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Spec me a 125

Harvey616

Harvey616

Harvey616

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Joined
14 Jun 2010
Posts
737
Hello Everyone :)

I am currently 16 years old and am wanting to get a motorbike. I don't want to get a moped as I'm sure I will easily get bored of it. I was looking at getting a 125 once I am 17 (In October) and am thinking of taking my CBT test soon.

I am looking at one of three bikes, but need some help deciding :)

The first bike I am considering is the Yamaha WR125X. I like how it looks and the riding style looks good as well. My Dad said it seems to be a good bike, as he used to ride Transalps and says it will ride quite similarly.

The second bike is the KTM Duke 125. I like this bike's looks and reviews are good for it.

And the third bike is the Husqvarna SMS 125.

As this will be my first bike, can people advise me on good kit to get- helmet jacket boots etc... As I really am at a loss as to what is good and what isn't :)

If possible, could someone recommend a good insurance company for me- current quote came out at 1,800 for fully comp.
Thanks all :D
 
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Random thoughts off the top of my head:

Insurance: expensive because you're young and going fully comp. I took my 125 year on TPFT and remember that it helped quite a bit with price. 125's are usually cheap and cheerful to fix, so you shouldn't lose much by not going fully comp.

Bike: I've seen some rave reviews of the KTM, but it is expensive. Personally, I'd spend less money on a 125 (I rode a CBF125 which is £2k new? £1400 s/h?) and save up towards a DAS. Your initial insurance bill will be cheaper this way as well. You'll only have 33bhp when you pass that, but you'll have a far bigger variety of bikes to choose from and will be much happier on something with a bit more than 11hp. That said, both the Yamaha and KTM both look good shouts in their range.

Kit: I spent ~£100 per item of clothing when I started (trousers, jacket, boots, lid) with gloves coming in a bit cheaper. The most important thing is that your helmet fits you. When you try it on, keep it on for a while to make sure you're comfortable. I've tried helmets costing £100 that were far more comfortable than those costing £400. Everyone's head is a different shape and more money != more comfort. Aside from that, nip down Hein Gericke (or similar) with a budget in mind and just try everything on.

Hope the above ramble is vaguely useful :)
 
What are your leg/waist measurements?

I have some kit I'm getting rid of from when I first started riding :)
Not many bikers seem to be a short-arse like me tho :(
 
Thanks Growse, I was thinking of going TPFT as, like you said, the parts won't be too bad in case I drop it or anything. I will try on some kit- any chance you can recommend me some good brands please?

Thanks Madman, I'm sadly not a short arse though- 6" 3"m :)
 
I've just kitted myself out & spent
200 quid on a black leather jacket with built in armour.
130 quid on leather trousers that zip/attach to the above.
50 quid on boots. Boots were cheap I'm a size 14 so just tried the 5 pairs of 14's they had & went with the ones that fit best.
30 quid on gloves. Decent gloves with kevlar.
Got my helmet thrown in for nowt for spending over 200 quid.

I'm 6ft 5 so like you it's hard to get things that fit Perfect & bike leathers have to fit you perfect, Well a bit tight at first tbh but length wise sleeve size etc & sealing up around your cuffs/ankles/neck has to be Perfect.

As for a bike I'd go sit on the ones you fancy as us tall guys look stupid on small bikes.
 
Thanks 4T5 :)

Could you please point me in the direction of the kit you got?

Yeah, definately need to have a sit on one etc, a spec sheet isn't enough to convince me to go with one or the other :)
 
http://www.jtsbikerclothing.com/

I've used them before, They are really friendly in the shop & it's nice to be able to get everything in one place, I tried on loads of jackets till I found the right one then kept it on & found my trousers then my boots then my helmet then my gloves.
 
Thanks for the link, I will have a browse in a minute :)

As far as testing goes, should I just do a CBT and then get a 125cc when I am 17? Do I need to do any lessons etc beforehand?
 
Not for a cbt. And it's not really a test more of a monitored training session. As long as you can prove you're safe on the road you'll be fine.
 
