My little brother (Paul) is insisting on getting a bike now at 16, instead of just waiting till he's 17 and getting a 125 and doing his test normally.
So, my question is...
1) What's a good bike, with gears, for him to learn on?
2) What can he even ride at 16? Can he have gears? Bhp?
He wants something "cool" looking, which I've told him he wont get at 50cc and he'll just look ridiculous (being over 6' tall) riding a screaming scooter around like all the other teenagers.
Also - I've been trying to explain how important centre of gravity/seat height is for learning, and that high seat heights (Sports bikes compared with unfaired/cruisers) are less forgiving.
Please don't advise that he should just get whatever makes him happy, it's my brother when he kills himself so I'm trying to prevent that (Which is difficult not living in the same country). He needs to learn on something crap like we all did, and then get what makes him happy.
Thanks everyone
Oh, points to consider...
Parents/Grandparents are buying his first bike (So i've said it's better to wait and get the 125, so he doesn't have to upgrade again in a few months)
He has no money at all (or a job, he's at college)!
He wants to move up to 125, etc when he's 17 (Resetting new CBT, getting new bike etc)
Given his height somthing like a trailie would suit (the seat height not being a minus on those) got gears and with the bars being wide and high he'd feel far comphyer than squashed up on a sports bike look a like.
Plus anything with a fairing = expencive repairs and also a bit difficult to judge just where the front end is going for a 1st bike.
There should be quite a broad choice out there of new or second hand bikes.
All 50cc bikes are learner legal in uk (providing it's built for road use) not sure of bhp restriction but if it's in std trim it'll be below any power restriction anyway.
Gears are allowed on moped/bikes if they have not had peddles welded up to change it from a ped into a motorcycle.
![First bike for Paul (My little bro) - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8mobileLQ.jpg)
![First bike for Paul (My little bro) - Forums [Biker Match]](/images/backgrounds/strips/8desktopLQ.jpg)
