I'm wanting to buy my first bike (assuming I pass next week).

I'm 19 (20 in feb) and I have had the torture of driving a '94 Corsa for the past year.

I'm stuck between getting a 125 or getting say a 500 and restricting it. It saves buying a new bike in the long run. Some bike dealers are offering free restriction and 0% APR. However it is also winter and I am an extreme novice as I first rode a bike 2 months ago (Honda CBR 125 i think) so I dont know if i shop take advantage of the current offers or hold out until after the winter.

I've been looking at a suzuki GS500 as quite a few people have recommended it as a first bike and seems an ok price.

Do you recommend a restricted more powerful bike or a 125 until i can ride unrestricted?
Also what is the difference between k1 k2 k3? Are they different models?
Should I even be riding in the winter? I'm already cautious enough riding even if it's dry!

Most people on here will tell you to go straight for the bigger bike.

But my opinion is, get an oldish Honda CG which won't cost a lot, won't matter if you drop it (which you prolly will, we all did at first) and when you've done with it will sell for pretty much what you paid for it. And yes, DO ride through the winter! You'll learn a lot and you'll ride all weathers not like some who are scared of a drop of rain.

Ice is a different matter - when it's icy, take the bus! (or car if you have one).

The roads I take are gritted so ice isn't as much of a problem. It's still something to be wary of though.

It is tempting just to go for a bigger bike. I may have a look at these CGs, like you said.

I think most on here will tell you that relying on councils to grit roads is a route to disaster. Riding on icy days is a problem and you have to take extra care but dont be put off as you say its something to be very wary of.



As for which bike?

I'm bu**ered if I know and there's more on here with the experience to give their opinions but in the you have to make up your mind.

Good Luck with the test.

K1 K2 referes to different models of the later GSXR's, I think after the SRAD, altogh i will probably be corrected.

Personally i would get a big(ish) bike, the 200 quid restrictor kit may be less than depretiation anyway. I had lodsa fun on my ZXR 400 when it was running at 33 horses.

This is my second winter, my advce is to get the right kit and ride through it

GS500 and restrict it

my advice, get an old banger to learn your trade on.

this way if you decide biking isn't for you its no big loss, get a CG, and do a direct access as soon as you turn 21

when I passed my test I got an ER 500, great little bike and I was glad I didn't get a 125, I'm loving the GS I have now. At the end of the day you know what you are able to cope/handle and only you can make that decision. Any bike will only go as fast as you want it to.....Good luck

Yep get a 125 for till your the right age to do DAS.
Cheap CG125 as BG said. Get some road experience, get some lessons. Do your CBT if you havent already.

I never understand buying a new new bike if you've no experience. Very good chance you'll drop it, or you'll ride it in fear of dropping it.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Its the right decision in the long run.

Its easy to say to get a 125, but i imagine alot of people cant remembar just how boring it was owning one.

your choice

What bike will you be taking your test on? I wouldn't go down from that as then it will take you a longer time to move up engine sizes (assuming you want to) I personally found the bigger heavier bikes much much more stable, which in theory will help when facing winter winds and rain. However if something goes wrong theres a lot more bike to pick back up.

I wouldn't buy a new bike though. I would get one of ebay or MCN or somewhere so that you can drop it without too much concern. It will happen.

If you are to ride over winter warm waterproof protective clothing cannot be recommended enough. But its up to you.

I have met a few fair weather bikers who won't ride at all in drizzle or anything but sunshine, riding over winter will free you from that. Its not always enjoyable though. Riding in snow is a bitch.

If you have the cash how about the Kawasaki 250 Ninja? Pretty decent performance, light, would not need restricting, looks the doggies nuts. But wait till spring! Get an old CG off ebay and crash your way through winter first.... My CG defies everything my son throws at it and it is quite a lot of fun so long as you are not on boring main roads.

The "test" your talking about is this your CBT or Full license?

I guess you have 2 options...

1. get a bike you want and restrict it. Pray you don't crash

2. get a bike you dont want and smash it to bits. Get a bike you want once you have experience.

