getting first bike, need advise please!

CachouNuts

Hi, this is my first post ever but i need some advice on getting a first bike and after reading various posts here, I thought this would be the right place to ask.
So I give some details on the situation: the main reason for the bike is to avoid traffic (NO to 75min drive for only 15 miles !!!)

I would be going for a 125cc, as from what I read I could get a A1 licence.
My usual drive would be mainly on small countryside road, + dual carriageway and then Cork city centre. So I left out the moped option, or even the scooter as I would need something easy to manoeuvre on bendy, slippery (sometimes flooded) roads.
If you have any suggestions as for the make and model suitable...
Maybe I should also add that ... I am a girl (but not a tiny one, as I understood that size matters: i'm about 1.70m)

Oh, and just another question: I hold a full B licence, will I still need to take a theory test for a provisional A1?
And also if you know any good moto school around Cork for beginners... (I used to drive a moped when I was a teen and I tried friends' bikes once or twice, but that's about it)

Thanks a lot for reading me

Wossack

how old are you? As theres no point just getting an A1 license, when the requirements (bar the age) for the A are the same - same theory test, that yea unfortunately, you'll have to take.

pa990

google "bikecraft" that guy is in blarney

CachouNuts

Hi Wossack, Im 24. isn't the test different between A and A1? Im not mad into getting a huge fast bike anyway.. At least not yet!

Wossack

I believe the only difference in the physical test, not the theory (and I could be wrong here), is that the full test on an A is required to be taken on a bike >125cc (not including a 125, so you'd prolly need to rent a bike for it if you've only a 125)

you'd be mad anyway not to tick the box for A, as well as A1 either way when you get your provisional, and just take the test for the A1. If you're happy after passing the A1 test on the 125 then youre sorted. If however, you're not, youve gotta go pass another driver test... (including going to the back of the line of the waiting lists)

At 24, female, and living in cork, I'd imagine a nice 250 cc cruiser type bike, would be perfect to learn on, and peanuts to insure. And its not a huge fast bike by any stretch

CachouNuts

Thx for that. By the way, in terms of maintenance and servicing? I read (did loads of reading indeed) that the honda were the easiesat/cheapest..

Wossack

I wouldnt know too much about that side of things to be honest, not long in this game myself

In general it seems honda have a good rep alright, but I think the model is more important then the make in terms of cheapness/easy to work on. For example, changing the sparkplugs on my 125 (or plug, should I say ), is a damn sight easier then on the 250 equilivent of my bike (cbr125 vs cbr250).

As a sign of reliability, cheapness to run/service etc, I reckon taking a look at what couriers, and people that ride bikes for a living use. Its a good indication what the real run-forever-bikes are.

sutty

Just cause your bike can run forever, doesn't mean you shouldn't service it at least every 6 months. Less depending on mileage. Any OEM part on a bike will be expensive. An example of this is the Rad temp sensor on a CBR250rr. A part that goes all the time. Is only a small little thing. But costs €80 in the shops. Same goes for cables, handle bars, pipes, engine components. If its OEM, its gonna cost you.


Best thing to do is buy a bike you are fond of and comfortable on. If you can, learn to do small services your self. Like Oil changes, filter changes, brake services and small electrical stuff. This will bring down your Servicing costs more than anything else. But will also give you a better under standing of your bike.

egan007

CachouNuts wrote: »

Hi Wossack, Im 24. isn't the test different between A and A1? Im not mad into getting a huge fast bike anyway.. At least not yet!

Hi

I started riding last April and kept a blog of each stage.
You can read it here.
http://bikeireland.blogspot.com

It's hard to find the right info on the process, hence my blog.

Good luck, you'll never look back.

CachouNuts

CachouNuts wrote: »

Hi Wossack, Im 24. isn't the test different between A and A1? Im not mad into getting a huge fast bike anyway.. At least not yet!

The test is exactly the same. You just do it on different sized bikes. Its a bit silly but thats Irish licencing laws for you
I would say get the A licence and a 250cc machine to start with. I would recommend the Yamaha Dragstar 250. I had the 125 version and am currently riding the 650 version. They are excellent bikes. Very reliable, easy and relatively cheap to maintain and they look and sound great.