View Full Version : September Vs January Purchase
Hi all,
I have a bit of a dilemma on my hands that I hope you guys and gals can help me with.
I'm new to the biking scene (so new I haven't even done a CBT yet...) and am looking for some advice on the best time to purchase a bike, all things considered.
At this point I have my CBT booked for Saturday, my theory for the following Friday and then my direct access provisionally booked for the following Monday to Thursday.
So, let's say the stars align and all things being well, I come out of the whole process by end of March with a full license. At this point I have a decision to make and have three options.
Though this is where I need to point out the fact that I am actually going to be in the USA from mid June to the start of September.
Option 1: Buy bike in April, ride until June, leave bike garaged while im in the USA, then continue to rise when I return in September.
Pro's:
- Get a bike sooner
-won't lose the riding skill I have gained recently
Cons
- Bikes may me more expensive and less available due to upcoming summer
- Bike will be garaged and 3 months of tax and insurance wasted while in USA.
Option 2: Buy bike in September after returning from USA
Pros :
- Bikes potentially cheaper after summer months
- Once taxed and insured, bike will not be put away long term and will get good use.
- I'll be one year older so may help with insurance
Cons:
- Less familiar with bike after being out of training for over 5 months
Option 3: Buy bike at end of January, after most of winter.
Pros:
- Will be 1 year older and will hopefully have 1 more year no claims in car insurance which could help bike insurance
- Bike will not be left garaged long term and so tax and insurance not wasted
- Spring and summer coming up consecutively
Cons:
- Long time between passing tests and then buying /riding a bike.
- Long time to bloody wait!
I'd really appreciate some thoughts and advice on this, and in case it wasn't obvious. I'll be after an SV650, hopefully not spending more than £1500 for a naked first or second gen.
Thanks all!
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carelesschucca
01-03-16, 08:32 AM
Get the bike fall in love. Then Sorn it while your away.
January is a bad time to be buying a bike. You'll need to tax and insure in the worst month of the year. I stupidly bought my first bike in December and it still hurts to be paying insurance when I know the thing will hardly move for the next few months.
Red Herring
01-03-16, 10:12 AM
How about buy the bike as soon as you can, ride it as often as you can, SORN it when you can't, buy half decent gear and ride when you can right through the winter...... Unless you live at the top of a Scottish mountain and if next winter is even half as mild as this one was that will be most of the time.
How about buy the bike as soon as you can, ride it as often as you can, SORN it when you can't, buy half decent gear and ride when you can right through the winter...... Unless you live at the top of a Scottish mountain and if next winter is even half as mild as this one was that will be most of the time.
This is my underlying thought so far... Was just waiting for someone to have the same logic.
What does everyone else think?
Also, in terms of insurance. Is it worth going fully comp on a bike that costs £1500 when the combined excesses are nearly £800-1000 anyway?
Thoughts?
shiftin_gear98
01-03-16, 10:44 AM
Yes. Go fully comp if you can afford it.
Having been third party and involved in an accident that wasn't my fault it really isn't worth the headache / timescale involved by not being fully comp. Personally I will never be anything but fully comp again - policy due to lapse next week.
Even with those excesses.
For insurance, I recommend the optional legal protection cover as well. Otherwise you're stuck with no-win no-fee legal help if someone hits you.
No win, no free sounds as if you don't pay anything. This is not true. If you go this route, the solicitor will force you to buy an insurance policy to cover their actual costs if you lose. If you win, the solicitor takes a hefty chunk out of the settlement to cover their costs. Having said that, solicitors costs are usually awarded to the winning party but if the judge decides that the case is egregious, he can decide that no costs are be awarded and the winner has to pay their legal fees themselves. The insurance policy doesn't usually pay out if you win.
No win, no free sounds as if you don't pay anything. This is not true. If you go this route, the solicitor will force you to buy an insurance policy to cover their actual costs if you lose. If you win, the solicitor takes a hefty chunk out of the settlement to cover their costs. Having said that, solicitors costs are usually awarded to the winning party but if the judge decides that the case is egregious, he can decide that no costs are be awarded and the winner has to pay their legal fees themselves. The insurance policy doesn't usually pay out if you win.
So what is your suggestion?
Fully comp also?
I wouldn't go fully comp, it's just not worth it. Chances are, if you have an accident in your first year, you'll be the only vehicle involved. You can then just fix it up using ebay parts or flog the wreck and buy something else. If you claim on insurance your policy will go up the next year so not worth it.
