Are you a first time rider?
If you aren’t, nor is your friend, your brother, cousin or son then we assume you’ve clicked on the wrong post! But hopefully you’re where you wanted to be and you’d like some advice from the 25 years of professional expertise we’ve developed here at Two Wheel Centre.
First time riders seem to come in many ages, with many wants, desires and budgets which will guide the exciting process of selecting your first set of wheels! So where do you start? Let’s start at the very beginning… The licence.
What kind of licence do you need as a first time rider?
Firstly, it depends on what you’d like to ride…
If you passed your car test before 1 February 2001 you could pop into Two Wheel Centre today, hop on a (125cc or less) bike, drive it away (providing you’re insured) and you’d be legally cruising about the streets of North Nottinghamshire. However, if you passed after this time, you’ll need to take the one-day long CBT course, just like all of the other non-car drivers out there.
If you’re 16 and eager to hop on your first set of wheels then a CBT will permit you to ride a bike with a 50cc engine. If you’re 17 or over, you’ll be permitted for a bit more speed with a 125cc bike.
Just like with anything, experience, expertise and skills all develop over time. Therefore we’d recommend beginning with a CBT and selecting two wheels that suit this. However, if you want to dive straight into the deep end, you can look at the next two licences up, the A1 or A2.
All of the information for our own Two Wheel Riding School is rounded up here.
So first time riders, once you have the licence, how about the ride?
Let’s start with a few of the technicalities…
CC simply measures cubic centimetres, this is the physical volume inside of an engine where air and fuel mix together which then generates an explosion to power the bike. It can be generally taken that the bigger the CC size of a bike, the more powerful the engine, although the quality of the engine can also completely negate this. Therefore, CC should be considered, though not taken as the only indicator of the bike’s power. It should also be noted that the law dictates the CC of a bike you can ride depending on your age and licence, please see this blog post on our training school for more information on these technical boundaries.
How big is the bike? When we say ‘big’ we mean height. In terms of weight, you should be able to stand up whilst holding your bike steady. Height, on the other hand, is much more important. Whilst standing straight with the bike your feet should comfortably reach the floor and your hands should comfortably reach the handlebars, if not, it’s likely you won’t enjoy, or feel safe, on your new wheels. Most bike descriptions online let you know the height of a bike which can be measured against the inside of your leg. If you’re looking in-store, even better, take a seat and try it for size.
Let’s take a look at gears. Would you rather change them yourself or let the bike do the work for you? If you learn on an automatic, your license covers you for an automatic. If you learn on a manual, the same rule applies. It’s a personal decision based on how much control you’d like over the bike and the reason you’re riding, therefore it’s important to decide which better suits you. A manual bike provides more control over the bike’s gears and movement, in addition to providing more opportunity to develop skills and play about. With an automatic you just put twist the throttle and away you go!
Finally, it comes down to what you’re interested in. Is this a quick run around for your commute? Are you looking for some adrenaline-pumping adventure with a touring bike? Or are you more interested in mucking about on a sports bike?
What are the top five bikes we’d recommend for first time riders?
- Peugeot Kisbee 50cc White: This is a smart, sporty, pick-up and go, first time bike – particularly great for a 16 year-old wanting to get to grips with the roads. The bike blends performance with comfort and style to create an economical, environment-conscious, easy drive. This is an automatic bike, therefore the Peugeot Kisbee will do all of the work for you. Priced at £1,271.00. this is a sweet, affordable choice.
- Vespa PX 125 Blu Midnight (Blue): This is an iconic Italian scooter with a 125cc engine. This model first entered the market in 1977 and though its original retro lines and solid steel body were maintained, it has been slightly updated with a more comfortable saddle and the option of an electronic kick start. This moped is reliable, sturdy and charmingly designed, priced at £2,971.00.
Honley HD3 125cc – Red: This is a classic custom bike with a 125cc air-cooled engine. The bike can be ridden by any learner or rider holding a CBT, providing they’re 17 or over. The bike is fitted with four gears which is a great step into the manual-riding world. This is a sit-up-and-beg style bike, powerful but still achieves great fuel economy. A tad edgier than the two scooters above.- Rieju Marathon Pro Enduro 125cc Black Series: This Rieju design is a popular first-time-rider trail style bike, great for on and off the road. It has chunky tyres with deep tyre tread for off-roading and responsive suspension to both the front and back. The slightly higher price tag justifies it’s riding duality, £3,499.00
Yamaha YZF-R 125cc: The Yamaha YZF-R is a learner-legal superbike – a rare gem in the market. The body of the bike is a stunning electric blue colour which is teamed with gleaming gold tyres. Complete with a lust racing suspension lowing kit, this is a great first sports bike starter. It’ll set you back £3450.00 but will gain you some exhilarating memories!
