Old ped'er new biker. (Big 125 advice)

[Hokum]

Got my P about 12 years ago and to beat the train prices 3 years ago I got a 50cc hair drier to take me to work and back on the cheap, Kymco super 9, it's actually pretty good!

Anyway I’ve booked a CBT as I’d like to upgrade to a "proper" bike and to get used to geared bikes.

After taking my CBT I’m thinking of going for a 125 and in a month or two riding to get used to it take my tests. I’ve tried a few 125’s and most of them I end up sitting on them with knees keeping my ears warm. As I’ll mainly be commuting, I may well keep the 125 for a while after my tests.

I’m looking at the Varadero 125 and the Hyosung GT125R as they seem to fit my 6’2” body. My worry is on the Mod1 the swerve and the U turn are these bikes “nimble” enough for them? The Gt125R looks like it has a large turning circle?

Has anyone who has ridden these give me a heads up?
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Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[snikks]

As for the Varadero, it will very easily handle the tests. It is more than nimble enough to do the swerve test and gave me such confidence on low-speed handling that I was doing full lock U turns and figure of 8's whilst practicing for the test.

A Vara would cost (a lot) more than a "standard" CG or YBR style commuter 125, however on the flip side, they are also excellent at holding value, provided you don't drop them or smash up the fairings (which is, admittedly, quite likely as a learner).

Standard advice is, get a cheap CG or YBR a-like, pass your tests, accept the inevitable realisation that "MOAR POWAH" is always great and sell it on to fund a bigger bike. But the Varadero will do you proud if you do get one.

The Hyosung may be every bit as good, I have no way of knowing as I've never ridden one, but I doubt it.
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- CBT: 02/01/11 Theory: 26/04/11 Mod 1: 19/05/11 Mod 2: 19/08/11
- 2007 Honda XL125V Varadero (Sold), 1999 Yamaha FZS600 Fazer (Sold), 2001 CBR600F

[Hokum]

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[Taught2BCauti...]

+1 for the Varadero. Big enough to make the transition to larger engine bikes easy if you want to go DAS, but should easily cope with all the elements of Mod1 if you don't.

The weight makes the Vara excellent at walking speed, and the excellent balance allows full-lock U Turns and lock-to-lock figure of 8's with no problem at all.

Expect to fork-out a bit more if you are buying one, but if you look after it, you will easily get all your money back when you come to sell it.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Alex_B]

Did my Mod 1 and mod 2 on the Baby Varadero.

It's an amazing 125.
Can't sing it's praises highly enough to be honest!

Get one, do tests, keep for year (if you want) and sell for around same price as you paid, (long as you don't buy new or from a dealer) job done
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[groovylee]

as far as the swerve goes mate, the examiner when i did mine said he managed it on a harley, so any bike should be capable really
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Past - 1988 honda revere 600, 1996 kawasaki gpz500s, 1999 Yamaha R6

Current - 2002 Aprilia RSV1000R & 1999 Kawasaki ZX6R

[Hockeystorm65]

..the Hyo GT125R is actually a really good bike and very nimble. I recently took my lads of 100miles round Yorkshire and really enjoyed it. Unfortunately not being manufactured by Suzondasaki means it comes in for a disproportionate amount of flack on here...but if you are big (and my lad is 6'4" which is why we were looking at the same two bikes as you) it is a great 125. The choice is basically down to your riding position preference. If you want upright go for the Varadero if you want sports go for the Hyo. On the swerve test, the limiting factor is you not the bike!
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Good judgement comes from experience.....experience comes from bad judgement!

[Richtea]

[alex965]

I would say might be worth a look at the cruiser style 125's as they usually have a fair bit of size to them. I'm just about 6 foot and my gz125 marauder (that I picked up for £700) fits me fine with plenty of room to spare. Although if you're adamant about doing your mod 1 with it then I would say steer clear. Although you could always do what I'm doing and just pay around £30 and rent a training school bike for the day for the mod 1 and still have a large, comfortable and cheap bike to commute on.
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Passed A2 licence 19th Dec '14.

[defblade]

Vara was fine for the tests.


Swerve looked daunting, then I realised you had to go between the 2 off-set cones, not around the outside one! It's a tiny flick - if you head at a manhole cover on the road and flick around it instead, that'll probably be a bigger move.
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[Hokum]

General consensus seems to be stick to my guns and go for the Vara then.

Tbh it was the bike that made me want to get a 125 from my piddly 50. I just need to find one for a good price now then
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Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[Richtea]

As others have said, they WILL be more expensive than other bikes. But they are expensive for a reason, very reliable, look great and it really is true that they hold their value extremely well.

I bought mine for £1600, rode it for a couple of months, did the tests without any training and passed both first time. I then sold it for £1800, so overall didnt really cost anything to pass the tests

And I was the same as you, some time on a 'ped and than realised that a 40 year old riding around on a 50cc vespa was a bit ghey
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2005 Honda Varadero 125xl > 2005 GS500F > 2007 DRZ400 SM > 600 Bandit & Yamaha YP250

[_Iain_]

[Alex_B]

Yea, they are heavier but they are on the limit of the 14.3 hp threshold. Not sure bout the Hyosung but the Baby Vara is very heavy for a 125 but it's the dogs so no worries

They are Genuine 75mph 125 cc bikes. They will get you through the speed gate without to much trouble.
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My Lane Position is always AWESOME!!

[Taught2BCauti...]

The Varadero can be fitted with different front sprockets - try a 13 tooth one for faster acceleration (drops the top speed to about 65mph though) or a 15 tooth one for higher top speed and less acceleration.

I use a 15 tooth sprocket for longer runs, to reduce the engine revs at a particular speed - makes for a much more comfortable journey.

The 13 tooth is great for lower speeds, if you're not planning to go over 50mph.

(Anything other than the stock 14 tooth sprocket will affect speedo readings on later models - earlier models have speedos driven off the front wheel)
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[Hokum]

CBT retaken, and Theory test next week.

Once I have my theory, i'll book my Mod1.

CBT place were trying to convince me that DAS is the cheapest and best way to go. Is that true or bull?
____________________
Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[Efes123]

[Hokum]

He was saying it was cheaper in the long run.

As insurance would be less on a true sub 33hp bike with a full licence, and that it would cost more to insure a restricted 33hp+ bike than non restricted?

I don't see the insurance company caring if you have DAS or not on a 250?
____________________
Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[Efes123]

[Hokum]

I've also discovered the YBR isn't for me, its far too small! I really have to struggle to get my foot off the rear brake and back to its rest position. It was like trying to itch my ears with my knees!
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Sane: To know when you are doing something crazy.

[HJM]

you looked @ the supermoto's available? Honda's XR125 for example, there "Bigger" then your common YBR/CG.

Edit, when i sat on a ybr it felt wayy to small, and im only 6ft the XR125 was a lot better for me. - Its seats 2 inches higher.
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"90% of all statistics are made up"

CBT-18/04/2013

[haroman666]

I insured my "Restricted" Bandit for £250 for the year (Fully Comp)

Admittedly, I have 3 years NCB though.

They asked for proof of restriction which consisted of a Dyno printout from my favoured bike garage which cost me a whole £35 to obtain.

DAS is not the cheapest and easiest way.
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Ribenapigeon]

I'm 6'2" and tried a few of the usual bikes and eventually settled on a Yamaha WRwedX oits great if your tall in fact a few people have stopped me and asked oif its a 250 as its such a full size bike.

Its so good in fact that when I pass my test oim going to keep it for work (I'm a charoity worker wiith clients all over the town) and get a sports bike for the weekend.

Yamaha WR1258 £4000 new. Well worth the money a proper bike.