Discussion
Just got back from my CBT so after a shaky start in a very small car park I was fearing the worst in the ride out. But it all came together, well 80-90% did despite having to negotiate Southend Prom on a busy Sunday afternoon I really enjoyed it.
But, I really don't feel that confident about going straight into my DAS at the beginning of September and am thinking a learner legal 125 would give some useful practice/experience.
So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
Oh and thanks for all the advice chaps it helped a lot, much appreciated.
David
But, I really don't feel that confident about going straight into my DAS at the beginning of September and am thinking a learner legal 125 would give some useful practice/experience.
So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
Oh and thanks for all the advice chaps it helped a lot, much appreciated.
David
StevRS said:
I've bought a GPZ500 and not allowed to ride it either 
Just rented a 125 for 24 hours over the weekend for £40 and it was massive help and confidence booster - same again next weekend and hopefull DAS'll be a breeze
I am going to phone the school later and see if i can get one for the day in between my lessons. as my lessons are spread over the week. not sure i want to be caught on the cbr without a license =sJust rented a 125 for 24 hours over the weekend for £40 and it was massive help and confidence booster - same again next weekend and hopefull DAS'll be a breeze
steven182 said:
hmm you see I just bought a 600 and have not even done my CBT yet...
might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
Hire the 125 strip out the engine swap for your 600 give it back and everyones a winner. Obviously you need to make sure you re-hire exactly the same bike for the swap back after your test.might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
Happy to help.
David
Edited by davidn on Monday 21st July 13:12
davidn said:
steven182 said:
hmm you see I just bought a 600 and have not even done my CBT yet...
might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
Hire the 125 strip out the engine swap for your 600 give it back and everyones a winner. Obviously you need to make sure you re-hire exactly the same bike for the swap back after your test.might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
Happy to help.
David
Edited by davidn on Monday 21st July 13:12
steven182 said:
hmm you see I just bought a 600 and have not even done my CBT yet...
might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
Nothing wrong with that...might have to rent one of these 125s you speak of too to have a dabble on in between lessons xD
I went to the bike shop, put a deposit on a 695 monster, then went out and booked my cbt..
G
edited to say:- I didnt bother hiring a 125. I just did the cbt and a 3 day das a few weeks later
Edited by Graham on Monday 21st July 14:15
My DAS is coming up too.. I have hired a bike for a week, but i'll get an hour on it each night.
I am probably going to go for a Suzuki SV 650S, I like the fairing and general look of the bike. Loads of great reviews for it aswell.
However I am also really into the Triumph speed triple. Price makes it prohibitive for me.
I am probably going to go for a Suzuki SV 650S, I like the fairing and general look of the bike. Loads of great reviews for it aswell.
However I am also really into the Triumph speed triple. Price makes it prohibitive for me.
davidn said:
....I really don't feel that confident about going straight into my DAS at the beginning of September and am thinking a learner legal 125 would give some useful practice/experience.
So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
I am in much the same position as you Sir.I decided to spank around on a 125 for around a year (L plates don't bother me), not only to gain experience etc, but also to see if biking really was my thing.I will no doubt be a fair-weather biker if I am honest, as I just can't see myself walking past our cars to go to work on a bike if it is minus two or raining hard, but, on warmer and dryer days, I will be aching to get on the thing.I must say I am getting rather hooked so far and that is after only a few days of riding properly! My confidence has rocketed over the last few days and I have been coming home from work on more awkward routes deliberately - ones with lots more traffic and traffic queues etc.So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
Bike wise, I thought long and hard about which bike to choose.I wasn't into the whole two stroke thing or those mini sports bikes, nor did I want something which sounded like a wasp farting.I wanted something big, comfortable, reliable, well made and with semi-decent performance.
The Honda Varadero 125 came out as a clear winner for me.It's really rather huge as 125's go, a doddle to ride and will still do 70 mph on the flat with me on it and I am a large framed 16 stone type of chap.No matter which bike I end up with, I can't see me ever selling this bike, it is the perfect low cost commuter and 'nip about' machine.They tend to hold their value quite well, so you may have to pay more for one that you would expect, but it feels a billion times nicer to ride than the smaller 125's I rode on my CBT.Believe me, I am not simply praising up the bike because I now own one, just go read the reviews yourself, I don't think I ever read a bad word said about them.
Digby said:
davidn said:
....I really don't feel that confident about going straight into my DAS at the beginning of September and am thinking a learner legal 125 would give some useful practice/experience.
So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
I am in much the same position as you Sir.I decided to spank around on a 125 for around a year (L plates don't bother me), not only to gain experience etc, but also to see if biking really was my thing.I will no doubt be a fair-weather biker if I am honest, as I just can't see myself walking past our cars to go to work on a bike if it is minus two or raining hard, but, on warmer and dryer days, I will be aching to get on the thing.I must say I am getting rather hooked so far and that is after only a few days of riding properly! My confidence has rocketed over the last few days and I have been coming home from work on more awkward routes deliberately - ones with lots more traffic and traffic queues etc.So what's the consensus on a reasonable 125 then?
Bike wise, I thought long and hard about which bike to choose.I wasn't into the whole two stroke thing or those mini sports bikes, nor did I want something which sounded like a wasp farting.I wanted something big, comfortable, reliable, well made and with semi-decent performance.
The Honda Varadero 125 came out as a clear winner for me.It's really rather huge as 125's go, a doddle to ride and will still do 70 mph on the flat with me on it and I am a large framed 16 stone type of chap.No matter which bike I end up with, I can't see me ever selling this bike, it is the perfect low cost commuter and 'nip about' machine.They tend to hold their value quite well, so you may have to pay more for one that you would expect, but it feels a billion times nicer to ride than the smaller 125's I rode on my CBT.Believe me, I am not simply praising up the bike because I now own one, just go read the reviews yourself, I don't think I ever read a bad word said about them.
The main thing I'm finding with my so far brief experience of 2 wheels though is how helpful and encouraging everyone has been, not really experienced such genuine enthusiasm from total strangers before considering I'm a know nothing newby.
David
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