Bike Questions and test question.

[JimmyDeSouza1...]

So first off I am thinking of getting another 125, as I only have a CBT and I am not sure what to get.

Now before you go "OLD CG! Theyre Bulletproof!" please hold that crap . Ive owned one and had first hand experience of 3 others and from my experience CG always = Rusty piece of non-functional arse.


So what are the other options? Chinese bikes look nice and indeed you can get new ones ridiculously cheap, and second hand ones even moreso. Plus all the people I have ever known to own Chinese copies always had good things to say about them and had almost no problems. But we all know about the online horror stories so that puts me off.

Other things such as Renegades and Viragoes seem to be the only options, but they are smaller than proper "cruisers" and they dont sound right, does this become grating if you own them, or do you become used to it? Can aftermarket parts alleviate the out of place engine note?

And If I do get something like a Virago or a YBR for a grand and a half or so (looks to be the going rate for something good) how much would I likely be able to get for it on selling it again? It would be a shame to lose a load to depreciation.


Also what are the best ways to prevent theft? Ie how effective are things like immobilisers, watermarks, alarms and that? As I know heavy padlocked chain connected to cemented in railings plus spotlights dont do much (dont ask me how ). I live in a den of theives with fairly innefectual policing, so this is rather important.


Where are good places to get cheap bikes from? I see people mentioning crazily cheap bargains quite often on this site so was wondering if there was some advice those kinds of people could give me.


And lastly Ive picked up alot of bad habits from time driving and time riding on L plates (or I assume I have at least) how long is it likely to take to unlearn them?

And since it is going to likely be a little while how much would I be looking to pay for DA training? I was quoted £6-700 by the most decent seeming bike school in my area if memory serves, is that a good price?



Thanks for any answers people.


Another thought that just occured to me, though it is likely a futile gesture even to ask, Is it possible to winterise a bike?

Has anyone ever done it? Cause last winter I drove past 4 bike crashes caused by people trying to ride in the snow and I am wondering if there was anything they could have done to make it safer for themselves (other than not go out of course)

One was on a what im fairly sure was a ZX6R for instance, which just seems like a bad idea from the start.

[Frost]

The people who find stupidly cheap bikes usually know exactly what they're looking at and know what is required to get a bike functional again. A fully functional 125 is never going to be found going truely cheap.

It looks like you've already made your mind up to get a cheap 2nd hand chinese bike over some CG rust bucket and don't want to hear otherwise, you also seem to know what most people are going to tell you so i doubt this thread will reveal much new for you.

Most chinese bikes are absolute shit. Most fall to bits within a few months as the plastic used in making them is lower grade than that used to make milk cartons, engine is probably of a similar quality. Once people realise the bike is falling to bits they usually try and sell before it becomes scrap. This is where you step in

[TQ]

Six or seven hundred sounds about right for a DAS but i would look into what you get for your money.

The guy who did my training was the most expensive quote I got but instead of doing 3/4/5 days training plus test he said I'll give you lessons till you pass. £700 including one test (one mod1 and one mod2) for as many lessons as i needed. Went out with the guy every night after work for two weeks, failed my mod1 once so it cost me £700 + whatever the mod1 test fee is including bike hire and CBT.
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First Bike :Gilera DNA 50 | Second: Imported 1989 NSR125
Third: 1998 Yamaha XJ600N | Currently: 1999 Yamaha FZS600

[JimmyDeSouza1...]

[Frost]

Chinese bikes were a lot better back in 2003. There were few companies about, the mot successful of which was the state owned Jialing company, so they actually had standards and quality control. Most of the bikes now come from one of the many hundreds of manufacturers that seem to come and go every year. I see a new one almost every day. Chances of finding parts for them can be an issue. Last guy i knew who had one, hit fuel tap fell off emptying his tank all over his leg and a hot engine and leaving him stranded in the middle of wales

Also make sure these bikes your mates were happy with were actually chinese, i've known alot of people get completely confused as the the difference between chinese and 'import' bikes.

[JimmyDeSouza1...]

[Frost]

Why would you want to replace the tank or forks

Replacing a tank is piss easy, but will cost a fair bit for a good one as they are part of the cosmetics. probably £50+

Forks are also expensive as people need new ones when they have a big crash, generally speaking if your a newcomer, don't buy a bike that needs new forks. The seals in the forks often go, the seals themselves are about £10-15, oil about £8, replacing them is about a 45 minute job once you know what your doing, if not leave an afternoon spare.

So are you just aiming for something as new as possible then?

[Ingah]

Security-wise, a cover (if you can be bothered), an Almax chain (series 4 - and through the frame of the bike to an immovable metal object if you really want to keep it - although series 3 will "do" if you want to be able to carry it about with you and still not be easy), Alpha Dot (or DataTag, but that's more expensive), and a cheap alarm (more expensive alarms being more of a pain in the arse and less useful), is about as far as you can go. A tatty looking and/or unwashed and/or old/cheap/undesirable bike also helps. I guess if you had an expensive bike you could consider a tracker, but i deem that needless for a 125 (bar the R125, but i doubt you'd be silly enough to be wanting one of those in your area).

Alpha Dot annoys professionals, but doesn't affect joyriders.
Cheap Alarms annoy joyriders, but don't affect professionals.
Covers annoy everyone (including you).
The Almax is the single biggest factor - it hugely annoys even professional thieves (providing it's demployed properly as above) by slowing the theft down to a guaranteed loud and time-consuming affair requiring angle grinders and balls of steel (it's kind of hard to hide angle grinders in use!)

Other chains will be silently bolt-cropped by professionals, as you seem to imply you've worked out.
And remember the key point: If they can lift it (into the trannie van), it's gone! (so stuff disc-locks, and electronic-only security).

And regarding buying a bike - don't look for a damaged one as one of your first - just try to get something tatty but in great mechanical condition, for as little money as possible.
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-- Ingah

[JimmyDeSouza1...]

Thanks for the replies.

I was wondering what a tank would cost, as there is a Ybr 20 miles from me that I could afford and it seems like the only problem with it is a dent in the tank, though I would have to go view it to be sure(ish)

And forks because last time I was looking for a bike many of the ones I viewed (and could comfortably afford) had "off" forks, but seemed otherwise fine.

That Almax chain looks fantastic, will be getting one. I dont see why people complain about it being heavy though 11-14kg isnt that much.

I must say though, when you say cover, are you referring to a rain cover type of thing? I dont see how that could provide protection, other than hide the bike though maybe thats how.

[Bloke]

I'm guessing because you can get them so you lock them to the bike with your chain and because you can't remove it without removing the chain its just something that's adding extra faff to nicking the bike??
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2008 VFR800 VTEC

[N cee thirty]

just buy a bloody ybr,i had a cg

started doin a commute of 250 miles a week and the thing fell apart and made me lose my job,how ever much i maintained it.

if your retarded enough to buy a chinese bike then you deserve to be another one in the bunch that gets put off biking from it falling to bits.
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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