125cc bike questions

Ashley Jordan

Ashley Jordan

Ashley Jordan

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Joined
12 Jun 2012
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517
Hi Guys,

At the moment i am commuting ~10 miles a day out and in of Bristol sticking to dual carrage ways and no motorways. Now in the long run i think i would be happy with a 300cc bike based on a few goes on my brothers 300cc Ninja although i highly doubt that is a good way to gauge what would be best for me. So I was thinking of once i pass my CBT which will be booked shortly and then maybe getting a 125cc, seeing how i get on for a while then going to take the test(s) for a bigger engine bike.

Do you think this would be a good idea, or should i just take all the tests and jump onto a 300cc bike and learn from there or should i stay on a 125cc for a while? Also do you think a 125cc will be enough for commuting on the dual carrage ways every day in and out of Bristol?

If i was to go with a 125cc bike do any of you have any good bikes to mind? i was looking at the Yamaha MT-125 ABS 2016.

Thanks
 
Hi!

First of all how old are you? This has a bearing on what licence you are able to get.

125s can easily be used for dual carriageway riding. The problem is you pay a premium for them as they are so accessible. You could pay £1,500 for a 125cc or you could pay the same for a 600cc
 
If I know Bristol traffic then you're probably meaning the ring road, and Bristol traffic means you're probably not doing over 60mph most of the time, more like 30mph! :D

125's are great for city riding unless you need to use motorways (but even a 125 would be fine on the M32/M4/M5 into Bristol in rush hour). If you're under 24 by a year or 2, get your CBT done, get a year or 2 on a 125, then do your DAS for your full A licence once you're 24. If you're over 24, get your CBT booked and done, and based on how that goes maybe look at doing your full licence or putting around on a 125 to gain some experience.
 
Thanks for the fast responses guys, I'm 22. Exactly TallPaul the ring roads.

So by the sounds of it get 1 1/2 years of exp on a 125cc until i'm 24 then go for the other tests for the A license?

Do you think the MT-125 2016 is a good choice ?
 
Do the CBT and see how you feel about riding in general.
Then you can start considering which bikes you like, which ones suit you, which ones fit you and how much it will cost you. This can then be gauged against getting something bigger, though I always advocate spending at least a few months learning the lessons a 125 forces on you, as the habits you pick up make you a better rider.
 
I did 7000 miles and 6 months on a 125, around town and filtering it was fine, it was only trying overtakes in NSL roads that it was (severely) lacking.

I spent a year as a delivery driver in Bristol covering Hanham to Charfield/Kingswood in the north and remember the traffic well! You'll get plenty of practice filtering :p

18 months on a 125 might do your head in, but you'll have that endpoint of being able to do your proper tests at the end, so it shouldn't be too bad...

First step - get your CBT done. And maybe try to spend around £1500-2k on a used 125, there's loads about for that money. If you're tall, have a look at the Honda Varadero, it's one of the better 125's for tall people.
 
You only need a bigger cc bike if you wanna ride longer distances IMO,local commuting they are ideal,they are cheap as chips to run and I can't see how you can get bored if its your first bike and never experienced anything quicker

You don't have to be an overtake king either just take your time,2 years on it? Easy
 
Clov!s said:
18 months on a 125, **** that :p give it 2 months and you'll want more, even if you're doing city riding.
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Depends on the 125... I did almost a year on a 125 dragstar, riding as far as down to, around and back from Cornwall, as well as any/everywhere life took me at the time. I only upgraded because I got a tax rebate!
 
Don't know where you're based in Bristol but if it helps I did a free taster session with Phoenix training who are down in Hengrove, we did most of the CBT in 2 hours and they were really good - that was back in 2013 though.
 
TallPaul_S said:
Don't know where you're based in Bristol but if it helps I did a free taster session with Phoenix training who are down in Hengrove, we did most of the CBT in 2 hours and they were really good - that was back in 2013 though.
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Bedminster. I've just dropped them an email to see when their next available slot is.

Thanks
 
They didn't have that when I started. I ended up going with Bristol Motorcycle Training who are out in on the way to Hambrook.

Bedminster eh? Not far from my neck of the woods.
 
I'd say go for the 300.

The price difference in insurance will cover the price of your tests. Seriously, 125 insurance I was paying around £700. For a Bandit 600, £300

Plus, more power, obvs. :)

EDIT: Just read you're 22. Tbh, still go for the test. I did my A2 at 22 :)

Also, if you choose to go 125 for 2 years route, I would certainly be reluctant to buy a brand new 125. Market is filled with them and it will (almost certainly) get dropped at some point. Something bullet-proof, would be your best bet.
 
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Clov!s said:
18 months on a 125, **** that :p give it 2 months and you'll want more, even if you're doing city riding.
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+1,

You'll regret it really quickly, unless you never drove or ridden anything quicker than e.g. a corsa. You'll soon realise how slow 125's are, 2 years is a long time. Just do your A2 and a cheaper bike? For 125's you pay a premium, if you buy it at a good price you might get some profit or get the exact amount you paid.
 
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