Said hi. Had some Q's. Anyone sit mod1 in Ayr????

[Mark 37]

Well after wanting a bike since I was 15 (too long) and always deciding against it due to one women or another's objections I decided two weeks ago to look into it again in more detail, just to put it from my mind once and for all, (I need to get away from the kids and wife for my own sanity, lol).

Well I looked at the usual suspects....Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki. All beyond my means at the moment. then came the chinese bikes. Oh no don't do that! I here all the shouts from the back .

I have spent the last two weeks reading all I can absorb from here and dealers web sites and this is where I stand.

1, Sit CBT and get a 125 with the knowledge that I may have to run this a few years after test sitting and passes.
2, Sit all tests and gain no experience and not have a clue when any bike can be owned.

1a, Get CBT, buy Chinese and run in the knowledge that parts may fail and need upgraded (doesn't seem unreasonable as I plan to fit Yamaha equivalent). What appeals here is having a new (even if p*sh) bike where I know it's full history.


1b, Get CBT and buy 2nd hand ybr, cg and the likes. My issues here are buying something with easily 7-15,0000 miles on it (with my budget) that has been dropped more than a lady of the nights knickers and still needing parts. Another point I have against this is all the info I have read indicates a bike is by its best at around 7,000+ miles. I know I could be wrong.

Anyway,

Bye for now,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[Teflon-Mike]

STOP THINKING - START RIDING

See link in sig line, and 'just' follow 'The-Plan'. A 5 year old YBR125 will have more 'life' left in it after being bashed and abused, dropped and popped by half a dozen former newbies than Lexmoto ever will, and YOU will add JUST as much 'Wear and Tear'... they have, as yet, NOT managed to build a totally Newbie-Proof motorcycle!

Get a Haynes manual, and follow the instructions for routine maintenence and don't try taking 'short-cuts' or resorting to 'bodges', it will do fine.

Get on, and do a CBT, you HAVE to start some-where, and 'know-how' picked up in that lesson, will inform and enthuse you to carry on...

So....

STOP THINKING - START RIDING
____________________
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?'

[Mark 37]

Well I have a birthday in October and since I have decided to really look at this in depth there has been some frantic texting between my wife and mum (they think I didn't notice). So we will see what that birthday brings, probably an Airfix model of a Harley or something. lol



Thank you for the reply and link.

All the best,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[Rogerborg]

For context, I bought a brand new Huoniao HN125-8 aka Lexmoto Vixen and it served me very well indeed through 2 UK winters.

However! It was looked after scrupulously, and I was very lucky both in how well it lasted and how much value it retained (cue jammy git swap story).

It really does make more sense to look out for a well looked after Japanese branded bike at the same price with a year's MOT on it. Factor in parts, insurance and depreciation - remember that your 125's ultimate value comes from selling it and buying a bigger bike with the proceeds.

But first things first, do a Get On session and/or book a CBT. Even if you never take your bike-curiosity any further, doing a CBT is a great experience just by itself.
____________________
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

[Mark 37]

Rogerborg,

Your comments have been taken on board. You could have been lucky as most would say, but I firmly believe that there are good and bad examples with everything. I think I'm aware of the warranty and what to expect from it. As I mentioned in the first post I will be upgrading any faults and some items raised as concerns from other users. The dilemma is change straight away or hold of to make use of what little the warranties cover, or just change it out and be done with it.

Best regards,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[MetalDog]

Being an equally middle-aged no experienced soul, I can confirm the first time in command of a bike is a real eye-opener. Worth a go just to see what you make of it - I've been pillion many times, but it didn't prepare me for what being up front is like =) Certainly made a lot of my pre-try questions irrelevant.

[numpty2]

"Another point I have against this is all the info I have read indicates a bike is by its best at around 7,000+ miles."

With regular oil changes, a YBR or CG is capable of more than 40,000 miles. Look for ones with service history. This is why we recommend these little workhorses. These are utility bikes designed to work in the 3rd world.

Don't be put off by bikes with a few scratches either. You will probably add your own anyway.

[Codemonkey]

It might help if say what your budget is and does it also include helmet, gloves, boots, trousers and jacket ?
____________________
Test Passed 10/05/2011 Current bike: XJ6-N

[Mark 37]

Numpty2,

Thanks for that insight, a useful nugget of information. I don't doubt I'll add a scratch or two, (just read another post by a 17 year rider who said he averages a fall a year). I could just stick to the wife driving me around in the family car.

My intent in owning a bike is for disapearing on fishing trips at weekends and the odd trip to see my mother (about 18 miles round trip).

Best regards,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[numpty2]

An older CG or YBR would be a perfect companion on a fishing trip. They are quite slow & sensible, so you would be chilled even before you made the first cast. It would be like taking a beloved elderly Jack Russell with you.