The CBT is Compulsory Basic Training & is All you need before venturing out on the road. The CBT takes all day with you starting off in a school play area type place going around cones getting used to the bike etc followed by a minimum of 2 hours out on the open road being followed by an Instructor, You'll be wearing an ear piece so you can hear the instructor & follow his instructions/directions.
The whole CBT/Day is a sociable affair where individuals are given as much training as they personally need before being released onto the streets.
 
Harvey616 said:
Hello Everyone :)

I am currently 16 years old and am wanting to get a motorbike. I don't want to get a moped as I'm sure I will easily get bored of it. I was looking at getting a 125 once I am 17 (In October) and am thinking of taking my CBT test soon.

I am looking at one of three bikes, but need some help deciding :)

The first bike I am considering is the Yamaha WR125X. I like how it looks and the riding style looks good as well. My Dad said it seems to be a good bike, as he used to ride Transalps and says it will ride quite similarly.

The second bike is the KTM Duke 125. I like this bike's looks and reviews are good for it.

And the third bike is the Husqvarna SMS 125.

As this will be my first bike, can people advise me on good kit to get- helmet jacket boots etc... As I really am at a loss as to what is good and what isn't :)

If possible, could someone recommend a good insurance company for me- current quote came out at 1,800 for fully comp.
Thanks all :D
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The husky is 2 stroke and will be double the power of the other two but the downside is it will be less reliable and cost more to run, its what id choose out of the three though, you really will get bored of a 125 4 stroke and if you`re buying new thats a risk you dont wanna take for obvious reasons.

Kit wise you want a helmet, jacket, gloves and boots at a minimum budget £300-£450 for all that.

Try mce directly for a quote, they look after 16-21 year olds pretty well and they throw in free legal cover and breakdown which most others dont.

imo from experience though get yourself on piston heads and eb*y and look at yamaha dt`s (they do a supermoto version aswell as enduro), aprilia mx125`s, aprilia rx125`s and even rs125s and mito`s if you've considered sports bikes, you would easily pick up something decent for £1500 to learn on and have a bit of fun on because in 6 months time youl either go two ways, either wanting a car or wanting to pass your test and move onto to a big bike, and in both scenarios you dont want to be lumbered with a brand new bike on finance or even if bought outright you would lose a hell of a lot of money on selling so soon. Certainly something to think about.

growse said:
save up towards a DAS. Your initial insurance bill will be cheaper this way as well. You'll only have 33bhp when you pass that
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direct access allows you to ride whatever you want with no restriction, the a2 restricted test is the one with the 33hp limit.
 
Thanks 4T5- I will get that booked for myself soon. How much would I be looking to pay for it?

Thanks Liamgo, I was thinking that the KTM is a good idea- more reliable it seems. I will definately look into getting some good quality gear. Haven't considered sports bikes tbh, not a fan of the looks or riding style.
 
CBT With bike hire costs 105 quid in my manor, 65 quid if you use your own bike but don't. Use the deliberate Noddy bikes they have for rent as they are Simple bikes to ride & are Perfect for first time riders. You have to do some cone work & u turns & bikes with a stretched rake or clip ons are a no no for your CBT, 105 quid all in is nowt & all you'll have to turn up with is Both parts of your license & your helmet/clothing although they will have some clothing there for you to borrow if needed.
Expect a mellow fun day out though & Not a test & don't forget to take some tucker/packed lunch/munchies.
 
Okay, well I will go for my CBT and maybe take some gear with me if I can buy some beforehand- if not then I will borrow those. I take it after the CBT I am limited to 125cc as soon as I am 17?
 
You can't do the CBT until you're 17 then you are limited to a 125cc bike. That's not as bad as it seems though as there are plenty of different style bikes to choose from.
 
Yeah, I'm not seeing a 125 as a bad thing, more a chance to learn :)

You can take your CBT at 16 though, or would I have to take it once 17 if I want to ride a 125?
 
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