Chinese Whispers
Discussion
Hi, I'm completely new into the biking world (possible mid-life crisis) and would appreciate some advice. 2 weeks ago I knew just about nothing of motorbikes, in fact I've not even passed my CBT yet and not ever ridden a bike.
So after viewing an endless stream of biking videos, Auto Trader ads & Gumtree ads I'm slowly getting there. Will be looking at a 125 for a year or two before going for the A licence and getting a 300cc then eventually onto a 600cc. Around the price range I'm looking at there is a fantastic choice of Lexmotos/Keeways available from £900 to £1500 brand new. Not bad looking bikes that'll probably do the do the job & still priced cheaper that some of the more well known brands of which are a few years older with high mileage.
With so many mixed reviews its difficult to separate the fan boys from the brand haters so I was wondering if any of you have tried and tested any of these models? Personally I'm looking at the Venom SE or a Michigan.
Also, are there any websites for new people to meet up for a ride?
Cheers
So after viewing an endless stream of biking videos, Auto Trader ads & Gumtree ads I'm slowly getting there. Will be looking at a 125 for a year or two before going for the A licence and getting a 300cc then eventually onto a 600cc. Around the price range I'm looking at there is a fantastic choice of Lexmotos/Keeways available from £900 to £1500 brand new. Not bad looking bikes that'll probably do the do the job & still priced cheaper that some of the more well known brands of which are a few years older with high mileage.
With so many mixed reviews its difficult to separate the fan boys from the brand haters so I was wondering if any of you have tried and tested any of these models? Personally I'm looking at the Venom SE or a Michigan.
Also, are there any websites for new people to meet up for a ride?
Cheers
Its your choice but you won't find anyone saying anything other than:
Do the DAS and get a 'big' bike straight off. Then get a flat bar 600 / 750 - masses of choice. The reason for this is the bike will be much nicer to ride and ultimately safer too.
If you have to go 125 don't get Chinese rubbish. A used Honda CG 125 will pay you back in overall running costs and resale value etc.
Bikes are a cheap way to get serious petrolhead thrills but don't confuse that with a cheap hobby, they are quite expensive to run in terms of tyres and servicing (unless you do the work yourself, which is actually much nicer than on cars).
You'll wish you had done it all sooner.
Do the DAS and get a 'big' bike straight off. Then get a flat bar 600 / 750 - masses of choice. The reason for this is the bike will be much nicer to ride and ultimately safer too.
If you have to go 125 don't get Chinese rubbish. A used Honda CG 125 will pay you back in overall running costs and resale value etc.
Bikes are a cheap way to get serious petrolhead thrills but don't confuse that with a cheap hobby, they are quite expensive to run in terms of tyres and servicing (unless you do the work yourself, which is actually much nicer than on cars).
You'll wish you had done it all sooner.
If you can do your DAS, do your DAS. Based on your statement re. mid-life, i assume you are of an age where you can.
Don't mess about with CBT, then upgrading through the bikes via the A license scheme. Just go straight to A. Your regret it if you do not.
I went from riding a moped in Australia, to doing CBT, and DAS in a space of a month - various personal and work commitments got in the way (plus a fail).
Don't forget to get your theory done.
Don't mess about with CBT, then upgrading through the bikes via the A license scheme. Just go straight to A. Your regret it if you do not.
I went from riding a moped in Australia, to doing CBT, and DAS in a space of a month - various personal and work commitments got in the way (plus a fail).
Don't forget to get your theory done.
I've heard Sinnis and Lexmoto are the least bad of the Chinese brands, but in my opinion I'd go for a second hand Japanese bike.
I did for my gf to learn on (Yamaha YBR custom), it's been faultless and now it's time to sell I expect to get most of my money back.
Actually, you should definitely buy a Yamaha YBR custom, I know a bloke that's selling one :-P
I did for my gf to learn on (Yamaha YBR custom), it's been faultless and now it's time to sell I expect to get most of my money back.
