125cc for 18 year old - help please!

[Macky]

I thoughtthey were both pretty close to the CBT limit? Ahh well.

I'd stay away from a Chinese bike personally, get a decent second hand Japanese bike.

YBR is just about 11BHP and the YZFR makes 14.8. YBR was made before the limit changed from 12BHP to 15BHP.

 

[SamPazz]

If you're after a jap bike it'll be second hand for under £1,000.

Honda CBR / CBF 125, Yamaha YBR 125, Suzuki Marauder 125.
For £1,000 new you can pick up a Huoniao 125-8 on a 61 plate it's "chinese" but it's a damn solid bike based on a Honda CM125 or you could get a Sukida (based on suzuki 125)

Don't get a 2 stroke.

You recommended a chinese bike and said dont get a 2 stroke the reason behind the so called unreliabilities of a 2 stroke is from miss treatment, if you treat them well they will treat you well. anyone ive ever spoken to about chinese bikes said theirs started to rust and die within the first 2k miles. Sorry but i wouldnt recommend a chinese bike to anyone

 

[m4rkw7]

2 strokes need as much love if not more than these chinese bikes otherwise they're moneypits, these 125cc Aprillas keep the garage down the road open. I don't see a benefit of having a 2 stroke rather than It's a bit faster?
I've got a chinese bike from new and it's done about 3.5kms and it's never missed a beat, regular oil changes, chain lube and WD40 / ACF50 and it's good to go.

edit: Also, OP keep a look out on Gumtree / eBay near you and it might be worth picking up a bike trader magazine just to see what's out there.

 

[4T5]

Well I own both which is why I wrote the above.
I have an AJS EOS 125 Chopper with just over 2k up it & a Honda NS125F 2 stroke that I've rebuilt more times than the weeks I've had it. Front end is bent now though.
I stand by what I wrote above.