Cheapest Way to Learn and Purchase a Motorbike

fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 11:37
Last edited 03/12/2018 - 11:43

Hi Guys,

I've wanted a motorbike for a long while now, but every time I end up putting it off.
Since my interest first peaked, the new road rules for Victoria kicked in regarding the mandatory 2 day course required for learners, among other things like hi-vis vest requirement etc. the safety rules don't bother me, but the pricey 2 day course does.

I was hoping to get tips on how best to find the cheapest motorbike suitable for learning on, and have it get rwc, rego and insurance.

My brief investigation has gotten me the below:
$500 2-Day course
~$1000 NBC110 (ex-postie bikes)
~$350 rego
$? rwc
$? insurance

I don't really want to breach $2000 for everything, including a helmet etc.
I know that most will chastise me for being cheap with such an unsafe vehicle, but I'm happy to invest time to improve my safety, less so my money.

Any help is appreciated, lets try to cost out the cheapest entry into riding motorbikes!

Automotive

Comments

  • blonky on 03/12/2018 - 12:09
    +2

    2k isn't going to get you very far if that includes the course, bike, gear, rego, CTP, TPP insurance and maintenance

    In terms of gear, you'll want a helmet, gloves, jacket, boots and pants (in order of importance)

    Helmet fit is more important than brand (a cheap, well fitting helmet is safer than an expensive but poor fit one) - get this brand new no exceptions - range from $150 - 1500

    Rest of the gear go second hand or look for the Aldi stuff which is decent.

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:27

      2k shouldn't get me far, but I'm hoping for it to get me somewhere. I'm mostly looking for how to purchase a cheap bike that I may need to fix myself if it's cost effective.

      I'm looking for the cheapest entry into learning how to ride motorbikes, not the full package.

      In terms of gear, I only plan to start with a new helmet and some gloves. I only plan to ride early mornings in the suburbs/car parks, so few people will be on the road.

      Thanks for the advice on gear though, I hadn't thought too much about that :)

      • quietsarcasm on 03/12/2018 - 12:36
        +3

        Had a mate buy one that needed fixing as a cheaper entry into motorcycles. I would not advise this unless you know what you are doing and have a lot of tools already. He ended up spending more on that bike to get it running than it would have cost him to get one that already ran. However, in his case he enjoyed the project aspect of it and wasn't as worried about the costs

        • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:46

          I'll steer clear then :/

  • quietsarcasm on 03/12/2018 - 12:13
    +2

    Safety is not always something you can control by investing time. There is nothing you can do to prevent other people's poor driving. That said, $500 for the 2 days seems ridiculous to me. In NSW it is $90 odd. Insurance will depend on whether you are getting 3rd party only or comprehensive. Look around for good prices on gear but I'd suggest $1k for gear all up.

    https://www.thehelmetwarehouse.com.au/

    Bought my helmet here for a decent price compared to other place, but I was able to buy instore so I don't know how much postage to VIC would set you back.

    I'm all about saving a buck, and I definitely looked for the best prices on gear, but safety is one place I would not look to cheap out.

    Intended use of the bike will also determine the types of gear you need though

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:28

      Tell me about it. It used to be around the same for a half day course in Vic. Wish I could get my learners up there and just ride back to Vic. (is that an option?)

      • quietsarcasm on 03/12/2018 - 12:30

        I'm pretty sure it's not unfortunately. I did a quick search before I posted the comment as I was going to suggest that, but since it serves as a form of ID, it needs have your address and you would need to be living at a NSW address to be able to apply in NSW

        • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:31

          In theory, if I did move to NSW for a couple months, got my learners there, then moved back - would that be valid still?

          • quietsarcasm on 03/12/2018 - 12:34

            @fratzhaus: I can't say I looked enough into it to be able to answer that questions, but i feel like the costs and inconvenience involved in doing that might outweight the $400 saving (there is still another 50 odd to take the test and get your license)

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:30

      Ah and re:safety and cheaping out - I don't plan on going through busy traffic etc. While I'm just getting started. Early mornings with little traffic is my plan, before I invest in the full kit of gear.

      • quietsarcasm on 03/12/2018 - 12:33
        +2

        I actually found night riding to be very good when I was learning. Less cars on the road and you are actually more visible due to the headlights.

