Pick your brains

[PamPen25]

I know you guys and gals get these posts alot, but I'm hoping to do my test (DAS, I was pondering on Restricted, but for an extra £100 I might as well do the DAS) in March and was wondering what recommendations people had on first 'big' bikes after taking a test.

I was looking at a Ninja 250cc, as I'm not interested in getting a powerful 'supersport' bike, but a decent enough bike to get around on.

I was looking at going up in increments, as I don't want to have a big jump from my little YBR125, to say a 600cc.

I'm 5'7" and mid-build, I think my riding skills are 'riding' on confident and quiet good (as people have told me out on rides). Most of my riding will be commuting to and from work (about 8 miles each way) and the odd run on bike trips.

Any recommendations on your own experiences or knowledge is taken in good will and will be used.

Cheers peeps 

[Wynne G Oldman]

I've owned the Ninja 250R and now own a Honda CBR 250R. It's up to personal preference really. The Ninja was a good little bike, and quicker than the Honda, but you had to thrash it to make it so. Below 6000 rpm, it felt slower than a 125 but once you hit 8000 rpm, it pulled pretty well. I prefer the Honda. It's much easier to ride in real road situations, as it has a more useable power band on the road. It's better on fuel as well. Servicing should be much cheaper on the Honda too. The service intervals are every 8000 miles, and with it being a single, the actual service should be cheaper too.

[martin79]

Well worth doing the DAS, you're not limiting your options at all then when it comes to buying a bike.

Ninja is a good option, if you're going new you may want to consider the CBR250 instead mind. You may well change your mind about having a bigger bike once you've done your DAS as you'll be riding a 500 for that.

[P.B.]

Sounds like you've got a good way of thinking already. Carry on.

[mikiboy]

Can I suggest you get your test 1st.
You dont need to spend loads on a 1st bike.  £1500 is MORE than plenty to get a good bike.
Big CC doesnt necessarilly mean cheaper ins.
You want something you will be comfortable on.
Try a few.
GPZ500 is a fantastic 1st bike.  Its comfortable, fast and cheap to run and insure.
Personally, I'd pay the extra £100.  Take the restricted test if you want but ask for the option to upgrade if you feel confident enough.
It sounds like you are not that confident so are asking.  Suck it and see and make your decisions when you get to it rather than flanning too far ahead

[costasw00t]

I considered taking the restricted test but finding out that it's the same test & same test routes there seemed little attraction so I opted for the full DAS. . .

[Wheelspin]

I know you guys and gals get these posts alot, but I'm hoping to do my test (DAS, I was pondering on Restricted, but for an extra £100 I might as well do the DAS) in March and was wondering what recommendations people had on first 'big' bikes after taking a test.

Where'd you get £100 from?  If you've already been riding around on your 125 then you shouldn't need more than a couple of lessons to polish the "test expectations".   The DAS course will be at least £300 more I'd have thought.

Anyway, if you do the DAS then you'll be learning on a 500, so you're going to have a biggish jump up from the 125 just to pass the test.  I see no reason to drop back down to a 250 unless you're really tight on fuel money and rarely go far from town.  I've not ridden the 250s so can't comment on them, but I found the 500s a lot easier to ride than the 125s as they are a lot more stable.

A GS500, an ER5 or something similar will be cheap to buy, cheap to run will be very familiar after your DAS.    As Miki said, try a few.  It really is a very individual thing.

I considered taking the restricted test but finding out that it's the same test & same test routes there seemed little attraction so I opted for the full DAS. . .

Cost is the primary motivation for that choosing the restricted route.

[PamPen25]

Thanks for your answers guys.

Where'd you get £100 from?  If you've already been riding around on your 125 then you shouldn't need more than a couple of lessons to polish the "test expectations".   The DAS course will be at least £300 more I'd have thought.

Cost is the primary motivation for that choosing the restricted route.

I've been getting quotes from local riding schools and the difference is usually about £100-£150 total.

Big CC doesnt necessarilly mean cheaper ins.

That's why I want to keep the cc small, hence the 250

It sounds like you are not that confident so are asking.

