MadMac

Have been toying the idea to maybe taking up learning how to ride a bike.

I used to put off the idea when I was younger mainly because I was a bit of a nutcase on the roads and would probably have killed myself on a bike.

But being a bit older now, I think maybe I am a bit more subdued experience and wary now to consider riding one without breaking my neck in ten seconds.

I do still want to buy a car, but have been putting off buying something for myself for about 2 years now because the cost of having a car just seems to be getting worse and worse, but I do need something to get around on for work.

So I was thinking, how much would it actually cost to get a bike license?

Bike owners, whats the running costs like?

How much is insurance?

What sort of bike would be good for commuting use (no mopeds please!)

daz1968

Have you thought of a quad as has bike running costs and ok with car license. I have seriously thought about one the way running costs are going,

MadMac

I dunno about quads, they have a bit of a rep for being a hooligan. I will confess I have seen a few going about recently. But if I was buying a bike it would be a proper traffic dodging bike and not a halfway house.

1.9 xr2 on 40's

cbt Ł100
lessons Ł100 - Ł300 depending how you are at riding (i did 3)
tests Ł150 (i think for both) (theory and practical)
bike bet on a grand upwards (i gave that for my 1st fireblade)
insurance Ł300 1st year much cheaper after
fuel 30 - 60 mpg on a normal sports bike dependoing of where you ride (down the bypass at 170 makes it drink i once did a usual 1h,15m journey in 26 mins inc fill up, drank alot of fuel to do that tho)
tax is 60 a year i think
some bikes need more money that others, in the 1st year i put Ł250 into tyres set fo rfork seals and bits and bobs, chain and sprokets come it at around 100-150 but its all depenedant on the bike because if you get something like an ntv you will use far less fuel, tyres and everything else but you wont be the fastest thing around bar that newer bike

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Bike running costs are practically FA. They are very economical!

1.9 xr2 on 40's

i wouldnt bother either, dangerous at speed (even 60!) and really work to ride, get off feeling tired just keeping upright and no dodging about traffic or really fast runs

1.9 xr2 on 40's

some give less mpg than a little car and its not the fuel its the service items, imagine getting less that 10k out of a pair of tyres and you only get 2 for Ł200 + quid (i got less that 4k from my 208's and they were Ł400 a pair)

focusv8

Not forgetting the cost of Helmet, boots, gloves and leathers, and waterproofs for when it's raining.

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

I used to commute on this.

Easier on the wrists than a race rep and a much better view in traffic.



43 mpg

Tax around Ł60 per year

Insurance was approx Ł250 with 2 years no claims for 43 year old.

Sold it as I needed the room in the garage and it freed up some cash.

Wish I still had it

Passed my test in 1986 so no idea what it costs now!

MadMac

I guess when you think of it then in that case, yes the bike is probably half the cost of the car, but everything else builds it up?

Running is cheaper, but parts are not?

MadMac

Actually thats the sort of thing I was thinking of getting, or a cruiser type as I might have to ride it for 50miles every day so need something comfortable.

Mark V8

iTrader: (2)

Mine only cost me tyres and oil changes, modern bikes a very reliable and do not cost much to run.

RC4

thought you had 10k for a car???
keep using the missus micra dude at least
for another 3 years the bike test is hard now.......................

Shings

I'm doing this and have been looking and the costs are like this:

Bike Theory - must do - Ł40 ish
DAC (Direct Access) budget Ł6-800 depending on location and bike.

Then the bike:
I am told get a Bandit or a Hornet - but they're well gaylord - Ł1k
Anything nice and sporty upto Ł3k
Brand new bike - best commuter but still looks good would be a Kawasakie ER6F about Ł6k.
GSXR or CBRR about Ł8-10k
Personal Fav is the Triumph 675R or a CBR RR
Insurance on a bandit about Ł300 - GSXR -Ł1k - CBR RR Ł1200 - Triumph - Ł2k !!!!

Kit:
BEST HELMET you can afford - my AGV helmet cost me Ł250 from the bike show
Boots about Ł60
Gloves Ł40
Jacket Ł100-Ł300 depending on make and type - I would try everything in the shop and buy the best I could afford that fitted the best and go for a textile that is water and wind proof.

Running costs are totally bike dependant and I cant comment yet as haven't got one.