        For the helmet, you can get ones that are 5-star rated for the Sharp safety standards for reasonable price. I believe there are some HJC ones in the sub 300 range that scored 5 stars. However, as mentioned, the fit of the helmet is the most important factor

      • Quantumcat on 03/12/2018 - 13:01

        Don't ride at all without proper gear. Even a low speed crash can result in shattered bones and ripped skin and road burn.

    • pegaxs on 03/12/2018 - 15:16

      Safety is not always something you can control by investing time.

      This ONLY comes about by virtue of investing time. Lots and lots of time. That's why there is a minimum numbers of hours you need to do before you can get a license. You need exposure. You need to get in an mix it up with the idiots. The ONLY way to get experience is to spend time. The two are mutually inclusive.

      There is nothing you can do to prevent other people's poor driving

      I beg to differ. While no, you cannot "prevent" it, you certainly can make allowance for it. I treat everyone in non-motorcycle vehicles as having not seen me. I give lots of space and ride as if everyone is an idiot.

      Invest time… LOTS of time. This will definitely make you a safer rider. The more exposure you get to idiots, the better you become at spotting them early and the better you become at not putting yourself in their way.

      So, either you have not been riding for long, or you don’t spend a lot of time on a bike.

  • inherentchoice on 03/12/2018 - 12:20

    I bought a Yamaha R15 for $1400 with rwc and some rego, only 5 years old with 10,000km. Unlike the postie bikes it can do 110 km/h. Does about 2.5L/100 km for me.

    I did a search and it seems there are some around at that price…

    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-motorcycles-scooters/vic/r15/k0…

    Personally I don't bother with insurance but maybe that's just my style.

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:48

      That looks much nicer than a postie bike - but if I hit any repairs, the abundance of postie parts lying around would make it cost almost nothing.
      I'll look into the R15 a bit more, and what other options are available to me.

      Cheers

      • inherentchoice on 03/12/2018 - 13:01

        Yes it's just one example. There's a few around the country under $1000. As with pretty much every private sale you can try negotiate a low price.

    • pegaxs on 05/12/2018 - 09:14
      +1

      Personally I don't bother with insurance but maybe that's just my style.

      I can’t wait for your inevitable post about an accident you have that wipes out your entire savings and everything you own. It’s going to be the most beautiful and epic thread ever seen on this site.

      This is quite possibly the worst advice ever for a new motorcycle rider. While I don’t give a rats ring bit about their own bike, you shouldn’t be so flippant towards other people’s property. Third party property damage insurance is typically under $200/year. It is cheap considering what damage could be done.

      Great example here. Years ago, a young man with no insurance and the same attitude as you finally had an accident. The knock on effect was, he clipped a car that sent it sideways out of control and crashing into my motorcycle and 2 other parked cars. My motorcycle was a write off, the car the guy crashed into was a write off and there was substantial damage to the other two parked cars. There was $60,000+ just in the two written off vehicles and maybe another $15,000 in damage to other vehicles. All for the sake of saving $200 a year. He too claimed that insurance was a waste and the money he saved from not paying it, he could “self insure”.

      So, do the maths. $75k / $200 = 375 years to break even

      • inherentchoice on 05/12/2018 - 12:07
        -2

        So, do the maths.

        Maths according to KPMG…

        The insurance industry's profits rose by 25 percent to $4.8bn in 2017, and now seems set for a sustained upswing, KPMG's General Insurance Industry Review shows.

        And that's just the profit. Remember a lot of the money needs to pay for all their marketing and employee costs, plus some of it is for fraudulent claims.

        There's also some physics maths. F=ma. A 130 kg motorcycle is not very capable of overcoming the inertia to accelerate (or decelerate) a 1000 kg car. The NBC110 is only 98 kg.

        Your hearsay example seems plausible but no doubt that's an extreme scenario for a motorcycle.

        I don't mean to derail this thread but I wanted to respond to your call for maths and your concerning desire to gloat at someone else's misfortune.

        • pegaxs on 05/12/2018 - 13:23
          +2

          I dont care about their profits. I just care about protecting my assets. It’s a capitalist economy, so of course they are going to be out making money. So, well done on making an absolutely moot point.

