tbourner Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I've got a new low cost long term plan for getting my bike licence; do my CBT in the next few months, then start buying kit (gloves, boots, jacket, lid) over the following several months, then get a 125 about this time next year, ride it for a year or so and do my test whenever during that year (maybe a few lessons as well), then upgrade as and when (probably to a CBR600). I'll do the CBT soon because it'll push me a bit more to get the rest done (only 2 years to pass the test so I won't be lazy about it!). I'll probably get all the gear from eBay, after trying stuff on in Hein Gericke of course! But which 125 should I look at? Budget will likely be under £1000, hopefully closer to £400-£500, so it needs to be an old model. I eventually want a CBR600, so a CBR125 is 1 option, but being a small 4 stroke it'll be pretty slow, too slow? Good handling though. My mate (who might be joining in my quest) has had an NSR125 before (2 stroke) and said it was really good and he wants another one, he also said it was really fast - but this is from a man who thinks his BMW 318 is fast. Is 2 stroke generally less reliable than 4? But better economy? And faster due to weight? The NSR will be easier to get hold of an old one as the CBRs are quite new. Problem with both of these is that they are race reps, and being 125 look really skinny and silly, this mate reckons it's better that way as at least you get some 'cred' from other riders, whereas a CG125 looks pap and everyone knows it - I just can't help thinking the 125 racers are a bit like Novas with bodykits, all show and no go. So I've been looking into things like the XR125, which could be a lot of fun, small light reliable, I'm 5'11" so should be OK on a taller bike, any good? Any other options? I've (obviously) only looked at the Honda range, they seem nice to me, I did have a look around at some Aprilia RS125s but I'm not a fan of the front lights TBH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Two strokes are higher mantainance but higher reving so quicker off the line and you have loverly power bands on some of them. the nsr (mate had 105 out of his) and aprilia 125's are proberbly the quickest but you will get boared of them, the aprilias arnt very reliable though. the cbr 125 is a pile of poo. have you thought about enduro bikes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 What's an Enduro bike? Is that like the XR? I only know racer, cruiser and 'scrambler'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ECK Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 TBH if it were me id get a YZ or simmilar as when you are learning im pretty sure it will be dumped a few times so you want a nice light bike and as you have said a cheep one there are pleanty out there mind im no biker but i do like my mates YZ for blasting around the fields from time to time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 TBH if it were me id get a YZ or simmilar as when you are learning trouble is yz arnt road legal, but they are wicked fun. mines an enduro, well its a supermoto with off road wheels at the mo. and yes, i know i look like a small child on it but it is a 400cc. as it says above, you would be better off getting something like this as if you bin it or flip it they are so cheap to fix. i dropped my zx6 sports bike and it cost me £800 to fix one side. i can get all new plastics for this beast for under £100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 Looking on eBay for 'Supermoto 125' there's loads of funny imports that are like £700 brand new, any good? In the Enduro/Supermoto ones then is it best to look for a 2 or 4 stroke? Most seem to be 4. Do they all sound like hairdryers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Looking on eBay for 'Supermoto 125' there's loads of funny imports that are like £700 brand new, any good? In the Enduro/Supermoto ones then is it best to look for a 2 or 4 stroke? Most seem to be 4. Do they all sound like hairdryers? dont touch one of them cheap imports! my mate sells them for £800 and buys them in fo about £350 each, you get what you pay for. supermotos are good because you get the light off road handling with street tyres, and there very stylish. all 125 two strokes sound like hair dryers, four strokes are meater and you can hold a 4 stroke flat out where you cant 2 strokes. mines a thumper and is so loud it sets off car alarms, but as said about it is a 400 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 ooohhh, and also with enduro you can go on and off road but with the nsr,cbr and the like you are limited to just road. you can learn shed loads about riding bikes when you go off road and it dont hurt so much if you come off, and its fantastic fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Dublin Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I'm in the same boat with a restricted licence, only allowed 33bhp. I've a Honda Bros 400 and I love it, no bee in a tin can sound thanks to the V-twin and stubby Supertrapp 'box. End of the day it's down to rider preferance. Sorry for the crap qualilty, taken with phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 2, 2007 Author Share Posted November 2, 2007 You're not allowed to ride anything over 125cc on just a CBT though, restricted or not. So I'll have to get a 125 until I pass the test. Where do people ride off road then? Just find some woods and go? What about laws? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Dublin Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 ^^^ Rules different over here. Apologies for the tin can remark then...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluecoup Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 main thing if you go off road, on a road legal bike is to take the number plate off, you will get a hammering if your not ment to be there personaly for a 125 id stay 2 stroke unless you want a fruggle 4 stoke, ive had the yamaha tzr oo old now and the dtr 125 and they both flew, both had the servo powervalve kit, and the dtr did melt a little bit of piston but that was due to screaming it before it was warmed up, piston changed in like 45 mins, im to old and lazy to do my bike test now so i bought a quadbike instead, now thats interesting cornering Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Do Yamaha still do the DT125? I had 2 of them along with the sports stuff, brand new RS125 amongst others, and the DT was by far the best. You can fit an RGV250 carb straight on, and turn the power valve 90 degrees to make a rapid 125! