How much does it cost to get in to biking?
Discussion
Hello Pistonheads bikers,
I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
mgv8 said:
Direct access £1000
Lid: £200 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
Top: £150
Legs: £100
Gloves: £50
Boots: £60
First bike (600) £1500
Cover £400
Lock £120
Some of the above seconds had or on sale can be cheaper, but these are life savers to don't go to cheep/
Much appreciated - that's exactly the sort of thing I was after.Lid: £200 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
Top: £150
Legs: £100
Gloves: £50
Boots: £60
First bike (600) £1500
Cover £400
Lock £120
Some of the above seconds had or on sale can be cheaper, but these are life savers to don't go to cheep/
Any other input welcome.
Cheers.
Bennet said:
I want to get to work and back cheaply
Over the course of the year it will be too cold, too hot, too wet, snow, ice, a faff to put the gear on and off twice a day, you'll need to fettle the bike every now and then, you may have some dangerous near misses etc etc.So make sure you have a bucket load of enthusiasm that goes beyond just saving a few quid.
Don't bother buying a 125 if you already have thoughts of a 300, just get a 250 or 300 from the off. Safety gear, go try some on at J&S or something, it's free to do that, budget for what you think might save you when you come off, so shock proof armour not just CE foam, not an open face helmet, proper boots with shock protection and ankle strength etc. Add heated grips, top box, back pack if available, to your list of commuter wear, or tank bag etc.
http://www.phmotorcycles.co.uk/training/faqs/
No point doing DAS if if you just want to run a 125cc ride to work scooter. Just do CBT - refresh every two years.
You do not need a motorcycle theory test for CBT - but you will if you want to progress to anything bigger.
Motorcycle covers can be had for 25 quid.
Motorcycle locks i.e. chain can be had for 50 quid.
Motorcycle helmets can be had for a 50 quid.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/
Hell, the only thing legally you need is a helmet. The helmet, as long as it has a gold sticker on the back you are good. However, would i want to put my bonce in a sub-50 quid helmet... hell no.
Otherwise DAS, and get a bigger bike. Your looking at a 2 grand outlay all in - but you get a hobby as well.
In reality, i would consider a bicycle for those distances - especially during the summer/warmer months. But, depends where you live and what roads you have to use to get to work.
No point doing DAS if if you just want to run a 125cc ride to work scooter. Just do CBT - refresh every two years.
You do not need a motorcycle theory test for CBT - but you will if you want to progress to anything bigger.
Motorcycle covers can be had for 25 quid.
Motorcycle locks i.e. chain can be had for 50 quid.
Motorcycle helmets can be had for a 50 quid.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/
Hell, the only thing legally you need is a helmet. The helmet, as long as it has a gold sticker on the back you are good. However, would i want to put my bonce in a sub-50 quid helmet... hell no.
Otherwise DAS, and get a bigger bike. Your looking at a 2 grand outlay all in - but you get a hobby as well.
In reality, i would consider a bicycle for those distances - especially during the summer/warmer months. But, depends where you live and what roads you have to use to get to work.
Edited by BobSaunders on Tuesday 2nd January 17:47
mgv8 said:
CBT: £90
Test fees: £115
Lid: £150 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
Top*: £30
Legs*: £25
Gloves*: £25
Boots: £100
First bike (125) £800
Cover £0
Lock £0
Edited to show my rather cheaper 'get you going' costs if you just want to test the water.Test fees: £115
Lid: £150 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
Top*: £30
Legs*: £25
Gloves*: £25
Boots: £100
First bike (125) £800
Cover £0
Lock £0
If you're doing a suburban commute there's no reason to be too hot or cold.
Asterisks denote as new second hand midrange kit.
I budgeted £500 for the gear - Lid, gloves, waterproof jacket and trousers - we're not buying style here and my helmet was £250 several years ago on special offer. At this level, look for offers but ensure you try on helmets and certainly boots as they often need bigger sizes.
I bought Richa gear which isn't that expensive and does the job.
A 125 is cheaper to tax £16 from memory compared to about £80 for a 600).