          The physics involved are, you come off you bike, it slaps a car. In turn, while that car is trying to dodge your sliding carcass, it crosses over to the wrong side of the road into the path of a truck. This in turn set the truck onto a path of destruction to avoid killing a family of 4 in the car that was trying to dodge your flailing skin suit and this truck takes out the corner of a house and 2 parked cars…

          As for my example, it isn’t “hearsay”. I would still have the photos of it here somewhere in my archives. It resembled a war zone. And it’s not “plausible”, it was factual.

          As for your ridiculous and totally irrelevant maths, let’s think of it this way. Run your shitbox R15 into the side, front or rear of a brand new car. Now, if you survived, how much do you think it’s going to cost to replace a sizeable portion of a car? Irrespective of inertia, you can do a lot of damage on a bike.

          Or, let’s say you’re too busy gawking at all the hot boys down the beach and miss the $40,000 brand new sports bike parked at the lights, and you wipe it out. A 150kg bike would do a shit load of damage to that bike at speed. Both bikes are a write off.

          Your ignorance and arrogance is astounding to say the least. Your typical “won’t ever happen to me” attitude is on par with what I would expect from someone with such disregard for others safety and property. So, please, keep on riding and/or driving with no insurance. I only hope that it is me you run into. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to personally take an uninsured rider/driver to the absolute cleaners.

          • inherentchoice on 05/12/2018 - 14:45
            -2

            @pegaxs:

            As for my example, it isn’t “hearsay”. I would still have the photos of it here somewhere in my archives. It resembled a war zone.

            Not hearsay to you, but it is to anyone else until it can be substantiated. I tried to find if you wrote about this here on OzBargain but couldn't. Link?

            • pegaxs on 05/12/2018 - 15:12
              +1

              @inherentchoice: Oh sorry. I’ll try to catalogue everything that has ever happened in my life, complete with irrefutable proof on the off chance that someone randomly goes through my comment history to check it out.

              It’s not “hearsay” because it is not a story related to you via another person. I’m not saying… “my mate once told me that…” I was an eyewitness and a victim of what happened. As I said, if you were worth it, which, quite frankly, you’re not, I would dig out the photos. (It was pre-camera phone. I know that blows your mind that there was a time when digital cameras didn’t exist)

              And whether you believe me or not is irrelevant. This forum is full of threads from uninsured people begging for help because accidents are exactly that and if you are uninsured, it could cost you more than $200/year.

              So, your initial comment about not bothering to insure against damage to other people’s property is careless at best. And the fact that you take pride in having no insurance is mind bogglingly incomprehensible…

              • inherentchoice on 05/12/2018 - 15:20
                -2

                @pegaxs: It's pretty simple. You said there are "photos of it here somewhere in my archives".

                I am not saying it's false I am just interested to see the photos you said are here.

                Or should I presume this is now hearsay about hearsay?

                • pegaxs on 05/12/2018 - 15:35
                  -1

                  @inherentchoice: Yeah, you see, that’s one way to get yourself blocked.

                  • BigBirdy on 06/12/2018 - 08:38
                    +2

                    @pegaxs: Crickey … a week ago @inherentchoice was suggesting a P-plate driver should “self insure” here.
                    For anyone with any assets, or any sense of responsibility, this is just crazy bad advice

                    • pegaxs on 06/12/2018 - 08:44
                      +1

                      @BigBirdy: I got a feeling that mummy and daddy have plenty of “reserves” for when jr. eventually staves the side of a car in without insurance.

                      It’s not an If, but a when.

                      And I agree. Some of the worst advice ever metered out on this site. There is a lot of sub $200 years worth of insurance in even a minor accident.

                      • BigBirdy on 06/12/2018 - 09:08
                        +1

                        @pegaxs: I pay less than $200 for bike comprehensive and under $400 for car, which raises another issue about a lack of insurance … you dont build a rating history. Presumably these self-insurers ride/drive cheap vehicles, but one day they’ll buy a good vehicle and want to insure it, but have no insurance history. I built my rating history with TPP on cheap cars, before moving to comprehensive on a better car.

  • hawkeye on 03/12/2018 - 12:35
    +6

    4 liter ice cream bucket and string
    Gardening gloves
    Double socks with thongs.
    Duct tape junk mail to elbows and knees if you don't feel confident at first.

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 12:50
      +3

      I could probably just stick a whipper snipper motor to the front tire of my sisters BMX as well and ride that.

      • hawkeye on 03/12/2018 - 13:02

        Just be careful you don't get accused of cutting someone's grass if you do

  • jjjaar on 03/12/2018 - 13:07

    Don’t forget the cost of the check ride and actual test.

