Help getting started

[PhillVR6]

I'm now in the position where I've got a company car and the sale of my Corrado has released some funds. I've been toying with the idea of getting a bike for years but now I'm in a position to actually do it.

My questions are:
How do I go about getting a liscence and how much will it cost?

What are the best options for a first bike?

Are bikes ok living outside?

What are insurance costs likely to be like? (I'm 25, living in Surrey).

How do I break the news to my mum if I go ahead with it?

Thanks,

Phill

[Mad Dave]

PhillVR6 said:

How do I go about getting a liscence and how much will it cost?

DAS will cost between £300-500, dependant on experience on a bike. I did the £300 one as I could already operate a bike, though only on a basic level. On top of this you have the cost of the tests (Theory and Practical) which I think were about £65-70 in total.

PhillVR6 said:

What are the best options for a first bike?

I went for a Bandit 600 as it's manageable, pretty quick and has no expensive fairings to replace, should I drop it.

PhillVR6 said:

Are bikes ok living outside?

Provided it doesn't have Suzuki written on the side LOL Mine's fine, I just put a cover over it to keep the rain off.

PhillVR6 said:

What are insurance costs likely to be like? (I'm 25, living in Surrey).

How long is a piece of string?! Cheaper than your Corrado though i'm sure. I was driving an MR2 with 3 years no claims, and 5 years driving experience and it cost me £470TPFT to insure - my bike costs me £350 TPFT, with no no claims. I insured it the day I passed.

PhillVR6 said:

How do I break the news to my mum if I go ahead with it?

Ah, not just me then Carefully would be my suggestion - mothers hate motorcycles (nurse girlfriends too IME!)

Good luck with the whole endeavour mate - you'll not regret it!

[Incorrigible]

How to break it to your mum...

Get a trials bike and park it in the hall, see what she says

[Mad Dave]

That's pretty much what I did - though it was a trail bike. Bits of it littered the house for months

[PhillVR6]

Incorrigible said:

How to break it to your mum... Get a trials bike and park it in the hall, see what she says

Fortunately I live a good 200miles away from her so not much chance of me doing that.

Hopefully it'll just be a case of out of site out of mind.

By the way I keep looking a Ducatis....is this bad thing?

Phill

[barry sheene]

PhillVR6 said:

By the way I keep looking a Ducatis....is this bad thing? Phill

Looking is never a bad thing, riding, well that's another matter

[Mad Dave]

Provided you never look at one in the rain, you'll be fine. Alledgedly.