125 learner cruiser suggestions
- Thread starter squarehead94
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Soldato
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^Posted in reply to my specific mention of 125 Cruisers... CG isn't really a Cruiser, is it.
I've never ridden a CG outside of town.
Not disagreeing with that part and, TBH, those factors are why I got a big, comfy, stable 125 Cruiser rather than a road bike or similar.
Most cars take 5+ seconds to overtake without a problem.It's ok though, apparently being on the wrong side of the road for 5+ seconds alongside another car doing 40mph is as safe as executing an overtake in 1-2 seconds.
If you're literally taking only a couple of seconds to overtake, you're going too fast, leaving it too late and/or relying purely on power... and likely not planning beyond opportunity.
Soldato
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I mean the CG pictured in the article, the old one not a modern one...I did my CBT on one nearly as old as me. It was hilarious fun but only for that day, I couldn't live with that dat to day, but then it was an 80's bike and topped out at 55 basically.
To be fair, I'm sure a 125 is fine for a city commute as you never really get up to much of a speed etc. and they won't use much fuel really either. If you're going to be on NSL roads though as I say, personally I'd rather a larger machine.
If OP is old enough, makes sense to do the CBT and decide at that point if he wants to move through to a full license though to be honest...and in the mean time he can then run a 125 on Ls to really find out if it's suitable for him or not.
Soldato
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Everyone always says this and then 6 months on it's 'I want a bigger bike'
I bought a brand new CBF125 about 3 years ago... Rode around for 2 years on a CBT, did around 1800 miles. When that expired I put the bike in the garage and it's not moved since...
No itch to do my DAS or CBT again.
It's like bloody new, never been wet!
If you've got no intention of being able to ride it again then why not just sell it?
Soldato
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I'll check with the mrs, it was a joint venture we thought it'd be cool to do some expeditions on GS1200s after gaining the exp on the 125... Never happened
Pm me if you're serious
We had it up for sale, had a couple of scrotes turn up to lowball us and then autumn/winter came... Intended to advertise again in the spring.
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An oddball is a Keeway Superlight. As much as I hate cheap rubbish, I only seem to read positive things about them, so have a read and maybe add it to your list of options
As for the RS125 question, they do 100-110mph unrestricted free but I've seen a race prepped example hit 130mph.
I’ve just bought 2015 (65) Keeway Superlight 125 with 12k on it for £800 for me and the mrs to use as we do our DAS (We just did our CBT) it’s not fast, not sure what the top speed is but I’ve had it at 50mph. Still getting used to it, sadly the weather hasn’t been great.
Legally, I could whip it up the A2 from Kent to London as ultimately that’s what I want to do. Would I? Nope. I don’t deem it as safe as it’s not got enough grunt for the fast bits of the A2 but for popping around town, it’s great and very comfortable and it does look like a much bigger bike.
I'll check with the mrs, it was a joint venture we thought it'd be cool to do some expeditions on GS1200s after gaining the exp on the 125... Never happened
Pm me if you're serious
We had it up for sale, had a couple of scrotes turn up to lowball us and then autumn/winter came... Intended to advertise again in the spring.
Ah fair enough, I got very lucky selling my old 125 had a couple of daft messages but first guy that I actually thought sounded sane enough to come and view it bought it.
Soldato
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Doubt it does 90mph restricted, and it's a 2-stroke; not really a great option for a commuter-bike if you need to put the miles on.
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Completely agree - off the line in town they're fine, but the lack of power when trying to overtake past 40mph means you have no leeway to get out of trouble during the painfully long overtake. On a 125 you have to account for maybe 10 seconds of forward planning during the overtake with no reserve to accelerate out of danger if needed. After a few NSL roads it's clear that a 125 is crap for those roads.
Soldato
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After a quick Google, most seem to dyno 85-90 restricted and as much as 130 unrestricted. Granted they're likely ragging them and killing the engine by that stage, but that's also the sort of people who seem to buy them, generally.
Why not? I commuted on a smoker for years, provided you use decent oil and don't treat it like crap they'll go on and on forever. If you're a bit handy with tools you can replace the top end yourself too, which is already a very easy job.
I don't think the measure of how quickly a bike can overtake at 40mph+ is a good indication on whether something is safe or not. By that reckoning most 1litre cars aren't safe either which is bizarre.
I wouldn't try and overtake at that speed on a 125. 125's aren't build for speed, everyone knows that. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I had my 125 for 2 years and never once felt in danger. Just don't try and push them beyond their limits.
I wouldn't try and overtake at that speed on a 125. 125's aren't build for speed, everyone knows that. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.
I had my 125 for 2 years and never once felt in danger. Just don't try and push them beyond their limits.
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Are they restriced to 15bhp?
Soldato
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I may be misinformed, but I thought you had to usually replace the top end about every 10k?
Yep, you do. Thing is, on a two stroke there are no valves or cams or anything so it's literally a 5 minute job. Obviously getting to it might be more complicated, but even then, 10k is plenty imo.`