After 2 years on a 125, my SV650 was cheaper to insure than the 125 but I am old. the only way you'll answer this is hard slogging through moneysupermarket.com.
A 125 will do over 100mpg, larger bikes marginally less.
You can pick up cheap Chinese bikes for under £1000. You can pick up bigger well known bikes cheaply but maintenance will be that much more expensive but, theoretically, they may have lived a less stressed life.
If your commute involves dark lanes, go bigger and get brighter lights. Most small bikes have flickering candles instead of headlights (but a £15 bar mounted LED will get round that too)
I bought Richa gear which isn't that expensive and does the job.
A 125 is cheaper to tax £16 from memory compared to about £80 for a 600).
After 2 years on a 125, my SV650 was cheaper to insure than the 125 but I am old. the only way you'll answer this is hard slogging through moneysupermarket.com.
A 125 will do over 100mpg, larger bikes marginally less.
You can pick up cheap Chinese bikes for under £1000. You can pick up bigger well known bikes cheaply but maintenance will be that much more expensive but, theoretically, they may have lived a less stressed life.
If your commute involves dark lanes, go bigger and get brighter lights. Most small bikes have flickering candles instead of headlights (but a £15 bar mounted LED will get round that too)
Wait until spring, do your CBT and pick up a 125, you'll be able to get away with a lot less (expensive) kit for riding in summer, a few hundred quid will get you boots/jacket/Kevlar jeans/gloves and another couple of hundred for a basic helmet.
Spend £1500 on a decent 125, plus the £120 for a CBT and couple of hundred on insurance.
All in, £2500 max, maybe £2000 - highly dependent on how much you spend on a bike.
Once you've done the initial outlay a 125 is peanuts to run: 80+mpg - £15 tax, tyres are cheap, in fact everything is cheap.
Then you can decide if biking is for you, once you've got some miles under your belt you'll be able to a DAS in 3-4 days and pick up a 'proper' bike for £1500-£2000.
Spend £1500 on a decent 125, plus the £120 for a CBT and couple of hundred on insurance.
All in, £2500 max, maybe £2000 - highly dependent on how much you spend on a bike.
Once you've done the initial outlay a 125 is peanuts to run: 80+mpg - £15 tax, tyres are cheap, in fact everything is cheap.
Then you can decide if biking is for you, once you've got some miles under your belt you'll be able to a DAS in 3-4 days and pick up a 'proper' bike for £1500-£2000.
I did my direct access in Dec 2014,,,Well I started in Nov and passed the mod 1/2 in Dec.
The training aspect of it cost me £350 ( Should have been £500 but got a discount) which included the loan of the bike for the tests which I had to pay myself.
Test costs were around
£25ish theory
£15ish mod 1
£75ish mod 2
600 boxeye fazer 600cc the day I passed (£650 yes I overpaid)
Insurance £135 3rd party fire/theft
tax £81ish
lid/jacket/jeans/boots £250 ( avg lid new but xdisplay with £110 of that down from £300 and I still have it as a spare)
The training aspect of it cost me £350 ( Should have been £500 but got a discount) which included the loan of the bike for the tests which I had to pay myself.
Test costs were around
£25ish theory
£15ish mod 1
£75ish mod 2
600 boxeye fazer 600cc the day I passed (£650 yes I overpaid)
Insurance £135 3rd party fire/theft
tax £81ish
lid/jacket/jeans/boots £250 ( avg lid new but xdisplay with £110 of that down from £300 and I still have it as a spare)
full_chat said:
Over the course of the year it will be too cold, too hot, too wet, snow, ice, a faff to put the gear on and off twice a day, you'll need to fettle the bike every now and then, you may have some dangerous near misses etc etc.
So make sure you have a bucket load of enthusiasm that goes beyond just saving a few quid.
Depends where in the country OP is. Probably true if up North, but as a soft southerner, I recon there are usually only a handful of days each year I decide its not OK to use my bike for a similar distance commute.So make sure you have a bucket load of enthusiasm that goes beyond just saving a few quid.
Bennet said:
Hello Pistonheads bikers,
I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
A commute of that distance can’t cost much as it is amd a car will work out far cheaper than a bike when you factor in insurance, road tax, and general maintenance. I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
If you really want to save money, then a half decent cyclocross bike will allow for nice tyres in the warmer months and fatter grippier ones for the crappy weather.
