Motors Looking at starting to ride a motorbike

Both my parents ride motorcycles, and having been on the back of both of my Dad's bikes I'd really rather like to start riding my own.

I drive and own a car and I'm 18 years old so I have some road sense and money to use.

I'm thinking of just doing a CBT and riding a 125 for a while to make up my mind on whether to do my full test.

What I'm looking for here are recommendations for a cheap, learner legal bike, I've been looking at Honda CGs and CBFs, Yamaha YBRs and other such models. Trouble is I'm not sure which are particularly good for my needs. All I want is a reliable 125, not too fussed about styling.

(Oh yeah, I'm 6 foot tall, don't go recommending me CBRs now )

 

Wishhhh i had a car , <--- coming from someone with the best 125 money can buy.

 

I drove my dad's 125cc scooter with my car licence for a while. This summer I took some lessons and got my motorbike license! I had so much fun during the lessons, I will definatly get my own bike soon. Even though my dad's stupid 125cc scooter is a hoot to drive, I don't want to get a 125cc bike.

I don't want a bike that can go terrible fast (100+mph), I just wants something thats light, nimble and fun to drive. So I've set my mind on one of the more modern and reliable Supermoto's (DRZ400SM, CCM R35, newer KTM'S, husky 630...). Will probably get one in the next year or so.

Untill then, I take the scooter to work quite often during the summer, it's so much fun. I get to work with a huge grin on my face and get home all relaxed.

 

I was looking at the r125 for a while but it just looks kinda weedy I think all the 12's do, went for the 250r baby ninja in the end and its a blast. Is it your 125 you dont like or 125's in general?

 

If your tall why not look at a
trail bike or supermoto style

 

If you want reliability, you can't go wrong with Honda.

Hmmm, Supermoto. Was the MZ 125SM sold in Britain?
Rather big and has a great engine. (125cc 4 stroke with 15HP)

 

Weedy? In which way? Considering it shares the same frame as the r6 and r1 it certainly isn't weedy. Perfect machine for getting around the city. I really can't fault it. It's like the only 125 that doesn't look weedy. (well you have the new aprillas/durbis which are kind of the same size now.

I love my bike, It's my pride and Joy. It's just the weather I'm not liking i guess and see a car as being more suitable, and the fact i slammed it into a wall a few days ago

 

Good luck finding a bike at 125cc that fits you chap... I struggled on my 125 on my CBT like a towel, I'm about four inches taller but it was my legs that ached like a bi*ch.

CBT it up for a few years mate (Make sure you get out when it rains aswell, get some wet riding in) Then you can take your main test and roll out on a nice GS500 till you're ready for bad-boy machines eh? Bikes are a mad learning curve because of the power of them, but stick at it chap.

also, have some rep for being a biker.

 

I would suggest something second hand and naked as your first bike. Fairings are expensive to repair when you drop it (and you will) and second hand should mean that you lose less of the value when you do drop it.

If you buy a 125 sports bike replica then be prepared for an ar*e raping on your insurance.

Edit; You'll probably find a 125 intensely uncomfortable as BRAWL says, I'm 6'5" and trying to ride a CG125 was a joke, I could barely make U-turns on a single lane road because my knees blocked the handlebars. I found the 500 I moved up to much easier to ride as well as more comfortable.

Moriquendi

 

I was considering a CG125 because of their reputation as a good starter bike, I think I might have a sit on one at some point though to see how they size up.

YZFs are horribly expensive to buy and insure for 125s though they do look pretty nice, guy down the road from where I live rides one. Exhaust note lets it down though.

Which supermotos/trail bikes would you fine chaps recommend?

Also, Chinese bikes. Thoughts?

 

DT 125, cost you around £1500 for a decent 2nd hand one, Allot of fun, Powerbands, 2 stroke, Quick!,

Don't expect any good notes from 125's though

 

Just don't.
If you want to burn money, buy hardware kit for Bit-Tech to make a competition from.

From what I understand of the British license system, a 125 is by far the cheapest option (via L plates)
CG125's aren't pretty or cool, but they're everywhere for a reason.
Other possibility, a Honda Innova 125.
That's the bike that powers millions of asians as a CUB or Honda Wave. Ultrareliable.

 

Pretty much this. You could always go to a motorcycle showroom, sit on some bikes, test ride them (the only real way to know if it's any good) etc.

I started out on a Honda (Rebel, but then I'm not that tall) and as far as reliability went, no problem. Whatever you get, it's best to find something fairly modern so you're pretty much guaranteed that the frame, bearings and running gear is in good condition.

Engines are made from particularly soft cheese. Avoid.

A friend of mine bought a Chinese 125 cruiser, got it home then asked if I'd test ride it to make sure it worked. Apart from being an arse backwards way of buying a motorcycle, I agreed and took it out for a spin.

Damn thing nearly killed me. The suspension must have been made from marshmallow (it cornered like a fat kid on a bouncy castle.) Electrics were... well it had no electricity. The handle bars were finely crafted by the same person that writes jokes for Christmas crackers and the engine... Seriously, Scalextric cars have manlier engines.

Actually, they ended up buying a new engine after a few months because the old one fell apart like a forgotten boy-band.