600 vs 125

[Ben.]

Okay I’ve read literally hundreds of things about what bike to get on a restricted licence (33bhp). And no one names any bikes. Well hopefully this can be a thread to end all 'what bike to get' threads.
I've read all the pro's and con's of both.

125cc:
pros:Good to learn on, not too much power to kill yourself, (general safety road experience bull), good cornering, experience (questionable I find), insurance
cons:
sounds like a hair dryer, look small, not a lot of torque all the way through, slower than restricted 600’s, heavily stressed engines, expensive for a 125cc

600cc:
pros:
looks and sounds like a proper bike, a lot of torque all the way through, you can un-restrict them after 2 years, hold there money value better, same price as a 125
cons:
the performance bikes don’t restrict well, I hear they make all their power at the high end of the rpm’s and a restrictor kit makes this useless. They’re heavy and a lump of a bike for your first proper bike, too much power? (Questionable), insurance

Well that’s all I know about them anyone tell me if that’s accurate or totally wrong?
Here’s my situation, I want a sports bike, no one’s going to change my mind about this , so if I get a 125 its going to be something like the rs125, and they’re £3500 new and about £2500 a year or so old, my price bracket is around 2 ½ so I would have to buy a year old rs125 and I hear they are s*!#t to buy old , they rev too hard etc and are a bit of pig to get all the performance out of them, but the biggest thing I hate about them is the way they sound, I really don’t want to be stuck on a hair dryer , reputation doest matter to me… so baring this in mind I looked for a bigger bike, the 250’s and 400’s are all old are built like a 5 year old made them, not to mention finding one in good nick that old, as well as that the styling on them looks to be a bit dated at best . So with the mid range out of the running I’m stuck with the 600’s the insurance probably wont be that big of an issue, but restricting something like a gixxer or a cbr is not going to do them much good I’ve heard. Also you can buy 2000 - 2005 models for around £2500. So here’s my problem what do I do? Get an rs125 or get something like a gsxr600 and restrict it? I more swayed to the 600 side, so does anyone know a sport 600cc that restricts well? Or anything in-between?
Thanks - half lyfe

[phill_sumner]

since your budget is decent id go for a honda RVF400, could get a mint one for that money.I know you dont like the styling but the RVF is a nice looking bike in my opinion Lightish, good handling, a lot of fun for the money and take restriction well. see what others think
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parting the A1 like moses parted the red sea

[krebsy]

Looking at 600s', your best bet is probably an SV650S as they are a decent introductory large bike and don't mind (too much) the restrictors.

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[AngelGrinder]

Here's what i bought the other week, shall be fitting the restrictor in a week or so, then I have my test for restricted, so will let everyone know how it goes!

[Kal]

Google 33bhp and you'll find a list of 33bhp bikes at the BAT motorcycles site.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[tristan]

Mate, a full power 125 is 33bhp anyway so you wouldn't be restricting it. Running wise, the 125 will be healthier, as it's not strangled as such like the more powerful 600cc would be.
I'd say 600 is a better idea as it will be tougher to learn on, but have the power delivery and save you spending more when you get bored of the 125.
I'm doing the same thing when I'm 17, but tbh, just dont restrict it i dont think many people do tbh.
If you won't be using it alot and dont have the money needed for running and insurance 125 would be very wise.

[M - i _ K - 3]

I'm in the same sort of situation as you actually. At the mo im riding the newer 06 RS 125 which i bought a year old. Its a great bike; nice style, goes really well just a bit unreliable

Anyhow .... Going to take my bike test this summer, just not to sure on whether to de-restrict the RS (original plan) or just move up onto a restricted 400/600 and sell the RS.

I think it all depends how much road experience you have, how old you are and what you want to get out of the bike.

Yes, the RS's still sound a bit "gay" but i think their looks and performance are spot on
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Bikes don?t leak oil, they mark their territory.
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2006 Aprilia RS 125

[andymarks]

I am currently riding a CG125 but i passed my test last thursday so have now got a GS500 restricted. Cant comment on how it goes as havn't picked it up yet. Will let you know when i do. I would definitely go for a bigger bike that is restricted as a 125 will be working very hard to get 33bhp so wont last as long. Also the RS doesnt have a great rep for reliability.

deff go for the bigger. Looks better aswell .
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Bikes--2002 GS500---2006 CG125(For sale, PM me for details)
Theory-PASSED -------Practical-PASSED.
33bhp restriction ends 6/7/2009 .

[Ben.]

thanks for all the comments
so im guessing a 600/ 400 is better then, because the 125's will have to rev their nuts off to get the 33bhp, so i think ive got a plan, when i turn 17 im guna borrow my mates 125 for a month or so and take my test, that'll get me used to the gears etc. and then i can go out and buy a 600 without buying a 125 in the mean time
so what 400's 600's are out there?
vfr 400 look a bit and im guna have real trouble selling that after 2 years...
sv650s thats about as un-sporty as i want to go, probably by some fairings for them, but that sounds like a good bike, i hear they restrict well?
as for the other bikes i know, they are just the normal 4, gsxr600, cbr600rr, r6, zx6r... anyone know what theyre like restricted?
Also thinking i might take the restricter's out after a year or so, after ive got some confidence and road skill, so it might no have to have the restricter's in for 2 years.
thanks Half lyfe

[M - i _ K - 3]

I don't know a huge amount about this, but the bikes you are looking at to restrict have a huge amount of Bhp, so reducing this to 33 will be a bit pointless

Have you considered looking at supermotos ...... There are many nice 4 - 600's and they dont have such a high Bhp like the r6 and CBR etc...

