getting a decent 125, how much will it cost?

Vladimir · Borekit Bruiser Joined: 14 Sep 2011 Karma :

Hey guys,
I posted on here a while ago about insurance for a new rider.

That thread ended with me saying that I basically am not going to get into biking as it was going to be too expensive.

Since then, I haven't stopped thinking about bikes, so I am considering it yet again.

I know that I need to shell out £135 for a CBT. I know that I need boots and gloves, around £200, a good jacket (£150?) so we're at around £500 so far. Fine.

Now, I'm looking at getting a decent CBT but would love to not have to pay full retail price for a new 125 (althought it would be bloody lovely to have a new bike). So I'm wondering, what is the best way to source a good quality used 125? I read somewhere on here the words "avoid ebay" and was wondering why this was.

What sites do you guys use to locate decent bikes at decent prices? What would be considered a decent price for a 125?

My ideal bike would be a suzuki 125, either the VAN VAN or the Marauder would be just fine for me! I will, however, consider anything with 2 wheels and a 125CC engine which will not break down on me after a month of riding...

Thanks.

Vladimir
____________________
Honda GLR125 (finally)

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Army surplus boots = £25, gloves = £20 (eBay, new), helmet = £60+ (new! and go by fit rather than price), jacket = £60 (eBay, used), cordura trousers = £40 (eBay used or new) = ~£200 all in.

There's nothing wrong with finding bikes on eBay or Gumtree or anywhere else. They're just adverts saying "I've probably got a bike for sale." Just don't believe anything unless you see documentation or the condition of the bike confirms it, don't bid on a bike without seeing it, offer cash on the spot for a good one, and don't limit your search to one make or model.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

nop · Scooby Slapper Joined: 12 Sep 2011 Karma :

Also dont get hung up on getting a decent 125, just get a used Jap klunker that will get you your license. Sell it for roughly the same you bought it for a couple of months later and then get a decent bike.

Accept 125's as a sack cloth wearing penance you have to pay before you can get a real bike.

Livefast123 · Nearly there... Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Karma :

Do not avoid ebay or the like, it's where you'll find plenty of bargains and i've bought nearly all my bikes from there with no issues. You'll pick up a 125 now from around £500 to £900 for something serviceable with tax and MOT.

Again loads of reasonable quality bike kit on Ebay for not much money.

£135 sounds expensive for a CBT, i'm sure £90 is around the norm but then the last one I did was over 11 years ago!

Just to give you a taste a quick look on ebay revealed :-

YBR 125 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yamaha-YBR-125-/270821597781?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3f0e39a255

CB 125 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CB-125-TWIN-1979-/120784389149?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1c1f4f841d

Van Van 125 - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-SUZUKI-RV-125-K4-SILVER-/190580371214?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c5f79af0e
____________________
Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

MikeyBrown · Scooby Slapper Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Karma :

von1papen · Spanner Monkey Joined: 12 Jan 2011 Karma :

Got my CG for 300 quid off gumtree and stuck about 150 quid's worth of parts n paint into getting it half decent!

20 quid for a old leather bike jacket off ebay, tenner for leather trousers, I had army boots and gloves anyway.

Got a new spada lid for 40 quid (although was given a second hand lid for free but didn't trust it)

Don't waste money getting a shiney 125, you'll only drop it, crash it, or somebody else will nick it Laughing

Spend afew hundred on something well known (like a CG) and get abit of experience by fixing whatever's wrong with it, then you'll actually know your bike!