Learner bike recommendations

[abtin90]

So I don't know much when it comes to bikes but have always wanted to get my licence.

 

As such I'm on the lookout for a bike to practice on and to commute to work with and was wondering what 125cc bike people would recommend?

 

I don't have a huge budget at the moment due to christmas and other commitments so I'm hoping to find something for around £1200 if possible? Any less than that (if possible) would be a huge bonus.

 

Any help or advice is appreciated?

[mplavery]

[sAD][/sAD]Personally i would just do your (full) bike licence and save for a 600/750cc if you want to actually enjoy riding a bike. 125cc will be horrible

 

Once you do your CBT then learn on a 500cc you wont want to go back to a 125

 

You will have it for a day then be back on Auto Trader looking at bigger bikes

 

I done my test in Farmborough but the old boy who runs it no longer doing it, was good as you learnt at the test ground which made it easier

[Abz]

I recently bought a Honda PCX 125cc, like you to learn on and also for commuting as the trains can be a pain if I need to travel during rush hour.

 

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/scooter/pcx-2015/specifications.html

 

I would highly recommend it, although I don't have much experience of other 125cc. This one is a bit larger and heavier than others which makes it a bit nicer to ride on.

 

Has quite a few things on it and storage is fantastic so I can pack all my clothes & other things without having to wear a backpack.

 

Will most likely get my full license during the summer as I want a 600cc bike to commute in, although this is quick off the line I want something a bit heavier.

[tony tt]

Don't have much experience with 125's my first bike after Doing my full test on the 500 was a Gsxr-750. What i do know is you will get the bug for it and want something bigger very quickly. Biggest thing for me apart from looks etc was those skinny tyres. Just didn't have any faith in them in the wet. You will pick up a Bandit or a Fazer pretty cheap and they are comfy if it's just for commuting.

[listy]

Personally with your budget, I'd go for something like a VFR400 if you can find one these days. Restrict it to 33bhp (or something like that) and you can ride it on a CBT. Then when you've done your test derestrict it and that should tide you over for a while. That's what I did years ago (a decade ago) but I never did my full test. It was derestricted though, but I was young and stupid at the time.

I would say do the same with a CBR600/R6/GSXR600 but I don't know how well bikes that size will perform with a restriction in place.

[listy]

Oh, but if you are looking at 125s specifically, Aprilia RS125 is a winner. Whatever you get, if you plan on doing your full test, get something with gears not a twist and go.

[scott.wild]

Oh, but if you are looking at 125s specifically, Aprilia RS125 is a winner. Whatever you get, if you plan on doing your full test, get something with gears not a twist and go.

 

Second this RS Chesterfield, should be able to pick one up around the £1500 mark as well

[abtin90]

[sAD][/sAD]Personally i would just do your (full) bike licence and save for a 600/750cc if you want to actually enjoy riding a bike. 125cc will be horrible

 

Once you do your CBT then learn on a 500cc you wont want to go back to a 125

 

You will have it for a day then be back on Auto Trader looking at bigger bikes

 

I done my test in Farmborough but the old boy who runs it no longer doing it, was good as you learnt at the test ground which made it easier

 

Thanks it was my intention to have just gone for a full licence in the summer but with my wedding, and moving house I had little time for anything else. Whilst I do plan on moving onto a bigger bike it makes sense just to buy a 125cc for now and upgrading later. That way I won't have to deal with packed tubes to and from work, plus it'll work out cheaper given that there will be no congestion charge and I can park for free.

 

I recently bought a Honda PCX 125cc, like you to learn on and also for commuting as the trains can be a pain if I need to travel during rush hour.

 

http://www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles/range/scooter/pcx-2015/specifications.html

 

I would highly recommend it, although I don't have much experience of other 125cc. This one is a bit larger and heavier than others which makes it a bit nicer to ride on.

 

Has quite a few things on it and storage is fantastic so I can pack all my clothes & other things without having to wear a backpack.

 

Will most likely get my full license during the summer as I want a 600cc bike to commute in, although this is quick off the line I want something a bit heavier.

 

Cheers, I'm in the exact same boat cannot be bothered to take the train and tube anymore, plus there's been days where I have stayed at the office past 1am and have had to fork out for a cab back from central. Funny you've mentioned a PCX I have had one as a rental here in thailand for the last two weeks and it's what made me think of getting a bike for work. Whilst it is nice I'm still not keen on how it looks.

