Big Al Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 I am considering doing my bike test as I need a back up vehicle for getting to work. And I've always wanted a bike! I know I'm limited to no more than 125 but that's were it stops. I've been driving cars for 31 years. I have a lot of questions. Some ones to start off include: How many miles are too many for a 2nd hand bike? I'm a biggish fella both in height and weight. Is there a better bike chassis shape for tall or fat guys? Can I get a bike for less than a grand? As you can see from the questions, I'm totally green. I don't know anyone who can help. An old friend did it about 10 years ago and I'm trying to get back in contact too. Any guidance appreciated guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bladerunnertoo Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Firstly you are old enough to go for the (big) bike test ,no limit on cc, an probably not cost a lot more, then get a 250/500 type bike, mileage similar to cars , main thing is oil changes,an obviously visual condition..Less than a grand,should do.. an remember the right hand controls the speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marki Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) Learner legal bikes generally hold a good price due to the nature of them. CG125 and YBR125 are the regular fodder. If you are on a budget, and are able to cope with a bit of mechanical work then one of the Chinese models should easily fall into your budget. Just be careful to give it a good once over. You do tend to find that cruiser style bikes are physically larger and may suit a larger frame, AJS do some decent ones. Mileage is a hard question to answer and you do need to look at the bike as a whole. Consumables, chain, tyres etc, can eat into a budget so remember to account for these when you look over a bike. Don't forget that you will have to do your CBT before you can even go on the road. Edited October 4, 2015 by Marki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveboy Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Buy a 125 Honda and you can run it till you pass your test then get your money back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisjh Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) best learner bike if your a little larger, as above pass your test then sell and get your money back something like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-HONDA-VARADERO-125-EXCELLENT-CONDITION-/321879929454?hash=item4af189f26e Edited October 4, 2015 by chrisjh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangNik Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) Back before the bike test changed I did a direct access course. The one off price included theory test, cbt, lessons and bike test. We did the whole lot in a week riding all day every day and by the end I had an unrestricted bike licence. In a big fella myself and did not feel at all safe on a 125. Looked like a pea on a razor blade. As soon as I sat on the big bikes(500cc) it was a different kettle of fish, I felt a lot safer. Afterwards I bought a Honda hornet 600 and loved it, fast enough without being too much and was perfect for commuting and all day riding. Trouble with getting a 125 is you may pickup some bad habits that are hard to break if you want to do your full test in the future. Edited October 4, 2015 by BangBangNik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Top advice lads. Many thanks. Maybe I should consider a big bike test. I've no plans to stay at 125 - my work is 30 miles away and mostly on dual carriageway. I'll have a plunder around a few websites later. Is the CBT on the road or a written test? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savhmr Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) Go for a mid weight bike with better handling and braking than a 125..and better grip. All important if you're a bigger fella! I've been riding for 30 years now, and would recommend something like an SV650 or a mid weight Honda. You will be restricted to 33BHP until you pass your test (unless things have changed with the licencing since direct access?). When you pass your test, you simply de-restrict the bike and you have a decent commuter bike which whill double for a bit of longer distance and fun stuff. The SV650 would probably be what I'd buy. Good handling, very reliable, comfy and good torque. Edited October 4, 2015 by Savhmr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangNik Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Top advice lads. Many thanks. Maybe I should consider a big bike test. I've no plans to stay at 125 - my work is 30 miles away and mostly on dual carriageway. I'll have a plunder around a few websites later. Is the CBT on the road or a written test? When I did mine it was half a day on an off road area(car park) then half a day on the roads. It was a bit of a baptism of fire really, I went from never sitting on anything other than a Rev and go to not getting out of second gear in a carpark to jumping straight onto a duel carriageway in Friday afternoon traffic. Good fun though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Back before the bike test changed I did a direct access course. The one off price included theory test, cbt, lessons and bike test. We did the whole lot in a week riding all day every day and by the end I had an unrestricted bike licence. In a big fella myself and did not feel at all safe on a 125. Looked like a pea on a razor blade. As soon as I sat on the big bikes(500cc) it was a different kettle of fish, I felt a lot safer. Afterwards I bought a Honda hornet 600 and loved it, fast enough without being too much and was perfect for commuting and all day riding. Trouble with getting a 125 is you may pickup some bad habits that are hard to break if you want to do your full test in the future. Excellent post and advice, big lads and 125s don't mix. No squirt to get out of the way of trouble and 30 miles on duel carriageway... I'd rather take the bus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BangBangNik Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Excellent post and advice, big lads and 125s don't mix. No squirt to get out of the way of trouble and 30 miles on duel carriageway... I'd rather take the bus! Totally agree, 30 miles on a duel carriage way does not sound fun, especially surrounded by 2 ton lumps of metal intent on knocking you off! Besides that it would take 2 hours each way. Now I think about it, a friend of mine did exactly what the op wants to do, I gave same advice but he did it anyway. Wasn't long before he took full test and changed bikes. He was a bit of a wet lettuce and thought you had to go fast on a big bike. Finally got him on mine and he soon realised it will only go as fast as you make it. It's the people that can't hold back and have no self control that have problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted October 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 More great advice. Problem is that the wife wants to do it too now! I definitely think a restricted bigger bike is the way to go. I'm getting excited thinking about it. I sold a Browning shotgun recently and think I will put the money into a different type of big boys toy. I really appreciate the guidance lads. Many thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cromwell7 Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Do direct access Imagine the depths of winter getting pushed into the gutter by cars overtaking you. Not having enough power to do an overtake safely, not enough power to make good progress. It's all the disadvantages of motorcycling without the advantages. As savhmr said you can't go far wrong with an sv650 as a first big bike, I liked mine enjoyed it for the first year or so on a big bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carman06 Posted October 4, 2015 Report Share Posted October 4, 2015 Excellent post and advice, big lads and 125s don't mix. No squirt to get out of the way of trouble and 30 miles on duel carriageway... I'd rather take the bus!+1 big guy on a 125 will struggle to keep up on national speed limits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moblies Posted October 10, 2015 Report Share Posted October 10, 2015 Easier to control a big bike. Test on a 125 would be a pig. CB500 / GS500 for a commuter but sv650, hornet, bandit all good bikes to have some fun on and get to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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