Touring bike

schakis · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

Hi, i want to buy a 125cc touring bike. i am thinking about xl varadero 125. Is this bike worth to buy? what other bikes would you suggest me?

dainesefreak · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Karma :

To be honest mate, IMO, I would buy something bigger than a 125 if you want to go touring. Saying that the 125 Varadero is supposed to be a nice enough bike to ride not sure what the wind protection would be like over distance though and you may find the 125 engine a bit tedious.

schakis · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

my driving licence is for bikes till 125cc, so i can't take a bike with more than 125cc

carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

You did the A1 test?

Or do you only have a CBT?

Either way, I suggest you either do the A2 test or DAS! You will get very bored indeed on a 125. You can't really go touring on a 125, small engine + high revs = disaster 1000 miles from home.
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Yamaha TDM 850

schakis · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

Here at Greece you have to be 21 or more to have a licence for a bike with more than 125cc engine. i am only 19

carvell · Scuttler Joined: 05 Sep 2003 Karma :

Ahhhh sorry I didn't check your country. Embarassed

In that case, I think the varadero is probably one of the better choices for a 125 touring bike, as it's a 4-stroke and it's comfortable to ride.

However, someone who knows more about them will be along in a second!
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Yamaha TDM 850

mr.z · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

I know somebody who has one but he hasn't really used it much yet, another friend (who has ridden allot of bikes) hated it, but then he is used to faster, he said between that and a 125 scooter he had the scooter was better to ride for any distance (he used to work for an oil company and he got payed a bit extra for borrowing bikes and racking up miles on them he did 300/400 in one go on this particular bike).... and he don't really go for scooters himself...
Not saying a scooter would suit you better (i'd imagine you will need a manual bike anyway) it just there are not many bikes aimed at long distance ridding with a 125 engine, because they are hard work, longest i did on my old cg125 was about 200 miles on easy roads screaming all the way it was and had trouble keeping to the 60 limit (must have been averaging 45 up with the hills)...
not uncomfortable but your concentrating so hard on making the bike use every little bit of power to get your up any sort of hill...

Think about getting a big scooter (bergman sort of thing) not the coolest bike but if you HAVE to ride long distance it will be easyer..
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schakis · L Plate Warrior Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Karma :

if i choose to buy a scooter, i will propably buy a giller runner 125. I am thinking about the varadero because it is a very beautiful bike and i don't want a scooter again( i have a gillera runner 50 sp)