Driving Motorbikes

McGrathsipan

Ive got to the stage where I'm planning on ditching my car and getting a motorbike. I have a pain in my bollox watching the price of petrol go up on a nearly daily basis at this stage. €1.62 in my local station and it was €1.51 there less than 2 weeks ago. Up and up and up. Fuckers.

So my plan is to get a bike and save myself about €4000 a year.

I have never driven a bike (legally) so I am wondering what regulations there are in place. (in Ireland). Also as I havent really paid much attention to Bikes as a car driver I haven't a notion on what make to get.

How easy is it to get insured, do you need to do a full licence test before you get insured and how strict are the regulations on engine size for your first bike?

Any bikers in here that can offer advice other than the usual helpful caf advice?

Irwinwastheking

I switched jobs a few weeks ago and lost my company vehicle. I was planning on getting a bike too, but the amount of fucking red tape you have to go through in Ireland is unreal. I'm a driver with 13 years driving experience and full no claims, but yet I think I'm still expected to do a theory driving test again.

I also priced insurance on a few machines and the cost was astronomical. As far as I can make out you cannot use no-claim earned on a car policy for a bike policy. Maybe someone can shed some light on it.

McGrathsipan

i had heard its a red tape minefield.

At 32 with a clean licence i'd expect it to count for something.

Im gonna check the insurances now.

R_Kelly

I've lost two mates to motorbike accidents, they're absolute death traps.

Increasing petrol costs v being alive, I know which one is more important to me.

Heardy

Keep the car for rainy days, and buy a vespa for daily commuting.

You can probably buy one and insure/tax it for a year for €4000.

Far easier to get on the road (at least in the UK), and much more economical.

McGrathsipan

Sorry to hear about your mates man.
My plan was to get a 125CC jsut to get me in and out of work.

My job is 40kms from the house, would a Vespa be suitable for that kind of distance?

Heardy

40km is pretty far I guess.

I'm sure the GTS 125 has a top speed of only 65mph, so if you're doing a lot of motorway driving I guess you can scrap the idea.

mariachi-19

You can get scooters with 600c motorbike engines in them. A fair few have 250cc which is suitable for most.

Quite frankly, if it's only for a commute, you're far better off getting a 250 kawazaki bike or the likes. Big bikes are fun, but they really are only for those uber serious who like weekend touring or track days. I've ridden a Honda Fireblade 'strictly legally of course ' and the speed is a sensation like you wouldn't believe. That much raw power is actually quite scary on the road and it's no wonder that people die on them. It's like driving an Enzo Ferrari without all the safety equipment and only two wheels.

McGrathsipan

I wouldnt even have the guts to be speeding on a big machine as much fun as it may be.
I have made a few calls and so far it seems that we have to get a learners permit , do a basic training course and then apply for insurance on a small CC bike.

This isnt going to be easy.

mjs020294

you don't DRIVE a motorcycle, you RIDE them.

McGrathsipan

I'll ride you if you dont shut up.

mjs020294

if you look half as good as Weastie in a dress you got yourself a deal.

McGrathsipan

Maybe I do but I'm not putting any more pictures of me in a dress on the Internet.

In other news I've applied for a motorbike licene and a theory test.
Then I must do 4 lessons to get a certificate to allow me to apply for a full licence... Pissing me off already

mjs020294

I did the leaner and full license years ago in Salford. It only took two or three weeks in total, think it was two classroom, two car park and a few hours on the road. I went straight on a GSX-R750 though. Got my first and only speeding ticket in the first two hours of owning that bike....go figure.

McGrathsipan

I'm gonna just get it done anyway. I'll have it done again I sit around complaining about it. Petrol will be 2 quid a litre in about 8 weeks the way things are going.

Team Brian GB

Surely that is more than offset by the cost of refuelling them being a fraction of filling a car?

I don't know what the case in other UK cities is but in London the number of motorcycles and especially scooters on the roads have soared in the last five years or so, you cannot fail to notice how many there are now.

mjs020294

When I had a bike the insurance wasn't bad. I think it was around £400 a year, and at the time my car insurance was twice that.

Wibble

I'd get something a little more powerful than a 125, a 250 maybe or even a little bigger. I'd also buy something with a fairing so that you stay drier and warmer. Buy something cheap but reliable second hand and then don't bother insuring it comprehensively.

McGrathsipan

I think a 125 to start will be enough. I dont want to be lashing down the road and have an accident. If I have more power I will use it and I want to get a decent bit of experience first.

Cheap and cheerful to start and some decent leathers to keep warm on the commute.

The Black Pearl

Mc if i remember correctly from a pic of yourself you put up here a while back your a big enough lad, you'd be lucky to knock out 50 mile an hour out of a 125cc bike & that would be on a good day, no wind & rain etc. That's a bit to slow in fairness. You'd need something between at least a 250cc to a 600cc bike i think myself.

Sometimes a bigger bike can actually be more safer than riding a bike barely the weight of a bag of crisps & a set of tyres/wheels no wider than what would be on a bicycle.

If i were you i'd buy a 600cc bike & get a speed limiter on it, that'll only allow you to do 60/70 miles an hour tops & your insurance will still be the same as if you had a 125cc. Its what i did when i was starting out. I started out on a Yamaha R6 (speed limiter fitted) a lovely bike & one i reckon would be ideal for you. Look them up if you get a chance.

edit: Nice bike here in rare colours for 2600 euros. Speed limiter fitted 150 euros, Ins 400/500 euros & tax hardly worth mentioning. You'd have your money made back in less than 12 months!