Push the boat out and get an electric bike if you want to make it even easier.
Direct access £1000
Lid: £250 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arai-Axces-II-Sensai-Mo...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGV-GT-Veloce-Izoard-Fu...
Top: £200 (don't go cheap you want to keep warm & stay protected)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richa-Ranger-Waterproof...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buse-Motorbike-Motorcyc...
Legs: £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Te...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shot-13-Hurricane-Waterp...
Gloves: £70 (if you're commuting decent gloves are a must also try them with a set of inner glove so your fingers don't freeze in winter)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tech7-Motorcycle-Under-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Icon-Patrol-Waterproof-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Ducati-Corse-Motorb...
Boots: £100-300 (make sure you've got some thick socks on when you go to buy them)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RST-Pro-Series-Mens-Bik...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAYTONA-TRANS-TEX-LONG-...
First bike (600)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Suzuki-sv650-650cc...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ninja-zx6-r/25...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB600-hornet-cb-6...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-KAWASAKI-ER-6F-...
Cover £70
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Stormex-Ultimate-W...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Held-Cover-Professional...
Lock £120
Lid: £250 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arai-Axces-II-Sensai-Mo...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGV-GT-Veloce-Izoard-Fu...
Top: £200 (don't go cheap you want to keep warm & stay protected)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richa-Ranger-Waterproof...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buse-Motorbike-Motorcyc...
Legs: £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Te...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shot-13-Hurricane-Waterp...
Gloves: £70 (if you're commuting decent gloves are a must also try them with a set of inner glove so your fingers don't freeze in winter)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tech7-Motorcycle-Under-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Icon-Patrol-Waterproof-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Ducati-Corse-Motorb...
Boots: £100-300 (make sure you've got some thick socks on when you go to buy them)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RST-Pro-Series-Mens-Bik...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAYTONA-TRANS-TEX-LONG-...
First bike (600)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Suzuki-sv650-650cc...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ninja-zx6-r/25...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB600-hornet-cb-6...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-KAWASAKI-ER-6F-...
Cover £70
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Stormex-Ultimate-W...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Held-Cover-Professional...
Lock £120
Direct access £1000
Lid: £250 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arai-Axces-II-Sensai-Mo...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGV-GT-Veloce-Izoard-Fu...
Top: £200 (don't go cheap you want to keep warm & stay protected)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richa-Ranger-Waterproof...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buse-Motorbike-Motorcyc...
Legs: £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Te...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shot-13-Hurricane-Waterp...
Gloves: £70 (if you're commuting decent gloves are a must also try them with a set of inner glove so your fingers don't freeze in winter)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tech7-Motorcycle-Under-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Icon-Patrol-Waterproof-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Ducati-Corse-Motorb...
Boots: £100-300 (make sure you've got some thick socks on when you go to buy them)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RST-Pro-Series-Mens-Bik...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAYTONA-TRANS-TEX-LONG-...
First bike (600)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Suzuki-sv650-650cc...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ninja-zx6-r/25...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB600-hornet-cb-6...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-KAWASAKI-ER-6F-...
Cover £70
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Stormex-Ultimate-W...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Held-Cover-Professional...
Lock £120
Lid: £250 (you can get cheaper but I would not)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arai-Axces-II-Sensai-Mo...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AGV-GT-Veloce-Izoard-Fu...
Top: £200 (don't go cheap you want to keep warm & stay protected)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Richa-Ranger-Waterproof...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Buse-Motorbike-Motorcyc...
Legs: £100
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motorbike-Motorcycle-Te...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shot-13-Hurricane-Waterp...
Gloves: £70 (if you're commuting decent gloves are a must also try them with a set of inner glove so your fingers don't freeze in winter)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tech7-Motorcycle-Under-...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Icon-Patrol-Waterproof-...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-Ducati-Corse-Motorb...
Boots: £100-300 (make sure you've got some thick socks on when you go to buy them)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RST-Pro-Series-Mens-Bik...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DAYTONA-TRANS-TEX-LONG-...