Wise words.
Get a 125 as a winter bike and move up when the weathers better.
If we have a bad winter and you ride through it then that '94 Corsa is going to start looking like a dream car!

get a 600 and restrict it.
CBF600 or something similar... a Bandit or Hornet etc. maybe
they're quite popular with everyone i know who's recently passed.

you'll be thankful once you've passed and when you're able to derestrict it you've got a decent sized bike that will do everything you need and more.

I think i'd get bored on a de-restricted 500... but that's just my humble opinion

My opinion and what I would do if I was in your situation..

Do the restricted license as from March the test is going to change, so that way you get the license stuff out of the way...
( I think most people are forgetting this bit when advising on getting a 125 and then sorting your full license later)

get a cheap 500 or 600, restrict it and ride and get experience till your restrictors come off.

you can buy a CB500 for under 1k... cheap enough that if you drop it you won't be crying and they are good bikes.

i did a 125 test about 6 weeks ago, and i can tell you, 33bhp is plenty enough, even in a v-twin cruiser, i leave everything bar other bikes standing at traffic lights, and she hits 60 without any issues (not taken her on a motorway yet), trust me, 33bhp is plenty, unless you want to go nuts and splat the speed limits all over the place

Exactly what I thought when I read that.

Q: What's the best bit of kit to keep you warm & dry in winter?
A: A Toyota!

That's true JP, have to say I don't actually know what the new rules are going to be. But choice of bike to ride through the winter isn't necessarily dependent on what test you do - could still have 125 for winter.

Sorry for not being able to reply sooner. I'm doing my A2 test next friday (am) on a Honda GC 125cc (instructors bike). I completed my CBT on the 27/09/2008 on the same bike

Nice to see people having views on both choices. Personally I'm still undecided. The 125cc is sounding nice for the winter and a bit of experience.

I have ridden a 125 for nearly four years and passed my (restricted) test in May. Despite my licence, because of my lack of paitence (and getting the first one that looked OK at the time) I have a 500cc Suzuki that is currently off the road (until the brakes and sprockets are sorted, cheer's Wrinkly) but I still ride all over the place on a 125!!!

.
It's not as thrilling, but the way I see it- you should pass your test ASAP, on a 125 if neccesery (before they finally change the test) and even if you have to chug about on a CG125 for a year or so while you save up for a decent big bike, At least you'll have the licence and the only thing stopping you is choice (or the ability to shell out over £200 on a set of washers that pass as a "restriction kit").

However, I think there's only two of us who post often on here who have passed their test who still use 125's (me and David), but it's all about what you can get on with. I'd rather use the 500cc that I have, but until it's legal... the 125 will have to do. It's still a bike and it still makes me grin

My only piece of advice is... whatever you buy.... don't get a Chinese bike or an Aprillia RS125.

Ooo right!

so you are going for the A2 and you just want advice on the bike...

in that case...



I stick with buying a cheap 500 (like the CB) and ride through winter... you'll get bored of the 125cc....
but it's up to you, just stating what I would do if it was me.

all the best!

Well if we're talking about a 125 being boring why not get a Yamaha RXS100 - it's a 2-stroke and it's quicker than a 125 4-stroke. It'll do 70 easily, it accelerates like mad as long as you work the gears hard and keep it in the powerband, and it's a damn sight more robust than the Italian strokers. It would still need a fair bit of maintenance, regular plug cleaning, chain adjusting about once a week if you ride it like I did, and a rebore every 25000 miles.

I had a lot of fun on mine and would still ride it if I could!

No good for taking your test on of course, but you can do that on a school bike.

I've looked into getting a bike. Decided for a honda 125. Means I can use it before I pass my test and when im restricted too. It should keep me out of harm. I'm going to look at some CGs later on in the week from a guy advertising on bike traider. He has several CGs as the one advertised it gone. not sure if he is a business or what. Im sure my dad will soon tell if he's legit or if the bikes are stolen (30 years in the police).

What should I look for on the bikes? They are roughly 01 reg. Look clean from the pictures, £750-£800 cant tell on milage yet. Of course I dont want to go tyre kicking but I'd like to know I got a decent bike when i go to buy!