Yamaha R6 for sale in Tipperary : €2,600 - DoneDeal.co.uk

mariachi-19

You're better off with a 250. They're not overly powerful. Nicely balanced and easy to ride. I think a 125 will probably lack the power especially on the highway. I frequently ride a yamaha WR 250 dirt bike and find that sized engine suitable. If you absolutely give it the bean the front will pick up, but other than that, it's very easy to ride.


Something like this



or this



They look mean and scary but that's just styling.

Colin129

It'll hurt just as much at 30mph on a 125 as a 600 if you get hit by a car or skid on diesel on a roundabout.

The other thing you'll notice is how little regard car drivers will have for you or your safety.

I've never met a biker who hasn't had an accident and you always come off worse.

I had a Honda C70 when I was 17, to get me to school and about. I came off it once at a zebra crossing once when a pedestrian just wandered onto the crossing without looking at the traffic. It was a wet day, I skidded & came off, with the bike on top of me, fortunately its a very light bike so no serious injury to me, but the cars were queueing up behind me drumming their fingers on the steering wheels, no one got out to see if I was alright.

It frightened the life out of me & I got a car as soon as I could afford to (well I couldn't really afford it but I got one anyway).

If you want to save money, get a small diesel and drive it economically, you'll get 55/60 to the gallon and you'll be safe.

McGrathsipan

you cheeky shit im 5'9 and 12 stone...But yeah maybe a 250 cc is better. Itll depend on insurance.

Lovely looking machines I have to say. Very racer looking. I could see myself on one like that.


Believe me colin I dont want to have to do this but Its breaking my heart paying out 4 grand on fuel and that figure is going up. I know people that had bikes in the past and they have all said the same thing to me to stay away from bikes. I like to think I could control myself but your right, one thing I cant control is other road users.

The Black Pearl

I didn't mean big as in fat, i meant big as in tall & broad. I edited that post too btw, found a nice bike down in Tipp for you!

The difference in insurance won't be a lot on a 600cc bike once you have a speed limiter fitted (something i highly recommend) than that of a 125cc bike.

Zarlak

Just be sensible on it McG, yes you're in more danger but you can be aware and concentrate. Millions of people ride every day without incident. Just be sensible and aware, especially of some twats in cars who have no regard for you as already mentioned.

Colin129

I'd seriously consider something like this:

McGrathsipan

Nice Bike, I might give him a call...thats a 600cc??


I suppose its all about being careful.

(havent forgotten about your other thing either Zarlak)

The Neviller

What about one of these?

Shane B

For a decent starter bike..

Look at a Honda CB500 or a Suzuki 600 Bandit...

Two nice reliable bikes that get you used to the size and power of a big bike, but without pulling your arms out of the sockets.

I'm just about to get a 1200 Bandit.. I've done 15 years of scooters and currently have a CB500..

I'm glad I didn't do this when I was a kid.. the rush of acceleration is fantastic and it's only the cautiousness of being 40 that keeps me in check.

For making the switch from driving a car to riding a bike.. it's brilliant filling the tank for 200 miles of journey for a mere £22... tax is cheap.. my insurance is £80 a year too.. but you have to be proper on your toes with dickhead drivers who are doing anything but look at the road.

I ride in London.. we've a wide array of complete fucking idiots.. the key to surviving is to expect the unexpected.

Big bonuses are skating past all the traffic (used to take me 2hrs to do 20 miles now it takes half an hour) and one that rarely gets mentioned is being able to accelerate out of trouble or traffic.

Another nice point is motorists are cunts to each other and bikers always have a polite nod for each other.

Last thing to consider is how you want to sit on your bike.. sports bikes you are down low and can be a strain on your arms.. I like an upright bike, I can see above the traffic and it's comfortable.

I hate driving.. but enjoy my bike...

McGrathsipan

It all depends how much my insurance will be and regualtions that get in my way. Id only be using it for the work commute which is 40kms a day, and those are not city roads but would be busy enough.

Im doing my licence theory test on Friday and after that ive to complete 4 sessions of lessons. 2 on road and 2 in the classroom.

Should be handy enough to pass through and get the licence but its going to take a few weeks. The Civil service in Dublin is shite at the best of times.

Shane B

In England.. despite me driving since I was 17...

A theory..
A CBT
A part 1 on a bike course
A part 2 on the road.

It's a mither.. but you just can't let people jump on a bike.. or they will kill themselves.

dogrob

That car is the biggest bag of shit ever made, we have them at work now and again and there a pain in the arse to drive, handle like a wet bag of cement, I wouldnt recommend them to anyone

77

I took my motorcycle test in the states. It comprised of an online theory test, 25 questions, multiple choice from four answers each question. You need to get 17 right. Then the test is in the DMV parking lot going around some cones, stop in a box, emergency stop from 15mph.

I took my test on a Vespa. I could have gone out and jumped on a Harley right afterwards if I wanted without any road experience whatsoever.

Motorcycle insurance in the US doesn't cover your medical if you get hurt.

I stay off the freeway and never ride in the wet, too risky.

Rams

Here's one of 77 earlier today

77

Yuk yuk yuk

Rams

You can't tell me a bike is better than a car, especially over here in cold climates. I much rather be sitting in a traffic in my warm car listening to my own music than being on a motorbike in the cold & pouring rain.

77

Back in my yoof I used to ride all over the UK to scooter rallies in all kinds of weather. After almost every rally I'd hear about someone somewhere getting killed. Mental when I look back now.

Rams

When I was a teen it wasn't scooters, but mopeds like Honda XT or MB's. We'd then increase the speed so they could > 100kmph. 7 lives? I must have had at least 77..

Shane B

In London.. if you want to get to somewhere.. then forget about driving.

The Motorbike is the king.