Actually, you should definitely buy a Yamaha YBR custom, I know a bloke that's selling one :-P
Definitely get a Japanese 125cc if you want to own one at all (rather than just doing DAS), tangibly much higher quality and buy right and you will get all of your money back.
The lightweight 600cc-700cc bikes are so easy and forgiving to ride, there really is no reason to take a 300cc as an interim step. I passed my test age 39 (midlife too?!) having never seriously ridden before (I ended up on a PCX 125 for 3 months before concluding it was dangerously slow), bought a 2003 Honda CBR600F 2 days after passing DAS and have now changed it for an Yamaha MT07 largely because i needed to be more upright (shoulder and neck problems). I'd actually say the CBR600F is even more forgiving for a newbie because the torque is far less brutal and its far harder to wheelie / lock the back wheel through missed gear changes.
The lightweight 600cc-700cc bikes are so easy and forgiving to ride, there really is no reason to take a 300cc as an interim step. I passed my test age 39 (midlife too?!) having never seriously ridden before (I ended up on a PCX 125 for 3 months before concluding it was dangerously slow), bought a 2003 Honda CBR600F 2 days after passing DAS and have now changed it for an Yamaha MT07 largely because i needed to be more upright (shoulder and neck problems). I'd actually say the CBR600F is even more forgiving for a newbie because the torque is far less brutal and its far harder to wheelie / lock the back wheel through missed gear changes.
Thanks for the replies, much appreciated!
If money was not an issue (and the wife) I would undoubtedly just go for the DAS (had to google the lingo) method paired with a decent bike straight away after your recommendations. Was hoping to just pass the CBT for my 39th next month but I might try and save a little more for the DAS.
Speaking of money I hadn't realised they was expensive to up keep. I'm not mechanically gifted but as long as there are some step by step guides on You Tube I'm definitely willing to learn and have a crack at the basic oil changes etc. The car will still be the main transport for work as its about a 30 mile trip each way.
As for the "Go big or go home", it's scary enough doing 15mph plus on a mountain bike so God knows what I'll be like on a motorbike
Not even sure on the style of bike yet. Would like a cruiser/custom style (watching way too much of Sons of Anarchy lately) but no doubt will up with something along the lines of the recommended CBR600F.
If money was not an issue (and the wife) I would undoubtedly just go for the DAS (had to google the lingo) method paired with a decent bike straight away after your recommendations. Was hoping to just pass the CBT for my 39th next month but I might try and save a little more for the DAS.
Speaking of money I hadn't realised they was expensive to up keep. I'm not mechanically gifted but as long as there are some step by step guides on You Tube I'm definitely willing to learn and have a crack at the basic oil changes etc. The car will still be the main transport for work as its about a 30 mile trip each way.
As for the "Go big or go home", it's scary enough doing 15mph plus on a mountain bike so God knows what I'll be like on a motorbike
Not even sure on the style of bike yet. Would like a cruiser/custom style (watching way too much of Sons of Anarchy lately) but no doubt will up with something along the lines of the recommended CBR600F.
Cbull said:
As for the "Go big or go home", it's scary enough doing 15mph plus on a mountain bike so God knows what I'll be like on a motorbike
While there are elements of push bikes and motorbikes which feel similar, with experience a motorbike will make you feel like it can do anything. Your limitation will very quickly become what is sensible rather when it starts to feel sketchy.That being said you don't have to go fast to have fun and if cruisers float your boat there are some great ones out now - Indian Scout?
Just to add I did my DAS at 35 and got an Aprilia Tuono as a first bike.
No knowledge of those brands, but Chinese bikes can be very hit and miss. We bought a second hand CG125 clone off a mate for the Mrs to learn on. I knew it had been fairly well maintained before we bought it, but as well as having carb trouble, a snapping the throttle cable, and the horn corroding away, it needed new shocks to get through it's first MoT. On the plus side being a clone of a Jap bike, Honda parts fitted it so spares were cheap and plentiful.