    Also, when I did my two day course the instructors did a run through of all the kit you need. They basically said when it comes to the helmet you have to buy what fits, not what’s cheap. One of them said he was lucky because his fit best with the $300 ones, but the other was unlucky because his only fit for the $1200 ones. But they both said you can’t buy cheap if it doesn’t fit. If it doesn’t fit, it won’t work.

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 13:31

      the check ride and test is after learners right?
      I'm mostly just trying to factor in costs for getting the L's and having something to actually learn on

      • jjjaar on 03/12/2018 - 16:44

        Oh yeah sorry! Check ride and test are after learners.

        But you have to have gotten your licence within like 18 months of the learners. So if you did the two day course now, you have until June 2020 to get the others done. Time to save, yes, but there is that short timeframe.

  • HighAndDry on 03/12/2018 - 13:13

    So two things:

    1. As others have said, you can't really invest time to improve safety - especially when it comes to the bike and the gear, and

    2. Do you have private health insurance?

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 13:26

      Time was only in relation to the bike itself, i.e. buy a project bike and fix it on the cheap.
      Fortunately I do - I look forward to actually making use of it

    • Ken1977 on 04/12/2018 - 12:18

      Why does he need private health insurance. If he's in an accident TAC will cover all his medical expenses.

      • HighAndDry on 04/12/2018 - 12:20

        OP doesn't need it, but generally riding a (cheap) motorcycle is risky enough that I'd want to have all the extra benefits of PHI (shorter wait times for any required surgery, better rehab options, etc).

  • tryagain on 03/12/2018 - 13:23

    I think my postie (CT110) cost about $110 to comprehensively insure, funnily enough, last I checked comprehensive was cheaper than TPP. ALDI do a bike gear sale every year and it seems pretty reasonable for the price, it meets the Australian Standards but not sure when they have it/how long you will have to wait. I suspect you will do well to get a bike though for $1000. Might be able to pick up a fixer-upper CT110 if you are handy though, should be able to get away with under 2K that way.

    • fratzhaus on 03/12/2018 - 13:30

      I doubt I'd be able to get comprehensive that cheap - but wishful thinking.

      https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/altona-north/motorcycles/201…
      This is where I'm pulling the $1000 figure from, I believe that this kind of 'sale' comes by often once they hit their 25k mark.

      I'm not super handy, but keen to give it a go.
      How's your CT110 hold up? how long have you had it?

      • tryagain on 03/12/2018 - 15:32

        I was surprised too with the price, stick some details into a online quote and find out woo be the best way for you to find out. Had the CT110 for about 14yrs now, still going great.

        I did see that ad but given the prices of all the others advertised, my guess is that $1000 is verging on bait and switch.

  • pegaxs on 03/12/2018 - 14:45
    +2

    High visibility vest or jacket

    All motorcycle learners issued with a learner permit on or after 1 October 2014 must wear a high visibility vest or jacket.

    (From Vic Roads website.)

    High Vis Requirement?? WTF is wrong with Victoria… I move interstate for 5 mins, and this shit happens? When are full license holders going to be next? Cant wait for this cancer to make it north of the Victorian border and infect the already over regulated NSW legislation… Got my high vis vest already picked out…

    This is how dumb this law is. Providing, as a learner rider, you are wearing the vest, that's ok. Ironically, you dont have to wear anything under it. There is no requirement for any other safety gear, other than a helmet. You could go out and ride your motorcycle in bare feet, no gloves, budgie smugglers, a fluro vest and a helmet.

    Did the government even consult motorcyclists on this? Or did someone in government have a fluro vest factory that needed a kick start?

    • Third_Gear on 03/12/2018 - 15:26

      From memory there was a questionnaire when I had my rego renewed or something which was asking how often you wear your gear. Felt like they were data mining to make it law so I just ticked I wear all my gear etc all the time.

      • pegaxs on 03/12/2018 - 15:28

        Yeah, in NSW, every time I have renewed my CTP greenslip, I have been asked about "pillion" seating. I think it's the same. I got a feeling they are data mining pillion data, and in a year or two, you will find that CTP will go up for anyone that says yes to carrying a pillion, or denied a claim if you said "no" to pillion and actually carry one.

