Hi folks, another new rider... CBT passed :)

[stonesie]

Hi folks, I'm Matt from Doncaster and I'm getting the itch to go onto 2 wheels rather than my usual 4. So far I'm looking at a 2nd hand Honda CG125 as everyone I've talked to who knows bikes says 'you cant go wrong with those, good starter bike because they cant go fast either'


I did my cbt back when I was 16... 12 long years ago so that's going to be re-done and then I will have to get a helmet and jacket ect

Any pointers are greatly appreciated.

Matt

[Dazbo666]

CG's are known to have bombproof reliability, although not exactly inspiring to ride.
I did my CBT and a few days practice on a CG, and quite enjoyed the experience. (Was still glad to get thru my DAS and on to something a bit meatier though!!)
____________________
1st bike (Sept'06 - May'10) : 1991 GPZ500S / Current bike (since Nov 2009) : 2003 Suzuki Bandit 600N
Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[angryjonny]

Other half had a Yamaha YBR125 when she was doing her lessons. Looks a bit meatier than the CG if you ask me, but pretty much the same thing. Tend to get passed on every 6 months with an extra 1000 miles on them.

[stonesie]

Yes, there are loads of examples out there with as many owners as years behind them, I viewed one yesterday evening and the only good thing on it was the engine, first kick and it settled into a sewing machine like idle.
Shame it was as rough as a badgers arse in every other way, even spat oil out of the left fork when he stopped it, none of the lights worked, no mirrors, buggered tyres and he still wants £400



Anyhow, on a happier note since my last post I have booked my CBT, for the 13th... Good job A) It's not a Friday. B) I'm not really superstitious.

[angryjonny]

Funny thing about the bike market is that unlike cars (whose value drops like a brick in a pond from new to zero), there is always value in a working MOTd bike.

Once you get onto a big bike you'll find that 1000 is a typical starting point for a bike Her Majesty's Government consider rideable and 2000 is more realistic for a bike you yourself will consider rideable.

As for 125s - well for obvious reasons the market is more liquid, but you probably still want to double that number if you want to actually use it as a bike rather than just having something to get a bit of practice on and drop a few times. The bike market is seasonal and you're buying at the top of it.

If you're just looking for a bike to practice on (and you're over 21) then throw the money at your DAS instead and get a big bike once you've passed.

[Nai]

Good luck on your CBT! I did a geared lesson on a CG, nice bikes

[stonesie]

[olanzapine]

[stonesie]

The KYMCO Pulsar 125 looks good, but a few mixed reviews and I have a bid in on a CG at the moment on Ebay, definitely something to think about though if I don't get the CG, although I would hate to drop a new one.


Thanks for that olanzapine

Matt.

[Teflon-Mike]

[lozzypop1]

[f1fan111]

I have a 1996 CG125 BR-T i think i am the 11 or 12 owner of the bike and had it just over 2 years. Only needed new battery and a few bulbs in the speedo.

It now needs abit more doing to it like new chain and sproket also check the fork seals as if the stantions are pitttied it will eat the seal.

Check out prices for parts just so you get an idea of how much it is to replace stuff. wemoto is one site i have used there are others.

YBR125 are nice did my 2nd CBT on one, nice to have a few luxuries like rev counter and electric start

[bikertomm]

My CBT was on a YBR 125, found it pretty slow but was also pretty fun

I'm going to collect my 125 tommorow, a pretty steep learning curve as I have to ride it 60 miles home.... Lol
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07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[Teflon-Mike]

[stonesie]

I have just won the auction for this
130406539617

Not a bad price I think, just got to get it picked up now as it's 75 miles away and wont fit in the car... Gloves, helmet and jacket ordered from Ghostbikes to celebrate.


This site is a goldmine of useful info and links

[Jodie]

Hey up Matt from Donny.

Bet you can't wait to pick your bike up and good luck with your cbt

Why don't you pick it up after the 13th then you can ride it home

[stonesie]

Jodie

If only you knew my sense of direction If I had been born a homing pigeon I would have been in a pie (or a fox) years ago


Would probably end up sleeping on my brother's sofa in Newport


I got lost on my way to work yesterday, ok ok they had closed the motorway slip road so I had to do a detour at some mph... It was 4AM and I was on time, brakes were slightly warm though.

