Bike Chooser
Ready for a bike to take your test on? Ready for your first bike after passing your test? Let the experts at RiDE magazine offer their guidance - and follow our links for model reviews and examples to buy on MCN
Motorcycle ranges can seem confusing at first. There’s so many to choose from – new and used. But trust us, no matter which bike you eventually choose, you’re bound to have a brilliant time. And having a little bit of knowledge on your side can make the decision all the easier.
What does my licence let me ride?
Provisional moped licence (CBT age 16+)Passing a CBT on a ‘twist and go’ moped allows you to ride one, with L-plates, on normal roads. A moped is any road-legal bike that has an engine of 50cc or smaller and a maximum speed of 31mph. Perfect for zipping through the city streets and less stressful than waiting for the bus, not to mention a really fun way to get into biking.
The scooter/moped market has boomed over the past few years. You can pick up brand new unbranded models for around £700.
A brand new moped from Yamaha or any other of the ‘big name’ moped manufacturers will set you back around twice as much. But savings are massive if you choose to buy used. A brand new Yamaha Jog RR costs around £1800, but bike dealers and private sellers are selling year-old examples, often with less than 1000 miles on the clock for around £600. Excellent value for money – especially when you consider the fuel economy: 140 miles per gallon.
Also consider- Gilera DNA 50 – looks like a real bike, but is actually a 50cc moped. Get one from around £800
- Aprilia RS50 – very cool scooter with sporty looks. Pick one up for £1000
- Lambretta LI 50 – Modern scooter with retro styling, looks like a real classic. Available for around £1000.
Want to see what’s out there? Check out all the used bikes for sale at motorcyclenews.com
Provisional motorcycle licence - A1 Light (CBT age 17+)Now you’re classed as a learner motorcyclist. This means you’re allowed to ride bikes in the ‘A1 Light motorcycle’ category until you pass a practical test. Now any bike under 125cc and making less than 14.6bhp is available to you.
And there are plenty of bike types to choose from – the 125cc market isn’t just about dirt bikes. Fancy something sporty looking? Then Honda’s CBR125R will be right up your street, in fact it’s the UK’s best-selling learner bike. Its tiny size makes it perfect for shorter riders or those who feel better having both feet on the floor at a standstill. A new one from a Honda dealer will cost around £2000, but it’s easy to pick up a used one for much less. Just look out for damage if buying second hand. Learner bikes like this are very tough, but do get damaged accidentally by inexperienced owners. Steer clear of used bikes that have scratches or dents in the frame.
Others to consider- Aprilia RS125 – just like a proper mini sports bike. Needs looking after through. From £1000
- Honda Varadero XL125 – perfect for taller riders, the Varadero looks just like the real thing. From £1500.
- Yamaha VX Virago 125 – loads of chrome and tonnes of cool. Perfect for smaller riders. From £1000.
For up to date used bike prices, check out www.parkers.co.uk/motorbikes
Category A, standard motorcycle licencePassing your test on a standard motorcycle (that’s any bike between 121cc and 125cc, capable of 62mph) allows you to ride any bike making up to 33bhp. There are plenty of bikes on the market that produce 33bhp or less naturally. Popular choices include the Honda Bros 400, a small unfaired street bike and the Yamaha Dragstar 400, a modern cruiser. However, many people choose to buy a larger capacity machine that has had a restrictor kit fitted to it.
Spending two years riding a larger restricted machine allows new riders to get a feel for bigger bikes, but without having to deal with their full power. These kits normally cost around £200 fitted (and need to be fitted by an authorised dealer).
They work by restricting the power of larger, more powerful bikes down to 33bhp. But because they can be easily removed once your two-year probation is over, you don’t have to splash out on another bike once your licence is upgraded. Shop around, you’ll find plenty of pre-restricted bikes on the market meaning you don’t have to pay for the kit or fitting yourself.
Popular restricted bikes- Suzuki SV650 – Fun, easy to ride street bike will keep you interested as your skills grow. From £1000
- Honda RVF400 – A perfect sports bike for the learner rider and plenty are already restricted. From £2500.
- Suzuki Bandit 1200 – Hugely popular traditional-looking bike with bags of character. From £1800.
If you’re over 21 and have just taken your Direct Access on a large motorcycle (that’s one over 46.6bhp) or have completed two years with your 33bhp licence, you’re now allowed to ride a bike of any engine size. That’s everything from the smallest scooter to the fastest sportsbike.
As tempting as it may seem to go and jump on the fastest thing you can find, it’s always best to start small and develop your skills before trying the larger bikes, especially if you have obtained your licence by direct access.
But smaller doesn’t have to mean boring. Many newly qualified riders choose 600cc bikes as a place to start their riding lives. It’s a huge market containing all kinds of bikes, from cruisers to sports bikes and city bikes. And the major manufactures offer plenty of tempting 0% finance deals on new stock at certain times of the year.
A good place to start is your local bike dealer. Just go in and have a sit on each bike you like the look of. Check that you’re happy with the height and riding position as these two factors become crucial when you’re riding every day.
Good first big bikes- Honda CBR600F – Looks like a sports bike, but is really easy to handle. From £2500
- Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster – A real Harley that looks incredible and is extremely easy to ride. From £2800
- Kawasaki ER-6n – radical looking but totally fun and really easy to ride. From £3000.