They are lovely bikes, but I would wait untill you can use them to their full potential

Like I said, I don't really no a huge amount this and maybe wrong, but yeh ......
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Bikes don?t leak oil, they mark their territory.
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2006 Aprilia RS 125

[tristan]

[Ben.]

i dont like the look of any of the 400's they look to blocky...
having second thoughts now i dont like the sv650, the riding positions too upright...
what about the gsxr600, i hear they have more torque throughout... might put the restrictors in and then take em out after a month, afterall ive still got the dyno to say its 33bhp to show the =P (will any old shop take the restrictors out without asking questions btw?)
there must be a decent (new model... design thingy )sports bike out there that will restrict okayish...

[Noxious89123]

I'm also thinking about this...

I've been riding my CBR125 for about... 2 months?

Very comfortable to ride, but so severely lacking in power. In 6th gear, let the rpm drop to about 6k and it can't pull itself back up, you have to downshift and rag the **** out of it to get back upto speed.

People say restricting a 600cc to 33Bhp is "strangling" them. But what i want to know is this;

A) Is it still rideable?
B) Does it do any harm to the bike?
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Ben.]

[Noxious89123]

Well just been fecking about with quotes online...

For a sporty bike like a CBR600 (even an older one) would be costing me upwards of £2000 (thats when i have 2 years experience) and £4000+ if i was to get my licence then jump on one right away.



So what would you guys recommend... Must meet following requirements;

Be usable at 33bhp (restricted or otherwise)
Be able to actually pull 70mph easily without trying to tear the fabric of the universe
Not cost me £2000+ to insure at the age of 18

I live in a shitty area, park the bike in the garden and would be commuting on it, as well as doing 100+ mile journeys at the weekend. Would like something sporty, but insurance is looking to make that IMPOSSIBLE. TPO on just my CBR125 hit me for £490.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Kal]

For the record my 23 year old 250 does 80 and she is only pushing something like 24bhp.

:sigh: Anyway, seeing as you are all fairing obsessed sportsbike junkies may I suggest one of the following;

GPZ500s, GS500f, CB500s

All of which are great first bikes with terrific support and will take restriction easily.

Or you could look at one of the sub-33bhp bikes above.

Soneone was talking about the upright riding position of the SV650?

Something to consider is that Sportsbikes have an extreme riding position that doesn't suit everyone, if your body isn't within the comparitively narrow ergonomics within the design you will have an uncomfortable ride.

Upright riding positions tend to put less stress on the body and tend to be more comfortable for people which especially when combined with a benchtype seat allows for a greater range of body types in the riders.
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Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[Ravage]

You like sports bikes you should look at the ZXR250 now i know that you'll think thats small but its gonna be able to do over 33 bhp it will be cheap to insure, but they are rare like the CBR250 is but if you find one you can rev it up to 18,000rpm. Although its not going to go like a 600 but it will top out at 125mph
If you want something which will pull in any gear the SV is an incredible bike and if the 650 is too high on insurance theres always the 400 version of it. Not the sportiest think ever but the rear lights are cool .
If sport bike is a must get a 400cc thats more of a reasonable price to pay the VFR400/RVF400 is going to pull in any gear due to the V4 engine. If you don't like the body work google tyga performance they do a body kit for it
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Ridden: GSF600 RF900 CG125 XL125V Mito
Currently own: KTM Duke II

[ste_b]

hey you could always try get a hyosung gt250r, they're pretty good bikes and are at 33bhp so dont need restricting, you can get one second hand for bout 2.5K or new you can pick them up for bout 3-4K. I think they look the part aswell!

[krebsy]

Commutery 600's (your divvys, bandits, Hornets, fazers etc) tend to be cheaper on the insurance as they're not raced about on and are less likely to be nicked than a 125 as the chavs can't just carry them off. I was looking at all the insurance etc. when I started out and ended up paying £174 per year for the 600cc 60BHP Divvy with 0 Experience and 0 NCB. That dropped to £100 quid the next year and the ZZR (98BHP/150+MPH) is only costing me £150 (could reduce to £100 if I could be bothered to change broker) with my 2 Years NCB.

A "sporty" little 125 would've cost me more to insure when I started. A mates using a GS125 as his first bike and that's £130 for him, and it's pants compared to a restricted 600.

K.
____________________
What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[tristan]

With 1 years no claim bonus for a gixxer 600, it will be ~£1000 third party, fire + theft insurance.

Good tihng about the gixxers is that you can pick them up cheaply compared to say an R6. most are £1500-£2500 up to the K3 model
Restricting it wont damage it, just wont run as well whereas the 135 would.

[Noxious89123]

My god i would love to have a gixxer...



And please enlighten me as to what a "divvy" is.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Feasty]

[Ravage]

[.Chris.]

Take a look at the Honda Bros 400, exactly 33bhp and is the best looking bike I've ever seen. They aren't too expensive either and the insurance isn't bad.

I'd love one, but I think I'll go for another old stroker first (although I seem to change my mind every other week!)
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Noxious89123]

Ah, thanks v. much!

Not really to my liking either.

The GS500f looks nice though, although i'm looking to get something with a sportier riding position.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi