Advice needed please. Son is 18 and going to uni in Canada in August. Has just sold his RSV4 (125) and has his A2 license, but wants to keep a bike at home for when he comes back home for hols. What should he go for? He is restricted to 47 bhp. Should he go for something like a Honda VTR250, Suzuki GS500, Suzuki DR400 or a bigger bike like an old CBR400 and restrict it? Max budget around £1600.
Will someone be able to ride it while he is away? If not, then I wouldn’t bother… canada is not exactly France when he can just pop back for the weekend and he’ll find that he’ll be spending most of his time back servicing it to make sure the months in a garage have not decayed it.
I had the exact same thoughts when I was 18 and left greece for england but realised there was no point whatsoever…
I know that doesn’t exactly answer your question… I have no idea of the bikes below but why not buy something like a DRZ400 (if he can get one for the money that is) and then he can use it for a bit of off and on road 
Did I meet you along with WeeFrenchy at some point in the past? If so I didn’t think you looked old enough to have an 18 year old son!
In any case – bear in mind that if you study abroad you become “resident” there from a UK point of view (since the majority of your time is spent abroad), which opens up an interesting possibility for him. It might well be in his interest to not buy a 47bhp bike now, but to get a license in Canada first, and surrender his UK license. Where in Canada will he be studying? Most provinces require you to get a local license to drive/ride if you’re staying for more than 3 months (and it’s very likely he’ll want to drive or ride over there - it’s a big country). If he’s in Ontario I know you can just swap your license over without having to pass a test (I knew someone who did this), in some of the other provinces you have to pass a test - but whichever province he’s in, he won’t have to go through their “graduated” stages (like our provisional) if he surrenders his UK license.
The idea is that when he comes back to the UK for holidays…he will be entitled to ride without restrictions (since the entitlement is to ride any car/bike entitlement on your foreign license) for periods of up to 12 months. Further, if/when he finally chooses to return to the UK, he can then swap his Canadian license over for a UK one – and will be granted full entitlement since the Canadians have no concept of A1, A2 etc…
Thanks Serrisan, it did cross my mind that it would be a waste of money, what with the insurance sky high, and no one else will use it. And good point about the servicing. And it will prob not be garaged and just sit on a drive, which I didn’t mention. He can’t get one in Canada cos of his age and foreigner status, bit too complicated.
Would be cheaper to hire one during his holidays, which to be frank will probably be spent on detox and rehabilitation. 
Wow that machine better be bulletproof then… 
Honestly, I wouldn’t even entertain that idea. You gotta be tough to be kind with him cause he will waste a grand and a bit for something he will use, maybe 10 days a year… He’s not really going to get any training with it because of infrequent use so doubt he’ll be improving his skills. Best to let it lie for now, wait till he fills the requirements and then do a refresher course and get the bike then.
Unless he has a good mate with whom he could buy it together on the understanding he can use when he is back. Would be difficult to organise but that was the one option to me when I was considering. I have good friends in Greece I would trust but even still, I couldn’t justify it to myself to bear the whole cost (none of them wanted another bike).
I would buy something cheap or even a frame with a V5, then insure it third party and build up his no-claims while he was away. Then when(if) he comes back it’ll be a bit cheaper to insure his next bike.
Yes, this is probably the best option. I wish I did this when I first moved to London to build up my no claims.
Thanks for the advice Gavin. I think it was his idea, to build his no claims bonus so he doesn’t get hit when he wants a bigger bike in 2 years’ time, also to buy something cheap. But then the point about the servicing is a good one and it will not be garaged (well not until I get a garage for a bigger bike of my own and that’s a long way off since I’ve still not passed MOD1!:Whistling:
Rats, Montreal means he’d have to pass a test in Canada:
http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/en/driver_licence/exchange/residents_other.php
If this country appears in the following list, and if you hold a valid licence, you are eligible for a Class 5 driver’s licence exchange without proficiency examinations as these countries have entered into agreements with Québec regarding the exchange of a driver’s licence. However, you must pass the required tests if your wish to obtain a licence authorizing you to drive a motorcycle (Class 6)
Good luck with his move!
Top man szymon, thanks for digging that up.
That’s what he’ll probably end up doing. At least he’s got a few options now, thank you everyone for advice.
My girlfriend is about to put her CBR400RR up for sale, it has the 33bhp restrictor kit with it (not fitted) and the certificate.
Had the engine changed 100 miles or so ago and rides well. It’s a tidy bike and the price will be £1450 ovno
Rich, my son’s interested in the bike. Any more details? Or can you post a link?
Thanks