Getting Started :) Would appreciate some advice

Shiroki · 29-05-2011 03:49AM #1

Hi all,
I'm looking to get a bike this summer. Im turning 18 in two weeks and want to apply for the A license.
First off is costs. I kind of want to have a fair idea of how much everything will cost me. Everything from insurance, Gear, etc.
I know for definite that I want a sports bike. A Suzuki that caught my eye is 600cc. Is that too much for a beginner or what. Suggestions for nice bikes suitable for my level would be greatly appreciated.
Finally, what are the rules like in comparison to cars. Such as a 6 month wait before the real test, that sort of thing. And do people ride around alone like a many learner drivers do here in Ireland ? Thanks for reading ! - Kev

JohnnyCrash · 29-05-2011 09:15AM

Shiroki wrote: »

Hi all,
I'm looking to get a bike this summer. Im turning 18 in two weeks and want to apply for the A license.
First off is costs. I kind of want to have a fair idea of how much everything will cost me. Everything from insurance, Gear, etc.
I know for definite that I want a sports bike. A Suzuki that caught my eye is 600cc. Is that too much for a beginner or what. Suggestions for nice bikes suitable for my level would be greatly appreciated.
Finally, what are the rules like in comparison to cars. Such as a 6 month wait before the real test, that sort of thing. And do people ride around alone like a many learner drivers do here in Ireland ? Thanks for reading ! - Kev

In a nutshell
1.Theory test
2.Learner permit
3.16 hrs IBT (€400-500 approx)
4.Insurance-varies-get on to the few companies that insure bikes)
5.Gear-€500-1000 for reasonably good gear
6. Bike-skys the limit
IMO a 600 is a bit much to start on.This would have to be restricted to 33bhp anyway.
And yes,cant do test until after 6 mths

Flyin Irishman · 29-05-2011 10:38AM

Also, chances are, at 18, no company would insure you on a 600cc sportsbike

si_guru · 29-05-2011 10:44AM

What you want for a 1st bike is something reliable and cheap..

Relaiable.. 'coz you'll want to be on it morning, noon and night - not in ya shed fixing it.

Cheap.. I suspect next summer you'll want all your saved up cash for a bigger bike.

Don't think more cc's always means more fun too. There are some great small bikes.. Smaller is usually lighter too!

inchiuvatu · 29-05-2011 06:32PM

you have the right idea going for a bigger bike and doing your A test but only if your lucky will one of the insurance companys will cover you on a 250cc sportsbike. maybe a 400cc if you beg them... unless you have very deep pockets then sure go nuts!

but i would estimate....

bike 1500 (for an older model)
+ restriction 100-300 depending if you can find a second hand kit.
gear as was mention before 500-1000 for decent gear
ibt 400-600 ish
insurance on a sportsbike minimum i would guess is 1000 on a 250cc.

your better off going for a bandit 600 or a cb400 sf, something along those lines that wont matter when you drop them and insurance companies dont apply a stigma to them either. once you pass your test and you have a ncb the insurance companies might let you on a sports bike but it will still need to be restriction until your 2 years are up after your test.

Shiroki · 29-05-2011 07:38PM

Yeah I thought 600 would be a little too much

But I saw this http://www.adverts.ie/car/other-aprilia/other-aprilia/aprilia/461355

It's 125 and cheap enough too. By the way, when I said sportsbike, I meant like that style :S I dont think Im quite ready to hop onto an actual racing bike :P Is that one I linked any good ? Thanks

Kev

sleepysniper · 29-05-2011 09:04PM

Shiroki wrote: »

Yeah I thought 600 would be a little too much But I saw this http://www.adverts.ie/car/other-aprilia/other-aprilia/aprilia/461355
It's 125 and cheap enough too. By the way, when I said sportsbike, I meant like that style :S I dont think Im quite ready to hop onto an actual racing bike :P Is that one I linked any good ? Thanks Kev

Only thing about a 125cc bike is ya cant sit your Full A test on it,it has to be 150cc or bigger AFAIK, so you'll have to rent a bigger cc bike from an instructor when you eventually do the test.

Don't know what the Aprilia's are like tho.

Coyote · 29-05-2011 09:08PM

The Aprilia RS 125 is still quite a quick bike for it's size
it's listed as Insurance group - 12
MCN link to Aprilia RS 125
some info
not saying you would not get insurance on it just might be high/hard
I'm looking at a KTM 690SM and it's only group - 11

Shiroki · 29-05-2011 10:12PM

Hmmmm I wouldn't mind borrowing a bike for the test. I really love the look of the bike itself

What does the group 12 insurance mean ? And another question, Am I allowed to ride alone after the IBT or do I have to wait until after the full test ? Thanks for al this info guys. It helps alot

- Kev

inchiuvatu · 30-05-2011 10:04AM

the aprilla is a lovely looking bike, but the problem with 2 strokes is there are more powerful then a four stroke so insurance will be higher, you could pick up a CBR125 for the same price (which is a 4 stroke), i started with a 08 model that cost me 1400 last sept, and because it's less powerful insurance companies will be happier to insure you.

i learned on the 125 and then did a lesson and rented a school bike for the test. and i passed first time so it's not hard to do and is a valid way of getting you "A licence" without burning too many holes in your pocket, then if you manage to not drop it you can sell the bike on a year later and get similar money for it.

the reason people dont suggest sports bike to begin with is when you drop the bike even if your just turning in the garden or forget the side stand (which i almost did last week) you can do alot of cosmetic damage to the bike, the fairings if badly damaged can look rubbish and are very expensive to replace.

it might not be our cup of tea but look at the honda Bros as an option, alot of them are learner legal and because they have clip on handle bars they feel and look a bit more sporty but have no fairings to break.

