Learner Bikes - Should I Stick to 250cc or LAMS approved 660cc Bike?

On October 1st 2012 the restriction on the engine size for learner/restricted licenced motorcyclists is moving from 250cc to an approved list of bikes of up to 660cc. There were 2 key reasons for this change. The first was that some 250cc bikes were deemed by many to be too dangerous for amateur riders. These 250cc bikes are now off limits to learner riders. The second reason was that many bikes with larger capacity engines weren't necessarily more powerful than the bikes that learner bikers were able to ride. Many argued for a shift away from engine size restrictions towards a power-to-weight-ratio restriction. This lead to the LAMS list of approved bikes for learner and restricted riders. This shift leads to an obvious question for new learner riders: Should I start with a bike that would have been approved before the 1st of October or should I go with a larger bike from the LAMS approved list?

Points in Favour of bikes over 250cc

1) Avoid the small bike stigma
If you thought you wanted a bigger bike before reading this post this was probably a big part of that. If you think that there is something that is inherently uncool about smaller bikes then buying a bigger bike will allow you to keep yourself safe from the small bike stigma.

2) Lower revs, deeper engine sounds
Smaller bikes often get mocked for sounding like sewing machines. They rev high and have a high pitched engine sound. Larger bikes tend to rev lower and sound throatier.

3) Power-to-weight ratio is likely to be higher (although this may not be the case)
It is rare for bike manufacturers to make a bike with a bigger engine that has a lower power to weight ratio than other bikes in their line-up. As a general rule bikes of the same age from the same company in the same line will have a power to weight ratio that increases with engine size. Take note that this will not necessarily hold for bikes from different companies, years, and/or lines.

4) Weight
A larger, more powerful engine means that the bike itself should also be heavier to fit the fixed power to weight ratio. Heavier bikes hold the road better and don't get pushed around by the wind quite as much.

Points in Favour of bikes less then 250cc

1) Fuel Efficiency

Generally speaking smaller engines use less fuel. Bigger engines use more fuel. For many the appeal of moving to a bike or scooter is the potential to save money on petrol. If this sounds like you a 250cc (or less) bike or scooter is likely to be the best fit for you although a 660cc bike should still use much less fuel than your car.

2) Light Weight
Light Bikes are easy for you and your engine to push around. This helps to contribute to fuel efficiency and also makes bikes easier to manoeuvre while parking. Finally if you ever drop your bike a lighter bike is much easier to pick-up.

3) A glut in the market
As 250cc bikes have been a necessary stepping stone for a number of years there are plenty of them around.  After October 1st it is possible that there will be a shift in the supply and demand equation. Specifically the demand will drop as the learner buyers will no longer be restricted to 250cc bikes. This could lead to an over supply of 250cc bikes in the market which could lead to a drop in sale prices in the months and years ahead.

Red Herrings to watch out for

Bigger bikes are more powerful than smaller bikes

Remember that the LAMS approved bikes are in line with a power-to-weight ratio that some 250cc bikes exceeded. The power to weight ratio is restricted to 150kw per tonne regardless of engine size. While bikes with bigger engines are typically more powerful than bikes with smaller engines they are often also heavier. Heavier bikes are harder to get moving. While bigger engined bikes may have a higher top speed you are unlikely to notice differences in acceleration between bikes where the only difference is the power to weight ratio.

Avoiding the small bike stigma

Odds are this stigma will shift from a small bike stigma to a learner bike stigma. In fact the current small bike stigma really is learner bike stigma by another name.

An important consideration for those over 25

Along with the change in permissable bikes October 1st will bring a change to the licencing system. While those over 25 were required to spend less time on their restricted than younger riders before October 1st 2012 this distinction will disappear on the 1st of October 2012. This means you will be spending longer on your learner bike.