First motorcycle? A new rider's buying and safety guide for SA

Your first motorbike will teach you more about yourself than about riding. The bike you learn on should be forgiving, cheap to crash, and easy to resell. Here's how to pick well.

Get the right licence first

• A1: up to 125cc, from 16. Learner's and licence required.
• A: anything above 125cc, from 18. Direct access if you're already 24.

Don't ride without a valid licence. Insurance won't pay out, and a court will not be sympathetic.

What makes a good first bike

• Engine size: 125–400cc is the sweet spot. Big-litre bikes are overwhelming and you will drop them.
• Seat height: you should be able to touch the ground with both feet flat at a stop. If you're on tip-toes, you'll drop the bike in traffic.
• Weight: under 180kg dry is manageable. Above that is a lot to pick up when (not if) you drop it.
• Cheap parts: Japanese brands (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki) have abundant parts and affordable servicing. Boutique European brands do not.

Popular first bikes in SA

• Honda CB125F / CBR150 / CBF150: bulletproof commuters, perfect for Joburg/Cape Town traffic.
• Yamaha MT-03 / MT-07: naked bikes, friendly power delivery, stylish.
• Kawasaki Ninja 400: if you want a sportbike feel without the 1000cc madness.
• Bajaj Pulsar or TVS Apache: budget Indian brands, cheap to run and insure, decent for learning.
• Vespa or retro scooters: city-only. Nice lifestyle bikes, not for highway.

Protective gear is non-negotiable

Even a small low-speed crash will shred skin. The gear bill often surprises new riders. Budget properly:

• Helmet: R2,500 minimum for a decent one (Shoei, HJC, AGV, LS2). Never buy second-hand helmets — they may have been in a crash.
• Jacket: textile or leather with CE-rated armour. R2,000–R5,000.
• Gloves: R800–R1,500. Non-negotiable.
• Boots: over-the-ankle, non-slip. R1,500–R3,500.
• Jeans with Kevlar or motorcycle pants: R2,000+. Regular jeans shred in 3 metres of sliding.

Total gear cost: R8,000–R15,000. If you can't afford gear, you can't afford the bike.

Before buying a used bike

• Check the frame VIN matches the natis.
• Look at the tyres — cracks, square wear, or under 2mm tread = budget R3,000 for replacements.
• Chain and sprockets — worn chains mean R1,500 replacement soon.
• Start it cold. Listen for knocking. White or blue smoke on startup is bad.
• Check for crash damage: bent levers, scratches on the fairings or crash bungs, welded footpeg mounts.
• Verify the odometer matches the service book. Low-mileage bikes with worn grips, pedals, or seats suggest a rolled odo.

Insurance is compulsory for peace of mind

Full comprehensive on a 125cc costs about R250–R400/month; 600cc goes R600–R1,200; 1000cc sportbikes R1,500+. If a bike shop tells you "insurance isn't needed", walk out. Bike theft and damage claims are the norm, not the exception.

Take a riding school course

Advanced riding courses (R1,500–R3,000 for a day) will teach you counter-steering, emergency braking, and cornering in a safe environment. Skip them and you'll learn the hard way, often painfully.

Ride safe, ride geared up, and keep the aspirational superbike for year 2 or 3 — not year 1.