First bike (600)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2000-Suzuki-sv650-650cc...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kawasaki-ninja-zx6-r/25...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB600-hornet-cb-6...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-57-KAWASAKI-ER-6F-...
Cover £70
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2016-Stormex-Ultimate-W...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Held-Cover-Professional...
Lock £120
Don't skimp on gear. don't skimp on training. yeah, we are all amazing drivers and riders on here, but i wouldn't consider it a waste to do DAS and then only ride a 125 if thats all you needed. You'll learn much more about how to actually ride a bike with proper training than you will on a half day jolly CBT. And you won't have to run lame L plates. I'm sure you'll save on insurance too. Also, please check insurance quotes before you start thinking about this too seriously. Insurers are completely blacklisting some postcodes at the moment and this can make it prohibitively expensive for some people to get on two wheels. Sad state of affairs!
Don't wait til spring either. Do it now, so you see how unpleasant it is in foul weather. Then you'll love it in summer but do be mindful of the fact you've still got to wear and lug with you ALL of the gear even when its 35 degrees...
Don't wait til spring either. Do it now, so you see how unpleasant it is in foul weather. Then you'll love it in summer but do be mindful of the fact you've still got to wear and lug with you ALL of the gear even when its 35 degrees...
OverSteery said:
full_chat said:
Over the course of the year it will be too cold, too hot, too wet, snow, ice, a faff to put the gear on and off twice a day, you'll need to fettle the bike every now and then, you may have some dangerous near misses etc etc.
So make sure you have a bucket load of enthusiasm that goes beyond just saving a few quid.
Depends where in the country OP is. Probably true if up North, but as a soft southerner, I recon there are usually only a handful of days each year I decide its not OK to use my bike for a similar distance commute.So make sure you have a bucket load of enthusiasm that goes beyond just saving a few quid.
Granted, for commuting through winter you need a very particular set of kit, which ain't cheap. But once you've got the kit, year round commuting and being warm and comfy is pretty easy.
Bennet said:
Hello Pistonheads bikers,
I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
You can write as many lists as you want but once you start it’s more addictive than crack and you’ll end up spending a fortune on stuff you don’t need, ever faster bikes and bits to make them even faster. I want to get in to motorcycling. At this stage, I'm just looking for some advice on what I need to budget.
I'm 32, with 10+ years of driving experience. I want to get to work and back cheaply (8 or 9 miles of suburban roads.)
Whereas with cars, I would know the answers to these sorts of questions, when it comes to bikes, I don't have much clue, so apologies for the naivity.
First question - what is the minimum this could (sensibly) be done for?
- A CBT, I believe comes in at around £100
- How much should I budget for a basic, reliable 125cc bike? (If this were a car, I'd be looking at a £900 1.2 fiesta or something..)
- How much should I spend on reasonable quality safety gear?
Second, if I wanted to go directly for something larger, maybe 300cc, does this significantly increase the cost, factoring in the additional training required and cost of the bike?
Very grateful for any advice.
Do it. It’s awesome
R1 Dave said:
You can write as many lists as you want but once you start it’s more addictive than crack and you’ll end up spending a fortune on stuff you don’t need, ever faster bikes and bits to make them even faster.
Do it. It’s awesome
A fair bit of truth in this. I did a CBT and got an mt-125 for my 13 mile commute a couple of.years ago. I didn't really need any more bike but got fed up with the L plates after 6 months and took my DAS. The beauty was I'd done a lot of riding (including a bikesafe course - highly recommended) so didn't need lessons for the road test just half a day for mod 1. I'd also made a few errors and learnt from them without any serious incident and at relatively low speed e.g. overcooking it into a corner etc. Once you go onto a big bike there's no way back but to be honest that little mt was just as good for town riding and did 115mpg however you rode it. If you get the bug then it gets expensive, I've spent about a grand or more upgrading and sorting my street triple, got an airbag jacket etc so spent a fortune since but I've already done a couple of track days and have more planned this year along with several big trips. It's great fun, addictive and hugely rewarding. Stay safe and have fun!Do it. It’s awesome
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff