About To Start Riding...

Soldato
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21 Jul 2008
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Earth
@Mucky_pup:
What are the stock tires like? I heard they're pretty bad for wet weather.
Any main issues arose? like engine failure, part replacement?

I never had a problem with the stock tyres personally, in the wet I take it easy anyway, I only came off once, and that was down to me applying too much revs on a wet drain cover on a bend. I've replaced the tyres with Conti's now, but only really because I couldn't get a set of the michelins in time for when I needed them.

I personally wouldn't worry too much about the tyres, if you're buying second hand, just take the bike as it comes, wear the tyres down, and if you find them alright replace them for similar tyres or move onto different ones.

Never really had any major issues, just small problems. Had water/condensation leak into the clock, took it apart dried it, and sealed it with silicone when I put it back together. Had one of the chain adjustment bolts sieze on me, so had to remove the wheel etc. to get it out. The wing mirrors occasionally lose their stiffness so fold back when going forwards, take one bolt out, and clean or replace the washer there and retighten and they're fine for some time afterwards.

All round it's been a pretty solid reliable cheap to run bike, it's a decent size bike so you don't look like you're on a toddlers bike which is why I chose not to get a last generation CBR-125, gets you ready for when you move on to bigger bikes, it's not to dissimilar in size to the current R6. Pretty economical as most 125 four strokes are, looks pretty good, and looks a better quality than other 125's.
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Jun 2005
Posts
5,454
Really? Every trail-bike or scrambler style bike I've ever heard has been ridiculously loud and high pitched. Didn't think they could produce a 'rumble'.
Definitely shifted my opinion on them knowing this.

Any particular model you'd recommend in term of 4 stroke trail-bikes then? I'm not buying for about another 5/6 months so looking at 2nd-hand sales on right now is pretty pointless.


@Scythe: o.o? I've been on 2 or 3 reviews sites before coming here and they all stated it was a 2 stroke, I know because I have it on my desktop notes from when I listed potential models before coming here

Yes, the Honda CBF125 is definitely a 4 stroke, you must be looking at the wrong bike.

I don't know much about trail bikes, but the main 4 stroke ones are the Suzuki DRZ125, Kawasaki KLX125, Yamaha XT125 (NOT DT125, this is a 2 stroke!).

Have a read here for some general 'new bikers' FAQs http://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=33113

Honda do one too but I can't remember its name
 
Caporegime
Joined
11 Jul 2009
Posts
27,049
Location
BenefitStreetBirmingham
best with trial bikes is theres no expensive fairing to damage should you drop it or crash it ect

the seats are really thick and comfy compared to sportsbikes and you have lots of soft suspension travel which adds to the comfort

stock tyres are fine,just take it easy in wet weather no matter what tyres you use

Honda do one too but I can't remember its name

Honda Xr 125
 
Associate
OP
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
20
Location
Midlands
Yes, the Honda CBF125 is definitely a 4 stroke, you must be looking at the wrong bike.
Yeah I was looking at the Honda CBR125, god this is almost as awkward as learning processor numbers :(


Knowing that not all trail bikes produce a high-pitch engine sound, I may scale down my ambitions, At the end of the day all most people will hear is the sound. Still would prefer a bike with a bit more 'lean' to it like the images in my earlier posts but seeing I'm getting the impression of "Learn before you go big" from people in here I should probably not ignore that advice for obvious reasons :cool:

The Kawasaki KLX125 looks pretty nice with a rider on it (I have a thing for Green)
The Suzuki DRZ125 seems to have a smaller seat then the Kawasaki one. (Thickness)
The Yamaha XT125 I don't like the look of how the seat rides up slightly at the front.

