What bike should i go for|

[tshort2007]

Hey all.

I'm currently riding an 1989 Kawak AR125, which is brilliant, when its not in pieces on the garage floor.

I intend to upgrade next year to a 600 ninja, Cbr or R6.

However, i am coming to the point where its uneconomical to repair my AR anymore.

Being sensable, i'm reluctant to upgrade to a 600 yet, as i've only been riding 3 months

So i'm looking for a bike, 125 as i'm only on CBT at the min, thats going to be reliable, yet powerful enough so the jump to a 600 is as minor as possible. I have £1000 to spend on a bike, and i would lik one that maintains its value as much as possible to PX against my 600 next year.

What do all you experianced folk recommend i do?

Cheers all

Tom

[Skudd]

Take you test and look for a cheap 600.
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[carlperkins00...]

cbr125, you can get them for around £1000.
cg125, very reliable and cheaper, but ugly and not as fast.
xr125, ugly and cheap.
dt125, cool bike but can be pricey
ybr125, same as the cg really.
yzf r-125, about £3000+, says it all really.
no others come to mind at the moment.

[angryjonny]

The 125 market isn't really that well catered.

If you've been riding an AR125 you won't want to step backwards aesthetically to the CG or YBR (naked riding-school favourites). The Honda CBR is less obviously a small bike but still a bit puny.

There are a couple of 2-stroke options available (Cagiva Mito and Aprilia RS for example) that look meaner but you'll need to restrict them if you're on a provisional. They don't exactly run forever either.

Honda's 125 Varadero looks like a lot more bike than it is. Worth considering, but maybe a bit old-manny. Learner-legal off the shelf though.

[Mudskipper]

If you've got a grand, I'd get your test done.

Forget messing around with 125's, you will get more bike for your money (125's have a premium attached - everyone wants them) once you have a full licence.

You don't need to jump straight to a sports 6 just cause you've passed - a 250/400/500, especially commuter-type will be cheap and forgiving enough to get some post-test experience on, then you can save and look forward to your sports 6.

Seriously, if you can afford to do your test, I would recommend it EVERY time. Gives you so many more options.
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[extreme3d]

As above, I would use the grand to do your test. If you are wanting a 600 for next year you will have to take your test anyway so I would use this summer to get your licence.

You will quickly realise you've made the right decision as soon as you hop onto the riding schools 125s - they are all the same so you wouldn't have gained anything by buying another yourself.

[tshort2007]

[Mudskipper]

[tshort2007]

ok, say i shell out for my test and get a 400, what bikes are there that are similar to the CBR/R6/Ninja in style?

obvisly i want a reliable one!!

[extreme3d]

[deanoet]

It all boils down to how sensible you are.
The bike will only go as fast as you tell it too, just because it is a race bike doesnt make it an uncontrollable monster.

Like others have said I would do your full test
The training for the test centres around riding safely and mastering slow control. The 500s they use are quick compared to the 125s, but it soon becomes apparent that they are only as quick as you tell them to go.


You could do your test then get a CBR600f, which is the sports tourer model, not quite as unforgiving as the CBR600RR

If you have the money there is also the Ninja 250.
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[tshort2007]

ok, its decision time, The old crappy AR has blown its piston. Needs re-sleve, piston kit, crank and a new head, about £200 in total

k, so what do i do now?

Repair it?
Buy a CBR125 in the next few weeks?
Wait a few months, miss the biking season, and do my DAS and get a decent bike?

Or get a girlfriend

[chris-red]

Get your DAS and get a 600, the fact your worried about it means you should be fairly sensible. Getting a 400 isn't a great idea, most of them are 20 years old and have been ragged about by kids. A 600 will be more reliable and easier to get parts for.
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[miguel_costello]

agreed, don't get anything too old, things will die on it in a short amount of time and you'll wish you put the extra money into a 600.

there's a few sensible options around the 600 mark that aren't brutal race machines. hornets, bandits, fazers etc... they all go quick if you want them to! might be a good idea to get something unfaired so that if you stack it you dont have to spend £££ replacing smashed fairings