[COLOR=blue]I want to buy my first cruiser bike to take both my CBT and Direct Access tests, I wish to keep the bike for longer than 6 months, therefore i am looking at buying a 250cc Yamaha Dragstar or something similar.. has anybody got any reccomendations ? Where & How can i get it restricted for the time it takes to pass my test ? How much do you reckon the cost is ?

You can't do Direct Access on a 250 mate..

Can you not ? I presumed you could do the test on one of their bikes then go back to riding my own 250cc legally ? Incidentally What's the minimum size you can do Direct Access on ?

It sounded like you wanted to take your DAS on the 250 - using the schools bike (500cc) and then going on to your 250 would be OK.

Hmm, i could be wrong, but i read it as him wanting to restrict it down so he could ride it after his CBT (ie down to 13bhp) then do his DAS on the centre's bike, then de-restrict his back to full power.

Anyway's I don't think that's allowed (riding a 250 on a CBT, as I understood it, it's got to be 13bhp AND less than 125cc).

I'll shurrup now

- Anthony

Yep that's what i meant, i just didn't write it down too well. Do both the CBT and DAS tests on the schools bike. In the meantime i want to buy one bike which i can restrict and then later de-restrict (once passed DAs on Schools bike). It just means i can buy a reasonable bike first time around, without the hassle of buying and then selling a 125cc to but a bigger bike. What do you reckon ? Is it worth the hassle of all this restricting ? Or just buy and then sell a 125cc ? Andy ideas on a decent cruiser ?

When do you plan on taking your DAS?? If it's soon, then it may be worth waiting til after you pass before buying a bike, then there's no need to restrict it, just a thought.

I didn't have a bike til a month after passing my test, very frustrating, but worth it in the long run - don't rush out to get the first bike you see.

Sound Advice... i know what you mean about the frustration. I am taking my CBT this weekend, then the DAS I hope will soon follow. I have just sold my car so at the moment i am forced to use the train to and from work !!. The main reason for the bike is the cost of petrol... my Rangerover was drinking the stuff ? So in some ways a 125cc would make sense, and drive it immediately on L plates. Still stuck on exactly which bike and size to go for though.

if it's a 125 and it's still got 2 wheels it'll sell fast.

Looking at Eddies in Leeds... he has a few 125cc Intruders & Marauders in, what d'ya reckon ?

I've seen a fair few bikes with Eddies plates on them, you ought to go check out the bike in person (i notice you're not from round 'ere), preferably with a biker buddy, who's can take it for a test ride (I hadn't done my CBT, so i couldn't test my first one, turned out to have power problems, even though it sounded ok, and looked sweet)

I'd say buying from a dealer is safest as you'll get some sort of warranty, but you'd pay less private (usually)

I bought mine private for £750 when I do my Test I'm going to sell it for around the same price, good thing about 125's is they hold their price quite well due to the demand for as big a bike as you can ride on a CBT.

.

I have a friend who's selling a 125cc MAruader...Exellent condition , Tax MOT etc,

HE'll probly take about 6-700 pounds for it...

PM if ya interested


Personally I'd do the test and go straight to a Yammy XV535 or similar if ya like ya cruisers

I actually work in Keighley... so im only 9miles from Eddies !!... Settle's only 40 miles away, so Eddies is quite near for me. I'm a Mechanical Design Engineer by trade and my Father-In-Law has ridden Harley's all his life, so i guess i should take him. I'm a little concerned about the size of the Marauder as its quite a small bike.. im 6ft 5", but like you say i can't go far wrong with a 125cc for a little while. Insurance is another issue... i presume for a bike worth less than £1K it only worth insuring 3rd party ? (Is this waht you reckon ?) I've been quoted £290 , does this sound about right ?

whoa..!!

Not to p*ss on your fire or nou't but I think you'll struggle on alot of the learner legal cruiser's tbh. they are very small, ...

Ever considered a dirtbike style..? great for learning on , easy to get along with and good for taller riders, I know you like cruisers but for a practice bike they are great...and they're CHEAP!!! ...

Appreciate the advice, still hooked on cruisers, but i know excatly what your saying. Im not overweight or owt, its just that i think i'll look like the drummer from the supergraass music video that was out a few years ago (pumping on your stereo !!). This is why i started thinking about a restricted 250cc or 400cc. Too may choices, not enough knowledge, thats my problem. lol

Yeah crossers are quite nice.

Can you reccomend a Crosser for me to look at ?

the one and only DT125 Yamaha!...

Was my first bike and it rocked

See my sig below

Oi you lot, stop trying to put the poor guy off a cruiser - there's too few of us riding them as it is..........

Ex... what do you reckon then ? 125cc... Shadow, Intruder, Marauder or another one ? I definately want a crusier... remember my father in law has a Harley, he'll p*ss himself laughing if i bought owt else !

If he's got a HD he ought to have a sense of humour, he'll be used to peeps taking the micky (I should know... )

Dont buy a new 125, as lots of people have said previously a used 125 will sell quick enough but you dont need to take the new/used depreciation hit ... might be worth a 'sitting' expedition to the local bike shop to check for leg comfort (knees stuck under armpits is not cool!) before looking for a bike, or get DAS done quickly (some places will rent you a 125 to play with when you have done your CBT) and look for a 400 ish cruiser to play with... and I cant reccomend - sorry... I know nuffink, Ive always bought bikes on impulse!

Cruisers aint that great imo.

A crosser will suit you much better, you will be able to beat the 125 cruisers on it as well.

Yamaha DT125.