Hey people I'm new to the world of biking

Bleakers · L Plate Warrior Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Karma :

Hello everyone,

I'm Chris come from N.Ireland but I have moved over to England (southampton) to live with my girlfriend.
Me and my gf are looking to get into the world of biking, we both had 50cc scooters in are younger days and always remember how much fun they where. We are looking to get 125's as a starter bike but not really sure whats out there for learners and also not sure if a bike of that size is worth getting 2nd hand as most are 2 stroke and I'm sure most have been redlined to death.
We are both in are mid 20's and looking to do are CBT in the next month and soon after are full test and really looking for some advise on what to get.

I'm looking for a sport bike and I have my eye on a yamaha yzf r125 it has 11kw and is a 4 stroke so a good wee engine but once I pass my tests I will be looking for a bit more power from the bike and have been told it can't be done with that bike so kind of puts me off, also because of my age am I limited to a 125cc or am I able to ride a 250cc and have the power capped? What other bikes do you guys suggest would be a good bike for me?

My girlfriend likes the yamaha ybr125 custom, she likes more the style of the bike and would like to know is there anymore bike in that cc range with the same sort of style?

Best regards

Chris

Wafer_Thin_Ham · Super Spammer Joined: 18 Nov 2005 Karma :

On a CBT you can only ride a 125cc bike.

I think the best think for you to do is to do your test on a training school bike, pass your full test then get whatever bike you want and restrict it to 33bhp.
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leannef55 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Aug 2009 Karma :

If you are in your mid 20s you can do your DAS (Direct Access), you will do your test on a 500 so you can ride anything, alternatively like the dude above says, you can do your test on a 125 but you will have to restrict any bike to 33bhp for 2 years, not a lot of power to shift a big machine!

But if you do get a 125, I can recommend the cbr125, cute styling and very forgiving! Ive got an 04 plate one that I paid a grand for, I love it

Capt Castle · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Karma :

Howdy Bleakers (and gf)

After doing your CBT, regardless of age, you can ride a 125cc up to 14.6bhp with L plates (no pillions, no motorways).

If you do your test on a 125, you are then limited to 33bhp (no limit on size, only power, and more powerful bikes can be restricted to fit) for two years, after which you can ride anything.

As you are over 21 you can do your test on a bigger bike (at least 46.6bhp) and then ride anything at all afterwards (this is DAS, Direct Access Scheme). This would be done with a training school on one of their bikes, probably 500 or 600cc.

If you can afford the lessons there is no reason at your age not to do a DAS and skip faffing about with 33bhp for two years.

Probably your best bet is to do the CBT, see how you get on and see what the riding school says, then either grab a 125 and potter about for a bit, or go straight to the DAS if you take to riding straight away.

As for 125 cruisers, I had a bit of a thing for them when I started riding and picked up a Suzuki GZ125 (such a nice comfy bike, if a little slow, but I miss it now!). Kawasaki, Yamaha and Honda also do nice ones as well as some of the other big bike companies, but I was warned to stay away from the obscure Chinese manufacturers as the general consensus is they are rust magnets.

The main issue with 125s I found was the cost. Since it's a captive market (as so many people are not allowed to ride anything bigger) they always seemed a little pricey compared to bigger bikes, although maybe that was just me not wanting to spend money!
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Bikes: GZ125>CBR125>Yamaha MT03>Triumph Sprint ST 955i
CBT: 06/06/08 DAS:14/07/09

Flip · Super Spammer Joined: 28 Feb 2004 Karma :

Get the DAS done and forget the 125 nonsense. Smile

americanspiri... · Derestricted Danger Joined: 19 Jul 2009 Karma :

leeclissett · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Karma :

I'd say it depends a lot on your previous road experience. I'm coming up on 23 and I had a year riding a moped, 5 years driving experience and I was used to riding a geared bike. I found my DAS easy as pie but that's because I wasn't learning to ride a bike and I wasn't worrying about things like positioning on round-abouts or highway code stuff.

A DAS can be bloody expensive and if you fail you could be left having to pay for bike rental or more lessons to get that riding experience under your belt. I'd do your CBT and get some practice in on a 125 and then take the test on your own. You can have a couple of goes at your test for cheaper than the price of training.

Personally I didn't find the jump from a 125 to a 500 training bike that huge, if you get a year down the line and decide you can't wait then get a days riding with a local instructor then get your test in.

benandthe · Traffic Copper Joined: 24 May 2010 Karma :