Getting back on a bike!

Logsi

Logsi

Logsi

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2005
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Kernow
I'm really after some advice and what route to take to get a full bike license.

I had a Aprilia RS50 when i was 16 and loved the damn thing. It was fantastic. Went pretty fast for a 50cc and i liked the fact it was a geared bike. I rode it for nearly 2 years even when i passed my driving license.

I'm now nearly 23 and wish i'd gone for my bike tests when i was younger. I need to get a cheaper form of transport for commuting as my circumstances may be changing soon and started to look at bikes again.

I'm just wondering as to what route to take. Even though i had 2 years road experience on a geared bike when i was 16/17 i don't feel i would be ready to go for a big bike test or even a all intensive course to get the bike license. I'm leaning towards the route of get my CBT again and purchase a Aprilia RS125 (which i'd always pined for when i was 17) to learn on and get confident on then take my test when i feel i'm ready.

Is this the most sensible thing? The reason i want a RS125 is because i actually like 2 strokes and never had an reliability issues with my RS50. I feel the 4 strokes are just too slow.
 
I did my CBT and have ridden a 125cc for 6 months. I'm going for my full test and only have the mod 1 left do do next month.

I do find the 125cc very slow but I'm glad I got the experience on the 125 as I had never ridden before.

I'm moving to a 600 next.

As you have some exprience once you do your CBT you should be able to gauge if you need more experience on a 125 or if you are ready to train for your full test.
 
Some modern 125cc 4 strokes are pretty quick.

I would recommend that you ride a 125 for a few months and then do the DAS. It may not take you long at all.
 
Logsi said:
Is this the most sensible thing? The reason i want a RS125 is because i actually like 2 strokes and never had an reliability issues with my RS50. I feel the 4 strokes are just too slow.
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It's illegal to derestrict a two stroke 125 on an L plate.
 
Morbius said:
It's illegal to derestrict a two stroke 125 on an L plate.
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Of course. I understand that. But getting up to speed is an issue in my opinion.

What sort of 4 stroke 125s rival the RS125 with regards to speed? I'm open to any sort of bike and not specifically a sports rep.
 
Logsi said:
What sort of 4 stroke 125s rival the RS125 with regards to speed? I'm open to any sort of bike and not specifically a sports rep.
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There isn't a four stroke that will rival a top two stroke like an RS125 for speed. But then again, you don't need any more speed than a four stroke 125 delivers. I regularly got up to over 70 on my YBR125 and it's not even the quickest four stroke 125. You'll have to be very careful if you buy an RS125 as most have been ragged to within an inch of their lives.
 
cbr125? why would you go for italian? they are unreliable,i think jumping straight to a 600 is unwise imo,best to learn the ropes on a 125cc,as the 600 will be like a missile
 
Do test on an average 125 that doesn't cost the earth. I wouldn't pay over £1500 for one. Then get whatever bike you want. License changes next year so do your test before it becomes really hard to ever even get on a bike.
 
Thanks for the info guys!

Didn't realise the tests were changing again!

I definitely want to get a 125 and regain my confidence riding before doing anything. I'll take a look at the YZF's. CBR's are an absolute no, they looks too small. Being 6'3" and a skinny build i'd look ridiculous.
 
I'd say just get the cheapest Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki etc 4 stroke that will keep on going and not break on you. Yeah it will be slow as hell and boring but it should keep up with traffic in town no problem and get you the experience you want. That's what I'm doing anyway.
 
Macky said:
I'd say just get the cheapest Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki etc 4 stroke that will keep on going and not break on you. Yeah it will be slow as hell and boring but it should keep up with traffic in town no problem and get you the experience you want. That's what I'm doing anyway.
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This.

Save up your money until weather improves (could do the theory test now if possible) and get your bike test done. In 2013 they're changing the test so you will need to be 25 to get a derestricted motorcycle licence.
 
Wow. Ok, i'll be doing it this year for definite then.

EDIT- What's the general consensus with buying a 4 Stroke CBR or YZF? Anything to look out for. I remember buying a RS50 over 8k miles was to be avoided? What's it like with 4 strokes with their more reliable engines?
 
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Logsi said:
Wow. Ok, i'll be doing it this year for definite then.

EDIT- What's the general consensus with buying a 4 Stroke CBR or YZF? Anything to look out for. I remember buying a RS50 over 8k miles was to be avoided? What's it like with 4 strokes with their more reliable engines?
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Yamaha YBR's are extremely well thought of. Look pretty goofy but you'll be on it for what? A month? Honda CBF and CG are similar. Or something a bit cooler, Honda XR or Yamaha XT although the price goes up a bit. Suzuki DR SM is similar too.
 
Hi everyone.

I have been lurking in this sub section for a long time now as i will be aiming to get my full license done this year but...

I live in Milton keynes which is mostly roundabouts (from 2 lane to 4 lane) and dual carriageways but I was wondering if a 125 would struggle?

Like the OP I would like to get a 125 to learn on, even if I do DAS, but there is a niggling fear that a 125 wont be strong enough to cope with the aggressive way of driving in Milton Keynes. Its a case of floor it from the roundabout and boot it along the dual carriageway.
Now I dont have any road experience whatso ever so I am at a disadvantage there, but I did do my CBT back in 2007 but it was done on a 600cc Yamaha XJ and I didnt even touch a 125. (I later learned that it SHOULD have been on a 125 and nothing bigger)

Sorry if I am hijacking (don't mean too!!)

Any info or opinions would be great:)

Ps: I rarely see smaller bikes in Milton Keynes.
Pps: I got an insurance quote on a 1L corsa, value £1200 my age: 27 and it was £1500 a year..... A 600cc Bandit was £480 a year and a 125 YBR was £160 a year.
 
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Nothing wrong with italian bikes, its chinese you want to avoid. Ive been riding 2 years on italian 2 strokes (RS50 and currently a Cagiva Mito), never had a problem apart from a recently blown piston, my fault as jetting was off and its a cheap and easy fix to do yourself. Japan also make a few well known 2 strokes if you are off italian, Honda NSR and Suzuki RG 125 are told to be a little more reliable but a little slower and harder to find.
 
In reply to both the op, and Brackish, if you're old enough, and you have the cash now, I would just go straight for the CBT/DAS, rather than going on the CBT/125 for a while/DAS route.

I know you both say you don't necessarily feel ready for a big bike, but you both have said you have a niggling feeling about a 125. I honestly thought the 125 was ok to ride when I was doing my DAS, but once I jumped onto the 500cc, i realised how much safer I suddenly felt due to the increase in balance, and the ability to accelerate much quicker. I felt I had a much bigger road presence too.

Bit mental that you got thrown straight onto a 600 during your CBT Brackish! That may be why you don't feel ready for the full DAS yet.
 
I thought it was a bit odd being put onto a 600 but the other 2 lads that were there already had mopeds (yep, tracksuits and saying the were getting gsxr's and zx's after mod 2).

I think I will start my theory and get it done within the next 4 weeks then visit a different school and see what they say.

Has anyone ridden around Milton Keynes before? I know 1 person who has and they said it was an odd experience:confused:
 
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