Would a bike suit me?

thehomeofDob

Hey guys,
I've got a lot running through my mind about getting a bike, so I'll probably cover everything in a few posts as I won't remember it all now, and expect the post to be some what fragmented.
I'm 17, and I need transport. That would generally sum up what I want, but as is life, there are details that need sorting, and probably a reality check thrown into the equasion.

Why do I need transport?

• I'm constantly scabbing lifts of my parents - guitar lessons/work/school/town etc.
• I have loads of friends that I like to see regularly that live outside of Dublin, Wicklow, and Cork being the main places I visit. Public transport, especially buses to Cork, really restrict the time I can spend down there.
• Coming into summer, I'm going to want to travel a lot more, see the friends a lot more, all meaning more stress on the parents.

Why do I want a bike?

• Cheaper than a car.
• Cheaper than a car.
• Cheaper than a car.
• Great mileage...Cheaper than a car.

I've been reading up on requirements for riding over the last few days, but I'm still pretty damn confused. To ride a bike 125cc or less all I need is an A1 learners permit? So technically, I could sit the exam, recieve my permit, buy a bike, set up insurance and ride?
Now is this the best way to go about doing it? Of course, however; putting in a weeks worth of lessons in between "set up insurance" and "ride".

As far as Insurance is concered, should I just quit now... without even ringing AON? Or could I get a reasonable quote for being a 17yr/o, on a learners permit, with a (more than likely going to be) NSR125. Taking into consideration I have about €1300 saved for a vehicle, and earning between €600-€800 a month with nothing to spend the money on except drink and guitar lessons.

Now... would I be killing myself trying to regulary visit cork on a 125cc. I realise that on a learners permit, I can't go on the motorway (is this enforced?), and that a 125 isn't gonna give me much of a crusing speed anyway.
This is sort of a moot point really, because I'd like to get started on a 125 pretty soon, so I'll have more experience when I can apply for an A licence and get a 250+ bike.

Hmmm... what else was there... I'm sure there's something that's slipped my mind. Really I'm looking for advice, should I stop thinking about this now, put it off for a bit, or go ahead with it now?
Where should I start? Get the permit first, sort out a quote, find a bike?

Any and all comments are welcome - even if it's a slap in the face
Thanks guys

Be careful: I got a 'ped at first just to do 5 miles there and back but I got hooked

You are 17. You need to sit the theory test. You need to pass that and apply for a provisional A1 License. This will allow you to ride a 125 with 15hp or less.

Yes, do the lessons - dont kid yourself that you don't need them. I rode for a year and a half and I still got 6 lessons before my test.

Nsr? Never liked them and I'm not sure about what insurance group it is. I always pimp the TDR 125 personally, a nice 2-stroke from yamaha and group 2 insurance, very nippy.

Visiting cork regularly - I wouldn't. I did a dublin to roscommon trip and It felt like I was going for ever. The TDR just didn't have the power to cruise comfortably in a strong headwind up a gradient. I dont imagine the NSR would be the most comfortable for long distances(??)

No, you are not allowed on the motorway. The less learners on that the better. I'm mostly talking about the car learners though who try and merge at 45mph I've seen it enforced a couple of times just at the end of the m7 at naas.

Basically you have to stick to a insurance group 2 bike as you are 17 unless you are really wealthy.

the_syco

thehomeofDob wrote:

Of course, however; putting in a weeks worth of lessons in between "set up insurance" and "ride".

Aye. You really need lessons. The amount of funny (but tragic) stories of people getting their bikes, revving it up, and flying along the road into a wall, is terrible, but it happens. 5 minutes after getting the bike, and they die.

So, as I said, get lessons.

thehomeofDob

Yes, I wouldn't dare jump on a bike without lessons first. Not a chance.

Would anyone know an around about figure for insurance on a group 2 bike?

I would guess it might be 2 grand +? I paid 1600 for my first 125 but i was 21.

MunsterCycling

Just to clear up, are you talking about a restricted NSR or unrestricted? To be legal you can only ride the restricted version but if you are buying privately you may not know.

Visiting Cork on a 125 anything... Only for the brave, it would take an age and any puff of wind on a slight incline and you may as well get off and push, also the riding position of the NSR would not be very comfortable for the 4 or so hours it would take to make that journey, I used to be on a bike for anything up to 12 to 14 hours a day so trust me on this, BTW not as a courier but as a race escort marshal where we would regularly be +100mph with Garda escort so it wasnt all stop start riding in town.

Get yourself some decent lessions (IRTA, MAGIreland will have a list... goes off to check magIRL website... http://www.magireland.org/ ok can't find exact link.) Also get a copy of the police motorbike riders handbook, has some basic tips and pointers that you might not come across for a while.

Insurance: This is where you will be struck dumb, this banana republic of ours basically has only two insurance companies in the market for motorbikes, AXA through the AON dealer network or Direct to AON and RSA via Carole Nash. From memory CN don't take riders under 25 or bikes less then 250 but that may have changed. I would say that you are looking to the region of 2k for insurance if you go the NSR route as they are very highly loaded. May I suggest something along the lines of a CG125, not very cool but nice and solid and steady to learn on.


Whatever you decide best of luck and never ever forget your lifesaver (you can look that one up in the police handbook)


Keep it safe and keep two wheels on the road (well ok.. 2 wheels most of the time)

Munster