First Bike - Need Help Finding One Around This Area

[kernoman]

Hi,

I am looking to get a cruiser style bike primarily for commuting to work but with intentions of getting my bike license within the two year CBT limit so I can get a larger bike for touring.

The bikes I have in mind are as follows:

Honda Shadow 125
Suzuki VL Intruder 125
Yamaha XVS Dragstar 125

I have had a look at autotrader and some local dealers however it appears the Honda Shadows are like gold dust or just way to expensive for my first bike therefore I think my choice is now between the Suzuki or Yamaha.

Can anyone recommend a good place to get one from as they seem very rare around my area, I am looking for anything around 6 years old (max) and looking to spend at most £2k. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

K

[Beejyman]

My younger bro got hold of a 2001 honda shadow for just over a grand a year ago.

All the 2nd hand V twin 125 cruisers have sky rocketed as the emmisons laws have stoped their manufacture but my advice to you is just keep checking ebay, bikertrader and mcn so see if on comes up.

[ZXR400Lee]

How old are you? If you are younger than the minimum age for Direct Access I would suggest you do your test and end up on a two year 33bhp restricted license.

After two years, without any further testing you'll be able to ride any size bike.

On restricted license, you'll have cheaper insurance, no L plate requirements, be able to ride anything thats restricted to 33bhp.. you can easily look at 650 size restricted cruisers..

Best option IMO.

[billinom8s]

whhy spend £2000 on your first bike ?

it will probs get a bit 'aged' while you are learning and riding it in all weathers. It may pay you to get an older bike thats easier to handle trials style maybe - they have less plastic, no chrome and are easy to handle, then when you have got your skills on you can go for something closer to your heart and keep it in the condition you would like.

just my opinion but then i am a bit safe and logical with my own choices.

not sure where you would get a bike like that, try speed or bikeworx in exeter.

[kernoman]

I'm old enough to do my DAS but money is tight at the moment so going for the cheaper option of doing CBT and sticking with a 125 for a year or two.

I dont want to spend £2K on my first bike if I can help it but thats the kind of price I have seen the bikes for, ideally i am looking around the £1400 at most, just looked on ebay and theres a few on there around this price so i think a road trip may be my only option, would have preferred to buy from a dealer (or locally) just for piece of mind really

I see the suzuki maurauders are quite cheap but i think that would be too small for me, i am 6ft and around 14st

[White2505]

Alex Buckingham in Barnstaple have the following if its of use

if the link doesn't work go to http://www.alexbuckinghammotorcycles.com and check their second hand stock.
brand new 125cc cruiser for under £1600

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/bi ... 6352417096

[kernoman]

Thanks for the links, I like the look of the AJS bikes although I have read the reviews and they have a lot of plastic and are poorly built, plus getting hold of parts could be an issue so I want to stick to known brands. I will keep an eye on their 2nd hand bike section though.

[ZXR400Lee]

What does CBT cost nowadays? I did my actual bike test on my 17th birthday.. think test was like £80ish and I did the theory a few weeks before.. that was £20.75.. I did a morning session on a 125cc and the test in the afternoon.. That was 5/6 years ago..

[billinom8s]

if you have 2 grand to spend, you can do DAS for about £500 then that will leave you your £1400 budget for a bike PLUS you will have a full license ?

[Tom L]

Having a 125 isn't a bad option if you want to get going on bikes. I started that way and im defiantly a better rider for it having worked my way up through the cc's. However, get a £500 runner if you want to do that. A 125 cruiser is never a good option.

This is only my opinion but as far as i see it riding a cruiser is all about the feel/soul etc of the bike, not thrashing it but enjoying the ride, the looks, the torque and sound (lots of sound). A 125 just isn't going to deliver, whatever you get will just be a scooter with lots of fancy shiny bits. Basically, you cant polish a turd.

If you want to get a cruiser, get virago or something. They go silly cheap and it wont intimidate you and you'll get plenty of change out of £2000.

i've found that getting the wrong bike can kill a love of biking.