Gaz_

But the question is from where?

Thanks, eBay hadn't occurred to me

So, the original plan since I rode scooters 20 years ago was to take the CBT, the MOD1 class and the MOD2 and get a license, buy a 600ish CC bike and build my confidence quietly riding. The problem was when I got on the bike at CBT I wasn't very confident with the gears (I think it's about teaching an old dog new tricks) so I now think I'll spend 6 months on a 125CC with my CBT and L Plates and get the confidence back up. Now I look around for a bike. I don't want a moped, it's the gears I need to learn, but at least round here I can't find much in the value end of the spectrum. I was hoping to spend £1000-£1200 and get something with a few scrapes on it but runs well and then resell it in 6 months or a year with a little bit of a loss, I figured there'd be quite a few people selling bikes like that but I can't seem to find the people upgrading as they get their full license. I then started to notice the Chinese options, I know they aren't quality but to get something with ABS and LED lights on it for £1500 almost makes it into a "beater", just with less resale options. Right now I'm looking at Gumtree and Autotrader but does anyone else have any recommendation for where to watch and buy that first short term learner bike?

Here's a quick comparison between a cheap online jacket and a decent jacket OK, That was good..... so the obvious next question is. Recommendations for shops to go and try some of this stuff out, someone who can help the newbies? I'm in the Reading area but can travel a bit. Where should I go?

Please don't take this as a "Cheaping out" over safety supplies but I'm looking at my first round of trousers, helmet, jacket and boots and I can't work out what information I'm missing out on. Even within a bricks and mortar store, as much as online web stores, a helmet can range from £60 to £600. I get the lightness benefits, but are there any safety benefits that make that worthwhile (Read an MCM thing that says they all have to pass the same safety tests to be sold here anyway?) What I can't get though is the Amazon prices for things like Jackets, Trousers and Boots, I know they are going to be Chinese but am I really missing anything safety wise. There is a huge disparity in jackets cost £50 at Amazon and them STARTING at £200 at the local shop. If I was convinced there was some major benefit to the £200 jacket I'd buy it in a heart beat but I can't see it. Hopefully some of you more seasoned riders will be able to tell me what I'm looking for and when to get the expensive and when to save a few pounds? Thanks