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spend the money now on quality gear
The plan was to buy a helmet that I wouldn’t need to replace, and the free jacket is a proper bike jacket my mate just doesn’t fit any more. I was hoping that some semi decent second hand trousers would see me through. Boots and gloves too (can’t say I was massively enthusiastic about second hand, but needs must).
I do appreciate that buying good kit is a necessity. Part of me was just doing mental maths trying to figure out how to get on a bike quickly, but I’m starting to realise that I’ll probably need to invest/save a bit more cash than initially thought.
Eg, I was trying to get on the road for about £1500, buying a 125 bike for £7-800 etc.
And it’s mid winter. Tax bill is due at the end of January. I’m functionally unemployed with my field of work being completely dead due to corona. But wangling my way to getting a bike for cheap seemed really appealing, albeit probably a bit stupid.
Nef-
125cc’s are more expensive, because there is a greater market for them. One-day CBT and go. You could pay up to £2k for a ‘decent’ 125cc. The £7-800 may have a lot of issues that aren’t advertised, or essential maintenance that hasn’t been performed.
More likely grand for a middle of the road big bike, £1500 for a serviceable 125cc regardless of the season. The ‘winter is cheaper’ rule didn’t count last year nor this year.
Mine, I spent hundreds on new battery, tyres, chain, sprockets, bulbs, oil/air filters, etc etc etc. Add it to the tally. Cheaper the bike, less likely any of this has been done for you already.
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Good gear on eBay can be had for peanuts really. Especially boots. If you really want to do this two wheeled thi by, start hunting for gear on eBay before bike. You can find some utter bargains.
High quality stuff comes along quite often. Recently got a set of tcx full goretex off road boots for £70. Lid is only thing I buy spanking new.
Bike wise, patience pays off, and have someone go with you to check it out. Uncomfortable in any way, walk away, there’ll be other bikes. If you’re out in the sticks, you’re likely to find better maintained stuff than in the city. Don’t be scared of aiming far outside of your location to find wheels. It’ll pay off.
A good history book pays for itself.
If you get there and the bike is warm, I’d be wary. Always start the bike from
Cold, especially in winter. That’ll raise a lot of issues on the spot if it has any. If any pop up, that’s your position to negotiate.
pdlouche
Chak
Only thing I’d add to what you’ve said is that I’d spend the money now on quality gear. A 125 will still do 60mph or so and if someone pulls out on you, well you know the consequences and I wouldn’t want to be sliding down the tarmac in a £100 helmet and budget trousers.
Factor in some money for boots too. It’s rather inevitable that you’ll drop the bike at one time or another and even a lighter 125 could crush your ankle if you’re still sat on the bike when it fancies a nap