Help me pick a 125cc!

Ghostly · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

First post here, don't be too harsh Wink

So my birthday is coming up in March (still a few months away, getting close though!), and I'm going to be moving up to a 125cc.

I've got a few requirements. Firstly, it HAS to be a dual-sport. Secondly, it has to have the option for a pillion bag (big seat would help for this) or topbox, and room for panniers. It will be used for travelling 30 miles a day for a minimum of a year. I will also be using it for offroading at weekends in woods and quarries as well as some camping now and then. It'd also be nice to have the option for an aftermarket exhaust. Finally, it has to be reliable. This will be my transport into work each day. It NEEDS to be running to get me there. Money is not really an issue.

So, the contenders:

At the top of the list is the Derbi Terra Adventure.
https://databikes.com/imgs/a/c/s/j/b/derbi__terra_adventure_2011_1_lgw.jpg

Positive:
Quick (Right up there at the 15bhp limit), awesome for camping. Sounds insane with an aftermarket exhaust. Very good looking.

Negative:
Many people have reported rusting issues, as well as problems with sensors dying and other electrical issues (none of which stop the bike running). Spare parts are expensive and hard to find.

Yamaha WR125
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/258758/images/01yamaha-wr125x.jpg

Positive:
Japanese quality

Negative:
Over £4k new

Yamaha DT125
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/217655/images/DT_125.jpg

Positive:
2 STROKE POOWWAAHHHH! Reliable engine, can be bought fairly cheap

Negative:
Will not get a perfect bike as production stopped after 2007. Good quality 2 stroke oil is expensive. Doesn't sound as nice as a 4 stroke. Not as reliable as 4 stroke.

Aprilia SX/RX125
https://www.aprilia.com/assets/260/rx-125-off-white_cropped_406x375.jpg

Positive:
2 STROKE POOWWAAHHHH! (Once derestricted), awesome looks.

Negative:
Expensive 2 stroke oil, poor mileage. Not as reliable as 4 stroke. No topbox mount.

Suzuki DR125
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/221143/images/01suzuki-dr125sm.jpg

Positive:
Great looks, Japanese quality.

Negative:
12bhp, no topbox mount.

Honda XR125
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/845/images/MXR1L20033RA-01.jpg

Positive:
Honda reliability. Nice looks

Negative:
Low power (11bhp)

Alice-In-Sunderland · Banned Joined: 27 Aug 2013 Karma :

I've got an XR125 L5 10k miles, It's been very reliable for the time I've had it, easy to work on and economical. However I've personally become a bit bored of it and I'm considering a 2 stroke (either DT125 or NSR125), but the cost in maintaining a 2 stroke just doesn't seem feasible to me as I also require it to travel to college and would rather have a moderately fun bike that can still pull up to about 65mph that won't let me down than an arse spanking fun bike that will cost a heap to run. So the choice lies in what you want, money or bitches.

nathan k · Spanner Monkey Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

Aprilia is going to be a risky one, DT should be OK if you keep on top of maintenance and care for it. I do lots of miles on my DT which is already on 30k, replace a piston every now and then and it'll last forever.

all the four strokes are going to be reliable, providing you get a nice one, and get you to from A to B. It's all a question of how fast you want to get there Wink

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Fantasy shopping is fun, isn't it?

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Ghostly · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated!

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Two bikes would fit your needs a lot better.

£3k could easily buy you a boring sensible four stroke commuter bike and a fun two stroke offroader.

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Varadero. The only 125 for me tbh...Off road, on road, no road Laughing

Ghostly · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Well... I'd rely on mine to go round the world, but that may be rose tinted glasses showing me this, its taken my abuse for 20,000+ miles, through snow, rain and shit... engine is over 75,000 miles on and still hitting its limiter on a daily basis.

If I had the time with nothing tied in the UK, I'd happily hop on it and ride towards China, no doubts.

pdg · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Karma :

£3k?

Get two like this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1992-Honda-CG125-FULL-MOT-/251366713190

For commuting. One as a spare in the very unlikely event one breaks.

Then:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dt125LC-Mk1-/181248872486

or something similar for the same or less money for the weekends...

Should even have enough change left over to insure them all Wink

TwoWheelsDail... · Scooby Slapper Joined: 23 Oct 2012 Karma :

a friend of mine has the older derbi terra model

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Derbi/Derbi-Terra-Adventure-125-2009-current/

Its very comfertable and goes pretty well offroad, its not the fastest thing but its a 125, its never going to be quick. He has a topbox mounted on his and a GPR can which sounds pretty tasty.

Oh and it looks nicer than the newer one Smile

I would get the Terra or the WR125, Terra on workhorse-ness (i made that up) or the WR on looks.
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Ghostly · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Still reckon Varadero should be your top choice here... Wink

gbrand42 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 23 Jul 2013 Karma :

I vote Varadero too, don't sell it Paddy, we want to see it taken to 100k

SQL · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 Aug 2012 Karma :

go for the terra or vara imo, good engine on both.

thepuma · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Jul 2012 Karma :

No idea what people see in these 'dirt' bike....fugly
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YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

thepuma · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Jul 2012 Karma :

Not sure a 125 Varadero is going to be ideal off road. 'On' road its a good 125 for taller guys but really dont think its an off road bike.
____________________
YBR125 (SOLD) - CBR250R(SOLD) - CBR650F(SOLD) Current - Street Triple
765 RS

P.addy · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Ste · Not Work Safe Joined: 01 Sep 2002 Karma :

Varadero will do limited offroading as will any bike, a 2 stroke offroad bike with knobbly tyres will be many times better. Wink

bladerunner · World Chat Champion Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Karma :

Stay away from anything not jap....or spares will be a nightmare. 2t offer more torque.....and more bhp,if the restrictions fall out! And the running costs of a 2t vs 4t 125 is hardly going to break the bank if you can drop 3k on the bike to start with! Me I'd look for a good DT or if you can find one a KMX 125 enough go to tackle off roading and better quality suspension/ chassis than the newer 4t singles that seems to be built in India/china down to a price anyhow

For day to day use and 4t.I'd go varadero if off roading is low on your list...at least it feels like a proper bike.....but if the engine goes wrong, one of them smelly 2t are going to cost peanuts to rebuild in comparison!
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

nathan k · Spanner Monkey Joined: 28 Mar 2012 Karma :

1.5k will get you a decent DT 125 R, 1.5k will get you another DT 125 R for when the first one dosen't start.

I rebuilt mine when i bought it, 8k miles go, i'll rebuild it again at 10. important thing is to use castrol racing 2t, let it warm up, give the bike a big warm hug, change the engine oil every now and then. Make sure you buy one with a working powervalve servo too.

thepuma · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Jul 2012 Karma :

Flatbadger · World Chat Champion Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Karma :

I voted DR 125, but I'm biased as I have one.

Reliable and cheap to run, also I have a topbox after finding a rack on sale on Ebay - turned out it was for the 2008 DR but still fits the later 2009 K9 version.

Having said that, the racks are quite hard to find.
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Ghostly · Derestricted Danger Joined: 28 Oct 2013 Karma :

Apologies for the late reply.

Went to a dealer a couple of weeks ago and had a sit on a few different bikes.

Made a final decision on getting 2 bikes.

A DT125 is definite, although I can't decide between a CBR and CBF 125. I'll be getting it new on finance, so I expect it'll be the CBR. The 2014 model is freaking nice.