RXS100 as a first bike

[UnspeedySam]

I posted here a couple of months ago when I did my CBT, but unfortunately still haven't got a bike. This is partially due to the weather, partially due to my parents trying their best to discourage me and partially due to money. So it's now February and it seems to be slowly getting warmer, so I spent some time lusting over bikes on ebay and found an RXS.

I really like the styling of the RXS100 bikes and I hear they're both reliable and a bit quicker than a lot of modern 125s. This, combined with the fact that they tend to sell for a lot less money than CGs is really tempting me.

So what do people who have ridden/owned one of these think about them as a first bike? And just how bad are the electrics?

Thanks
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[UnspeedySam]

Well I've just bought one for £400 on eBay. Unfortunately it's near my home in Essex and I won't be back there (from uni in southampton) until the 20th. I shall post many unnecessary pictures then
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

There are a few people on here that had them as first bikes. I wouldn't kid yourself that they are any faster than a modern 125 two stroke though.
____________________
My Flickr

[UnspeedySam]

Maybe quicker wasn't the right word. I know the top speed would be 70 at a stretch for most of these bikes. But I was under the impression the acceleration was a bit better. Either way, I really like the styling of the Rxs and am really looking forward to picking it up
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[chris-red]

I have one, I'm also from Essex, cracking bikes quicker than most 125 4ts.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Alexio]

I personally would love to own one some day! Should be good as a first bike
____________________
will never give up his CG. I look at my fuel gauge more as a progress bar than a fuel gauge.
G: With my GSXR I do often effectively use it as a scooter with a clutch in town.
ms51ves3: why does it need 500 miles? Are you teaching it how to be a piston?

[UnspeedySam]

Yeah I nearly bought a CG but the 2000 model with 30000 miles I was watching sold for £771! I've always had a soft spot for retro styled 2 strokes though. Not sure how I'm going to manage waiting two weeks to pick it up.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Clanger]

My mate has one, she rides it all over the place, goes to bike shows and rallies...it's a cracker, very reliable. Yeah, and the electrics were an issue recently, I think she had them sorted out a couple of months ago...to very little personal cost.
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[transporter]

I started out with a Yamaha YB100 but the problem was i couldn't take the bike test on it because unless youre just going for a light bike licence you need a 125, so i had to get rid to get a bike i could take the test and practice for my test on. It made it worse as the YB100 gearbox was the other way round to the 125's i would be taking my test on,not sure if its the same on the RXS100. Save a little more and get a Honda 125, they are fantastic little bikes.

[amrath]

My mate has got a Yamaha rxs 100 and its a lovely little bike, very reliable and great for a beginners bike, however in terms of speed this may vary, my friends managed to get 75 out of his so far.

Unfortunately he has had a few problems with it recently with electrics screwing up the bike, but this has been fixed now but don't let that comment put you off the only reason it screwed up in the first place is because he crashed into an Audi R8 that pulled out on him ><
____________________
Current Bike: Honda Varadero XL125 V5

[UnspeedySam]

The guy I'm buying mine from later today has done quite a bit of work on the electrics. He reckons he's even got the headlight to a sensible brightness! We'll see when I get it home and put a new battery in it...
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[amrath]

Does it even need a new battery, if he has sorted the electrics then wouldn't the battery in it be alright?

and nice one, its a lovely bike to drive you wont regret buying it (:
you can be quite surprised at how good some of the old basic bikes can be.
I have got to go to alfreton on Monday night to go pick up a 1986 Honda CG rare Brazil model for my friend, should be interesting xD
____________________
Current Bike: Honda Varadero XL125 V5

[UnspeedySam]

According to the owner, the battery fell out because he didn't clip it in properly after filling the two stroke tank (see my thread in General Bike Chat). He seems like a really nice guy though and I can check the electrics by keeping the revs high in neutral according to replies in that thread.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[thx1138]

I learned to ride, and passed my test on one, though I never actually owned one myself. I loved it!

[UnspeedySam]

Seemed silly to start a new thread for such a simple question. So I'll just post it here.

Is it normal for the clutch on an RXS to be relatively heavy. I did my CBT on a Suzuki GN125 (basically a classic styled GS) and the clutch on my new RXS is significantly harder work...
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[27cows]

What is 'relatively heavy'? They can vary a bit. A heavy clutch may mean someone has put uprated springs in...or the cable's a bit stiff But the RXS certainly doesn't have the lightest of clutches.
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[UnspeedySam]

Since posting that I've put loads of lubricating oil on the clutch cable and whilst still not being as light as the GN125 it is no longer likely to give me hand cramps around town.

Only things left to do now are fit a new clutch lever (the ball on the end was missing ), bend the brake pedal forward (it's about an inch from the peg!), replace the flasher relay and figure out why the throttle isn't springing back (I suspect a bit of lubricating oil on the cable will sort it).
edit: Fixed the throttle

I think I paid too much for the bike considering the number of little issues but none of it is catastrophic.
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[27cows]

Money well spent, trust me
____________________
The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[UnspeedySam]

I've now fixed all the above faults except the flasher relay which I will order in a second. Actually having a usable rear brake is so nice!

The bike is currently in bits as I'm in the process of treating the rust. Hopefully won't take too many days as I had a really enjoyable country lane ride this morning which I would like to repeat at higher speed. It's supposed to rain for the next few days anyway...
____________________
Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88