RosieJoe · 30-05-2011 11:44AM

Insurance Groups are more of a UK thing but they give an indication on cost over here. The higher the number the higher the insurance.

As for riding by yourself on a learner permit, yes you can! Only need an L-Tabbard :rolleyes: Legally you cannot ride with a pillion.

AgileMyth · 30-05-2011 11:59AM

Shiroki wrote: »

Hmmmm I wouldn't mind borrowing a bike for the test. I really love the look of the bike itself What does the group 12 insurance mean ? And another question, Am I allowed to ride alone after the IBT or do I have to wait until after the full test ? Thanks for al this info guys. It helps alot - Kev

I'd imagine a 125 is as high as you can go in sports bikes at your age. I'd recommend a hornet 250 or similiar to build up a no claims bonus and get your full licence, plenty of time for sports bikes in years to come.

Your as well giving Quinn a ring and find out what they'll insure you on. Have a shortlist of bikes you like made out before you ring them.

You can ride alone after the IBT.

Wossack · 30-05-2011 12:09PM

worth getting onto a few insurance companies and seeing if they'll insure you on any sports 125s - cbr125r, rs125, yzf-r125 etc

at 18, insurance wise, I reckon its all pie in the sky

it'll be mopeds, of the likes of the ybr125, cg125 etc. Happy to be proven wrong but best not get your hopes up..

Shiroki · 30-05-2011 01:38PM

The Cbr125 is pretty cool

Although I honestly cannot see myself on a moped or a cruiser

If the insurance is sky high, I can always wait a little while to save the money, or maybe ask for some donations from the parents :P I'm gonna sit my theory test after my Leaving Cert and then do the IBT. When thats all done, I'll probably start shopping for bikes and insurance etc then. And I know what you mean about the fairings

I know it's more than likely going to happen once in my life but if I do get a nice bike, I will treat it like a child

( And none of my friends will be getting a shot of it either

)

Shiroki · 30-05-2011 01:46PM

And should I be doing said shopping in shops or online ?

CJhaughey · 30-05-2011 03:11PM

Chances are very high that you will drop the bike as a learner.
You would be a lot better off getting a naked bike like a CBR125 or even a 1/4 faired bike, they crash a lot better and if the wind blows them over they won't cost much more than a lever and indicator to repair.
Fully faired bikes are expensive machines to drop, fairings are very pricey and sometimes hard to get for unusual machines.
Those Honda Bros are amazing machines for the price. 1000 will get a good one these days and the build quality of the J-market stuff in the late 80s-early 90s was top notch.

Wossack · 30-05-2011 03:27PM

CJhaughey wrote: »

Chances are very high that you will drop the bike as a learner.
You would be a lot better off getting a naked bike like a CBR125 or even a 1/4 faired bike, they crash a lot better and if the wind blows them over they won't cost much more than a lever and indicator to repair.
Fully faired bikes are expensive machines to drop, fairings are very pricey and sometimes hard to get for unusual machines.
Those Honda Bros are amazing machines for the price. 1000 will get a good one these days and the build quality of the J-market stuff in the late 80s-early 90s was top notch.

cbr125 is fully faired - ye might have meant cg125?

brian plank · 30-05-2011 03:44PM

real men ride rs125's :cool:

just look at all the cool sh*t you can buy to make it faster...

http://www.pjme.co.uk/acatalog/Aprilia_RS1252.html

as for expensive to repair, don't crash or drop it, its not rocket science.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/motorbikes/2057989

Shiroki · 30-05-2011 04:04PM

I know that getting a naked machine is a lot more sensible and would work out cheaper but theres something about them that I just really don't like

Hopefully I can work something out on the RS125 because that's still my favourite bike I've seen so far.

Does anyone know from experience what a high score in the Quinn assessment would knock of my premium ? It's included for free down in Waterford, and if it means I save then bring it on :P

Another thing was helmets. There seems to be a very broad price range on them. On adverts.ie alone, I saw helmets from 30 quid up to 600. Should I be spending that much on a helmet or am I paying for brand names and looks ?

Again thanks for this, all the advice is a huge help in getting my head around this

inchiuvatu · 30-05-2011 04:26PM

i wouldn't ever buy a second hand helmet off any site, no matter how many times they write up "not dropped".

alot of places will do you a good deal on helmets but it comes down to your on personal preference, i wouldn't let me GF on the back until she bought a decent lid, all helmets have to pass certain safety standards before they can be sold so even the cheapest helmet is somewhat safe but there is a big difference in comfort and quality of material and finish in the more expensive helmets and just because they all pass the same test doesn't make them equal. personally i would be thinking of spending €200+ on the helmet.. there will be varying opinions on this so it really comes down to your budget and how safe you want to feel while riding.

im out on the bike today and at the moment im sitting in my office in full leathers and and race boots... i only used the bike for 30 minutes in total so far but i dont feel happy on it unless i have cowhide between me and the ground, but there are tonnes of safe gear leather or textile at good prices if you shop aound and try stuff on and remember cash is king if your buying a dectend ammount of gear in one place you should be able to knock a bit off the price or get some small extras free.

As for bike shopping, adverts and donedeal are a good source for pricing bikes, but there is no harm in looking at local bike shops also see if you can get them down on price or up on extras like a better warranty or something for your money. Happy hunting!

Shiroki · 30-05-2011 04:52PM

Hahahahaha I can imagine myself in racing trousers walking around college :L Safety for me is key tbh Ill spend as much money as I need to feel safe

BlackWizard · 30-05-2011 05:50PM

Just put your gear in a gym bag and carry that around college. It's what I do when driving to work. Get changed in a toilet

Getting Started :) Would appreciate some advice

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