Whats your opinion on the best learner bike?

[Tyral]

I guess this thread has been done numerous times before, but..

I'm currently in a pickle trying to find the best road bike to ride after my cbt. I'm looking for style, with practicality and reliability (do these even go together in the same sentence?) .
Speed would be a bonus, but everytime I find a bike i thinks nice, I bump into a negative

What are your opinions/experiences on the best cbt learner legal bikes to own?

[zaknafien]

Get the cheapest you can like a CG125 or SR125, ride that until you take your main test then get something better.

Dont waste your money on buying a pretty looking learner bike, you'll only regret it when you drop it.
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02 Firestorm.

[Ste]

All the different 125 bikes (and the same can be said for all bikes!) have their plus points and also have their bad points. It's a case of weighing them up and making your decision then. There are two different types of 125cc bikes you can get and those are 2 strokes or 4 strokes. The 2 strokes performance is better, but they cost more to look after and reliability is worse. The 4 strokes are not as ports aimed, but they are easier to own and they'll break less on you.

If you're looking for a 2 stroke bike one of these will suit you if you're looking for a "toy" as such, as they do need work doing but they are also great fun to use. They will be fine for riding to work or college as long as you look after the thing correctly. They will be wanting stuff like 2 stroke oil (this goes in a different tank to the petrol and you refill it every few hundred miles or so), the engines will need rebuidling and being basically a tuned engine they wear out faster.

If you're after a 4 stroke bike, these are more suited to someone who is just wanting a bike to learn the ropes on and then do their test and move on up. They cost a lot less to buy and look after and they are nearly bomb proof engines so if you manage to break one you should be proud . The performance they offer you is not that good, but it is enough they'll do 70mph and you'll be able to keep up with general traffic. They just want their petrol tanks filling up every so often and thats it. No 2 stroke to be worrying about or engine rebuidling every few thousand miles which is another good point about them. They'll cope with anything you throw at them and will carry on.

If you can let us know what type of bike you're looking for (ie something sports based, a commuter bike, a tool to learn on, or the fastest thing around for you) then we'll be able to go into more detail in the area which is of interest to you and say which bike we suggest based on what you've told us.

Happy shopping.

Ste

[Tyral]

Thanks for the info, guys.

I've been looking into 2 and 4 stroke bikes, and I think the more rational choice would be a 4 stroke, because I would be using the bike for commuting mostly. Although 2 strokes are very tempting, for the sports factor

I'm sure everyone wants a nice looking bike, but the choices are limited, unless you want to buy a brand new cbr or a second hand NSR 125.

In short. I'd like a nice looking bike, quite cheap, reliable. I think I may be a bit too picky, but after all I'll be spending a year on it, until when I decide to do my test.

[Davo]

IMO I'd be quite happy running to work & back on a little CG125, did my CBT on one and found the bike excellent on fuel economy, spent a whole day on one during my DAS course and didn't need to refuel once.

Also not a lot to break if you do drop it.

[Mantzy]

IMO, if you're after a commuter, get a CG. They're reliable and will get you from A-B day in and day out. Problem with that is if your boss rides bikes he'll know that so bang go your excuses! It's not very sexy but its not designed to be. Personally, I don't like the CBR125, it seems to small for my liking. I don't like the sound 2 strokes make either. Nor the smell.

These are the questions you should ask yourself:

1) What are you using it for?
2) What do you want it to look like?
3) How long are you planning on keeping it?
4) Are you up to the challenge of maintaining it?
5) Do you mind it smelling a bit and sounding a bit weedy?
6) How old am I?

If in 1) you are commuting, get a bike that is economical and won't guzzle fuel. Most 125s don't by principle but 2 strokes will generally be less economical than 4 strokes.

For 2) you have 4 options; a cruiser-style (Yamaha SR), commuter-style (Honda CG), race-style (Aprilia RS, Honda NSR & CBR, Cagiva Mito, Sachs XTC) and Motocross-style (Yamaha DT). Each have advantages and disadvantages. Cruisers look naff but are comfy, commuters are comfy and look alright for what they are, racers look great but can be sore if ridden for long periods, and I just don't like motocross bikes on the road (sorry all those who have them)

For 3), If you plan on keeping it for a long time, you may want to invest in a new one. The benifits of warranties and no MOTs and whatnot will outweigh the price if you're keeping it for 3-5 years - but I may be wrong about this. Just my opinion. If you see the bike as a means to an ends, you can get by with something cheap and cheerful till you pass your test. Plan not to spend over £1000 on a learner bike unless you've spotted a great deal.

For 4), The 2 stroke engine is very simple but will require constant maintenance as it is so highly tuned. The 4 stroke engine is much more reliable so needs practically no maintenance (though its recommended to give it some at least!) but it's also a much more difficult engine to work on with many more parts in it.

For 5), If you do, get a 4 stroke. If you don't like the sound of scooters going past then you'll not like 2 strokes. 2 strokes also burn oil in their combustion hence the reason they smell a little and why they have to be topped up regularly.

For 6), If you are young, a racing bike is going to cost you much much more to insure than a commuter for the simple reason is that people who have them, using rare the hell out of them. If you're older than you may be able to get away with it. Umm...but I got one anyway!

