I’m sure this is a really boring topic that comes up all the time, but I’m having trouble choosing a bike and I have no friends with bikes so noone to ask!
Basically the plan is to do my CBT and get a 125 and see how I go with riding a bike before forking out for DAS and a ‘proper’ bike.
Now I’m 5’ tall so severely limited! I did have a sit on a CBR125 today and was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable I felt on it - I could get the balls of my feet down on both sides in normal shoes (and a skirt :w00t: )
However, I need to park my bike on the street in central London! So really I want something not very new and shiny and not so likely to get nicked! I just want something reliable (Japanese?), cheap to run and insure that is going to be comfortable for me to ride 40m a day (Angel - Vauxhall - Edgware - Angel) and potentially trips up the A10 to Cambridge at weekends.
Any ideas? Is it going to cost me a fortune to insure and should I just get 3rd party/fire/theft for now?
Also, how do I find out what sort of security the bikes come with? Should I get extra stuff fitted like an alarm/immobiliser? The bike will be chained to an anchor and I’ll get a cover for it.
If you are planning on doing Cambridge regularly, it might not be what you had in mind, but an old Piaggio X9 125 will give you loads of weather protection and comfort (and over 70mph) and is wel lsuited ot the London commuting you mentioned.
The engine in these (Water cooled LEADER 125) is known to be very reliable.
Try one for size although it might be a bit tall for you. There is a cheap one on ebay in St Albans that looks worth checking out.
If you are running a 125 becuase of licence restrictions, then any 125 you ride can only have 15hp maximum, so there will not really be much difference. Geared bikes will be faster than scooters, but you have to work them hard to do it. By comparison (just as with an automatic car) on a scooter you just nail the throttle and let the bike do the rest. Simply observe what happens at traffic lights to see how quick off the line 125 scoots can be!
Scooters have advantages over “real bikes” mostly in terms of carrying capacity and weather protection. You can get scooters with wheels nearly as big as other bikes, but these loose out on both of the above.
The X9 is quite a heavy scooter, but is typical of the maxi breed (if getting on a bit!) where you get loads of kit and convenient features. More modern maxis also offer ABS brakes, enhanced security and things such as a 12v outlet are common. Good examples of newer models in 125cc are the Satelis, X8, Xmax, S-Wing and Burgman.
My own personal choice is the Satelis (albeit as a 250cc) becuase I think it offers the best combination of security and safety available to any bike, in any class.
na mate!!! what you want is a Yamaha DT 125, KLX 125 Kwak or a RMX 125 is theyre still kicking about. off road 125s are in my honest opinion the best 125s! you can take em off road, you can commute on em, easy to put right if somthines up with them, loads of spares, tune em up if you really want. solid bikes, if you crash one, theres no fairing to replace and they dont damage easily.
Green Lanes, - weekend fun all year round.
Good ride hight for seeing over the top of other cars
Good handling
Cheap to run
Hi,
Try a VAN VAN suzuki. Low seat height look a bit differant. I had one for a while and it got as many looks as my sportsbike. I went to Hertfordshire daily from London and it was lovely. Cheap on Fuel as well. YBR is ok but boring. New Honda CBF 125 get a newer 09 reg fairly cheaply.
Insurance try tesco compare for cheapest. Make sure you have theft living in London it is essential.
Any Security feature worth a look as it reduces the insurance, just make sure its featured to get a discount.
I have found a big lock locked to ground is best with a big cover, which I also lock. Make sure you dont get lazy and always cover and lock it.
I think the van van is really cute. I had a boring YBR125 for 2 years and looking to trade that up to a 250cc now but it did the job and never let me down. YBR does 88mpg by my calculation on my city commute.
My 125 is a scooter and I’m glad I chose to do my apprenticeship on an automatic as it leaves you with more brain power to focus on your riding.
Saying that I am now wanting a manual as the extra brain power is now used daydreaming and getting distracted…
For reliability and ease of ride I would vouch for the Honda CG, i would guess a large percentage of riding schools use them and it probably not a coincidence. It will move but I don’t know if it is A road material. Saying that my scoot gained more than 5mph with addition of a windscreen…
YBR is perfect…if your intending to possibly upgrade to a bigger bike, then forget scooters, get a geared bike.
might be a little slow on the A10 in the nationals but it should sit at 55-60mph ok.
also you sit upright on it, comfertabel wide bars, poss get a lil screen for longer journeys, plsu it will be reliable as you like and cheap to buy and run.
can see no reason NOT to get one, perfect learner bike, that or a CG125.- pretty much oen and the same bike:)
if vanvan’s had beter suited road tyres they would be ok, but they arent, there crap! and very very slow and heavy for what they are.
I would say get a Honda cbf 125,I did allot of research when when I bought my 125 and the Honda wins especially in the looks department and its cheaper new or second hand.
I hadn’t considered one to be honest.