 

Don't have much experience with 125's my first bike after Doing my full test on the 500 was a Gsxr-750. What i do know is you will get the bug for it and want something bigger very quickly. Biggest thing for me apart from looks etc was those skinny tyres. Just didn't have any faith in them in the wet. You will pick up a Bandit or a Fazer pretty cheap and they are comfy if it's just for commuting.

 

Thanks Tony as above I know it won't be long till I want a bigger bike just don't have the time to get the full licence nor do I have the budget for I plan to get my full licence and a bigger bike around August next year when I have some free time and will have the budget to spoil myself.

 

Personally with your budget, I'd go for something like a VFR400 if you can find one these days. Restrict it to 33bhp (or something like that) and you can ride it on a CBT. Then when you've done your test derestrict it and that should tide you over for a while. That's what I did years ago (a decade ago) but I never did my full test. It was derestricted though, but I was young and stupid at the time.

I would say do the same with a CBR600/R6/GSXR600 but I don't know how well bikes that size will perform with a restriction in place.

 

Oh, but if you are looking at 125s specifically, Aprilia RS125 is a winner. Whatever you get, if you plan on doing your full test, get something with gears not a twist and go.

 

Thanks for the tip Listy but looking online I don't think thats possible as the CBT restricts you to a 125cc with 11KW power output. Not sure if the rules have changed now? As for the RS125 I'm struggling to find one that isn't a CAT D or worse a CAT C. Do you know whether it would be a risk buying a CAT D bike?

 

Second this RS Chesterfield, should be able to pick one up around the £1500 mark as well

 

As above none of them have accident damage listed in the listing nor do the sellers mention it when I ask, but upon checking I find that most are CAT D bikes.

[abtin90]

Does anyone have any experience or views on the following; Derbi GPR 125, Yamaha YZF-R125, and an Aprilia RS125?

 

Also would it be a risk buying a Cat D bike?

[listy]

Sorry my bad. The 33kw thing is if you do your full liscense before the age of 21 (I think) then when you turn 21 you can go with anything. Maybe I just rode a 400 because who can tell your age when you have a lid on. Sounds like a stupid thing I would have done at 18.

 

As for the RS125...great little bikes. Do suffer with electrical faults though iirc. It is Italian after all.

The YZF I know are small in size. If you weigh more than about 10 stone I doubt it would be any good.

GPR I have no idea. Seen them about but never ridden one.

[Abz]

Cheers, I'm in the exact same boat cannot be bothered to take the train and tube anymore, plus there's been days where I have stayed at the office past 1am and have had to fork out for a cab back from central. Funny you've mentioned a PCX I have had one as a rental here in thailand for the last two weeks and it's what made me think of getting a bike for work. Whilst it is nice I'm still not keen on how it looks.

 

Is it the newest one? That looks pretty good, has LED lights front and back, USB charger ports and stop start tech too with larger wheels.

 

Does anyone have any experience or views on the following; Derbi GPR 125, Yamaha YZF-R125, and an Aprilia RS125?

 

Also would it be a risk buying a Cat D bike?

 

Sat on a Yamaha YZF and it feels great for me (5"7 and 12 stones) - I think it would a good commuter for me in terms of small bike & good on fuel.

[abtin90]

Sorry my bad. The 33kw thing is if you do your full liscense before the age of 21 (I think) then when you turn 21 you can go with anything. Maybe I just rode a 400 because who can tell your age when you have a lid on. Sounds like a stupid thing I would have done at 18.

 

As for the RS125...great little bikes. Do suffer with electrical faults though iirc. It is Italian after all.

The YZF I know are small in size. If you weigh more than about 10 stone I doubt it would be any good.

GPR I have no idea. Seen them about but never ridden one.

 

Haha no worries, ideally I would like an RS125 but there seem to be very few for sale at the moment and I can't find one in my budget.

 

Weighing 13 stone and being 5'10 I think I'll give the yamaha a miss unless I fail to find an RS125.

 

Thanks for your help.

[abtin90]

Is it the newest one? That looks pretty good, has LED lights front and back, USB charger ports and stop start tech too with larger wheels.

 

 

 

Sat on a Yamaha YZF and it feels great for me (5"7 and 12 stones) - I think it would a good commuter for me in terms of small bike & good on fuel.

 

I think it was a 2013 model, it was a nice bike but I just prefer the look of the other three I've mentioned.

 

And yeah the yamaha does look very nice but read up on it and the aprilia I think I'm going to go for the aprilia. That is if I can find a decent one close to my budget.