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jezz Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Do Yamaha still do the DT125? I had 2 of them along with the sports stuff, brand new RS125 amongst others, and the DT was by far the best. You can fit an RGV250 carb straight on, and turn the power valve 90 degrees to make a rapid 125! http://www.bikez.com/pictures/yamaha/2004/21129_0_1_2_dt%20125%20re_Image%20credits%20-%20Yamaha.jpg Its like a road going YZ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooper-supra Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 my son has a dt125 56 plate VERY quick bike .. nice to ride.. easy enough for handling great off road etc.. otherwise get a aprilia mx 125... another good bike also veryquick.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Where do people ride off road then? Just find some woods and go? What about laws? Loads of places to ride legal offroad, ridgeway is not far from me and that goes all the way to sailsbury plain, thats good fun, 28,000 acre's of dirt tracks, just brought myself a new alloy frame WR450 last week, great fun:cool: join the TRF to find all your local greenlanes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shadow Beast Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 i learnt on a DT125 and it was great fun, you sit up high as opposed to riding arse in the air, but you can still whip off road for a bit if you want to. my dad did the born again biker thing on a DT125 and he was 45 and weighed 14 stone!!! he now rides a BMW (i suppose someone has to)!!! i ride a fireblade now! richie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 I sold a Hyosung Comet 125cc recently for a grand on an 03 plate with 9000kms on it. Big old bike for a 125cc most people thought that it was a 400. It has V-Twin engine, it sat at a steady 60-65 carrying all 6ft2 18stone of me with ease though I could of squeezed more out of it. Sold it to a mate who says it's rapid, he is 12 stone though so a slight weight difference and less wind resistance http://aristoclub.co.uk/forum/files/gsx600f002_128.jpg It's the same frame they use for their 250 and their 400 I believe. It's quite a big bike and doesn't sound like a bee in a tin. Parts are easy enough to get, Ray Dentith in Waterlooville is a dealer and there is also one just over in Chichester. It doesn't have pissy little bicycle tyres on it like one of the bikes you mentioned earlier (CBR125). A guy at work has one and he looks riddiculous on it! Seriously thin wheels on that thing. Insurance is cheaper than on the much more often stolen off-road style bikes. When I first passed my test I took the missus out on it pillion a couple of times for long old cruises and it pulled just as well with the two of us on it, so carrying about 26 stone!! Good bike, but I'm much happier with my Suzuki GSX600F now. For cheapy bikes that are what you see try Marmion Motorbikes/Trade Bikes in Southsea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewie Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 If you're stuck with a 125 then I wouldn't be too fussy. You're gonna get creamed by everybody including joggers. A CBR125 is a very good plastic baby sports bike so is the Aprilia RS125. But they get nicked all the time because they're in such high demand. And being so light two people can pick them up. And they drink petrol. The CG125 is an excellent beginners bike. Being plain it's less desirable. It'll do 120 mpg! I know. I had one. By the time you've had this bike for two years, forget the 600 you'll be ready for a full blown Fireblade. I've got a 600 Hornet and got bored of it in 5 months. Today I've been test riding 1050 Triumph Speed Triple. Nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooper-supra Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 If you're stuck with a 125 then I wouldn't be too fussy. You're gonna get creamed by everybody including joggers. tbf joggers not at alll ... for a 125 the dt is a quick bike.. i had bens at 75 standard pipe derestricted i beleive and im a fat git... obvisouly it beat the little car like the saxos and fiestas etc... but your right in saying they are not hard to nick.. couple of sons mates have had bikes nicked mainly aprillas.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sooper-supra Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 cagiva 125.. now there a quick bike for the money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 I'll have a look at the TRF, do I need to wear a trailers helmet: http://www.gpbarnharts.com/images/helmetpic When riding a supermoto or does a normal helmet look OK? Choices so far are: Yamaha DT125 Honda XR125 Aprilia MX125 Then again, that bike you had there looks very nice, PJ. Like I said earlier I know the 125 racers look really skinny and silly, so I'm going off the idea, but I don't like the cruiser/open look really either, so a CG125 is out as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackie Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 I'll have a look at the TRF, do I need to wear a trailers helmet: http://www.gpbarnharts.com/images/helmetpic When riding a supermoto or does a normal helmet look OK? when mines a supermoto i wear my normal road helmet and leathers, sometimes wear my road helmet when i have my off road wheels on when its cold, i dont really matter what you have on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Went and test rode this puppy earlier today, ear to ear grins when I got off it. I want it Very tempted to part-ex mine against it, need to speak to the boss man when he gets back from his holiday see if we can cut a deal. Back at the topic in hand though, they had a pretty good looking CB125 in there for £795 and a Varadero for over a grand. Nice looking bike that and one that also doesn't look like a 125cc. You can get a fully faired version of my old 125cc, a Comet GT125R I think it's called. http://www.motoplanete.com/125/HYOSUNG-comet-GT125R.jpg Your budget is what's going to limit you a little. You probably won't be able to pick up most of the bikes you've listed there for under a grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted November 3, 2007 Author Share Posted November 3, 2007 Weren't there any good 125s made in the 90s then? I haven't found any but surely there were some!! NSR125 and good old CG125 seem to be my only options!! //edit: And yes, it'll be a CBR600, GSXR600 or ZX6R when I've passed!! Then I'll decide if I want to move up to R1s and ZX10Rs etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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