I'd buy a bike as soon as you can, there are deals to be had all year round.
I've never bothered with legal protection, it sounds like a rip off to me.
DarrenSV650S
01-03-16, 04:46 PM
Definitely buy as soon as you pass. Good luck!
Fully comp as well as helmet and leathers insurance is really worth having
Balky001
01-03-16, 05:12 PM
Could you really wait until September, saving minimal amount on a £1500 bike if any. I couldn't bear to miss a decent weekend just because of that. If you can afford it, get one early and practise on the better days. When summer comes (OK, if) you'll be able to enjoy them more with that experience. (I voted for January by mistake!! April would be my choice)
Thanks to everyone whose replied.
So the consensus seems to be.
Go fully comp, with gear cover, and buy straight away.
Would it change anyones mind if I said, I live on a rough Birmingham council estate without a garage which means fully comp on an SV650 is about £700 without legal cover, breakdown, gear cover etc.
Though I have been offered the use of my girlfriend's stepdads garage (about 13 miles away) where he keeps his bike. Where the insurance drops to £420. But I have the hassle of having to fit in at his convenience for getting my bike out.
It's a dilemma.
Any further thoughts? How would a bike fair being chained up outside my house on an empty drive...
You've got to work out if the fully comp is worth the extra, if it's an extra £500 and your excess is £500 the personally I wouldn't bother.
Up to you though.
You've got to work out if the fully comp is worth the extra, if it's an extra £500 and your excess is £500 the personally I wouldn't bother.
Up to you though.
I hear what you're saying, and that WAS my initial logic, but with what people are saying about legal cover etc, it almost sounds stupid not to go fully comp?
Also, what's the best way to secure a bike on a drive, round here it would be so easy and likely for someone to just pick it up and stick it on the back of a van.
DarrenSV650S
01-03-16, 06:29 PM
Put it round the back if you can and under a cover. Hide it as best you can. You don't want people knowing it is there
You won't ride it as much if it is 13 miles away and has to be pre-arranged. How much is TPFT at your place?
Balky001
01-03-16, 06:43 PM
I claimed leather and helmet on my house insurance years ago as it covered gear up to a certain value. Whatever you do insurance wise, don't just go Third Party, make sure it is TPFT in case it gets nicked.
Not sure what to advise on storage. Outside it is visible and even the toughest locks are breakable. Although it would be a pain to have it stored 13 miles away too. Maybe get a cover, ground anchor and chain it to that and another type of chain around the bike through the wheel. It's really trying to make it so difficult to get it that they don't bother.
ManMango
01-03-16, 07:46 PM
Bike:
Buy as soon as you can. Have fun, build experience and miss its lil heart out while your away!
Insurance:
Your going to get ripped if third part or fully comp either way so you probably wont claim even if it came to it; ergo third party may be your best option.
GET GEAR COVER (never had to use it but I don't fancy spending out another roughly £700 on replacing my day to day gear, these policies often have a separate excess also)
Security:
You can get a permanent ground Anchor with anti tamper 18mm bolts that drill into concrete/walls. If you do not have permission to be drilling holes into the floor or wall you can get a bricklayer to make you a 300kg block of concrete that you can have outside to then attach your anchor.
You will never be able to stop the most determined thief but you can deter. I think a massive block of concrete to lift as well as the bike might help ;)
PS. Can anyone tell me if my use of a semi colon AND ergo right next to each other was correct? If so... SMASHED IT!
Bike:
Buy as soon as you can. Have fun, build experience and miss its lil heart out while your away!
Insurance:
Your going to get ripped if third part or fully comp either way so you probably wont claim even if it came to it; ergo third party may be your best option.
GET GEAR COVER (never had to use it but I don't fancy spending out another roughly £700 on replacing my day to day gear, these policies often have a separate excess also)
Security:
You can get a permanent ground Anchor with anti tamper 18mm bolts that drill into concrete/walls. If you do not have permission to be drilling holes into the floor or wall you can get a bricklayer to make you a 300kg block of concrete that you can have outside to then attach your anchor.
You will never be able to stop the most determined thief but you can deter. I think a massive block of concrete to lift as well as the bike might help ;)
PS. Can anyone tell me if my use of a semi colon AND ergo right next to each other was correct? If so... SMASHED IT!