Japanese 125's hold their value well, a decent one will cost as much as 600 commuter, but so long as you don't crash it you'll sell it for nearly as much as you bought it for.
My reccomendations in order of preference would be:
1) DAS and a buy a cheap 600 like a Bandit or a Diverson, reasonable bike will set you back £600-800 but DAS cost money
2) Buy a basic Japanse 125 like a CG or a YBR, they'll cost a few quid but be as reliable as a brick and not lose much value, you will get bored of it eventually and they're pretty asthmatic on open roads but fine around town
3) Buy a more interesting 125 like a Varadero or a sports rep, cost more but cope better with quicker roads and you won't get bored of it quite as quickly
4) Buy Chinese but expect to get your hands dirty and have to do some maintenance. A Chinese clone of a Japanese bike makes spares easier to get hold of and 125's are generally pretty easy to work on. Cheap to buy but worth nothing when you sell it so not necessarily cheaper than a Japanese bike in the long run.
When looking at costs don't forget the cost of the clothing. Lots of decent kit cheap on e-bay if you're on a budget but I'd always buy a helmet new and from a shop so you've tried it on before buying.
Japanese 125's hold their value well, a decent one will cost as much as 600 commuter, but so long as you don't crash it you'll sell it for nearly as much as you bought it for.
My reccomendations in order of preference would be:
1) DAS and a buy a cheap 600 like a Bandit or a Diverson, reasonable bike will set you back £600-800 but DAS cost money
2) Buy a basic Japanse 125 like a CG or a YBR, they'll cost a few quid but be as reliable as a brick and not lose much value, you will get bored of it eventually and they're pretty asthmatic on open roads but fine around town
3) Buy a more interesting 125 like a Varadero or a sports rep, cost more but cope better with quicker roads and you won't get bored of it quite as quickly
4) Buy Chinese but expect to get your hands dirty and have to do some maintenance. A Chinese clone of a Japanese bike makes spares easier to get hold of and 125's are generally pretty easy to work on. Cheap to buy but worth nothing when you sell it so not necessarily cheaper than a Japanese bike in the long run.
When looking at costs don't forget the cost of the clothing. Lots of decent kit cheap on e-bay if you're on a budget but I'd always buy a helmet new and from a shop so you've tried it on before buying.
I just bought a 125 for my son.
Here is a bit of the advert:
Honda CBF125 RED, LOW MILES (1,302 miles) , Datatag security marked. One Real Owner bought from Honda Dealer. I 2 keys, Centre stand, Electric start. RED, £1,700
£1600 was paid for an immaculate, never dropped 125 in a rather nice metallic red. Being a Honda I expect it will continue start every day, need minimal maintenance and still be worth something to sell in a couple of years.
I would suggest this is a better bet than a Chinese bike, but to be fair I know little about them.
don't forget to budget for some protective clothing.
Here is a bit of the advert:
Honda CBF125 RED, LOW MILES (1,302 miles) , Datatag security marked. One Real Owner bought from Honda Dealer. I 2 keys, Centre stand, Electric start. RED, £1,700
£1600 was paid for an immaculate, never dropped 125 in a rather nice metallic red. Being a Honda I expect it will continue start every day, need minimal maintenance and still be worth something to sell in a couple of years.
I would suggest this is a better bet than a Chinese bike, but to be fair I know little about them.
don't forget to budget for some protective clothing.
CaptainSlow said:
Older Jap 125s are the best bet, everyone wants the a younger number plate but the newer bikes are built down to a cost and the quality is suffering. I'd get something 10-15 years old, a CG125 or Varadero.
Well said, we had CG125's back when I was a bike instructor and aside from the rubbish front drum brake the pre 2004 CG was the cockroach of the bike world and survived all the learner abuse far better than the later bikes.
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