Thanks for any tips!

Where abouts in Durham are you? There are a few of us knocking about the area so we could go with you if they are local to any of us.

The CG's are good, relaible things- just a bit slow on dual carraigways (but unless your going along the A19 every day, it's not much of a problem).

Don't count on the "keeping you out of harm" bit.

Go on a dual carridgeway and you will be sitting at about an indicated 50mph and will have no way to escape any dangerous drivers.

I recently had a Renault Megane miss me by inches doing about 100mph on the motorway. It was a boy racer with "megane" written all over it (I'd be ashamed of a megane. Aren't they sh!te?) I think the megane was tailgating the car infront in lane 2 so the car infront braked and the megane had to swerve into my lane while honking their horn. Then they sped down the nearest slip road.

No time for me to react even though I was checking my right mirror every 4 seconds. (better pick another word mates always try and overtake me an inch away from me.

If I had a fast bike then this wouldn't have happened along with all the other dicks that overtake half a foot away. I need something sharp on my boot so I can scrape the feckers car as they go past.

I am on the motorway every day but I think I will give it up and go the long way.

Hey Dave,

You and I are in a somewhat similar situation. Are you going for your DAS or are you going just on the CBT 125cc limit for 2 years? From the research I have done there is a lot of conflicting information about what bike to get to "learn" on once you have passed your CBT and what route to take, be it direct access or restricted for 2 years.

I personally have been looking at the Kawasaki ER6 649cc as these bikes have been recommended by many for first time riders. Perhaps you should look into something similar if you want to avoid situations that David_m213 mentioned.

IKWYM but ...

I don't get bored on my unrestricted 400 single. I also have the choice of two supersports bikes as an alternative, but the DRZ is still a real laugh.

It's funny - maybe it's an age thing, I don't know. I've ridden some pretty good bikes (litre class sports bikes, giant trailies, classics, outfits, cruisers, greys, all sorts) and have yet to ride some of the real powerhouses (such as 'busa, ZX14 etc, but hey ho) but I find that the 400 most of the time is a real fun bike. Even on the jaunt up to Peterborough it was quite a lark, blatting up the m-way, but still able to dodge the traffic when it came to built up sections.

I mean, yes, there's no substitute for maniac power, but all the same ...

Word for word exactly what Andy at Fin's was asked and said. Did you cut and paste that :-)

@Anth: Thank you for the offer. I phoned the bloke out and found he is over 100 miles away so I've thrown that idea out the window and now im on the hunt again. Still looking at getting a CG. I live in the brandon/meadowfield area if you know it. The only travelling I would be doing with it is to and from durham then to college (new college durham) and the only roads that way are 40 limits at the most.

@Drey. Im 19 so therefore will just be doing my A2 then leaving my license the two years with a possible 125 or 33bhp bike, whatever I end up getting. I only choose the 125 because it saves me buying/selling in a couple of weeks when i pass. Of course I could just wait and get a restricted one. I try to keep my options open. I will take on board you advice and keep every one informed!


Great input guys. I love hearing you opinions. Just when I think I've made my mind up someone throws me back to being undecided!

No idea who Andy is mate.

I heard that years ago eaves dropping a conversation in a shop- new biker earnestly asked gnarly old biker and got just as earnest a reply.

I don't know why, but I thought it was both very true and gut bustingly funny, so it stuck with me.

If you want to use your bike for fun then it will matter if you're bored on your bike or not.

But if it's purely transport then it doesn't matter what you ride as long as it gets you there.

I am completely bored of my CG, although it's a great bike for filtering and cheapness. I went from never filtering because I was scared of hitting someones mirror or something to filtering at any chance I can.

I may be bored of my CG, but it's still giving me biking experience which will transfer to the bigger bikes.

Oh yeah, I'd swap my CG for a corsa any day if insurance wasn't £2000 tpft. Well, I'd swap it for at least the winter anyway.

The great thing about a small bike is that you ride it flat out and if you get into trouble you'll still be doing a speed where you can getb out of trouble again. Having said that, my first 3½ years were on a 100cc 2-stroke - and the strokers are a lot more fun than the 125 4 strokes - and quicker too!

