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oliherst
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
 Posted - 29/01/2008 : 13:02:18
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I was going to put this up on bikechat forums but tbh I feel I will get a better response here. My girlfriend is looking to do her CBT and get a 125, so I am doing some research as to what would be a good one.
Obviously being a Honda rider I'm thinking thats the best route to go down but there seems to be a lot of 125's around that could all be quite a viable choice.
Does anybody have recommendations or good/bad reasons to go for or avoid a particular bike? We wont be buying new and I would image that I will be maintaining it, so that might make a difference.
Thanks in advance for any info  |
'92 NC30 |
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challymo
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 13:10:19
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| Whatever you do dont get a sachs xtc 125, there are alot of bugs in the electrics especially and not very good for doing u-turns etc. To be honest i found the suzuki en 125 very good to learn on. |
300 bikes riding round a small town, even better when the police block the cars for us. VFR400R |
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Monkey
Regular Member
United Kingdom
855 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 13:13:51
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| not sure what advise to give here as its down to personal prefrance, i owned an aprilia 125 and honda cbr125, cbr was slower, and a 4 stroke, easy to ride, bullet proof, did what it said on the tin and then was sold. can get second hand for reasonable money too. cheap on the insurance too was 600 quid fully comp at the age of around 19. |
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oliherst
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 13:17:29
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| She really likes the look of cruiser/tourer type bikes rather than bum in the air bikes, which I think would be more practical for her anyway. She isn't bothered about speed or acceleration so much, its more important that she can use it everyday for commuting to uni or work (lets say max 15 miles each way) that it's stable at low speeds and that as much as possible it's low maintenance (leaving me more time to fix my own bike ^^). |
'92 NC30 |
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Evilchicken0
Nice thong !
United Kingdom
13161 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 13:58:58
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How tall is she ??? Obviously get her to sit on a couple of bikes to check she still touch the floor.
How long do you want the bike for ??? if it's just to pass a test then you'll want a cheapish one that resells fairly easily
If it's for her test she needs something easily controlled with a resonable lock to lock turn, which could rule out a sportsbike.
As the acutual bike, most 125's are understressed as long as you avoid diy tuned one you should be ok. |
Heated grips are the Devil's dildo's |
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oliherst
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 14:22:38
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The Suzuki en 125 that challymo mentioned seems just about right, and that looks similar to certain honda's too. I would image the bike will be with us for a year maybe two until such time as money and confidence are both in the right place to take a big bike test and get something more powerful. I think budget is going to be £500-£1000 but I would be happy to buy a non-runner for say £200 and spend the time and money making it right (good practice for me too).
The Yamaha YBR 125 seems ok, I did my CBT on that as part of my DAS, although I wouldn't know what the long term reliability of that kind of bike would be. |
'92 NC30 |
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challymo
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 14:35:21
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well either the suzuki en 125 or the honda cg 125 are very reliable, the majority of training centres use these two bikes (at least in my area). One of my friends owns a cg 125 that is at least 10 or 11 years old and it is still going strong after obviously years of abuse.
quote:
Originally posted by Evilchicken0
As the acutual bike, most 125's are understressed as long as you avoid diy tuned one you should be ok.
This is why i suggested against the sachs (it is a tuned en 125 engine.) |
300 bikes riding round a small town, even better when the police block the cars for us. VFR400R |
Edited by - challymo on 29/01/2008 14:37:37 |
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White_sliders
Senior Member
United Kingdom
1736 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 15:20:04
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Honda Cg125 cityfly
great learner bike |
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TimB
Regular Member
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 15:27:44
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| How old is she? I assume DAS is not an option? |
ZX7R Ninja with custom paint and polished bits, CBR900RR Blade, Honda Z50R mokey bike! Best fun on 2 wheels... |
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the fly
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
128 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 15:43:29
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| I did my CBT and test on a honda cg125 and it was great, really light and stable at low speeds goes about 5,000,000,000,000,000 miles on a tenner maintinance is fairly simple and although it is not fast it is reliable. good comfy riding position, gets my thumbs up for a lerner |
i have the bike just not the money or the weather to ride the thing! |
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oliherst
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 15:53:45
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TimB, DAS isn't an option atm, she will be 20 in June :( Otherwise that would be the right route what with the new tests in October!
