,629|6072|Catherine Black

FFLink wrote:
Ultrafunkula wrote:
How much do you weigh?
Hardly anything, 7-8 stone?

WAT

2011-05-03 12:48:31

#21

Spamtheban: Undsiputed BF2s FIFA champion of all time; +132|5126|Stoke

Finray wrote:
FFLink wrote:
Ultrafunkula wrote:
How much do you weigh?
Hardly anything, 7-8 stone?
WAT

im 10 1/2 and thought i was bad

2011-05-03 12:49:21

#22

Ultrafunkula: Hector: Ding, ding, ding, ding...; +1,975|6757|6 6 4 oh, I forget

A Suzuki DR is a good choise and you won't outgrow it fast since it has the necessary horsies and it's light.

http://www.nettimoto.com/suzuki/dr/1119985?sitelang=1

2011-05-03 12:52:44

#23

Ultrafunkula: Hector: Ding, ding, ding, ding...; +1,975|6757|6 6 4 oh, I forget

Goddammit now I want a DR again...

2011-05-03 12:53:32

#24

Jay: Bork! Bork! Bork!; +2,006|5641|London, England

FatherTed wrote:
Jay wrote:
FFLink wrote:
I wouldn't buy new. Round here, there aren't any 125cc bikes sub £1k (according to autotrader, anyway. Paper says the same). There's a bike shop with a Yamaha YBR for £1.4k here that I would buy, but that's like the cheapest 'known-brand' I saw. I saw a chinese one for £800 the other week, but was advised against buying it because it was 2 years old and had just had £200 worth of work done, which says to me "iffy".

Either way, I'll do the test next week, then. Cheers for the advice
Oh, also, 125cc is ridiculously small. You're going to outgrow it very quickly so see if you can get a bigger motor for a reasonable price. A 600cc would last you much longer (I started on a 1000cc).
our motorbike license is sort of tiered. you can go out and learn on a 1000 if you want to, but it's restricted for a few years (if you're 21> this can be fast tracked though, its mainly to prevent chavs getting a 500+ for their first bike and slamming it into someone)

Ahh, well then I would just go for the full license even though it's more expensive. 125cc is for children

Especially when he has to save up the money to do this anyway, might as well do it right and not have to worry about selling the bike in a few months time at a loss.

"Ah, you miserable creatures! You who think that you are so great! You who judge humanity to be so small! You who wish to reform everything! Why don't you reform yourselves? That task would be sufficient enough."
-Frederick Bastiat

2011-05-03 12:56:01

#25

presidentsheep: Back to the Fuhrer; +208|6245|Places 'n such

Spamtheban wrote:
Finray wrote:
FFLink wrote:

Hardly anything, 7-8 stone?
WAT
im 10 1/2 and thought i was bad

I'm just under 9 and I look skeletal.
I'd go for a 125 for short rides maybe, not like it's going to be any safer I've got a friend who managed to come off his 50cc bike twice in a week.

I'd type my pc specs out all fancy again but teh mods would remove it. Again.

BF2S Forums Steps to riding a Motorcycle

FFLink wrote:

13rin wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Ultrafunkula wrote:

Jay wrote:

FFLink wrote:

jord wrote:

Jay wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Jay wrote:

FFLink wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Ultrafunkula wrote:

Finray wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Ultrafunkula wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

Jay wrote:

FFLink wrote:

Spamtheban wrote:

Finray wrote:

FFLink wrote:

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