Advice for a newbie...?

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Hi guys,

I am new here, and to biking, and need some advice! I am looking for my first bike - a 125cc - and don't really know where to start. I am looking for a good, reliable cruiser, and any hints or tips would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Lulu

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

How much do you have to spend? Are you looking at new or used? Your budget should take into account the need to buy a helmet, clothing, CBT and insurance, some of which may be thrown in if you are buying a brand new bike.

You cant go far wrong buying from one of the four main Japanese manufacturers; Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, Kawasaki. Stay clear of the chinese makes as they generally have poor build quality. I have heard the Korean manufacturer Hyosung is decent too.

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

Also, if you are choosing a cruiser simply for the seat height, go to a showroom and try other bikes you like the look of, as many other styles of 125 are not too bad for people with short legs.

For instance, the honda cbr125 (sport) and honda cg125 (commuter) are comfortable even for shorties Smile

, but, say, a yamaha yzf125 (sport) would be less suitable as it has a higher seat.

Rowey · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Karma :

CG125

A do-all bike
____________________
ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

Kal · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Jan 2007 Karma :

As a rule stay with the big four: Kawaski, Honda, Suzuki and Yamaha. Stay away from chinese copies, they are almost always very poor for quality control.

The exception to that rule is the Hyosung, which is Korean. I've also had good reports on the Kymco - which is Tibeton I believe. However there may be issues with them holding their value.

The currently available cruisers:
Honda VT125-c
Kawasaki EL 125 Eliminator (a close friend had one of these and loved it)
Suzuki GV125 Marauder
Yamaha XVS125 Dragster

Kymco Hipster 125 (Believe it is no longer in production, but could be wrong)
Hyosung GV125 Custom
____________________
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

ajb · Crazy Courier Joined: 14 May 2008 Karma :

I'm sure I read somewhere that Suzuki offer free third-party only insurance if you buy new from them on some bikes (including 125s) I guess Honda/Yamaha would also offer something similar.
____________________
CBR125R '05 > CB500 '00 > CBR600F '99

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Thanks for all the advice so far, guys!

I am happy to get second hand, but really don't want to spend more than £1000.00. I'm just having a lot of difficulty in finding one that I want. I did find a Wuyang in my price range, which I considered due to it's links with Honda, but the electronics looked really crappy, so that was out.

All the bikes I have seen for sale in my area are either pit bikes or sport bikes - I would prefer a cruiser because I like the look of them. However, I'm fairly average in height (5' 7"?), so would a cruiser be too low for me, as Frez intimated?

Bendy · Mrs Sensible Joined: 10 Jun 2002 Karma :

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

I have been looking at bikes (tourers, as well as cruisers). I found one fairly locally which I would consider, only he wants £800< for it. At some point this bike has been dropped, and the owner hasn't bothered to fix it back up.

The headlight and console have taken the brunt of it, and would probably need replacing, as would the brake lever. There is some scrapes down the exhaust, and some scratches on the top of the tank. Rust is also coming up in a couple of places.

What would be a reasonable amount to offer for this bike?

Azonicben · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 22 Aug 2007 Karma :

depends what bike it is?
____________________
Cbt-23/09/07.....Theory-16/09/08.....Das passed 10/10/08.....
Current bike- GsxR750 K4. Broken: Cbr400rr (Nc29) Sold: Hyosung GT125R

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

D'oh!

A Yamaha YBR125.

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

Age of the bike?

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Again, d'oh!

It's an '05, with around 11000 on the clock.

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

If it were in good condition 800 would be about right, but given that it needs some work, if it were me, I would offer 600 for it and see where it goes from there.

Parker's (https://www.parkers.co.uk/motorbikes/used%2Dprices/) doesn't have a price guide for the ybr125, but as they are similar in style and price to a Honda cg125 then you can use the cg125 prices as a guideline and not be far off.

I could only find 3 ybr125s that had been sold on ebay, a 2005 one sold for 635, a 2006 one sold for 870 and a 2007 one sold for 855.

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Thanks, Frez.

That's around the price I was thinking. I'll make him an offer, and see what he says.

The Original Muzza · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

Not sure which is "best". Honda Shadow are quite pricey, though IMO look the best.

Suzuki GZ125 Marauder, I own one and it is reliable, great fuel economy, comfortable and lightweight. I neglected it and this is a recent pic, still not looking too shabby.
https://file048a.bebo.com/12/large/2009/02/02/15/3355750395a10008736372l.jpg
I am 6ft and had no problems, and is good for short arses as well.

(ps. I enjoyed it so much I seriously considered the 800cc marauder as a first big bike)
____________________
Current Bikes: Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 (2020)
Former Bikes: Honda MSX125 (2014), BMW Funduro (1996), Honda VT500 (1983), Yamaha FZR250 (1989), Suzuki GZ125 Marauder(2005),:Triumph TT600 (2002) (stolen)
From then on, I and the bicycle feelings deeper.

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Is there a rabbit on your seat?

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

One more bit of advice, decide what the most is you will pay for it before you talk to him, and if he wont move that low just walk away, another bike, maybe better and cheaper, will turn up.

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

I know. It's just so frustrating that I now have my CBT, but can't find a suitable bike.

AARGH!

YZFR1IAN · Scooby Slapper Joined: 21 Mar 2008 Karma :

Bike_craze1 · Trackday Trickster Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Karma :

Yeah that sounds like a good price.
____________________
Yamaha R125 - Cagiva Mito 125 - Honda CBR 600
CBT passed: 22/07/08 Bike Theory passed: 28/03/09
Bike Test passed: 15/04/09

The Original Muzza · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Jan 2009 Karma :

Lulu · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Karma :

Me again. I contacted the guy about that bike and made him an offer, but he hasn't replied. In the meanwhile, I found this bike on eBay:

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=270340056415&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=017

I am not sure about Hyosung, though. Half the people I have spoken to say they are great, the other half say they are crap.

Any more advice?

frez · Nova Slayer Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Karma :

They are Korean made and supposed to be pretty good.