Buying Your First Motorcycle UK - My Thoughts And Advice

hi dibber. ...perhaps when we finally have exit from the EU we can go back to the British standard kite mark and ban these Chinese and Korean bikes

Sorry i know this vid is a year old i just wanted to throw something in. I know the Chinese imports have terrible build quality compared to other makes but i had one as my first bike and don't regret it. I bought it for £150 got it through its mot with a new center stand and a new indicator relay. It lasted my first year of riding where i dropped it a couple times, but it didn't matter because it was a complete dog. By the second year of my cbt i had enough saved to get myself a nice Yamaha xt. But if i had wanted to could have made that dog of a bike last me my second year as well. just saying if your a new rider who isn't afraid to learn some maintenance a second hand import may not be out of the question.

Chinese bikes are a lot better now

Hi dibber.. great advice. Just started researching 125cc bikes this week, as I'm fed up with all the train strikes in London. I need a better way to get around. Its only a 7 mile commute.. but cycling in the winter is grim. My mind is set. I need something nippy, cheap and friendly to get around a few tight London roads. Any recommendations? top 5?

So far i love the look of the bonneville, or the susuki van van... but they come with a hefty price tag. Love the look of the honda CB125F or the KTM 125 Duke. But, again, hefty price tag, maybe worth it performance wise, but not sure i would use them to their full potential as a learner.

PLEASE please please... any advice would be welcome. Comments from other appreciated. I will take at least 1 month to choose. So help me avoid disaster please.

ty in advance.

Steve,

london

Agreed, hopefully getting a 125 Suzuki intruder come April 😎

I had a Chinese bike and the pins in the rear sprocket rattled them selfs out and got caught on the swing arm causing the rear wheel to lock up, I only had the bike 1 week but luckily I was only doing 40mph at the time and was able to control it. after that I had no end of problems with it.. I had the honlie lifan of 125-33

i'm 16 and got my 50cc moped , i see what you mean exactly , i got a lexmoto new and i do like it even though it's chinese but i should of not got it new , my mates have already dropped it and ive crashed it once aswell and even though it wasnt that bad it still set me back £80 , i fully agree because ive experienced it , i still love my bike though even though i can't wait to get a 125cc

I went from a Gilera Cougar 125cc, had that for 12 months then got a ZR750. Perfect transition for me. Never had a crash (so far) been riding 12 years now :)

I disagree with having to work your way up . it's all in the caliber of person . like anything in life when you first do something there's challenges ., some people adapt faster than others and some just can't hang no matter what time and effort they put in it . some people started big and they stick with it their whole life ., others started big and there ego is bigger than they can handle .,

but yes in general most people should start small and work their way up

My first bike is a 2015 Dyna low rider FXDL. definitely glad i never went smaller

Gr8 vid

I have a 98 Kawasaki Vulcan 500 (first bike) I put 8,000 miles on in the first year. Road it rain or shine even in the freezing cold. Had to dig it out of a snow bank last winter. (have no garage or shed) It only has a little rust on the pips and mirrors. It is one of those clean the carbs and ride it like you stole it bikes.

It's funny now most the comments are fro. Dudes saying just go get a 1000 cc bien u be ok for a first bike. Come on now that is dumb I believe starting slow is better. U have to learn to walk be for run

U think a 50cc scooter be good to get for the first time then move up to like a 125cc I agree u should never just jump. On a 600cc if u never been on a bike because. It will be to powerful

my first bike was a honda sabre 600...a 20+years, falling apart motorcycle 😅 nowadays I ride a(new) yamaha midnight star 1300.
it is a good thing to build up slow.!!

Im disagree with the idea you have to be moving up in size, you tomorrow find a job as a 18 wheeler driver and you going to learn to drive a 18 wheels monster no a Ford F115, then a commercial van then a 16ft! NO! you going to be in the street from your Honda Civic to a kenworth 18 wheeler truck, so, move slow is a myth.
My first motorized vehicle was a 70cc and next was a Harley Davidson Fat Boy with no accidents, I always respected speed and the bike. I had with my 70cc all my accidents in turns, getting into curves so fast and wrong braking, slides, wheel block, etc.
If you plan to drive a motorcycle no matter the size you must consider at least take 2 days classes, (in many states in mandatory) that going to make you a better driver, give you all the answers and learn to ride in a controlled environment, so go for your 900, 1200, 1600cc or whatever you want and can afford. Be responsible and enjoy the freedom of ride.

my first bike was a 1985 Honda Rebel 250cc. Gave me the feel of a cruiser while learning to ride. Dumped it a couple times so I say good advice Dibber

Great advice as always. I learned on a 125 then went on to a 250 because the 125 was no good on a motorway. The 250 cruised at 80 no problem. Got a 650 now and loving it. Do not agree with the below comment at all although the rules have changed now - you can't ride a 650 without a specific test now. This to me is very dangerous policy - what are your thoughts Dibber?

First actual motorcycle ride was a HD sporty 883. Nervous as hell for the few blocks I covered by myself. First bike is a Honda Shadow VT750ACE. I want to step up but hate to trade her in. I'd suggest an Enduro as training wheels here in the US.

good advice I wish more people would take more notice of that advice though to many young riders been lost