125cc recommendation

alexakasloth

alexakasloth

alexakasloth

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Following on from my CBT thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18034243

So, clutch control, what a bugger that is!
On the first day I couldn't get the hang of the clutch and I felt very nervous so in a way I was glad that I didn't go out on the road that day (i've never driven on the road before.) But I managed to get it the second time, get out on the road, and get the CBT.

So now i'm looking for a 125 to practice on for a bit before doing a DAS. I didn't like the CG125 which was what we used for the CBT, and a friend of mine has said that the Honda NSR is a good alternative to the CBR and it seems to be going for less. My budget is around £800, possibly more but would prefer not to, depends on resale value, I have been told that the immitation models have a lower resale value.

Also, a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke?
 
Best looking is the Sachs XTC, its a 4stroke though but looks very nice for a 125 its 4stroke though, youll have a little more poke out of a 2stroke but abit more immediate power from the 4stroke and is a lot smoother no need to rev as hard.
 
The NSR is a 2-stroke, good for power but noisy/smokey/smelly (some people love them though, weirdo's...), and the power is a moot point as obviously you'll be restricted to 11bhp or something silly by just having CBT...

Personally, I know you said you didn't like it, but the CG is the only 125 I'd consider looking back, they're comfortable, very good on fuel, cheap to insure etc. Yes they're slow but then so is every 125, especially if you actually keep to the law and keep it restricted. Not too long ago now I rode a CG about 170 miles from Bristol to East Sussex, down the A-Roads of course, and it really wasn't too bad, because it's so light it's quite fun to fling around...

Otherwise, any other 4-stroke would be my preference, less hassle/noise/smoke/smell, slower of course but again, so is every 125 :p
 
I like Yamaha DTs, whichever you can afford. The slow speed of any legal 125, I think, makes any sporty looking bike a little pointless. Sit up and beg, off-road looking bikes are more fun at slow speeds, and imo look less out of place when they scream past at 10,000 revs and 28 mph :D
 
Yamaha YBR125's are basically a better CG125. Good, reliable and I get roughly 200+ miles to £7 of petrol.

There's not much point in sporty 125s for the road, as the majority are riders are restricted to 11bhp on a CBT anyway.
 
Wouldn't bother with a 'sporty' 125, total waste of time & money, especially an NSR! Get a CG or YBR (or similar)... something you won't mind dropping and can afford to abuse a bit. Then get something decent :)
 
Scythe said:
Yamaha YBR125's are basically a better CG125. Good, reliable and I get roughly 200+ miles to £7 of petrol.

There's not much point in sporty 125s for the road, as the majority are riders are restricted to 11bhp on a CBT anyway.
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Agreed entirely. During my CBT and lessons I tried two YBR125 (2 and 5 years old) and a CG (5 years old), and the old YBR was a lot more comfortable than the CG, felt more 'solid' and it looked better. The newer YBR was much better again. Can't say about the economy (only borrowed bikes) but £7 petrol to 200 miles sounds about right.

if I had to have a 125 it would definitely be a second-hand newish YBR (not ex-learner school though if it can be helped as they'll have been put through the mangler)

And sporty ones are completely pointless. You'll get almost precisely zero speed/handling gain (maybe slightly less buffeting with a fairing if you reach 65+) and you'll pay a lot more to have people think you're an idiot for buying one.

EDIT: If it's any consolation, I didn't really understand how clutch control works until after passing my test, but I still passed first time
 
I remember the YBR as someone else was using it for thier CBT, and that looks like a nice bike, plus it's slightly bigger which was my problem with the CG.

I do like the look of the Yamaha DT, the motorcross look is quite cool and I don't think it's out of place for a 125 like PardonTheWait has said :D

Cookie-Monster said:
you're 21 at teh end of august my advice would be wait and save losing the money on a 125cc that you'll want rid of asap
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That was my plan originally, to do a DAS before going back to uni, but after the CBT I know I wouldn't be comfortable on a bigger big just yet as I want to smooth everything out, plus it does mean I can have something sooner to play around with.

isset said:
Wouldn't bother with a 'sporty' 125, total waste of time & money, especially an NSR! Get a CG or YBR (or similar)... something you won't mind dropping and can afford to abuse a bit. Then get something decent :)
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That's probably the main point, something I wouldn't mind if it got dropped and a bit scuffed.
 
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PardonTheWait said:
The slow speed of any legal 125, I think, makes any sporty looking bike a little pointless.
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Scythe said:
There's not much point in sporty 125s for the road, as the majority are riders are restricted to 11bhp on a CBT anyway.
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isset said:
Wouldn't bother with a 'sporty' 125, total waste of time & money,
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Mines not, lol. I love it.

I'd vote for a CG or a YBR, they're good bikes. The CG's I learned on were alright.
 
isset said:
Wouldn't bother with a 'sporty' 125, total waste of time & money, especially an NSR!
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Though I'll agree with you in the respect the NSR wouldn't be a good restricted bike, derestricted once you've passed they are rather nice.

I know a lass who was shaming people on much bigger bikes at Brands on an NSR 125 ;)
 
DT125R, at least then you can go for a rag in a field for some fun, and derestricting is very easy for off road/after passing your test.
 
Learning to ride - 4 stroke.

get the test done on a CG125 or a CBR (pretty sure you could get one of these for about £800 these days), pass your test and move up in the world to a ZX4 or GSXR 400.

2 strokes ride totally different to 4 strokes! A 4 stroke is much more forgiving for a learner to be on.
 
I've just passed my CBT, I did the same as you never been on a motorcycle before so had to come back to go on the roads as it took me longer to learn the clutch.

I just bought myself a Yamaha XT125R 2008 model for £1750 with only 1800 mile on the clock and have been out on it last weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it!
 
I'm looking for a 4 stroke it seems, the XT125r looks nice and the honda XL125 looks quite similar, plus they look like I won't have the problem I had on the CG125 due to it's size, however the YBR looked similar albeit but bigger, so i'll keep that in mind.
 
I may have a (old) CG 125 on friday if all goes well, what things should I take into consideration when purchasing? The bike has a V5 reg. doc, but no service book which the owner says is due to it's age. The owner tells me he is a bike mechanic and that it's in good condition, it has 1 years MOT but no road tax. Due to this I would get it delivered and leave it in front of the flats where I'm staying for the summer until I can get road tax, it's a paved area but not on the road, would that be legal?
 
RoysonBobson said:
Would you need a sorn officially?
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Of course you would if it's not taxed. Why wouldn't you?
However, if it's going to be only a couple of days, it shouldn't matter. I mean, it's not going to take you long to tax it. You get change from £20 on a 125 for a years tax.
 
i would go with a cagiva mito 125 or like poster above said a sachs xtc i had 1 and it never went wrong little bit slow topping out at 80 but still nice to ride :)
 
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