Reminds me I need to book my DAC

J

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

running costs are good on bikes even if you ride them hard

tax is cheap insuance isnt bad either

all depends on what you want and how much riding you do, sports are great but they can hurt on long journeys

as shing mentioned the kawasaki er6f is a good all rounder with good looks

sports theres so many to choose from it all depends on budget

but dont get a gsxr srad as a first bike, big horrible and heavy lol, though i get my new ninja soon so carnt wait to get back on two wheels

Daveysaff

iTrader: (9)

My gixer 750 costs me Ł105 a year to insure, that covers riding in europe and other bikes. Licence cost me just shy of 600 for everything I reckon. Spent around 800 on kit, but good stuff lasts so its worth spending on.
So your initial outlay will be quite a bit, but once youve got your kit and licence it'll cost fuck all to run.

Shings

Go for 2011 model if you can....

I liked it as its a 650
Feet on the floor easy peasey so confidence for a first 'big' bike.
Not sat bolt up right but not on your chin either.
2011 onwards has Ninja looks

mrjenrst

Bandit 600 with renthals, cost fuck all and will do that day in and day out for peanuts. Not gonna worry a sports bike but has definatly got a place. Stay away from triumphs there shit

Pete frst

Looks like you want something you ride 'sit up and beg' style comfortable,reliable,pounds the roads,bandits are okay,bit of a loons bike,how about a traily/duel purpose,a biggish Gs beemer maybe?depending on funds,knocks up incredible mileage's,low maintinence and when you get off you still feel fresh plus you have the height advantage so you can use your thousand yard stare,just a thought.....

Ish

I did my CBT 6 months ago which cost me Ł110.

I then got a Honda CBR125R and rode it around for 6 months to get some experience.

Next was the theory test for Ł31
2 days training including my Mod 1 test Ł280 + Ł15.50 test fee
2 half days training including Mod 2 test Ł140 + Ł75 test fee

I sold my CBR125R for pretty much what I paid for it and got myself a 2001 Yamaha YZF600R . The insurance was only around Ł30 more than he 125. I did consider an ER6F but I wanted an IL4 engine.

I use the Yamaha YZF600R every day for communting but it also fine for going out for a run with mates (as I am doing in the morning). The seating position on it is not too extreme.

The running costs are much less than a car and a 600 has plenty of power for road use.

CR41G_86

my cbr 1000 cost me 104 quid a year to insure and 78 quid a year tax , 60 quid in service parts every 6 months and around 220 quid every 6000 - 8000 miles for bridgestone tyres , chain and sprocket kits every few years around 140 for d.i.d , brake pads around 25 quid a set (75 quid for 3 sets 2 for front 1 for rear) , discs are around 400 quid a set of oem parts, then you got fork seals and oil etc.

gear helmet around 250 quid for a half descent one , boots with vertibrae to stop you bending you foot back if you have an accident around 120 quid Ł but there worth it ) , gloves with kevlar nuckle protectors around 30 quid (again worth it ) , jacket and trousers - vary on style and material cheapest set ive seen is 120 but do go over 1000 quid also highly recommend a spine protector that velcro's to your body under your jacket .

ive always worn full face helmet agv or similar , kevlar nuckle proteced leather gloves ,full race boots with veribrae , spine protector and leather jacket and trousers with hip , knee ,shin and arse padding , and jacket with elbow , forarm and sholder blade padding - it may never happen but if you are involved in an accident and you dont ware any protective equipment for going to get fubar'd i learned the hard way when i was 17 on a 125 racerep wearing jogging bottoms a hoody and trainers ..... never again

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

im getting an 09 plate zx-6r which is the same bar it has fairings i think or there isnt a lot of difference though mine is the 08 model with centre exhaust

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Whats an 09 zx6 worth?

I might be selling my 10 ZX 10 if you were interested.

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

I done the direct access test back in 2006, cost about Ł600 all in for CBT and tests etc.

bought a yamaha thundercat yzf600r for about Ł1200 and bought textile jacket and trousers, lid gloves and boots.

insurance was Ł230 iirc for my first big bike with no no claims

used it every day for 6 month 35 miles each way, would do about 150 miles to Ł18 of petrol back then, and that wasnt really pootling around lol

tyres i paid something Ł250 for a pair of avon storms, chain and sprokets were about Ł150 and a new heavy duty clutch was something like Ł28, fork seals were Ł6

was a fucking chore riding it int he wet tho, i hated that part. being cold and wet was not good!

it did all end quite abruptly and the wife wont let me get another lol





looked like this after a woman turned right into a a no right turn junction - sore balls prevailed for a few weeks after!!





thats the only down side, if the shit goes down, your easliy fucked!

