Hello and any NSR buying advice?

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 May 2002 Karma :

Hello,

Just found this forum and needing some advice on buying an 125 NSR. At the moment I drive a 4x4 Calibra Turbo but looking to get a bike to ride to work. Have the CBT this Sunday and then will probs get around to the theory test some point in the summer followed by the DAS...

I only have a few £k to spend and so a new bike is a no no... Am I likely to find any decent examples for this kind of cash? Is insurance going cost a fortune and any companies I should try? I am 23 y/o and been driving for 5 years... although after a scrape in the last car with a Merc I've been reduced to 2 years NCB! Rolling Eyes

Oh and 3 points... Rolling Eyes

Need lot's of advice as I'm totally new to bikes... Hmmm is the NSR a good choice and what are the spec for restricted / de-restricted?

Cheers for the help,
James

from Birmingham if anyone was wondering!

bikerboy · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 11 Apr 2002 Karma :

get a aprilia rs125 that all i can say plus they are much better then nsr's and the same price too
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zaknafien · Joined: 25 Mar 2002 Karma :

MultiSync · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 05 May 2002 Karma :

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

It kinda depends on what you want the bike for...and if you're really gonna be serious on bikes in the near future...

I listened to the "majority" here, and plumped for the NSR, and whilst I don't regret it as such, I wish that I had taken some of the other people's advice into greater consideration...

Considering your age, and the fact that you intend to do DAS in the summer, I'd advise that you either wait until you've passed your test, or if you can't wait, go for a very cheap (and hence, not particularly good condition) bike for a few months...that way, you'll have a greater choice at the end of it...you _will_ want a bigger bike very soon...

My particular bike has knocked my confidence a bit 'cos of problems with the first gear (not all NSRs are like this though!), and I am currently attributing this to the fact that it's a 2-stroke, and that I don't know how to care for them properly...

Just my thoughts...

Tin

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 May 2002 Karma :

Thanks for all the replies and sound advice Smile

I do like the looks of the NSR and have not been keen on the Aprillia's. At the moment car insurance costs a bomb and mainly the reason why I intend on sticking to a 125 for a while (plus to get some experience!). Maybe I'll get bored of the car and opt for a cheaper one and get a quicker bike Wink

If someone could confirm the spec for me and any second hand buying advice.... Question

Cheers again.

James

Dan · Brolly Dolly Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

McJamweasel · BCF Junkie Joined: 22 Mar 2002 Karma :

Buying Advise - same as anything else really, look for one thats in good nick. Check tyres and chain as theyre the most expensive to replace. Get FSH if you can. Avoid a high miler(like mine Confused

), after about 20K strokers need a rebuild. Hold the front brake on and push the forks down - feel for a notch throught the bars - that means head bearings have gone. Feel the fork leg after to make sure theres no oil on them - that means fork seals have gone. Hold the bike upright and push down on the back, make sure it comes back up nice and smooth.

Oh, and take a biker with you so they can take it for a test ride.
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BCF: Be yourself, just don't be an arse.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Annabella · Like a person, only smaller Joined: 03 Feb 2002 Karma :

Now now Keith you're being completely unfair! You know perfecftly well I paid £400 for my NSR (1991), admittadly it cost me £50 in parts to repair the fork seals and bushes but otherwise there was nothing wrong with it. If you look around you are likely to get a good deal. Other 125s to consider are the Yamaha TZR, these are supposed to be as quick as the NSR and are slightly cheaper to buy (though not as nice looking - justy a personal opinion there), or the Suzuki RGs, a friend had an RG Gamma 125 and reckoned he could keep up with his brother on an RS.....(could be a load of rubbish) Both the Suzuki and Yamaha are cheaper to buy second hand.

McJamweasel is right - take a biker with you when you look at bikes, they will be able to get a feel for the bike which is better than just going through a checklist. Insist on a test ride, and look around, get an idea of the market. Unfortunately at the moment the bike market is at an all time high - so you'll be paying slightly over the odds.

Good luck with the bike hunt!

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 May 2002 Karma :

Thanks again for the replies. Keith, you are right about the Calibra. I rotate the tyres every 3k miles to prevent tx box failure and oil changes every 4k miles. I now do the work on it as my local Vauxhall dealership didn't have a clue! Still good fun car to drive tho...

One thing that has got me thinking now, should I look for something bigger than a 125? What do you suggest? I only have a few £k to play with and don't want to spend a fortune on insurance... Bennetts quoted me some silly price on the NSR! Shocked

Cheers,
James

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

There are quite a few sensible bikes around that are quickish. A GPZ500 is fairly cheap (my better half paid £825 for one in good condition) as they have been making them for 15 years, will manage just under 130 and will outaccelerate almost any car while doing about 55mpg+. Similar bikes are the GS500 Suzuki and the CB500 Honda. These should all be fairly low insurance groups. There are also the sports 400s.

I would advise that you dont buy a hot 250 2 stroke, as although very quick they are not that easy to ride and not really good for someone who is learning. To an extent the same applies to the 600s, mainly because they are quick

All the best

Keith

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 May 2002 Karma :

Thanks again Keith.

I was thinking of a 400 and looked at the CBR400. The Kwak ZXR400(?) seem to cost lots more though...

On the insurance side I don't understand? The CBR400 TPFT (£430) was slightly cheaper than an NSR125RR (£436)? Strange... Then fully comp it was too expensive with the CBR policy coming in at £1,500. Which means I could only afford to insure TPFT... Are most people on here insured TPFT?

What sort of mileage would you look for on a second hand bike? A lot of the older 400's in Bikemart had seemed to have done quite a bit!

Cheers,
James

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Insurance is strange, and to make it worse Fully Comp bike insurance rarely includes personal injury cover to the insured (so it is not as good as car fully comp). You would need to get that seperatly

The 125's suffer a bit as they a mainly owned by learners, who are (apologies to anyone reading) far more likely to crash, and with little no claims to protect probably more likely to claim.

The GPZ500 we got has done about 25000 (think), quite a few owners, but good condition, full MOT, new chain, new front and rear pads / shoes. That was bought privatly for £825. It did need new tyres, but they existing ones were both in good condition but were an illegal combination (radial front, cross ply rear).

All the best

Keith

Teamcalibra · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 07 May 2002 Karma :

Well I think I'll be taking the advice and wait until after DAS before buying a bike. I'm tempted to look at the 400's... So means I'll have to get off my butt and put in for the theory test.

Thanks for all the help - no doubt I'll have more questions.

Cheers,
James