Woman Dumped me. Time to get a Bike again.

[smallman22]

Hi.

Basically im looking for a new bike. Ive only got a cbt but looking to do big test later in year so for now want 125cc to commute on sometimes and just a bit fun.

I had a honda nsr 125 which i thought was good. But fancy something different this time round. Im open to suggestions. It has to look good obviosuly and im fond of 2 strokes its just the cost of running them that puts me off a bit.

So far ive been looking at:

Sachs 125 xtc
Suzuki rg wolf 125

https://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320670838502&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123 (possbily?)

Suzuki maurader 125
suzuki van van
cagiva planet
cagiva roadster

..just to name a few! Thoughts expereicnes and advice welcome!!

[smallman22]

Also this is for a budget of 800 to 1000 sorry.

[Paulington]

In all honestly? You'd be better off with that £800-£1000 passing your test and then buying some kind of 500cc commuter or cheap 600c naked bike.

Much better way of going about it IMHO, buying a 125 is a waste of money if you intend on passing your test soon.
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[pinkyfloyd]

[smallman22]

Hmm you's are probally right. I just want something for the present and summer as it will be much later in the year as i come in to money later on so for now jus wanting something to get my confidence up and have a bit of fun.

So if you had to get a 125 what would you recommend or avoid.

Cheers

[Paulington]

When you come into money? You have enough money there to pass your test with and get an older 500cc commuter, then when you come into money get shot of it or keep it and get a 600 or similar.

You will become a LOT more confident spending 3 days with the instructor on a 125/500 (depending on your age, DAS or A2) as they'll make your riding just as it should be, safe with proper obervations etc whereas if you spend a bit of time (and waste money) spending time on a 125 you'll hate after a while picking up bad habits that will make your test harder to do.

To recommend any? Any 125cc motorcycle from the following manufacturers:

Suzuki
Kawasaki
Honda
Yamaha
Aprilia or Cagiva (If you don't mind a bit of extra spending & maintenence needed).

AVOID:

Hyosung
Haotian
Jingwongchangding
Nihaowingwong
(The jist? Avoid anything Chinese, it's made of cheese).

Honestly, just pass your test now. You'll be a better rider and have a better bike for it.

.
____________________
"Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul."
Current Vehicles: '89 Kawasaki KDX200, '99 Yamaha XV535, '00 Honda ST1100 Pan-European, '08 Suzuki GSX-R1000, '08 Mitsubishi Lancer GS4 2.0 TDCi, '15 BMW 1 Series 116d Sport Turbo.
CBT: 27/08/08. Theory: 04/09/09. Module 1: 16/09/09. Module 2: 01/10/09.

[Dilyan]

Interested in the dumping subject - does your nickname have anything to do with it?

NSR125 might be a good choice. It's a honda, quite a popular bike so spares shouldn't be a problem.
____________________
Current: 2007 VFR800; Ex: 2001 YZF600R Thundercat
Škoda Octavia (yes, a taxi driver)

[smallman22]

Nope its my second name friend. Im not exactly a smallman anywhos.

And ive had a 125 for over a year before and enjoyed it. It was just a bit fun for commuting and will probally be again till i get a bigger bike.

And im not to concerned about the money wasted on the 125 its still a bike at the end of the day and alot more fun than a car.

Looks like ill have to have a look around to see what there is.

[Howling TerrorOutOfOffice]

Only read the title.

[dextersaurus]

You could of course ignore how you look on the bike and get a CG125 or similar, then you'll have plenty money left over from that budget for all your gear AND doing your test...

Then afterwards (if you take care of the bloody thing) you'll get all, if not more, of your money back from the bike.

Plus you'll save about £20 for bike hire when training and the like.

If not, might be a good idea just to go straight through a course with the local bike school, then get one of the cheap 500cc twin commuters (ER5, GPZ500s, CB500, GS500). fantastic bikes and they'll do till you get something nicer

It's up to you, really...

And i'm curious.

Did you sell the NSR to be with this woman?

Dunc

[smallman22]

Haha i sold the bike to get a car to go see her as she lived far away! Foolish mistake.

And ive got all my gear and that so isnt a problem. Money wont be a issue when i come to buy the bike (not meaning to sound rich here cos im not lol just got some coming in..around decemeber tho).

So basically looking for a good fun bike, that looks the part, costs between 800 - 1000 and wont be blowing up every few 1000 miles.

Im tempted for a nsr again now but i just cant decide.

When buying a 2 stroke is there anyway of telling how long till the engine will need rebuilt. Do they always need rebuilt even on restricted bikes, this is where i start to worry when shopping around.

Seen a suzuki rg 125 with 12000 miles on and the guy doesnt know if the engine has been rebuilt. Would this be a avoid situation?? He thinks its all orginal and standard.

[dextersaurus]

Depends on price. at that mileage it's looking at a new piston & rings, depending on the condition of the barrel.

So if it's cheap enough i'd go for it, not a hard job and parts can be had pretty cheap off ebay.

Personally i'd have an NSR, looks quite good, reliable enough and enough poke

Dunc

[Asimo]

If you're dead set on getting a 125 then I'll give you some advice.

Stay away from the sachs xtc, its less reliable than an abused 2 stroke as parts are impossible to get hold of. Then theres the host of problems they can suffer from as you'll know if you've read through the sachs forum.

Get a cg or spend the £1000 on training/test and buy a 500.

[Ingah]

[adama]

[Teflon-Mike]

[Ed Case]

[smallman22]

[mickfulton]

Hello mate,

I was in the same boat as you except swap dumped for turned 30.
I took teflon's sage advice and bought a ybr 125. I know its not the fastest machine and people complain about the tyres being thin, but hand on heart its the best thing I have even done.

If you havent been on a bike before then doing 60mph will be more than enough for you anyway!

I plan on passing my test after I have clocked up a few 1000 miles and speaking personally I think this is the best route for me. Passing a test doesnt mean you are a good driver and experience on the road is invaluable ( I learnt this for my car driving days ! )

One bit of advice would be dont scrimp on safety gear as am sure your brain and skin aint worth it . Also I found wearing a hi-vis vest combined with L plates just made me a target for wank middle aged men with nowt better to do than bully new bikers to replace their non-existant sex life, or something......

[Teflon-Mike]

[MattJ]

[Teflon-Mike]