When to buy R license bike? - Page 3

Grantlington · 12-05-2008, 11:28 AM

yep but i have spent quite a bit of time on the 250.

Was gonna go a Gixxer 750 but the R1 came up and i couldnt refuse it.

However, it was a very steep learning curve. Dont get anything like that unless you are very confident in handling a bike.

vincible1 · 12-05-2008, 08:14 PM

yeah, im going to continue the 250 right up until the test.
then spend a while lookin at 600's
250's just dont seem to loose their value, so no harm holding on to it

thro · 12-05-2008, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackomo

If you couldnt resist the temptation to obtain it then you wouldnt be able to resist the temptation to ride it out of class.

Generalise much?

I rode my 250 out of class a little bit. My 600 I didn't.

There's nothing wrong with getting your R class bike if you're somewhat close to getting your Rs, and want the practice for your test.

jackerz · 13-05-2008, 06:54 PM

bought bike on jan 10th could go for/got R class feb 6th

vincible1 · 13-05-2008, 08:46 PM

^^ sexy bike too

jackerz · 14-05-2008, 05:46 PM

mu53wa · 20-05-2008, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephan

There are plenty of guys who rode with L`s on their big bike....not as cool as riding without, but at least you are insured....

How does this work?

If I have my R-E but only L's for a bike big then insurance wouldn't cover you if you're out riding by yourself (on a 600 for example), only when being shadowed right?

kwakas · 20-05-2008, 11:08 AM

yep, only when being shadowed..

wirafals · 20-05-2008, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mu53wa

How does this work?

If I have my R-E but only L's for a bike big then insurance wouldn't cover you if you're out riding by yourself (on a 600 for example), only when being shadowed right?

yeah, i guess thats how its work, and welcome&enjoy.

nkb · 19-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mu53wa

How does this work?

If I have my R-E but only L's for a bike big then insurance wouldn't cover you if you're out riding by yourself (on a 600 for example), only when being shadowed right?

I cant find any insurance companies that will cover me while on my R class L's... even while shadowed, most require R class to insure an R class bike. which is why I have not bought a bike before I have my R class.

Capri82 · 19-06-2008, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkb

I cant find any insurance companies that will cover me while on my R class L's... even while shadowed, most require R class to insure an R class bike. which is why I have not bought a bike before I have my R class.

Insuremyride

expensive, but they do it

Seldo · 19-06-2008, 02:41 PM

i was impatient. i bought my 1000cc with 3 month till i can try to get R class. and choosing one i am fortunate engough to have a brother with a really good bike as a bench mark test rider. i didnt ride my blade until it came time to drive it home from the show room with a shadow

Seldo · 19-06-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkb

I cant find any insurance companies that will cover me while on my R class L's... even while shadowed, most require R class to insure an R class bike. which is why I have not bought a bike before I have my R class.

i did threw swan but being 18 and having only R class L's i am paying a shit load

antemeridiem · 24-07-2008, 12:40 PM

vincible1
like you, i've been wondering about this question for some time. i think common sense has prevailed and i've decided to wait for my R before i buy the bike. i've got 3 months to go, so having waited 9 months, a little more time won't hurt. in the meantime, i just bug the hell out of salesmen and sit on every bike imaginable!

antemeridiem · 24-07-2008, 12:43 PM

^^^ that doesn't mean that those of you that bought your bike before your licence don't have any common sense... it was a reference to me!

i know that it would be VERY VERY hard for me to resist the temptation of riding out of class.

Jomac · 24-07-2008, 04:23 PM

I bought my dream bike last week and have only RE licence, but had clocked up a bit over 10 000 kms on the 250. Due to sit R test late October.

Insured with RAC and what cost my partner $209 insurance, costs me $690 dollars a year for the same type of bike and that is while being shadowed and using some of my partners good riding record. Even though I have an excellent one myself, it meant nothing on the upgraded bike. My 250 is insured for $260.

Paying off insurance monthly so when get upgrade can reinsure cheaper.

I really look forward to weekends when we can go for a "ride" with my shadowing partner but meantime weekly commuting on 250, no big deal, nice and cheap to run to help cover the other costs.

Rix 675 · 24-07-2008, 04:48 PM

I decided to get my Triumph Daytona 675, still having just under 6 months until I could go R class. The bike was available, I loved it, I bought it.

Still have the VTR 250 for solo riding, and I try to get a shadow for as many group rides as possible so I can clock up some time on the 675 (quite a different riding experience). I also have the odd friend (?) who can sometimes shadow me on a ride. I've just about clocked up as many k's on the 675 as on the VTR now.

Having the 675 in the garage and NOT taking it out for a spin is extremely hard to resist, and I may have succumbed once or twice (so very weak). Come November and I will probably do a couple of refresher lessons and use the instructor's bike for the test.

thro · 24-07-2008, 11:41 PM

I guess the short answer to the question is "when you can ride".

Having stepped up to a 600 and then bought an RGV as a second bike - I'll make the point: don't under-estimate your time spent on a 250.

If you've started out on a typical 4 stroke twin, spending time on either a 2 stroke or 4 cylinder intended as a proper sport 250 is also time well spent.

Around suburbia, they're quick enough to keep up if you know how to corner. And learning how to corner on them is easier than on the 600.

Its such a crying shame you can't buy 2 stroke 250s any more, and the 2 stroke 125s are also a dying breed. They're awesome bikes to learn to ride hard on

Whilst a 600 or thou will bite you if you provoke it too badly, the small 2 strokes might give you a bit of a gentle nip, but otherwise roll over and take whatever you dish out - they're just so light and easy to handle...

smeghead · 25-07-2008, 12:13 AM

I think Stratos can attest to this, he rings the tits of'n his baby 'prillia & it don't hang around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thro

Around suburbia, they're quick enough to keep up if you know how to corner. And learning how to corner on them is easier than on the 600.

Its such a crying shame you can't buy 2 stroke 250s any more, and the 2 stroke 125s are also a dying breed. They're awesome bikes to learn to ride hard on

Whilst a 600 or thou will bite you if you provoke it too badly, the small 2 strokes might give you a bit of a gentle nip, but otherwise roll over and take whatever you dish out - they're just so light and easy to handle...

Ice · 25-07-2008, 12:21 AM

The right time to get it is when you're competent to handle it. I've bought bikes on both my R-E and R Ls. (3 bikes in total, in fact, and all were comprehensively insured too.)

I rode almost every day/night on my R-E Ls. Couldn't have done that without my own bike. I didn't test ride it - I was pillioned on it and we made sure I was comfortable on it, but what point is test riding when you don't know what you're looking for? I spent 13 months on my L plates (Seemed like FOREVER!) before I did my R-E test (8 months of which I wasn't able to ride due to injury) and not once did I ride without a shadow. I then spent 11 months on my R-E and clocked up about 30,000kms in that time before selling the 250.

Bought the R6 soon after. I test rode the demo before I bought it. Also test rode other bikes (Yes - including a Ducati.) You can actually do that on Ls! Then while riding without a shadow (yeah, yeah - stupid etc) got collected by a car. Bike was not only insured, but they paid out and the car driver was found to be at fault. Didn't ride without a shadow again until the day I got my licence (Which I think was about 5 months later.)

If you are ready (Get others' input on this too, not just your own opinion!) then I see no reason not to get your big bike before your licence - The important thing is that you have someone you can rely on to escort you or you keep your 250 as well (Like Grantlington did.) I was lucky enough that between my mates I had a fantastic bunch of shadows.

Just don't make the jump too early - make sure you get some decent seat time first. Experience is the important thing.