[Jodie]

Go for it man, print a route planner off tinter web then stop every 10 mins to check where you are

[olanzapine]

[stonesie]

Nah not at all worried about that, although it will be getting a full service, decent oil, new plug ect before I put it into full time use...

Will just see how it goes but I do know engines very well, used to build car/van engines for a living and did my mechanics apprenticeship with Honda... Can't wait to get tinkering, never played with 'points' before

[Teflon-Mike]

Its a 16 year old bike, which he's snaffled for pretty much bottom book for ANYTHING with T&T on it.
38K is barely 2K a year, which for a commuter bike, is not a lot.
If he gives it a good once over, apreciates the bargain he's snaffled, and chucks a little dosh and TLC at it, gets a Haynes manual, and does a full service, and a bit of precautionary and preventative maintenece, could prove a very useful little bike for quite some miles to come!

Maintenence advice?
after the Hayned manual;
Get that enclosed chain cover off, have a good look at chain & sprokets. Thats a CG speciality, the enclosed chain guard is good for chain life EXCEPT 'out of sight-Out of mind' and people dont bother ajusting it till it starts jumping off the cogs!
(New C&S if you are flush with your bargain would be a good thing)
Like renewing the front brake cable. Last thing you want to have snap on you. again, often neglected, they sieze up, get oiled to free them off, and adjusted beyond reason on the adjustors to compensate for stretch. Get a Clutch cable too. They get hard worked on a learner/commuter.
Brakes; worth chucking in new shoes both ends for piece of mind, all nicely greased and adjusted.
Next, buy a length of new fuel hose, and a little inline filter. & if feeling flush a new fuel tap.
Areas that oft cause niggles, especially with crud getting in the carb and casuing poor running. If you use the old fuel tap, remove it, strip it and clean it before re-fit. should be a little sediment bowl in there, possibly with a filter in it, that benefits from periodic cleaning they rarely get!
New battery is a nice precaution too.
And a bit of time going over the bike, taking bulbs out, cleaning contacts, spraying with WD40 and re-fitting, saves a lot of electrical gremlins. Check the earths too.
Note bulb types and ratings, get spares if you can afford it. Little bikes can be a bit fiikity about bulbs, little generators and batteries dont damp the volts as well as on big bikes.
If feeling super-flush, treat it to new tyres. Good-Ones, NOT ecconomy tyres.
'Cheap' commuters often get them as course, they are hard, dont wear out, last forever, but dont grip too good!
Good tyres cost a bit more, but the difference in grip is well worth it, and unless you crank up silly mileages, you'll probably still not wear them out!
Change teh fork oil, as a matter of course during service, too, as the engine oil. MAYBE worth doing a fork strip and overhaul. Not hard. Seals are about a fiver on e-bay. Add gaiters to protect the chrome on the stansions while you are at it.
Bit of TLC like that will make the bike scrub up really well, AND you'll get to know it a bit more intimately, while making it nicer to ride, more reliable, more confidence inspiring AND safer.
____________________
My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[N cee thirty]

cg's are probably the best of the lot tbh,mine was smoking but was easily rectified

you'd expect the rings and piston to be worn out after 18 years and 36000 miles
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'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[stonesie]

I've priced up a pair of Michelin Pilot Sporty's

And just ordered a Haynes for it, I'm just starting 2 weeks off work so will have plenty of time to get familiar with the young pup (my cars 21) and from my car experience I am already a fan of EBC brakes, although some websites charge much more for the front shoes than the rear... EBC's site lists them as the same part number

Were up to 4 now (people at work who have had CG 125's) and none of them have had anything but praise for them

EDIT

No they don't, Front is H330 the Rear is H303... Opticians for me I think, must be getting old

[stonesie]

CBT tomorrow over at 'Bikesafe' in Sheffield, can't believe the anticipation I passed it when I was 16 and knew bugger all about driving/riding, 12 years on should be no problem.


And had a nice box of goodies waiting for me when I got home from my car track day at Croft, Helmet, jacket and gloves

Bit of a bugger really as I had to hire a helmet there

[Jodie]

Good luck Stonesie for tomorrow

Fingers crossed it doesn't piss it down all day for you.

I'd take some waterproofs just incase