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

im paying 4800 for it from a trader, its done just over 2k miles with a couple of little extras, which i didnt think wasabad price as there fetching more elsewhere

this is the bike

.Ross.

iTrader: (2)

When I was an organ donner.

Looking at:

DAS - Ł500

Hat - Ł400+ AGV TiTec

Bike - between Ł2k - Ł4k+

PPE - Grand all day

Security - Ł200+

Couple grand already and no heater or radio. I also smoke allot so no ash tray.

Insurance varys dependant on bike.

EDIT: Running costs mmm. I didn't commute. A couple a quid in the owld 600 Fazer would be half a days fun.

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Nice one Cool bike.

foreigneRS

it always costs more than you think. initial outlay is huge as you need to get gear as well as bike and licence, and it all needs replacing at some point as well. go to a big show to get most of it, something like the BMF, but beware of cheap nasty shit.

pmsl at something comfortable as you might be doing a whopping 50 miles a day

MadMac

Hey I'm from London 50miles is a Looong way to me, can get you from one side of the city to another

vaughant

iTrader: (1)

Not 100% sure on learning costs but bike buying and running is as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.
Loads of good bikes out there around Ł1300-1500,if you look back to early/mid nineties your talking a grand tops.
Go for a hornet over a bandit,I had a new bandit and thought it was great til i went on a hornet,what a different bike,lighter,faster,smoother,felt a million times better built.
Fazer are nice but the semi fairing ones look shit IMO,although a fairing would be nice for you if you use the motorway.
Plenty of people out there who use the bike once,spend Ł000's on gear and then after nagging from the wife end up selling all their expensive gear for fuck all,hence some great gear for cheap money,I bought a load of stuff like that,Kevlar padded jacket,gloves etc all off a guy in work who was getting out of it after using them once!!
My mate spent nigh on a grand to look like a power ranger,put weight on and rendered the stuff useless.
Any 600cc bike will impress you for the first few years at least and you'll always pass it on again to someone like yourself.
Servicing costs sound about right to me but if it's a commuter have a chat with the motorbike shop about tyres that last a bit longer and perform well in the wet.
I loved using the bike for work,saved me 25 minutes on afternoons and cost a pittance in fuel and tax,never stuck in traffic and great fun to ride.
Watch yourself out there and use your head and you'll be fine,as fudgey said other road users are the problem.

CossieRich

iTrader: (1)

Excllent info. Im wanting to do this myself

dvid

I was in the same boat as you last year and decided to bite the bullet and go for it... Other people have already mentioned the costs of the tests, they are standard, Kit wise:

AGV K4 helmet, Ł180
Boots - I got some TCX waterproof boots for Ł179 and they are superb, never been cold or wet
I went for RST Razor jacket and trousers, they are seperates but zip together, also come with thermal liners for both parts, so even in the pissing rain on the M25 i've never come home cold or wet
Gloves - I cant recommend the "Bikers - Koln goretex" enough, Ł90 so a bit steep but worth every penny, nothing worse than cold fingers!

I bought a Honda VFR as my first bike and have used to commute in to central london no problem, Tax is Ł72 a year (ish) and I pay Ł33 a month insurance. The Ł23 full tank is good for about 150 miles... Only paid Ł1300 for it last November, good time of year to get a cheap deal... Micron exhaust was Ł100 off E-Bay! It has its first service under my ownership this weekend (bought with no service history!) so hoping for no suprises!

As mentioned above, my initial outlay was huge, probably spent as much on kit and learning as I did on the bike... Kit alone was Ł640

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Good man, do it!

It'll make you wonder why you spanked so much on cossies!

CossieRich

iTrader: (1)

Indeed chopper. My mate has just picked up a race SP1 and some mental looking kawaski thing. Scares me just sitting on it.

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

SP1 race version will sound the titties I bet!

You cant use the term 'thing' to describe a bike, especially if you're a wannabe learner

I have a Kwak 'thing' myself

CossieRich

iTrader: (1)

lol. I find out the Kwak thing model. Its 1000cc

I havent heard the SP1 yet but v twin and proper race exhaust will be awesome me thinks

dvid

I must admit, I really fancy a ZX 12-r next

CossieRich

iTrader: (1)

ZX10R Ninja Chop

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Great choice

dvid

Nice bike I suspect at 6ft 3 i'd be crippled on one of those?