I agree with the 2-strokes being more fun. I'd love to get a 2 stroke trail bike to muck around on.

Yes, the 125s are slow enough that if you go too fast into a bend you will have a better chance of recovering it.

But once you have biking experience and if you have self control then you'll get out of trouble more easily on a big bike.

I'd trust myself to make the right judgements and have enough self control not to get too carried away on a big bike but do not trust everyone else on the road.

A machine with huge, wide tires, 2 front disc brakes, quick acceleration and quicker steering will give you a better chance to get you away from trouble that is caused by other people.

give me a bandit or divvie over a CG for safety.

That guy sitting up your arris but won't overtake while you are sitting at your top speed of 50mph probably won't notice when your front tire bursts and you have no steering.

At least on a big bike you can get away from people who are too close to you.

I find it hard to believe that the top speed of a 125 is 50!

I used to travel at 70 on my old 100! Had to know how to wind it up to get there though - from what I've seen of folks on 125s they don't use the gears enough to get them up to speed.

yup i know the area quite well, ur about 5 miles away from me lol

top speed of the CG 125 is about 60mph.

Keep it at that for longer than a couple of minutes and you'll kill the engine.

I know because I did it.

50mph is the realistic speed it can do continuously over a distance.

I have no problem getting my bike up to speed. Don't generalise us 125 riders. I can shift up and down perfectly smoothly without the clutch.

I don't think BikerGran was having a Dig at you David, as she said from what she has seen they dont. I don't see that as a sweeping generalization, if it was she would have said all 125 riders

I had (an indicated) 70 on the CG125 that I had on loan when I was learning. But I can imagine if one was a bit "tired" and there was a headwind 50ish might be more realistic.

My CB100N certainly did 70 ok!

Shouldn't be downshifting without the clutch mate.

Clutchless upshifts are good as it reduces wear on the clutch but other way around is baddddd

I rode around on a 125 for 6 months before I passed my test. Unless you are absolutely sure you only want a bike for commuting I would buy a 500/600 and get it restricted. It is a lot easier to ride (turn the throttle and it actually goes, not turn the throttle, replace hands and turn it ever further). My mate has an ER-5 for sale, v goodlooking bike and well-maintained only done 12000 miles (£550) but it's in Portsmouth and you're up north so not really helping sorry.

If you want a 125 then get a Van-Van or the Kwak equivalent who's name escapes me, or a 125 Varadero -not cheap as chips - also MZ RT125 - all more modern set up than the old CG - and they look fun

I doubt if CG's are limited to 50 as my 125 Yam auto scooter would do over 70 and I regularly overtook stuff on the A303 (downhill )

Some chinese 125's look ok but I can't advise on which is good and which not

You may find 500's a bit heavy after the 125's if you haven't practised on them, but the Kwak ER5 can be got used for very little dosh and is a superb bike for any use (except racing) no plastics to break if an ooops!! happens, and will still out-pull cars away from the lights

Mates 125cc went down to Kelso and up to Applecross - most of it flat out at over 50mph with no engine problems

Can anyone tell me what effect doing SMOOTH downshifts on a bike?

I was told that it's only really a problem if you don't do it smoothly.

anyway I don't do it all the time, but I can't think how doing smooth downshifts would be really bad.

clutchless downshifts are pointless anyway tbh. I just do them because I'm lazy.

Riding a bike at it's top speed all the time can only be bad for it. That's why I keep to around 50. Higher than that and the engine is usually reving too high.

MP's CG tops out at around a GPS verified 55mph on the flat and with no tailwind. Gets a bit above that on the downhill but then drops to around 50 on the uphill. (speedo is showing a touch over 60 though..)

And from what I remember its a 2002 with around 10k miles so not that old/high mileage.

and clutchless downshifts are only bad if you feck them up, its just they have a lot more potential to lock the rear if you get them wrong that upshifts do.

Well I'm amazed at the poor top speed of 125s, even tho I used to overtake them all the time - reckon I better rebuild my 100 stroker and sell it, got to be a market for a little bike that does 70!