Yamaha MT-125

There an obsession on this forum with big bikes. Half the world rides around on 125's. People have ridden half way around the world on less (Ed March and Nathan Milward spring to mind but there are plenty of others).

Yes, you could get an older bigger bike for the same price, but these bikes have other qualities, especially ni running cost. And around town a 125 is probably more fun than a big bike

It's a great bike - enjoy it :)
 
I'd probably say the same if I had a big bike.... But would like something soon as cbt done.

What about running costs on these bikes? Like I say 50 easy miles a day doable?
What kind of service intervals are these bikes? And warranty?
Am sure I could sell it off for not too much of a loss.
 
50 miles a day is no issues, I did 40 miles a day through town/A and B roads on my 125 varadero. Not sure what the tank range is on these, but the varadero got 270/280 miles from a tank no problem.
 
bigger bikes are more comfortable to go longer distances on though

I just think they 600cc + are easier and safer to ride than 125's

but I know what your saying it will do till you pass your test and you can sell it on
 
How exactly are bigger bikes more comfortable through town?

Nsl roads I understand as you're not reving the nuts off a 600 like you are on a 125. But in town they're light, more flickable, etc.

I've got my test booked but the sheer cost nearly put me off 650 for test and then petrol will be 3x the cost, tax will be 4x the cost. If you're doing solid town milage there's nothing wrong with 125's.
 
I didn't say there was anything wrong,but a bigger cc machine is just more easy to ride no matter where you ride it,better brakes/suspension/grip/power esp pulling away from lights and to get out of any danger

600cc is sweetspot,any higher cc and the fuel bills mount imo

you can still flick a big heavy bike around,soem 125's feel flimsy in comparison

(I agree no matter what bike you can still have plenty of fun on it,i loved my kmx125's)
 
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I really want to do the relevant tests so I can get me a big boy bike but, as with conuk, family matters and suchlike make this difficult. It is possibly more practical for my needs but full throttling my scooter to limited effect is getting old already. That said, I am wondering how much of a step up one of these (or other 15hp model) would be.

On running costs, I gather some of the less exciting big bikes can manage pretty good mpg too. But what about servicing? 125s I have seen are typically in the region of 3-4k miles. I'm probably looking at 5k a year based on usage to date so I gather most bigger bikes would not need a full service as often. What about annual checks though? Does it effect warranty (where applicable) if you do these yourself (would need to learn though) and just get the pros to do the main services? Any back of envlope figure on comparative costs?
 
conuk said:
What about running costs chaps?
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Running costs are next to nothing on a 4 stroke 125, you can do pretty much all the little servicing bits yourself with the minimum of tools and fuel is nothing.
I do around 200miles a week commuting on my YBR on mostly A road and it costs me about £13 every 9 days filling up with V power (even if it makes the tiniest difference I don't mind the few extra pennies it costs to fill one of these things).
 
there's only valve clearances which would be a biggish job,the rest you can do yourself but you wouldn't have the dealers stamp in the service book

ive only owned 2 stroke 125's and they were decent but big end went in mine after 24k miles

four stroke machine will last much longer
 
I gather with a new bike you have to take it to a dealer for service?
Honda also doing the cbr 125 on 3 years interest free credit for 99 so another bike in the mix.
 
conuk said:
I gather with a new bike you have to take it to a dealer for service?
Honda also doing the cbr 125 on 3 years interest free credit for 99 so another bike in the mix.
Click to expand...

If you're going for a 125 just pick up a 2nd hand one, no point in buying new. You'll lose no money on a 2nd hand one when it comes to time to sell it on.
 
DangerMoose said:
I really want to do the relevant tests so I can get me a big boy bike but, as with conuk, family matters and suchlike make this difficult. It is possibly more practical for my needs but full throttling my scooter to limited effect is getting old already. That said, I am wondering how much of a step up one of these (or other 15hp model) would be.

On running costs, I gather some of the less exciting big bikes can manage pretty good mpg too. But what about servicing? 125s I have seen are typically in the region of 3-4k miles. I'm probably looking at 5k a year based on usage to date so I gather most bigger bikes would not need a full service as often. What about annual checks though? Does it effect warranty (where applicable) if you do these yourself (would need to learn though) and just get the pros to do the main services? Any back of envlope figure on comparative costs?
Click to expand...

I'd check the service intervals for the 125's my CBf125 is 2.5k for example but yes bigger bikes generally have longer intervals but then they cost more to service.
 
tom_e said:
If you're going for a 125 just pick up a 2nd hand one, no point in buying new. You'll lose no money on a 2nd hand one when it comes to time to sell it on.
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Yer I wouldn't buy a new 125 personally and I'm a big advocate of 125's. Had mine just short of 2years and I'm reluctantly doing my big test.

Financially it's largely pointless, but I want one. I'd still recommend someone having a 125 if the circumstances suits. I don't like all this "just get a proper bike" talk.

Using me as an example, petrol for my 125 for the year is about £350. It will cost me an additional £600-£700 on a bigger bike, that's 1/2 of the cost of a week away in Turkey 5-star All Inclusive. But I want one. :p
 
I like my 125 but considering most of my daily 40 mile commute is along an A road the lack of grunt for over taking and having to ring the balls off it coming out of a tight corner up a gradient coupled with the fact I'm not exactly a lightweight is really beginning to grate, if I was still at my old place and it was mostly around town sort of speeds it would be perfect.
 
I rode my 125 for a good few years,even after passing,I ride it for roughly year n half,then i bought my first big bike,my zx6r 98 model and I I still use it everyday

The klx 300cc or 250cc I think look nice aswell for commuting but if you have passed your test a 600cc is a nice cc to have power wise and fuel economy

You don't have to have a new machine either,older models are decent
 
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TripleT said:
I'd check the service intervals for the 125's my CBf125 is 2.5k for example but yes bigger bikes generally have longer intervals but then they cost more to service.
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My scooter s in km, since Piaggio were too lazy to cater to imperial users with their instruments. But I think it is around 2.5-3k miles, so yeah, it may be a touch less than I thought. I think the MT 125 and similar are 3.5k but I could be wrong. I would love to pass my test and get its big brother, the MT 07 which I believe is 6k, though that may have to wait a while at best.
 
Was contemplating getting one of these as my first bike. Is there anyone on here who's ridden or owns one. Would love to hear any feedback on what it's like?
 
I had convinced myself that getting something cheaper for now, then something with more power earlier was the way forwards. I need it PDQ though, so I might be back on the MT-125 brand new wagon. 0% finance and can settle early if I want to with no financial penalties. Servicing is thrown in, and they've said they'll sort out any minor knocks on it in the first few months (need to nail down what that actually means yet though).

I'm going to be riding in the city, so I need to be high up and it's for a new job so I need it to be reliable and I don't know how to look after them yet. Yes, it's a lot of money, but I think it suits me at the moment.

Gives me 2 years to get through my DAS.
 
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