This CG125 sounds promising, I'll do some research on them, starting with ebay I think :) |
'92 NC30 |
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Miracle_Boy66
Familiar Member
United Kingdom
392 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 17:01:47
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I Rode a CBR125 for a year on a CBT licence before doing my test. As long as your GF is not too short she would get on fine with the CBR125. (Inside leg 30") I had no troubles with mine at all in the 3,500 miles I rode it for. The riding position is more sit up & beg than the usual sportsbike position & it will offer good wind protection for those longer rides or just commuting. I did my CBT on a CG125, Bomb proof!! The one I rode was about 22 years old & still going strong.
Honda = reliability!! |
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castrol101
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
133 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 17:02:59
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Yeah i liked the CG125 aswell - handles nicely and is quicker than most 125's - The aprilias are a pain to maintain(so ive heard) the one i test rode was in a hurrendous state, the wheel bearings were all dangerously loose and the engine had no pull in it at all - it would die every 5 seconds no matter what u held the revs at - the 1st bike i rode after passing my test and i was terrified lol! Though when they are looked after I have heard they are fabulous!! despite sounding like a bee in a can!!
I've never ridden a YBR 125 though i know someone who has one - there doesnt seem to be much difference between that and the honda. |
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taggy
Familiar Member
United Kingdom
340 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 17:21:33
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| i had the suzuki gs 125 (more sporty looking version of the en i think), bit like the cg but better looking i think. not arse in air but not so laid back you cant see anything. good riding position and visibility i liked it! its still in the family! however, they're only available second hand now i think but they are good bikes! there were a few decent ones on ebay a while ago too. |
I can go into the hairpin on the front wheel!taggy_d@yahoo.co.uk |
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Mansie
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
60 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 17:57:00
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Hi I would vouch here for the YBR 125. At Yamaha they looked very hard at the CG and managed to improve it. Tried and tested in Bazil and China it is the ultimete low-cost learner / commuter and has slightly better looks than the CG. Fuel economy is 120 MPG. I ride 220 miles per week and I pay a tenner at most.
Ideal for learners but sure it depends how tall your GF is. With the right technique the U-turn is a doodle. Upright riding position so good overview of traffic. Widish handlebars so good control. Nimble bike to do your filtering. Controls easy, light and smooth.
After passing my test I just kept the YBR. No point selling for the low prices they're being flogged off atm.
Weak points: throttle lever got stuck but was fixed under warrantee (rare problem), 60 mph top, 55 mph in strong forward wind, Chinese tyres are too hard, replace with Pirelly or Michelin for more grip and better cornering.
Cheers Mansie |
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challymo
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
190 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 18:48:34
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| Just a thought, why doesnt she do the full test, but not DAS this will leave her restricted for 2 years or until shes 21 (whichever comes first). As this would stop her having to do the harder tests that are coming in. |
300 bikes riding round a small town, even better when the police block the cars for us. VFR400R |
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taggy
Familiar Member
United Kingdom
340 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2008 : 20:52:23
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| would be a good idea, a lot more choice of bike then just restricted! depends on how confident she is, i did find it really usedful to do a couple of years on a 125 before the test, gave such a good grounding and a lot more forgiving than a bigger bike straight away! bigger bike was a doddle after the 125 then! |
I can go into the hairpin on the front wheel!taggy_d@yahoo.co.uk |
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oliherst
Settled In Member
United Kingdom
70 Posts |
Posted - 30/01/2008 : 08:37:26
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Thanks for all your advice, it is really appreciated. We had a chat last night and I got in trouble, as she is 21 this year not 20 ^^
However, we decided we are going to buy a 125 and she is going to do her CBT within the next couple of months, then after June (birthday month) but before October she will do her DAS. This will mean that between the CBT and the DAS she can get some confidence up (and the cash for the DAS!). There is no reason for her to buy a big bike right away, but at least getting her license sorted will be good.
I expect we are going to look at both the YBR 125 and the CG 125, and I would imagine it will come down to which ever we can get cheapest.
Sounds like a plan! |
'92 NC30 |
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Topic |
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Good learner legal 125?
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