Learner/Newbie Sticky **All Learner/newbie/Starter Questions Go here!!****

Sorry I should have made it clear I have already done my IBT the reason I am going for a category A1 is at the moment that is what I feel most comfortable on and have no need currently for anything bigger.

Thank you I'll definitely go for the full A licence when I am ready for it

Now all I need to do is decide on a good 125 to buy.

That's true and you need to remember if you end up with the so-called whisky throttle you can always cut the power by pulling in the clutch then it doesn't matter if you have the accelerator pinned you're not going anywhere just making a lot of noise.

If I do end up getting a 125 I've decided to stay away from the Chinese brands and get a reliable Japanese brand such as Suzuki or Honda.

My aim ultimately would be to move up to an A2 class bike when I am ready and sure I am able to handle it right now though I just want something cheap and easy to live with and it appears the Suzuki GSX 125 will suit my needs for the moment, the commute to work is only about 18 km and I have two choices of road I have a standard N road with the majority of it being limited to 80 km/h or alternatively there is a slightly longer route along roads where although the speed limit is 80 I doubt you would be able to do that for the majority of the journey.

If the weather is fairly ok and not freezing I plan to take the non N road route it takes a little bit longer but it's definitely more quiet as it's not the main route between two big towns plus it's more twisty so could add a bit of fun when I'm going to and fro from work.

Are there any add-ons that you would recommend I add to the bike straight away that would make it more comfortable in the winter? I know there are heated grips available that you wire in but I'm not sure how that would affect Suzukis warranty.

Almost forgot to add I'll definitely need to add some winter gear to stop myself from freezing to death, at the moment I currently own a pair of boots I bought from either Aldi or Lidle and the gloves I got from there as well I think the gloves would be considered summer or late spring they are definitely not well suited to winter.

The jacket I have cost around 50 quid and although it has a inner removable lining for cold temperatures I'm not sure I would trust it to keep me warm when it's freezing outside. So should probably look for something better just in case

I'd appreciate any suggestions on winter gear that is good quality but at the same time doesn't break the bank.

I'm hoping all in including the purchase of the bike with will probably cost a maximum of €5,000 or very slightly more.

My apologies for the long post and don't worry I promise I don't have any more questions for at least the next few days.

Perhaps I have watched too many American YouTube and you are right bouncing a engine of the rev limiter certainly doesn't do it any good but I was just talking in an emergency situation not something that you should do everyday, I am pretty good at clutch and throttle control.

Personally I don't see the problem on using a 125 day-to-day for my commute to work I know this time of the year isn't perfect to be getting into biking but unfortunately I don't really have a choice if I want to keep my job.

I realise the gear I'm currently using isn't the best that's why I would like to ask for suggestions on what to buy to get me through the winter?

Finally I know buying a new bike isn't exactly ideal especially when you are just starting out but unfortunately with Brexit it's made buying a bike from the UK a pain in the ass and secondly with buying brand new I get a 3-year warranty as well as a bike that has ABS and squeezes out all the power that the A1 licence allows.

Final question could someone please PM me the details of someone who will be able to transport a bike from Dublin to Mayo or even Galway city?

Edit: decided to phone a few dealers to see about the availability of the GSX-125 and unfortunately it appears they are all sold out until sometime next year it seems as well this applies to other 125s and bikes in general so looks like I might not have to upgrade my gear as it will be spring before I'm on the road :-(

Thanks I'll be sure to upgrade my gear when I know I'll be getting a motorbike.

I know they are not everyone's cup of tea and probably don't match Japanese branded motorbikes, I've always liked Cruisers I came across an Irish dealer selling a Keeway Superlight 125 like this for around €3000 brand new.

It has 5 less horsepower then the Japanese bikes I've been looking at and tops out at around 80 or slightly faster.

Just curious what others think, and I don't mind learning how to maintain it myself.

I promise this will be my final post in the thread for a while, anyway, I decided to phone a few motorbike shops in Dublin the other day and unfortunately it looks like the Suzuki that I want is out of stock until at least April. Although I was told it could also be may before Suzuki start restocking their dealers here in Ireland at least has anyone else encountered the shortage I'm wondering, does this just apply to 125s or just motorbikes in general?

So, I have a choice either wait a few months and get a Japanese branded bike while at the same time my IBT certificate will be three or four months. Closer to expiry or get the keyway superlight and except that it might not be the best quality and is heavy and slow but looks cool.

Finally stopped dithering and bought a bike

The dealership is also going to install the optional screen and crash bars as well as side bags.

Also watch out Mayo I passed my IBT!

Edit: forgot to add the bike is a Keeway Superlight (although it's actually really heavy for a 125)

It honestly looks like a much bigger bike more akin to a 600cc and has a big 15 liter tank so perhaps 500 km of range.

Not an expert but yes I'd imagine the more security you have for your bike the lower your premium will be.

You could always go on Carol Nashe's website and get a quote and then go back and change options to see how it effects the price.

Probably should have got this sorted before I took delivery of a bike but in a rush I went out and bought a chain from Halfords, what do you think of it, should I take it back and order something better from online?

I can store the bike out of sight under a cover and use two bicycle locks as a temporary measure while I wait on a ground anchor and different chain or will the one I bought suffice?

Also appreciate suggestions for when I am at work the bike will be stored hopefully in an underground car park which is monitored by CCTV although the car park has no entry or exit barriers the entrance and exit aren't big enough to fit a normal size van and the bike weights something like 150 kilos wet so any would be safe would have to push it outside.

Thanks, I appreciate it

As a beginner and someone who wants to do their own bike maintenance are there any essential tools that you would recommend, I get as soon as possible to make life easier?

I'm aware the bike comes with a small tool set which might be enough in the beginning

One thing I am thinking about buying to make life easier is a tool to measure chain slack which should make the job of tightening the chain a bit easier when it is necessary. I'll also be getting myself a tire pressure monitor.

Edit:

Got a quote from Carole Nash. It appears it doesn't matter what security you select in the bike security section. The quote you get is the same for me as a person with zero years of no claims bonus the quote, I am getting with a €500 excess is €479 per year.

So based on my experience, don't sweat the security just get the best you can afford. I've even seen one person's suggestion to leave off security altogether. That way the insurance company can't use it against you if you need to make a claim if your bike is stolen just to note, I haven't tested what leaving off security altogether does to my premium.

Thanks links to the videos. I guess one good thing about buying a Chinese bike is I get the impression they are not very highly valued and I doubt there are too many Keeway Superlights in the country, but still it's important to have some good security.

Just in case anyone is interested here is the included toolkit you get with the bike although there is no way to actually store it while you ride.

To paraphrase the great book Zen and the art of motorcycle maintenance, "the included toolkit should be enough to fix almost any problem out on the road."