I am 26yo, from Newcastle, and thinking of taking on biking. I will do CBT soon and need to decide what bike to get (discussed in another thread) - I am hesitating between Dragstar 125, Shadow, and Varadero.

Direct access would be a far better idea. Although cheap to run, 125's of whichever denomination are expensive to buy and quite honestly horrid to ride. Save you're cash and get a full licence. Then you'll have a pléthore of machines to choose from, which will not only far better suit your height, but will also be much more fun to ride.

Good luck with the test.

Hi and welcome to the Y-O-C thingwy , good luck with the bike decision- bet your heads spinning

Thanks.

Direct Access does not appeal to me because

1. It is unreasonably expensive

2. Bigger bikes are less economical and more expensive (I can spend ~1500 max)

3. I have never been on a bike and when I tried sitting on 750 Kawasaki last week, I was intimidated with its weight.

Hi and welcome.

Varadero would be my choice.

Being a bit of a lazy kent

+1 for the Varadero-less polishing to do

welcome