[Edit] -Originall the Idea was the following:

Bike: £1800
Gear: £700/800
Security: £200/300

-Are these price ranges still viable? I see the Kawasaki bike is still around the same price as a yzf r125 off e-bay for 2nd hand.
The Honda CBF is about £500 cheaper 2nd hand. (Going at around £1400 atm)
 
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Soldato
Joined
23 Jun 2005
Posts
5,454
Yeah I was looking at the Honda CBR125, god this is almost as awkward as learning processor numbers :(


Knowing that not all trail bikes produce a high-pitch engine sound, I may scale down my ambitions, At the end of the day all most people will hear is the sound. Still would prefer a bike with a bit more 'lean' to it like the images in my earlier posts but seeing I'm getting the impression of "Learn before you go big" from people in here I should probably not ignore that advice for obvious reasons :cool:

The Kawasaki KLX125 looks pretty nice with a rider on it (I have a thing for Green)
The Suzuki DRZ125 seems to have a smaller seat then the Kawasaki one. (Thickness)
The Yamaha XT125 I don't like the look of how the seat rides up slightly at the front.

[Edit] -Originall the Idea was the following:

Bike: £1800
Gear: £700/800
Security: £200/300

-Are these price ranges still viable? I see the Kawasaki bike is still around the same price as a yzf r125 off e-bay for 2nd hand.
The Honda CBF is about £500 cheaper 2nd hand. (Going at around £1400 atm)

The CBR125 is also a 4 stroke :confused:
 
Associate
OP
Joined
13 Feb 2012
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20
Location
Midlands
ring up on insurance quotes first before you buy the bike,just find out the year of the bike for the quote ect

Pretty much all the same, they must not insure based on model.
-This was from "The Bike Insurer" who say if I find cheaper, they'll beat it.
-They all had breakdown cover, none included overseas or other bikes.
-Voluntary excess of £200
-All seemed to be with some 'MCE' company.
-This was also with ticking the box to having no security other than being kept in a locked garage (There wasn't an option for chains/locks)

Comprehensive: 11 Payments of £90 with Deposit of £90
Kawasaki KLX125 (2012) £882
Honda CBR125 (2004) £882
Honda CBF125 (2004) £882
Yamaha YZF-R125 (2010) £882

With third-party only it they all dropped to about £530

No idea if this is good or bad, never looked at insurance prices for other drivers.
 
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Associate
OP
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
20
Location
Midlands
Been looking through some textile clothing as advised - Found the following:

--------------
Head: AGV K3 Rossi Gothic 46 - Black - http://bit.ly/13hkirM
----Brought it up over £100 as recommended by Scythe

Gloves: Weise Hornet WP Glove - Flo Yellow - http://bit.ly/1608vfN

Jacket: Weise Hornet Jacket - http://bit.ly/16vpXsw

Base Layer: Weise-Tex Zip Neck Top - http://bit.ly/11qgVgP
----Felt the need to add a base layer, as I don't have any long-sleeve clothing and figured the gap between the helmet & jacket would need filling for wind purposes.

Trousers: Weise S-Type Jeans - http://bit.ly/13pMWDa

Boots: Weise Monza Boots - http://bit.ly/1c7ekOR
--------------
Made sure it's pretty much all water-proof as advised by xMarkie.
It's all textiled and has some form of armour as advised by Wazza300 & Scythe, the jacket does has removable liner.
Figured I'd go for a yellow colour so it's bright during darker hours.
All together this comes to around £510

Went for Weise because they we're one of the first brands I noticed getting consistently good reviews, and given I already chose their jacket (Textiled & Armoured) I figured they'd had matching clothing for the rest of me.


Opinions?
 
Soldato
Joined
20 Feb 2009
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9,961
Location
Not where I'd like to be
I wholeheartedly recommend Weise, I have 3 Weise jackets, and just bought this one to replace my old winter jacket.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_t..._nkw=weise+explorer+jacket&_sacat=0&_from=R40

It's a great jacket at a good price (I paid £99.99 for mine) and it has a Hi Viz thingy that you can attach easily. It also has a 120 gram detachable thermal liner, not that I've tested that yet, but it's double my old jackets.

temporary_zpscf62f7a1.jpg
 
Soldato
Joined
23 Jun 2005
Posts
5,454
Been looking through some textile clothing as advised - Found the following:

--------------
Head: AGV K3 Rossi Gothic 46 - Black - http://bit.ly/13hkirM
----Brought it up over £100 as recommended by Scythe

Gloves: Weise Hornet WP Glove - Flo Yellow - http://bit.ly/1608vfN

Jacket: Weise Hornet Jacket - http://bit.ly/16vpXsw

Base Layer: Weise-Tex Zip Neck Top - http://bit.ly/11qgVgP
----Felt the need to add a base layer, as I don't have any long-sleeve clothing and figured the gap between the helmet & jacket would need filling for wind purposes.

