Ask Pete
I am just about to embark on my direct access course and would like some advice on suitable bikes for a tall rider. I would like performance, but would also like to do some touring. Any thoughts?
Any big trail bike should be ideal as you are looking for a comfortable distance between the seat and the footrests. For this reason, many sports bikes might feel cramped. The BMW GS1100/1150/1200 would be at the top of my list as it has the benefit of shaft drive, is easier to maintain and has reasonable re-sale value. When you start your DAS course make sure you let your instructor know that you would like to ride out to some dealers to sit on some machines to see how they fit!
Does racking up the miles affect the re-sale value of a bike?
Having just spent a lot of time looking for a new bike recently I'm pretty confused...
Once you get over a certain mileage/age, condition and service history matter much more than mileage. In fact, some really low-mileage bikes that are in scabby condition sell for less than high mileage examples that have been well cared-for.
This makes sense: as a buyer, would you pay more for a 10,000 mile bike with a rattly cam chain, perished tyres, corroded shocks, non-existent brake pad friction material and a split seat that hasn't even got its last MOT certificate, or for a 20,000 mile example that has every receipt and stamp in its service book, purrs like a kitten, looks clean and tidy, is in a good state of maintenance (tyres, brakes, colour of oil etc) and shows evidence of a careful owner?
Anyway, who wants to leave a bike in the garage when they could be riding it? I see some bikes for sale at two years old with 2,500 miles on the clock: say the owner bought it for £5,000 and is selling for £3,500 - that's cost him 60p per mile of riding just in depreciation. If he'd done 10,000 miles instead, even if he only got £3,000 when selling, he's only paid 20p per mile in depreciation. And he's had a lot more fun!
I've covered just under 1,200 miles on my new bike in 13 days - if I keep this up the cost (of depreciation) per mile will be next to nothing!
Ride it today - who knows what tomorrow will bring?