        • BigBirdy on 04/12/2018 - 09:22

          Qld has two motorcycle reg/ctp categories, rider-only ($322), or rider and pillion ($491). Rider-only requires the physical removal of any pillion gear. Qld Rego Quote
          Perhaps NSW is considering doing this?

          Another interesting point, Victoria has reg/ctp categories based on engine size. Small bikes are significantly cheaper than big bikes. I think the smallest are around $100/year, vs around $700/year for big bikes (from memory, I didn’t look these up)

          • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 10:38

            @BigBirdy: I think NSW is looking to introduce the same as QLD with the pillion thing. Some of my bikes CTP say "Pillion: undisclosed" and when asked if it makes a difference, the woman at GIO said "Not at this point."

            But the CTP system here is similarly based on the Vic system, where a 400cc bike is $250 for CTP, while a 1300cc+ bike is almost $900. The reason i sold my last Honda CB1300 and bought a CB400 instead.

    • Godric on 03/12/2018 - 17:28

      This was changed in 2015 I think along with the increase in the courses duration and requirements as well as from like $300 To $600

  • star-ggg on 03/12/2018 - 14:53
    +3

    Can you mitigate the cost by doing UberEats? Get paid while you practice.

  • altomic on 03/12/2018 - 15:00

    Postie bike. It means you can ride on the footpath if there is a traffic jam.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2018 - 15:13
    +1

    Budget at least $700 for gear.

    Always try on the helmet before purchase. Never second hand. Always full face.

    All helmets sold in Australia (legit ones, not backyard coconuts) are all well rated. Paying more doesn't make it anymore safe. Premium helmets are lighter, smaller profile and have all the tech gadgets you shouldn't be using on your Ls anyway.

    Two gloves, always full cover. Summer gloves and winter/wet gloves.

    • pegaxs on 03/12/2018 - 15:32

      Paying more doesn't make it anymore safe.

      Hahaha… So, my $1,200 Arai isn’t any safer than the $130 Aldi plastic bucket… I'll keep that in mind next time I go helmet shopping…

    • That Guy on 03/12/2018 - 16:31
      +1

      I disagree with your comment on helmets v $$.
      Jump on youtube and have a look at comparisons between cheap and expensive helmets.
      Fortnine has a good video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBnioxhXkFA

      as my dad would always say "$50 helmet for a $50 head".

      • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2018 - 17:45
        +1

        It's an American video. That helmet wouldn't pass the AS/NZS 1698 which would cover typical falls where a helmet would be a lifesaver. Of course, typical is a big caveat but if you're talking hit by a bus, I doubt a helmet is the issue.

        I personally have a few helmets for cars and bikes, and none of them are cheaper than a thousand bucks but I don't convince myself they're any safer. They're just cooler cause I paid more.

        • That Guy on 04/12/2018 - 13:10
          +1

          The video was more to point out material differences and different stress tests (i had never really considered how long a helmet would last sliding down the highway on my head at 110KMH)

          UN/ECE 22-05 and AS/NZS 1698 are a minimum standard, I believe that premium helmets exceed the standard more so through R/D advancements as well as the added protection of premium materials and construction.

          As it is already a high risk activity I believe every advantage is worth the extra dollars.

          • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 15:07
            +1

            @That Guy: That's why Rossi, Pedrosa, Marquez, Lorenzo, etc etc all buy their helmets from Aldi. They are all "the same."

  • Godric on 03/12/2018 - 17:27
    +1

    I also was interested until I saw the fee to get a Motorbike Licence, anyone have a coupon?

    I want to get a Supermoto and go tracking off road (nothing crazy)

    • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 10:44

      Get a motard for riding on tarmac. If you want to go and do a bit of dirt riding, get the same bike, but the trail version. Stick with something like the Suzuki DRZ400 range. They are reliable, fun, easy/cheap to maintain and are forgiving. Comes in both Motard and Trailbike flavours.

      Having owned multiple Husqvarna motards and ridden a lot of mates high strung YZF, CRF and KTM motards, they certainly are the best fun you can have with pants on :D

      • Godric on 04/12/2018 - 12:37

        DRZ400 is exactly what I was thinking.

        Are tyres only difference between trail and motard?

        • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 13:39

          On something like the DRZ, yes, the only basic difference is tyres. Maybe some suspension work and usually electric start vs. kickstart. I’ve converted a few bikes from dirt to motard, and all you do is chance gearing and wheels.

