Buying first motorbike - should I wait until March?

zishan555

Hello all,

I did my CBT a few months ago and am ready to get a Honda CBF 125 for commuting. I'm not really sure if buying in the next 2 months makes sense though since a new plate comes out in March.

I'll be looking to get a finance deal over 3 years.

So should I barter with the honda dealers now to get some extras thrown in like topbox,cover, security chain, etc
OR
should I wait to see what the 2012 model looks like and get that instead?

I'm not sure if Honda are releasing a new CBF 125 for 2012.
From a depreciation perspective, I plan on having the bike for about 1-2 years and doing about 10k.

Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated!

~Z

Rikki

Do you really want three years finance on a new bike you are only going to keep for one to two years. As soon as the purchase is made the vat paid will be deducted from the value of the bike followed by the natural decrease for age at the time you sell. You would still have out standing finance to pay off.

Having ridden bikes in the cold weather I would certainly wait until the weather warms up.
I wouldn't buy a new bike as my first bike, you could drop it, scratch it or maybe crash. I would gain experience on an older bike and save my money until I could pass the second part of the test and get a full licence, then in turn a 500cc+ bike.

Billy-no-Money

I wouldn't worry too much about the change of reg plate - the bike market doesn't seem to have the same kind of age snobbery as cars.

However, the poster above has made some good points - I know from bitter experience (see my signature) that buying vehicles on long-term finance is not a good idea, especially when you expect to sell before the finance is paid off. But I'm not going to tell you to avoid finance altogether, as older bikes are a minefield for the inexperienced and the consequences of failure so potentially catastrophic.

Instead, a 2009 or 2010 model from a dealer should still be in good condition and be more affordable. There's very little difference between model years, and it's unlikely to change much for a few years to come.

I wouldn't start riding until Easter; it's possible to ride through the winter but you need to make your beginner mistakes in more forgiving conditions. Also - it takes time to get the right gear together for all weathers - getting caught out with insufficient insulation in cold weather is not just unpleasant, it's downright dangerous.

On the positive side though - CBF125 is a good choice, get some training and a licence then in a couple of years you'll be able to go up to a bigger bike.

boyse7en

Buy one now. It is slow selling season for bikes at this time of year so you'll get a better deal. Come March, bikes fly (comparitively) out of the showrooms so dealers aren't in such a rush to offer 'extras'.
It is likely that you will drop your first bike at some point. My first one dropped twice - first time trying to get it off of a paddock stand, second time its sidestand was on softish ground and it gradually sank then toppled over. Both minor problems bu they do scratch paint/exhaust cans etc. Therefore, I'll concur that you are likely to be better off with a second-hand bike than a brand new one to get started on.

Don't worry about the weather too much, just make sure you have decent winter gloves, a necktube (Buff or similar) and wear plenty of layers under a textile jacket/trouser combo and you should be fine for most journeys (you're unlikely to be tackling 500 mile days on a 125 anyway) The jacket and trousers will be usable for summer as you can take out the thermal liners on most of them, so you'll just need a pair of summer gloves for when it gets warmer.

The Honda is a good starter bike, and will be easy to sell on when you come to move onto something with a little more brio!

Trebor16

I would buy a good used bike rather than a brand new one. You will have more money left over for insurance and your helmet and bike clothing. Look at the CG125 or YBR125 as they are solid, if unexciting, commuter machines. They will also be suitable for the A2 test.

I would also look at taking your test before 2013, especially if you are under 24 as the whole test regime will be changing in 2013, thanks to another EU directive.

Honeydog

Well if you buy it now you will be riding it while the roads are salted and that will most likely cause corrosion unless you are religious about washing it after every trip.

Riding in the cold is OK unless you have a long commute. Getting wet and cold is not terrible if you're a youngster but it can make it harder to concentrate when all you want to do is get in and get warm. If your commute is less than 5 miles then you'd probably be alright.

Whether to wait for the new plate - if you don't need the bike now then I would wait. Riding around with the latest reg is fun. It will also be a bit warmer some days.

Whenever you get it - enjoy your bike.

And buy a good lock and chain unless you have a private place to park it at work. Almax or Squire.

oldtoolie

Buy a second hand CBF 125 now. There will plenty of nice days to ride between now and March.

Age and year doesn't matter much on bikes like this. The CBF 125 was introduced a few years ago and replaced the CG125 which had been in production for about 30 years. I had one similar in 1985.

Get a one liter bottle of Scottoiler FS365 Protector Spray to save it from the elements. It works for me and I'v been riding 40 years.

sheldonb14

My advice would be get yourself a half decent second hand 125 right now, build up some riding experience and then consider whether you want to do your DAS and getting something bigger, or whether a 125 is all you really want. The worst thing you want to end up with is a financed 125 that you resent because after a couple of months you really want something with a little more punch. On the other hand, if after a couple of months, a 125 suits you fine have a look at something like a xl125 Varadero, which in my opinion is the best all round small bike out there.

Either way, good luck and enjoy your bike

waynedance

This is an easy one, if you have no money now save from now till march and get a secondhand bike.

Simples...

missile

I would suggest you wait until March and buy a second hand bike. Visit a few dealers, see what they have on offer and ask them to advise if and when they have a bike which matches your specification. Get the best gear you can afford.

An inexperienced rider commuting on cold dark mornings during rush hour is an accident waiting to happen. Believe me even a slow speed spill can hurt and repairs to a new m/c can be very expensive.

Derivative

If you buy a new bike, I would put £20 on you dropping it between now and 2 years time.

It's part of owning a motorcycle - at least as a novice. I would really reconsider buying new for your first bike.