Best 1st bike for the Mrs advice please?

[Billo63]

Hi,
I'm trying to source a 125 for the wife who recently sat her cbt.
I'm thinking along the lines of a cg for reliabilty etc as the last thing she needs is a problem with a bike whilst out miles away on her own - I'm no mechanic & she has even less knowledge!
I'd appreciate input of folks thoughts of what I may achieve please.
Got a max budget of a grand.
Thanks.
ps: would really appreciate anyone in the know of a suitable bike available within the West Midlands area please
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I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[P.addy]

YBR can be had for a grand.

[J.M.]

Learner legal 125... I would be looking less towards a specific make than how well it has been looked after (read: how badly it has been abused).

My Honda CBR125 was the most reliable bike that I've ever owned. In my ownership all that it needed was an MOT and a pair of tyres. However that thing got abused by me, because I didn't know how to look after a bike.

Picked that up for £800 and sold for £900.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Billo63]

J.M - very valid point.
As I'm struggling to find anything local it's going to be a long hard road. There has to be something local to me -- I'm buggered for transport atm so can't venture too far to locate. Using a carrier would pointlessly eat into the budget.
I've looked/advertised on virtually every sight, but even a 7 yr old Suzi en for example is tight.
So other than looking for the big 3 of Honda, Yam & Suzi what other choices are there? - let's please not get into the Chinky bike debate
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[-Matt-]

I'd go down the biggest dealership near you and let her have a sit on various bikes first, see what she feels comfortable with, last thing she'll want is a first bike shes too short/tall/uncomfortable with when shes trying to get the ropes.

You can get nationwide delivery for 100-120 fairly easily so it wouldn't eat the budget TOO dramatically, but you then of course have additional costs going to view the bikes - which probably will eat the budget unless you get lucky on the first viewing.

[stinkwheel]

[Billo63]

An idea of a) budget and b) What she'll be using it for would be good.

Budget a grand - as mentioned in OP.
Useage - virtually tootling around the block for a few months unti l such time she has the confidence to ride with me further afield etc. But if I get my way she'll be sitting DAS next spring
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[stinkwheel]

THIS ONE
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Slacker24seve...]

[Dave70]

As has been said. A YBR would be a good starter and is a bike I would recommend for someone not used to riding (as long as your missus isn't 6'6" that is). They are very light and easy as you can get to ride. Reliability and general build quality is excellent too.

Certainly worth a shop around for one that's in good condition, plus you shouldn't really lose any cash when you come to sell it on, which is another bonus worth considering.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Billo63]

She has arranged a viewing tonight of a Suzi EN125.
Has anyone had experience of these please?
I know its rudimentary stuff, but it's her money & she's insisting - quite rightly I guess, that she has the final say. Therefore the more background info she can get the better equipped she'll be.
TYIA
____________________
I might not be a gynecologist, but I know a cunt when I see one

[RhynoCZ]

The first bike and basically everything is about looks, just take what she likes and keep it in 125-250cc, NO chinese bikes.

I bought and did many things, this way. When you just do not know, what it should do or be like, it's the best way to take whatever you like.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, '96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1, '90 Honda CB-1, '88 Kawasaki GPz550, MZ 150 ETZ
'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

[Billo63]

[glynlowen]

Honda CG125 without a shadow of doubt.

I rode mine for miles and miles at a time without any hint of an issue.

Years 05-07 can be had for well under a grand, in good condition.

Couldn't recommend them more.
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Passed Theory-19/07/11 Passed Module 1-5/09/11 Failed Module 2-23/10/11 Passed Module 2-16/11/11
Past Bikes-Honda CG125, 2005 Kawasaki ER5, Suzuki SV650S
Current Bike-Need a car now!

[DrSnoosnoo]

I'm sure many on here would say this, if you find one local to me, Leeds. I'd collect it for you, you get it insured and I have insurance to ride other bikes so could ride it to you, just pay for my train home
____________________
I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[P.addy]

EN appears to have lower quality standards and mostly chinese.

That Cityfly posted by stinkwheel, damn ideal. My first bike that was... did everything I asked of it. I never touched the engine, chain, oil etc... so definitely bomb proof.

[RhynoCZ]

[P.addy]

Meh, for a bike with such low mileage as that one linked, servicing is the least of my worries.

I never did anything to my first bike because I didn't know better. It was written off anyway

[RhynoCZ]

[insomniac]

Uummm
There are many people on here that have been riding for many years and know a lot about bikes.
I dont.
However I have only just past my test and sold my little 125.
It was a Suzuki GZ125 (Marauder). Lovely little bike, never let me down all through the winter and spring whilst I was out practicing and generally getting things wrong on it.
I rode it for months without oiling the chain, I didn't know!!!
I then oiled it and thought I'd look at the tension (bad mistake) and over tightened it, then slackened it too much, all the time riding around as fast as it would take me.
Nothing broke, nothing came off and it started every time.
Sold it for as much as I bought it.
I took the advise from the majority on here.
Stick to the big 3 Honda, Yami and Suzuki
Go to the top end of your budget, you'll get most of it back if you dont completely change its shape.
Enojy yourself, or at least get your wife to.
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Most people seem to put in when they've past what so here goes.
CBT: 16/09/12; Theory: 20/02/13 MOD1:20/05/13 MOD2:29/05/13
Suzuki Marauder GZ125; Suzuki Intruder VL800