Shopping for a Beginners Motorcycle after a Direct Access Course?

(Q) 125 or 250.

I say 250 4 stroke. You need to remember your an adult male so the bike has to be able to carry you and your gear with out straining. Also you need to think past today. It needs to be practical as your experience increases. In a year or two you should them move up to a 600.

Understand that few used bikes wont be repair free. At a minimum get a service done even if the seller says he did one yesterday.

(Q) Insurance.

A good question, any answers are just a guess so hold no value. You need to research this your self. That said its nice seeing that you are thinking about the entire package rather than just what is before your eyes. .

(Q) Which model.

I am in Australia. So cant pick a model based on price. I personally would recommend any of the established brands including the Jap ones as they are very reliable bikes.

I personally would not accept one of these new Asian brands. Not even for free. If I am going to ride one, they would have had to proved them self as reliable and safe before I would trust them. Maybe in 20 years, but no way today.

Maybe visit eBay and the local classified press expressly magazines covering used bike sales.

(Q) engine wear.

I would be more focused on care and correct maintenance. Low millage does not convert to trouble free on a maintenance free bike. A 125 will have been ridden harder just keeping up with traffic.

(Q) Protection.

Dont let price trick you into thinking its better. In the UK they did a study on helmets and the surprise result was that better protection had no relation to the cost of buying or even brand name. In some cases the cheap helmet was safer than the ones 3 time its cost.

I suspect jackets and pants etc would be the same.

I would not suggest getting a 125, especially for someone your size. A 250 is suitable for you, I am in the US too so I can't say much about specific models. I have the Ninja 250 2008 and I love it. Really the only other 250cc "sport bike" in the US is Hyosung but they are not worth the money and kind of crappy compared to what you get with a Ninja.

Outside of the Us you have the Cbr250rr and the Aprilia 250. Or you could always go with a street legal dirtbike.

A 250 will be fine for you. It is not too fast, at all. The Ninja 250 has a maximum speed of 90-100 depending on your weight, and this is probably with a full tuck and everything. A 125 is probably more around 60 mph maximum and I think thats a bit to slow to use for more than learning purposes. The safety courses in the US use 250cc bikes for the most part.

They are fast enough to go on the highway, easy to handle, manuver and it won't kill you if you make a mistake (a liter bike can go to 90mph in FIRST gear... yeah thats scary). You will easily flatfoot and be able to control the weight of the bike.

I have no idea about insurance costs in other countries but even among same demographics, insurance costs will vary, ALOT. It depends on your age, gender, time licensed, bike, engine size, driving record, tickets, probability it will get stolen, crashed etc. Every company will vary among prices too so shop around. Insurance can be under $100 to over $1000 a year depending on these factors so I really can't say.

As for gear I recommend getting a full face helmet, leather gloves with knuckle protectors and preferably gauntlets (the ones that cover the wrist), boots and a leather jacket. Textile jackets also work if its hot over there but not nearly as protective as leather. A spine protector and pants would be good too.

Don't spend too much on a helmet (unless you can afford it), just get one that is comfortable and fits well. Most high priced helmets are just based on technology, air flow, materials, comfort, etc. Fiberglass is fiberglass and carbon fiber is carbon fiber. They will protect you head regardless of how much you paid or the brand name plastered on. There was a recent test done by a US magazine and pretty much the cheapest polycarbonate helmet (plastic) ended up taking the LEAST damage to the head. The thought being that plastics can crumple and absorb energy rather than crack like an egg.

(however, I should note that this is based on US safety standards, I've read that UK safety standards are less but you'll have to look that up on your own.)

Go to a few dealers and get a feel for what you like

Personally I feel that your should be looking a bit bigger. You are likely to be doing your DAS course on a 650 size bike and that power will soon seem very low once you start riding on your own

If you are going for Japaneze then the SV650 is a good all rounder The Honda CBF, Suzuki Bandit all good performaing all round bikes. If you are looking for that something a bit sporty then the CBR or GSXR range

Total touring VT750 Honda or the NT range. The honda VTX is being discontinued so there will ve a good deal to be had on the smaller VTX1300 as a full Cruiser

But it is all a personal choice. Just get to the dealers and keep your money firmly in your pocket until you are happy with your choice. Make them work for it and get the very best deal you can. Times are a bit lean for the bike dealers and there is many good deals to be had

Make plenty of comparisons

Good luck with the DAS course and practice safe, stay safe and keep safe

Bike - a 250 is not the best answer after DAS as you will fast outgrow it - go for a 600 or 650 and NOT a lie on it sports bike yet

Suzuki Bandit 600/650, Honda Hornet, Suzuki SV650

Forget the 125s and 250s, too slow, too peaky and with 250s hardly any choice - with that budget there is lots of choice of low miles bikes around

Helmet £100, gloves £30, jacket and trousers with armour £200+ or £300+ for leather, boots £75, waterproofs £35

The safety course is always a good idea. Even the most experienced riders often come out learning something, or even refreshing themselves on something they haven't done in a while, plus with most insurance companies, it can add up to an extra 10% off the insurance if you pass the course. No one out there, even those with 20-30 years of riding, knows everything and has perfected everything. If you think you have, it's time to put the bike away, because that's when you are most dangerous to yourself.

Do the direct access course first, they will supply the bike and see how you feel, you may hate it, it scares some sh**less especially on UK roads where EVERY car driver is a total knob.

If you like it ask there opinion, they may have a 500 they are prepared to let you try.

Good Luck

Aprilia RS 250 , Kawasaki Ninja 250R , Yamaha RD 250 LC ,

250's are perfect for beginning on, anything bigger you will over do it and can make a cause for concern, gain experience on a smaller bike then move up , driving a car is nothing compared to riding a motorbike