[Mark 37]

[numpty2]

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-cg-125/105968985

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-cg-125/106002581

Not quite the West coast, but nearer than England.

All you can do is keep watching Gumtree, Ebay etc. There are lots of CG125s out there, and if you don't mind the older model with drum front brake then they can be a bargain. I'd budget on £800 max for one of these. Very easy & cheap to fix, lots of spares everywhere.

[Mark 37]

Hi numpty2,

The first link looks interesting, Glasgow's not that far away. I'll keep an eye on it, but drum brakes do concern me. I've always found things are changed for a reason although I reserve the right of judgement (cause I don't know enough about bikes to comment further), although they do seem frowned upon. Why?

Many regards,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[numpty2]

All things being equal, a disc front brake is going to give a bit more stopping power. But you're on a budget, and your maturity is an asset (I'm assuming you don't want to travel at warp speed all the time). A drum front brake will teach you to anticipate more. They aren't dangerous. I ran a CG with drum front brake for 20,000 miles and never had an issue.

I agree the first link is promising. Check if there is any service history, and how many previous owners. Fewer owners means it is more likely to have had regular oil changes. The drab white top box is also a good sign. This suggests the present owner might be a sensible old fart who pootles around on it. I don't know whether it will have electric start in addition to the kickstart. Maybe only the later models did. These are really easy to kick start anyway.

[Mark 37]

Hi Numpty2......again,

You've given me a lot if useful information which is most appreciated (are you free for any bike viewings? ).

Warp speed, no I'm getting too close to grumpy old fart age, well so my 5 year old says. lol (40 next Oct).

Best regards,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[hodgerydoo]

[Rogerborg]

Hmm, fair point, there really aren't a lot of 125s out there in budget at the moment.

Well, first things first: CBT and gear, then you'll be ready to swoop on anything that comes up.

If you do crack and end up going for a new Chinese branded bike, I'll note that you're likely to lose the least on the simplest, cheapest ones. I'd suggest - not recommend, suggest - that you look at the Lexmoto Vixen and Arrow, although be aware that the Arrow is listed as an A1 bike by the DSA.
____________________
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

[blito]

Not all chinese bikes are rubbish, only most of them.
I have a Zontes Monster and I bloody love it. £1500 new otr with 1 years warranty. Done 1000kms in my first four weeks, done the 500km run-in service at home for the cost of a spark plug and a litre of oil. Been back to the dealers once to have the carb fine-tuned.
IF you can find a decent Honda/Yammie for that price then go that route as they will likely prove less hassle in the long run and hold their value better. The economists around here point to a 3 year old and just MOT'd YBR as the best value for money learner bike when resale is considered. Aim to pay £1200 for a nie tidy used example. When I looked for one however all the sub-£1500 bikes from the jap makes were all somewhat crusty and neglected and so I decided to take a chance with the Monster.
If you have to go Chinese, then the Zontes Monster/Panther/Tiger are very good bikes. A few chaps on here have Lexmoto streets and they seem to be pleased with them too. I would disagree with Roger about the Arrow and Vixen though - they fall too short on build quality for my liking.

Estimate of costs for two years riding?

CBT - £100
Bike - £1500
Insurance (tpft) £150 per year
Locks - £40
Helmet - £100
Boots - £100
Jacket - £ 50
W/proof trousers - £30
Gloves - £50
Tax - £16
Servicing - £50

Total - £2336 + petrol.
____________________
2012 Zontes Monster

[Rogerborg]

[Mark 37]

Well I'm a bit pissed off today.

I found out last night, my mum had decided to buy me a bike as an early 40th present. The wife and mum tried to go and see the dealer last weekend but things came up and they never made it. There plan was one to buy the bike and the other the safety gear. Woo-hoo.

Now here's the bit I'm pissed off at. The family car went in for it's MOT and wiped out a lot of my wife's half of the money, so last night she decided she can't affoard to chip in. So I'm no longer getting a bike because of financial restrictions (our boys 6th, sister in-law's 30th, daughters first, brother in-laws, father in-laws 60th birthdays in the next two months). We will have no spare pennies for me.

Down but not defeated yet although rather pissed off,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[U_W v2.0]

um, dont let someone else buy your gear for you.

well, let them buy it for you, but makes sure your with them when they do!

try things on, make sure they fit right.

one medium sized helmet is a large or small for other brands. same with clothing!

so make sure your with them when you get the gear.
____________________
BCF's biggest cunt list: Cansa, Pits, Rob

[Teflon-Mike]

[Quornholio]

[Mark 37]

Teflon-mike,

Thanks, that lightened my mood a little. Going to get on the phone to my mum and see what's been said to see if I can resorect the plan.

Cheap kit.....I have everything you mentioned except the helmet inc some genuine army boots.

Dilligaf_NO,

Sound advice on fit and comfort.

All the best,

Mark
____________________
No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[blito]