From the recent posts from other members, I thought this was the smart thing to do rather than go out un-experienced in buying bikes.
Perhaps I should buy a lemon.

Cheers anyway, most have been helpful. I'll keep your comments in mind.

[Wynne G Oldman]

That's why I want to keep the cc small, hence the 250

Insurance on a 250 will generally be no cheaper than a bigger bike. Running costs will be though.

[mikiboy]

You may find a 500 or even certain 600's will be cheaper ins than a sports 250cc.  Get some quotes.
A 600 divvy, or GPZ500s or maybe a bandit could be cheaper than a sports 250cc.  We just sold a GPZ500s and its a brilliant bike.  It would scratch and it toured 1700 in France in more comfort than my ZX6 and it would cruise at 85 - 95mph

Confidence in passing test. 
 

There's plenty of people on here, for advice or who will come with you or view a bike for you

[Wheelspin]

I've been getting quotes from local riding schools and the difference is usually about £100-£150 total.

How much tuition were they quoting for on the restricted route?  The whole point of doing it that way is that you don't need to spend lots of expensive time with an instructor.

[PamPen25]

How much tuition were they quoting for on the restricted route?  The whole point of doing it that way is that you don't need to spend lots of expensive time with an instructor.

They were quoting from half day to 5 day on a 125cc

[Wheelspin]

Blimey.  5 days is on the longer side for someone with no bike experience at all.  It is possible to do a DAS course in 3 days and pass the test.
How long have been riding the 125? 

[HappyHippy]

As others have said, don't rule out a 500 or 600cc bike. It's not all about engine size - there's a world of difference between a Divvy 600 and an R6. CB500, ER-5, Bandit, Hornet, Diversion, Fazer, GPZ and lots of others would be grand bikes.

I'll also always have a soft spot for my first big bike, a VFR400 - small engine (and small bike) but much more oomph than my next bike (Divvy 600). That said, the grey 400s are getting old now and aren't all that cheap to look after.

I've not ridden a Ninja 250, and it might well be ideal for you - but don't rule the others out. And I would agree with Miki that you don't want to spend a lot on your first bike, mostly because you don't know what style of bike you'll like until you've ridden a few.

[sidewinder]

Hi
Were near enough the same sort of age and experiance.On my divvy i'm paying £180 fully comp.It's actually cheaper on insurance than the gpz500 i was looking at originaly.And it's a big old  pussy cat to ride.

[Orlando Watt]

Where'd you get £100 from?

The cost difference between the A2 and A tests

Although, I wasn't aware that schools were charging different rates now considering the actual lesson format and test format is identical

[Wheelspin]

The cost difference between the A2 and A tests

No difference in test costs.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022530

Although, I wasn't aware that schools were charging different rates now considering the actual lesson format and test format is identical

I doubt it's different rates.  The reason DAS is usually more expensive is that you generally need more time because many DAS riders haven't ridden a bike before.  If you're doing the restricted test then it's just refining your skills to pass a test.

[Orlando Watt]

The reason DAS is usually more expensive is that you generally need more time because many DAS riders haven't ridden a bike before.  If you're doing the restricted test then it's just refining your skills to pass a test.

How do you work that out?

Both tests are taken on 33BHP bikes and the training is identical. All riders will have some 125 experience, even if it is only CBT. The main reason people take the A2, from my experience, is down to age restrictions, ie; under 21 means you have to take A2.

[qwakers]

no ow, both tests are not taken on 33bhp bikes, one is taken on a 14.4bhp 125 the other on a more than 44kw bike.

[Orlando Watt]

no ow, both tests are not taken on 33bhp bikes, one is taken on a 14.4bhp 125 the other on a more than 44kw bike.

A2 is taken on a 33BHP bike in line with the license restrictions. That is to say, A2 restricts you to 33BHP for two years.

A is also taken on the same 33BHP bike.

[jankers]

For the riding you anticipate then a250cc should do nicely.
If the costs are unimportant then the full test would be the better route as you are likely to want a change at some future date.
As for which bike, then it is all down to personal fit and comfort, and that can only be experienced from test rides. Check out the specs for bikes you fancy, the dry weight may be important to you.