Yep, your semi-colon usage was spot on, congrats haha!
Well, a bit more information to further complicate the situation.
Basically, I'm still at home with my parents (saving for a house deposit) and as we have a new block paved drive, AND my parents don't want me to have a bike anyway, they will not allow me to drill anything into anything, nor have a huge concrete block on the drive.
There is an alleyway that would allow me to get my bike around the back of my house, but we have a step approx 10" high from the back gate, where I'd have to lift the bike to get it into the garden (not gonna happen).
I feel like my only real option is to have it garaged at my girlfriends step-dads. Whilst this isn't ideal, I will caveat this with something.
I am not planning to use this bike as a commuter, i'm buying it purely for a weekend and pleasure ride. So, having to travel 25 minutes to go and get on it, isn't SO bad.
I really bloody wish I had a garage though :(
AlexAdams
01-03-16, 08:39 PM
IMHO you have to ride regularly after passing to hammer in what you've learnt. I'd say put it all off until you get back from the states.
yokohama
01-03-16, 08:44 PM
There is an alleyway that would allow me to get my bike around the back of my house, but we have a step approx 10" high from the back gate, where I'd have to lift the bike to get it into the garden (not gonna happen).
:(
SVs are light. Buy a paving slab to act as a ramp and push it up.
SVs are light. Buy a paving slab to act as a ramp and push it up.
Neighbour may potentially allow me to put it in his garden next door...
Where would I stand with insurance? It's not garaged, but it's also not on a drive or on the road then.
Buy one as soon as you've passed. I rode from March to september on a YZF R125 then passed my DAS in December. The summer experience was invaluable to me.
Have your folks got any spare paving bricks to replace the one you ground anchor when you move out. That said a ground anchor in to brick papers probably isn't that secure.
HUGE chain right around your house and through your frame- not a serious suggestion!
Really appreciate everyone's input.
Though it's becoming more and more apparent that I'm just in a bad place at the moment in regards to security possibilities and also me going away.
Not sure how to react to be honest, It's kinda taking the shine off the dream if I'm honest...
So what is your suggestion?
Fully comp also?
Definitely fully comp. If you crash you don't have to make a claim if it's a minor and if it's a major, you will definitely need fully comp.
My fully comp was barely any more than tpft. Get old, that's the way to get your quotes down!
Get old, that's the way to get your quotes down!
Definitely beats the alternative.
ManMango
02-03-16, 05:06 PM
Bike at the GF's should do the trick. 25 mins to go spend some time with it isn't too long and then you can also go out on the bike while your there!
I'm buying a house this year and I WILL have a garage. We instantly discount anywhere without one xd does reduce our options though...
On the insurance note. I'm 26, did my DA when I was 24. First year insurance on a K5 was £170 another year on and a house move and its now £130 including gear cover fully comp.
Those quotes you've gotten are HIIIIGH, you've shopped around right?
Bike at the GF's should do the trick. 25 mins to go spend some time with it isn't too long and then you can also go out on the bike while your there!
I'm buying a house this year and I WILL have a garage. We instantly discount anywhere without one xd does reduce our options though...
On the insurance note. I'm 26, did my DA when I was 24. First year insurance on a K5 was £170 another year on and a house move and its now £130 including gear cover fully comp.
Those quotes you've gotten are HIIIIGH, you've shopped around right?
Hi Mate,
I've done a lot of comparison site stuff....
It's the postcode.
In my postcode, bike on the drive, £760 fully comp. In a postcode where I used to live, on the road £400 or £220 in the garage.
This is what happens when you live on a council estate in Birmingham. It's a load of b*llocks!
ManMango
02-03-16, 09:10 PM
On that note pal, being garaged at the GFs house might be a good option in terms of security and insurance then. Ever thought of looking around your local area for garages to rent? Might be one right by yours available. Rent it for a few months then store it at GFs or another friend while away to save on the rent.
On that note pal, being garaged at the GFs house might be a good option in terms of security and insurance then. Ever thought of looking around your local area for garages to rent? Might be one right by yours available. Rent it for a few months then store it at GFs or another friend while away to save on the rent.
I've actually found a mate with a garage a few streets away.
I can insure it at my house as "in a locked garage" and just put it in there.
He said he will stick an anchor point on the wall for me and let me use it free of charge as long as I agree to help him clear it out and go halves on a skip. Can't say fairer than that I think!
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