Trousers: Weise S-Type Jeans - http://bit.ly/13pMWDa

Boots: Weise Monza Boots - http://bit.ly/1c7ekOR
--------------
Made sure it's pretty much all water-proof as advised by xMarkie.
It's all textiled and has some form of armour as advised by Wazza300 & Scythe, the jacket does has removable liner.
Figured I'd go for a yellow colour so it's bright during darker hours.
All together this comes to around £510

Went for Weise because they we're one of the first brands I noticed getting consistently good reviews, and given I already chose their jacket (Textiled & Armoured) I figured they'd had matching clothing for the rest of me.


Opinions?

Weise are a good reputable company so that's a good start.

I'd go into a shop first and try some one for size, you usually find oyu may have to go a size up due to the amount of padding. See if you can pop down to J&S in Birmingham as it's closest to you. Also if you buy it all in one go, you can usually barter the lads in J&S down a little, get the gloves for free or something like that. Explain to them that you're starting and they'll show you through your options for your budget, they are really helpful.

I wouldn't worry too much about a base layer just yet, personally my neck doesn't get cold and I don't wear anything around my neck, the only time I have found a chill was when it's less than 5 degrees. A base layer isn't a bad idea but save yourself money first, buy a Buff (or any other make, Oxford make some) neck tube to get you through to winter.

All I ever wore in winter is a neck tube and I was ok-ish, but it depends how much you will be riding at temperatures that low, I'd avoid it if possible. It isn't a bad learning experience sliding on slush / ice on your way to college one morning, speaking from experience! :D

I won't buy too much before your CBT though, all your equipment is supplied at the CBT. Get that out of the way first.
 
Associate
Joined
12 Sep 2012
Posts
897
Whatever you get, you're likely to:

Drop it
Fall off
Get bored

Don't spend too much on your first bike. i had a CG which was 500 to buy and 300 for the insurance (fully comp). A couple of years down the line you'll wish you saved the cash for your license and something bigger.

I can understand the styling you're after, the Honda CBF125 is a nice compromise, with a half fairing. The truth is, nobody really cares about a 125, it's just a learner bike ultimately. The YZFR125 won't ride much differently to any other 125, but will cost considerably more to buy and repair. Learn your basics on a 125 and move up to a nice bike with good performance.

pretty much sums it up.
 

4T5

4T5

Man of Honour
Joined
30 Aug 2004
Posts
27,739
Location
Middle of England
My ten cents.

Don't but any clothing or a helmet without trying it on first and don't just put it on and off, crouch,stretch,sit down, move about etc with the helmet put it on and keep it on whilst you choose other kit and wander about the shop.

As for the bike just choose what you like bearing in mind the following.
All 125cc bikes are restricted to the same output so you want the lightest one you can find and one that offers a slight leaning forward position with a small screen to tuck behind. This way you will be able to get the max out of the bike and will beat most other 1T,s.
 
Soldato
Joined
21 Mar 2013
Posts
3,022
Location
Lincolnshire
I was in a similar position about 3 weeks ago and I went for the CBR125R,
9l1i.jpg


I'm very similar build to you, 21yo, 5'8 just about 9 and a half stone

This cost me £1500 and after just a few weeks love it but would like a bit more power :p

I'd second J&S for gear, i went in and had it have been payday a few weeks earlier could've easily spent a few hundred quid.

Pm me if you want to ask about the bike :)
 
Associate
OP
Joined
13 Feb 2012
Posts
20
Location
Midlands
So try gear on before buying, and barter with the guys at J&S -got it! :D

Really I shouldn't be getting the YZF-R125 becuase of its cost to repair in future. That's udnerstandable.


Would you guys say its worth going for a CBR125 then? as the Kawasaki trail bike is more expensive then a CBR125 and is more the style I'm after. -Or is it just as pricey to repair as the YZF?
 
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