          Mortars tyres are the same as regular road bikes. They are typically 17”, 120mm front and 160mm rears. Not really suitable for off road, as the tread pattern Is flat and more suited to riding on hard surfaces.

          Trail tyres are a mixed surface tyre. They have a lot more grooves in them and are bigger in diameter (18~19”) to assist ground clearance and rolling over obstacles. A mix between road and motocross knobbies.

          • Godric on 04/12/2018 - 14:34

            @pegaxs: Beautiful good info. Trail versions sound preferable then i'd not really like to be stuck in the bush or what ever.
            Few nice trails near me be fun to take one through with.

            Right after i stomach the test/licencing fees

            • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 15:28

              @Godric: Yeah, that part of it sucks, but at least one way of looking at it is, it sorts out the serious riders from the not really interested ones.

              The other things is that they hold a two day course and if you have a good group and listen, it's a really valuable course to do for new or never rider a bike types. They provide you with the bikes, a safe place to learn and practice and gear if you need it.

              • Godric on 04/12/2018 - 16:22

                @pegaxs: I've actually completed the course once before in 11 how ever after 13? Months it expired as I hadn't gone in for my full licence, plus I didn't actually ride at all ;/

                Great perspectives though

                • Third_Gear on 05/12/2018 - 16:33
                  +1

                  @Godric: Motards are awesome! I miss my SMC690 but it had to go before I lost my license or killed myself. Now I have a DRZ 400E stock and it suits me fine. Smash some trails and do some road riding now and again. Great in the city!! Very durable bikes.

  • rambutann on 03/12/2018 - 18:16

    Id avoid a postie because they are slow as. Id deffaz go down the avenue of 125cc sports bike. Then you can actually go on the freeways very easily. Its not often that these bikes break as they are simple machines, obviously the ct110 moreso, but still the sports 125ccs are still simple.

    I had a CBR125R, i put 20,000kms on it. They hold 1L of oil, replace that every 6 months and you'll be fine.
    As mentioned, get yourself a well fitted helmet, just make sure its brand new.. id suggest getting this from a store.
    Jacket, id suggest a jacket that has removable inserts so that you only need one jacket for summer/winter.
    As mentioned aldi do good deals. Id also recommend AMX as they generally have discounted products.

    • fratzhaus on 04/12/2018 - 07:57

      I may have been swayed by the price of the R15, but to be honest, I quite like the look of a postie bike. I'm not looking to fly around the streets, just to get from a to b on the cheap

  • Itburns on 04/12/2018 - 07:47
    -1

    I work in Emergency….give it up, don't do it, too many serious outcomes, especially learners. Car vs bike = 1 winner.

    • fratzhaus on 04/12/2018 - 07:58

      I appreciate the concern, but I'd rather risk it to be honest.

    • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 08:44
      +5

      Or, how about this, as an emergency worker, how about you go into car forums and threads and ask them to get off their phone while driving and actively look out for motorcycles.

      How about you tell car drivers to stop killing motorcyclists instead of telling motorcyclists. I think the best way to raise awareness of motorcyclists on the roads is to increase motorcycle numbers, not to discourage people.

      And as a person who rides with a lot of emergency workers, police, ambos and fireies (is that how I spell that??) they don’t seem to have a problem with people riding.

      So, I say, good on you, fratz, don’t let them scare you out of it. And if I was in Melbourne brother, you could ride with me any time.

      • Itburns on 06/12/2018 - 09:17

        Totally agree with your sentiments but wishing Santa is real is not going to change the facts. Using per km travelled, bike riders have 30 times the death rate of car drivers & 40 times the rate of serious injury. This is a fact.

        These are not small differences.

        Go for it but understand the risks that you are at a much higher risk of getting seriously hurt or die. Also please make sure you wear proper protective gear - no t-shirts, shorts & sandals - sliding on bitumen, skin doesn't wear well😟

        • pegaxs on 06/12/2018 - 11:42

          I’ve already done the maths in another thread almost identical to this. And those numbers are just made up, out of thin air, suits your agenda numbers. While I agree that the likelihood of death or serious injury is increased on a motorcycle, it doesn’t make it more dangerous, it just makes the outcome more dire.

          People who ride bikes already know that it is not as safe as a car, but that’s the main appeal of it. So, thanks for your concern for my welfare and that of every other motorcyclists out there, but I’ll happily stick to riding.

