First motorbike

-Blanco-

After alot of thought I've decided it makes sense for me to buy a motorbike. I've been reading through the forum history and I was wondering if someone could clear afew things up for me..

I've come to understand in order to get a full A license you must past the test on a bike over 125cc..would I be correct in saying that if you have a bike 125cc BUT it has a certain power rating (over a certain BHP) then you are also eligible for the full A test as opposed to the A1?

Also what would be a good bike to start off with? I'm 19 and I'd use it mainly for commuting, so something reliable and aesthetically pleasing if possible!:o I have been looking at the aprilia rs125 and the discontinued honda nsr125 as i think these would allow me to sit the A liscense test..Problem is I'm not exactly able to break the bank..I'd say I have a budget of €2000 max on the bike, and I'd prefare not to spend that much if possible(this seems cheap until paired with insurance, gear and expensive motorbike lessons!!). Anyway at this price I'm worried that the only two-stroker I'd get would be thrashed and unreliable.

I also like the look of the honda cbr 125 which is four stroke..problem is I think the power rating on this will only let me sit the A1 test...I really like the honda hornet 250 and I got a pretty decent insurance quote on one but I don't think I'll get one for €2k.

If it helps, I'm handy enough mechanically and don't mind doing some work if it means I save a few euro..
Any help or other general info greatly appreciated!

Idleater

those 125's won't get you an A licence.

Your best bet for that is a 250, or a restricted bike.

Restricted is the way to go really, proper big bike being much more comfortable on the road than those little 125's.

-Blanco-

nereid wrote: »

those 125's won't get you an A licence.

Your best bet for that is a 250, or a restricted bike.

Restricted is the way to go really, proper big bike being much more comfortable on the road than those little 125's.

Cool, any 250s/restricted bikes you'd recommend for a learner? Preferably easy to insure ones... As I said the only 250 I've been offered a quote on so far is the Hornet250. As far as restriction goes I tried getting a quote on a honda bros but no joy.

Idleater

you got a quote on a hornet 250, but not on a bros?

Thats insurance companies being stupid. the hornet is not learner legal, where as the Bros is (moreso).

As for restricted bikes. the suzuki Bandit and the SV650 are amongst the better ones.

-Blanco-

Yea that was online quotes with quinn direct. For a Hornet 250 (restricted) I got a quote of €1500ish, any of the 125s I mentioned earlier are all around €1900 and they won't quote me on a 400 bros or a cbr 250...I might try ringing them or one of the other insurers up...

I find it kinda weird that the bigger bike is actually cheaper for me to insure..

EDIT: Rang up Quinn direct there about the bros....not a chance until I'm 21...oh well:(

a_ominous

IMHO the OP has 2 problems: getting insurance and passing the test. Getting reasonably priced insurance (OP has to decide what's reasonable) is made easier be deciding to go for a smaller bike, e.g. Varadero 125, GN125, not the NSR125 as already pointed out. Insurance will get cheaper with NCB and if rider gets a good score on AON assessment. A good grade on the assessment will give the same premium as a person who has passed the test. Can be relevant while person is (was?) waiting for 13 months for a test.

OP does not have to use the same bike for the test as he uses daily, but obviously using familiar bike will be easier. If OP has provisional A licence and uses a '125' which are usually <125cc, he cannot receive a certificate of competency for A test. Possible solution is to hire a bike for the day or from the one or two trainers who have school bikes. This is not a cheap option (a few hundred euro), but it might be cheaper than getting some 250cc bike, paying a year's premium on it, etc.

-Blanco-

thanks for the replys so far,

I got a quote for a 125 varadero...almost identical to the 250 hornet at €1500

At 19 with no NCB on a provisional I think this is probably the best I'm going to do on a 125cc or over..still cheaper then a car I suppose! If there's anybody around the same age reading this I'd be interested to know what they're paying for insurance...

Anyway, I'd go for the hornet over the varadero as it's 250cc which means not having to rent a bike for the test and I personally think it looks better...

Green_Martian

-Blanco- wrote: »

thanks for the replys so far,

I got a quote for a 125 varadero...almost identical to the 250 hornet at €1500

At 19 with no NCB on a provisional I think this is probably the best I'm going to do on a 125cc or over..still cheaper then a car I suppose! If there's anybody around the same age reading this I'd be interested to know what they're paying for insurance...

Anyway, I'd go for the hornet over the varadero as it's 250cc which means not having to rent a bike for the test and I personally think it looks better...

Yeah you would prob be better getting the hornet, as it is around the same price insurance wise.
I was lucky as i have just entered the world of bikes myself. Im 26 prov bike licence on a Bandit 600 factory restricted, got my insurance for 900ish, but i got a disount cos i have car insurance as well.

Best of luck with the bike

-Blanco-

Thanks Green_Martian,
yea I think with the insurance being cheap combined with it being a 250 and a four-stroke, the best route for me at the moment is to aim for a restricted hornet 250..

SlabMurphy

Biker.ie has a forum for first time bikers, not trying to put you down, but you might find it useful sometimes to ask the questions of other newbies.


http://www.biker.ie/forum/index.php

-Blanco-

No offense taken! Thanks I joined biker.ie there...

Green_Martian

-Blanco- wrote: »

Thanks Green_Martian,
yea I think with the insurance being cheap combined with it being a 250 and a four-stroke, the best route for me at the moment is to aim for a restricted hornet 250..

Yeah, i was looking at getting a Hornet 250 myself before, they look like a nice bike.
Keep us all informed on any updates, and best of luck