Good luck anyway. There are some fairly tough choice to make but it's really all down to personal opinion. Get on Autotrader and start searching.

I feel a slating coming on!
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Current Bikes: 2010 Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Previous Bikes: 2002 Sachs XTC, 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R, 2004 GSX-R 600 K4, 2006 Yamaha XT660X

[Frost]

[Josh]

Hopefully not as "realistic" as your bike though Frosty, that is a bit too cheap.
Can it even handle roundabouts?
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6178/sig6dc.gif

[Frost]

[Josh]

Speaking of which, I pick it up tomorrow, apparently the instructor managed to sort out the brake fluid while my Mum was doing her "CBT Theory" stuff (What does a red light on a traffic light mean? etc) so now I just have to inflate my tyres a bit, and I'm good for my lessons/test.

And damnit, it handles like a fox, Mr Pram Wheels
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04 Suzuki GSX-R 600 K4 - Sex on wheels :>
https://img58.imageshack.us/img58/6178/sig6dc.gif

[Frost]

See! a real biker has no trouble doing it, its all just down to your girlish arms

[Josh]

[Frost]

[ts50x0]

i just got my nsr today ...... if your after speed then get a stroker for sure. hondas arnt quite as fast as aprilia and cagiva but they are cheaper and more reliable. for pure reliability then the cg is definatly the way to go. but for pure addrenaline all the way then nsr, tzr, rs, mito are the way to go. the jap bikes being thew more reliable there.

[merce]

I am also keen on getting a bike - however it will be used for getting to and from work but I also want something I can have abit of a laugh with
Ive been looking at Cagiva Mitos and they look really really really nice (especially in yellow) Im also really impressed by their performance stats...

Im guessing purely from what ive read that, they are the fastest 125, but they are also the most un-reliable and like someone said further up the thread, 2 strokes constantly need maintaining.

Does this just consist of topping it up with oil, if not what would I have to do? Ive had a 2 stroke mini moto and that thing broke down more times than a manic depressive *excuse the bad joke*

Another cheaper option I was also interested in was an older NSR - the one with the dual round lights. I like them that shape and I know the performance isnt spectacular but we are talking 125's here so it would do. Im kind of hoping Honda Reliability spreads to their bikes as well as cars?

So can someone answer these questions? I can't really see myself on a CG, as they're... well.... pooh? I guess I am in it for the speed but I want as best reliability as I can get too for a 125 2 stroke. Cheers and sorry for waffling on! :o
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If your not fast, you are last!

[Kickstart]

Hi

The NSR is a bit slower than the RS / Mito, probably by about 5mph, while it is also a touch more reliable, but not by vast amounts. They are all 2 strokes in a fairly high state of tune. Maintenance wise they will need a regular diet of spark plus, gearbox oil, 2 stroke oil, rings / pistons and maybe the odd main bearing.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[ts50x0]

hi again. so ive had my nsr for 3 days now. mine is the one you were talking about with the round headlights. these are a lot more reliable than italian bikes as they are not so highly tuned. but they are still insanly fast for the enfine size and are pretty much fast enough to keep up with any veicle on the road. ( i mean they can easily break any speed limit). and the ride is still great. the only problem is you have to keep the revs close to the redline to get any real power, but if you do they fly. for example someone today in a rude-boy car(vaxhaul corser i think) was flooring it to try to get away from me. as soon as i hit the power-band he had no chance. so i think that these are fast enough and with the extra reliability they beat the italian bikes hands down.
hope you get one because they are awsome.
all the best
sam

[Kickstart]

[Tyral]

The NSR125 is a really appealing bike in my opinion, but they sound unpractical for commuting
I'd love an NSR125, but for someone with little bike maintainance knowhow, if the thing ceased, i'd be out of pocket.
CG is the more sensible choice out of the lot, just for the reliability, but it doesn't look the best.
Its also easy to get lured in by the look of the bike, when its not the only aspect you should be looking for

How much did your NSR cost to insure, and how old are you by the way?
i'm 20 right now, and i'm wondering how much an nsr would cost to insure, not brand new, but second hand.

[Frost]

[ts50x0]

how far do you have to commute to. they do get painfull on the wrist if your riding through town after about 1/2 hour. cg is more practicle but but for a younger rider is would say nsr is a better choice because of how they ride and perform. they are definatly the bike with the most addrenalin filled ride. i had a cg and they are just sooooo boring. it was good for what it was for but not what i was after.
as for insurance i wouldnt know as im 17 with a theft claim. it shouldnt be too much for you. especially if you go for TT&F instead of fully comp.
sam

[gtechosting]

Im 19 and have just got a quote for the NSR im buying and it was just over 1k!! (norwich union) anyone know a good insurer for us younger riders??

[Frost]

[gtechosting]

[Tyral]

Work is only a mile away, so that isn't too bad. I'd be using for days out too. The bikes for commuting as well as fun, so NSR would be a good choice, but the money is painful got enough, just about...

I also got a quote for Third party fire and theft for £580 ish
That might be because i've been driving a car for 2 years, I dunno.