          • Itburns on 06/12/2018 - 13:22

            @pegaxs: "the likelihood of death or serious injury is increased on a motorcycle, it doesn’t make it more dangerous"
            You can't be serious? Are you listening to yourself?

            Here are the stats, they aren't made up & not out of thin air or to suit an agenda - just facts

            https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/publications/2008…

            I don't have any particular issue with doing risky things or driving any particular agenda. I just want people to understand the level of risk.

            Good luck! Hope I don't see you (in a nice way!)

            • pegaxs on 06/12/2018 - 15:17

              @Itburns: Good Lord. Do I have to break out the crayons to explain how maths works?

              The "outcome" of an accident is more dangerous, not so much the act of riding itself. While riding a motorcycle has its own inherent set of risks, it is not 30% more dangerous to simply "ride" a motorcycle. That's what you anti-motorcyclists want us to read into it. And it just isn't true.

              It's a bit like carrying drugs around. They are fine and mostly harmless until you do something careless with them. Bikes are no different. They are not 30% more dangerous just because you own one or ride one. Are they safer than cars, no. But then again, by that logic, trucks are safer than cars. So why doesn’t everyone own a Freightliner or a Kenworth?

              A majority of motorcycle deaths are the result of interactions with cars being ignorant arsehats or via the riders own stupidity. If you can find it in my post history, you will see where I have done the maths based on statistics. I cant be bothered finding it, so have at it. But it worked out that the chances of having a motorcycle accident compared to a car was about 0.001% higher. You are more likely to be killed as a pedestrian than you are as a motorcycle rider. Go ahead. Look up the vehicle deaths statistics and you will find that there are more pedestrians killed than motorcyclists. So, how much safer is riding a motorcycle than just walking? See how your 30% rule doesn’t make much sense now?

              As for your source on this, I'm glad that yours is current and up to date and not 11 years+ out of relevance.

              Either way, you can get down off your soap box, because you have zero chance of convincing me, nor any other motorcycle rider that they should give up. It's like anything we do in life, it comes with an inherent risk. The more risks you take, the greater the chance at something bad happening. But putting an arbitrary figure on it and saying that’s what it is, is just plain bollocks.

              I'll leave you with this a quote I found from a very smart and influential man regarding statistics…

              68% of all internet sourced statistics are totally made up.
              Abraham Lincoln - 1929

              • Itburns on 06/12/2018 - 17:29

                @pegaxs: So now we trot out the NRA argument…. it's not guns that kill people, it's the people that fire them…

                There is no getting around it - riding a motorcycle is a dangerous thing to do. Check all the stats - they all say the same thing & common sense tells you that you have no protection when riding a bike - if you come off, you keep going at the same speed you were travelling until you hit something to stop you - a pole, tree, oncoming car, roadside barrier etc etc

                You can dismiss the data as bollocks, you can say that there are more pedestrian deaths which is just not true - besides, you aren't making any adjustment for how many pedestrians there are compared to motorcyclists - thousands more, & we should all drive trucks (good argument there).

                Stay safe mate. Over & out…

                • pegaxs on 06/12/2018 - 18:26

                  @Itburns: That's exactly how it works. A bike in the hands of an idiot is far more dangerous than that of a skilled, sensible rider. The act of riding the bike is not dangerous, it's how it is used and the risks taken that increase or decrease how dangerous it is. The only one not getting that here, is you.

                  And what part of "yes, I agree that riding a motorcycle can be inherently more dangerous than a car" do you not understand? The part you don’t get is that a car, in the hands of an idiot, is just as dangerous. Danger comes from how it is used, amount of risk, amount of skill and numerous other factors. It's not a blanket "30%".

                  And your data is bollocks. What applies to me on a bike as far as danger is concerned is not the same as @fratzhaus. It's not a blanket 30%. The problem with statistics and risk percentages is that its open to interpretation. You can draw almost any conclusion you want from statistics if you mix your numbers and words the right way. So, pointing to a study from 2008 is pointless.

                  And you need to read the road death statistics. More people die each year from being a pedestrian than motorcycle accidents. And a majority of them are killed by car drivers. So, again, I put it to you, it seems that being a pedestrian is far more dangerous than being a motorcycle rider.

