New to this whole thing - looking to buy a 125 to get some practice on. Reading around the internet and a lot of people seem to recommend the Yamaha YBR as a decent learner. Seen this one for sale at MM Motorcycles in Tooting (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201605103795164), however online reviews of the garage seem to be poor. Does anyone here have any experience in using them? Searched through the praise/shame but couldn’t see anything.
For the record, am after ideally a second hand black manual 125, and happy to travel outside the M25 to go pick one up if needs be (albeit a reasonable distance). Any advice very welcome…
I think any of the 125’s would be good - Depends what you like. YBR’s are ok - I didn’t like them personally - My Honda CBF was good - it was high enough that I fitted ok on it compared to the ybrs (i’m nearly 6", so not to tall, but the ybr’s are pretty small) - There’s also the racing versions like the 125CBR or 125R etc…
Look on autotrader/ebay - you get low mileage versions for not much money.
Do you think you’ll progress quickly to your DAS (i.e are you old enough for that?) if so don’t waste to much money on the 125 and save it for the big bike.
Have done my CBT yeah, and got a gear conversion course booked in at MCT in the following weeks. In the process of buying gear as well.
In my late 20s so yeah am planning to do my DAS, just wanted to play it safe and get more practice in before buying something bigger. I figured getting a 125 that would retain its value reasonably well would be a good first start before moving on? Luckily my old man has a full workshop in his garage (used to fix up old bikes and sell them on back in the 80s) so figured I can rope him into helping me out maintaining whatever I do end up buying.
the only thing with 125s is the frequency of oil changes is pretty high - so it helps if you are able todo them yourself. I didn’t but that was for other reasons
What’s the budget? things around £1k would probably be fine.
spending a bit of time on 125s is good - to gain experience - but don’t spend to long, as they handle a bit differently…
I would definitely look to get a CBF125 or Cb125F (newer) as they hold they’re value pretty well and you can learn to ride on them. I bought my CBF125 for £1100 and 11 months later and 6k miles on sold it for £1000…
I’m not sure about the CB125F really - its looks better on the pictures - but up close it looks very cheap to me; although the engine is slightly more powerful I believe. The CBF125 is solid - but the fuel pump can be dodgy is very hot weather.
Budget up to max £1.5k, but ideally looking around the £1kish mark.
Thanks for all the help guys - found this CBF125 for example (Autotrader) for £1400. prices seem very varied though (e.g. a 2012 model with 27k miles was going for £2k apparently?) so will keep shopping around.
Budget up to max £1.5k, but ideally looking around the £1kish mark.
Thanks for all the help guys - found this CBF125 for example (Autotrader) for £1400. prices seem very varied though (e.g. a 2012 model with 27k miles was going for £2k apparently?) so will keep shopping around.
x1347
that's expensive for 17k miles. You should be able to find a ~10k CBF for about 1 - 1.1k
I’d go for something 10 years old or more, something you won’t cry about when you drop it. If its a Honda or a Yamaha don’t worry too much about the mileage, these engines are bomb proof.
Have done my CBT yeah, and got a gear conversion course booked in at MCT in the following weeks. In the process of buying gear as well.
In my late 20s so yeah am planning to do my DAS, just wanted to play it safe and get more practice in before buying something bigger. I figured getting a 125 that would retain its value reasonably well would be a good first start before moving on? Luckily my old man has a full workshop in his garage (used to fix up old bikes and sell them on back in the 80s) so figured I can rope him into helping me out maintaining whatever I do end up buying.
x1347
Save yourself some money and go straight away for the DAS and big bikes. A lot of people here have done it myslef included, you'll be alright.
Only advice I can give you is make sure the bike has MOT.
a bit of service history if you get a full service history even better.
Check the tyre tread and wear.
Check the chains.
Check the front forks.
Check all lights and switches.
Check brake pads
Check condition of frame especially rust.
I did ride a 125, just sold my bike.
I rode For around 6 months and best thing ever also great way to practise.
I had a Suzuki Marauder 125 but then I’m short and now have a CBF250 Honda, which I love for ride position, traffic filtering and very reliable. I do most of the work on mine except major engine works. a bike is unique to the riders needs, so list what you need and then do the research.
I personally hated the YBR when it was given to me as a loan bike. Felt absolutely gutless and outright ugly. I owned a CBF and it was just so much nicer (and prettier) but to each their own.
It must be a Japanese one — because of all the horror stories about Chinese ones, easier access to advice and maintenance, and they will hold resale value better. 2a. Try to avoid an older CBF125 — because I wanted a tacho thinking it would be more helpful to learn with, in hindsight I would still want one though know now that usually it is really not necessary. If the mirrors shake go up a gear, if the bike shakes go down a gear. 2b. Try to avoid a YZF-R125 — just because it looks like something it really is not. 3. Just get the first decent bike that is available as it is only really something temporary to learn on.
Had I known how the past few years were to go I may have had a different opinion on point 3, and possibly 2b although cost would have likely ruled that out anyway. But happy enough with my wee bike overall, though it could do with just a tad more power and needs a much much better headlight. It is what was available at the time though, and it was better to have had a bike then than wait around looking for the perfect one that I still hope to get rid of after not too long.