J.

[qwakers]

A2 is taken on a 33BHP bike in line with the license restrictions. That is to say, A2 restricts you to 33BHP for two years.

A is also taken on the same 33BHP bike.

please check the dvla website.
one, there is no such catagory as A2, its as full catagory a with a <33bhp note in the notes section
two, you take the 33bhp restricted test on a 125. i should know, i did it.
three, you take the unrestricted test on a bike more than 46.6bhp.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/LearningToDriveOrRide/DG_4022661

[Orlando Watt]

That link does nothing to back up your argument James

Apart from which, look at a restricted license, the category for motorcycle is printed as A2

[qwakers]

i HAD a restricted licence. i ought to know what was written on it.


ok. i get it. your willy is bigger than mine. fine.  go ask a instructor. in fact, i'll even supply you with the phone number..
damerells cornwall.
01726 862400
oh and...

Direct access scheme

Direct access is a scheme which allows a person over the age of 21 to avoid the two year/25 kiloWatt (kW) restriction by taking a test on a machine of at least 35 kW (46.6 brake horse power (bhp)). A pass allows you to ride any size of bike. Any instruction given on a machine that exceeds the normal learner motorcycle specification must be supervised at all times by a certified motorcycle instructor who should be in radio contact. You should also wear fluorescent or reflective clothing and follow all other provisional licence restrictions.

[qwakers]

ok im going to clarify this once and for all, quoting directly from directgov.

my apologies, ow,it is cat A2 for the restricted test. they seem to have changed the licence wording since 2005.  you take this on a bike between 121 and 125ccs. this gives you the 33bhp restriction for 2 years.

Sub-category A2 (standard motorcycle)

Example of a standard motorcycle

A sub-category A2 motorcycle a solo motorcycle between 121 and 125 cc.

They must be capable of more than 62.5 mph (100 km/h)

If you pass your test on this sub-category of motorcycle you can ride motorcycles with a power output of no more than 25 kilowatts. That's the same as 33 brake horse power. This restriction will last for two years.

After two years the restriction will end automatically. You can then ride a motorcycle of any engine size and power output.

Cat A unrestricted you take on a bike of at least 46.6bhp and this gives you a full licence.

Category A (unrestricted)

Example of an unrestricted motorcycle

A category A unrestricted motorcycle is a solo motorcycle with a power output of at least 35 kilowatts (46.6 brake horse power).

You can take your test on a motorcycle in this category under the direct access scheme or progressive access scheme.

If you pass your test on an unrestricted motorcycle, you can ride a motorcycle of any engine size and power output.

i hope that proves it to you.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_178483

[notoriusb.e.n]

Must be a recent change this. I did my A license on my CG in 2008. doesn't say A2 on my license. just says A  (=<25Kw).

[SAS Tom]

Mine says the same as bens and I passed in 2010. Doesn't say A2 anywhere.

Restricted test is taken on a 125, you aren't allowed anything bigger.

[attilathethumb]

this is my test centres prices i was put off the DAS as its up to £700
http://www.abermtc.co.uk/home/the-cost-of-training

[NickH]

I'd guess the extra £100 cost for the DAS course reflects bike hire; maybe fuel and insurance cost them a little more too... I think it's worth doing, even if you don't need the derestriction, you'll be better trained as a result.

As for bikes: I nearly bought, and can almost recommend, a YBR250. Especially if you like your YBR125. It looks and feels much more grown-up than the 125 and has a bit (not a lot) more oomph, but still light and nimble. Very clear instruments, and better tyres than the 125. But it seemed expensive for what you get! A shop wanted £2600 for a 2009 one (oldest available in UK), and I can't imagine many people paying £3800 new - which may be why they're rare.

[Felix]

Mine says the same as bens and I passed in 2010. Doesn't say A2 anywhere.

Restricted test is taken on a 125, you aren't allowed anything bigger.

This. Just got the =<25kW thing on mine and I done it on my XR125.