                  So, again, take your soap box over to a forum on cars, and please, preach your heart out to them. Car drivers are doing a majority the killing on the roads. If it isn’t each other, it's motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians they are killing. You're typical anti-motorcycle rhetoric wont gain much traction with anyone who is a fan of motorcycling. We know the risks, most of us understand those risks and those risks and freedoms are the exact reason why most of us do it.

                  And somehow, I don’t think you are over, nor out.

                  Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
                  Benjamin Franklin - 1947

  • dimitryp on 04/12/2018 - 09:36
    +1

    If you plan to upgrade to another motorbike later, then dont learn on a postie bike. The reason i say that is that they're automatic (pretty sure?), like scooters, and not manual like most bikes. Means that when you want to upgrade you'll find you're not able to ride a manual bike, manual takes a while to learn well.
    You can get some very cheap learner motorbikes, like honda cb250's. I sold my one for $1300 a while back, and it was in good working order.

    • pegaxs on 04/12/2018 - 10:58

      Postie bikes typically have a manual gearbox with automatic clutch.

      A lot of scooters have a CVT, not auto, but it acts like an auto. (ie: no clutch and no gear changing)

      But outside that, yes, I agree. I would a spend a little bit more on something a little better.

      • dimitryp on 05/12/2018 - 08:45

        the clutch is where all the skill lies :)

    • Mattmattmatt on 05/12/2018 - 09:40

      I taught myself to ride on a postie then did the half-day learners course on a regular manual bike. Takes a little practice but it's not that big of a deal.

  • Mattmattmatt on 05/12/2018 - 09:44
    +1

    If you have access to a trailer or ute you might be able to find a CT110 cheap out of the city. They are light enough that you can load one onto a trailer solo without ramps, so you can take the bike someplace safe to practice too.

  • fratzhaus on 02/09/2019 - 23:27

    If anyone cares, I got the below recently, and am more than excited:

    Ninja 2009 250r - $1850 (with reg+rwc)
    Third Party RACV - $220
    Helmet from AMX - $180
    Gear from aldi - $250
    Free gloves and shoes - $luck

    Overall - $2500

    Not bad not bad. Fairly happy with the result.

    • BigBirdy on 03/09/2019 - 07:36
      +1

      You went over your (low ball) budget, but still got a very cheap entry into motorcycling. Well done!

      Motorcycling can be lots of fun, and give you a real sense of independence. I remember that great sense of freedom when I first got out on the road, 40 years ago. But always remember your vulnerability. Never trust others to give way, never assume they saw you, try to make eye contact with other road users, be alert to vehicles coming out of driveways, car doors opening, poor road surface … you get the idea. Enjoy that bike.

      • fratzhaus on 03/09/2019 - 09:56

        Yeah, the budget was very optimistic, but I am surprised I still got it so low. I don't plan on hitting the main roads for a little while now, building up my defensive riding - but I'll keep it all in mind. Cheers!

  • MagicMikez32 on 04/09/2019 - 12:55
    +1

    My advice is, wear all the gear, all the time, regardless of weather, length of journey or type of riding.

    You will come off, and you'll want to have everything you can to protect you. If not, you'll have a short motorcycle career.

    Good luck with the ninja.

    Always have an 'out'.

    • fratzhaus on 04/09/2019 - 16:53

      I wouldn't trust myself without any gear. It's all or nothing. Definitely going to be playing it safe at all times - pretend I'm a car, make myself visible - live another day.

  • Saving Messiah on 14/09/2019 - 21:19

    YES!
    Get a NBC110 it is great fun I love it. 39-44km per litre. 90km top speed if you tuck in.

    Running costs are so cheap. For 10,000 km per year you are looking at $14 per week in my calculation not including third party insurance.

    I enjoy my Honda NBC110 more than my Suzuki GS500e, Honda CBR125R, Yamaha Virago 535. I like small motorcycles so I'm biased.

    Totally get a postie that are cheap, easy to ride, pass your test on easy mode.

    Keep the postie forever or get a more expensive "exciting" motorcycle when you get your full license. You'll save heaps on a postie.

    Don't bother with third party comprehensive insurance. I was quoted $1,700 a year when I got my first motorcycle around 20 years old. Total waste of moeny. Buy a lock and keep it out of sight of criminals as my gs500e was stolen and recovered by cops. Scratched it up good cost me a thousand in repairs all done by me. Don't crash into people and you'll be ok.

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