Ex scooterboy getting into biking.

[vespa31]

hi there, looking to buy a 125 to get some experiance of riding a geared bike, then pass it on to my son when he,s 17. we are both over 6 foot and was curious to what bikes would be good. have been looking at the honda nsr 125. can anybody recommend any others.

[steppen22]

[frez]

If you want a sports 125 then the NSR125 is a good place to start.

If you are happy to use a commuter style 125 until you pass your test in the knowledge you will then upgrade, then a CG125 or YBR125 would be easier to learn on.

I learned on an old beaten up CG125 that I sold a year later for more than I bought it for.

I bought my eldest son a brand new YBR125 which he has had for two years and he has not got round to taking his test, he may get half what I paid for it when he comes to sell it.

My younger son is on an 2001 Aprilia RS50 as he wouldnt be seen dead on a scooter, and when he is 17 he would like a two stroke sports 125 (he wont be getting a new one!) as he wouldnt be seen dead on a commuter.

So if it just has to be a sports bike then an NSR125 will do you fine, otherwise go for a CG125/YBR125 as they are easier to learn on and cheaper to repair when you drop them.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Don't care how you do it, just stay away from scooters

Pat
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[Towton 1461]

Hi Vespa, and welcome to BCF.

What type of motorcycle licence do you hold? Full one passed many
years ago on your scooter?

If you already have full one and just want to gain experience of a
low-powered geared motorcycle as a teach-yourself trainer machine
before moving on to a "proper" bike, then give the 125 to your son.
Well I'd go for a CG125 or a YBR, as suggested by others here.

Those two bikes are as easy and safe to learn gear changing on as
any out there.

Since your son will become the eventual owner he may prefer the
sportier NSR. Have you asked him if he has a preference?
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[Moo.]

I've been looking at alot of 125's because i'll soon be hoping to move up.

But seems for commuter style the Cg and Ybr seem the best bet.

If you like the off roading kinda thing, i reckon a Honda xr125, the xlr 125 or one of the yammy ones.

Also been looking at the retros (i currently own a 1970's, so a bit fond of them) and the Yamaha RXS 100 looks like a great bike (2 stroke)

Also seen a few Honda Varaderos on fleabay for buy it now £1200 they look pretty cool

[2Smokez]

Hi Vespa,

After about 15 years of on/off scooter riding I finally made the switchover to a geared bike, I commute about 30 mile round trip weekdays and am very much enjoying my new bike a 'Yamaha TDR 125'. Very suited to tall riders, a fun commute with a bit of fairing, and will still hold up it's street cred with the teenagers, downside is they are rather hard to get hold of in the UK without spending a few quid, and they are 2 stroke (if you see this as a bad thing), picked mine up for £1800 on 57 plate with 700 miles.

Bike is great fun, but I've already started eyeing up the 600cc's and hope to get test done before April.

See pic attached and good luck.

[BenR]

TBH it's all down to personal preference. It seems everyone on this forum just says get something dirt cheap to take your test on then move on after, which does make sense. However if you like the NSR, & I'm sure your son would as well, if it's a good price get it. Small capacity machines are great so much so I'm buying another one next weekend (suzuki RG 125 FU wolf). They teach you how to ride properly & if you do the maintainence yourself you'll learn so much about looking after a bike. At the end of the day it's your money so it's up to you, but if you do go for a 125 I would stick with the 2stroke either race reps or trailies/SMs you won't get bored of them as quick.
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Current bikes: suzuki RG125UN wolf. Yamaha MT-07

[The Disapproving Brit]