New Biker looking for a cheap bike with an older style

[Quarter Tilt]

I am a student without the slightest clue about the workings of a motorcycle, and I am only about to write my class 7 in a few months. I don't know how motorcycle licenses work in the United Kingdom, but here in Canada that means that I can start riding a motorcycle as a learner soon. You can tell that this is just me speculating right now, so don't feel obligated to push on through the ensuing paragraph, though I would be most grateful for help.

I would like very much to own a motorcycle in the near future, however -while money isn't really an issue- I'd like a cheap and presumably simple machine. I don't mind if that means I would have to spend time keeping it maintained or endure an uncomfortable ride. There is a story my friend could tell you all about a time I verified the location of a store on "Google Maps" and walked in a straight line towards it for nine kilometres, swimming across a narrow river at one point. As for style, an older and more boxy look is what I find appealing; in that a transport truck driver does not care when his vehicle is scratched, or how a soldier cares little for the paint he trades in a busy Middle-Eastern intersection, a motorcycle with a charm that is only strengthened by its weathered look suits my needs.

In a less wishy-washy sense I am looking for a long motorcycle with a fairly standard engine(125cc or thereabouts) with some sort of space to stow or hang luggage; something with simple workings and a low price that would not intimidate an insurance company into demanding a large taxation. As mention in the subject header, I find older motorcycles more appealing than the newer shiny and streamlined models. A bit of touring capabilities are a definite plus, though I would specify range as the real priority over fuel economy and comfort -I do not mind paying to fill a large tank that empties slightly faster if that is what it means to drive far. I have done a bit of looking around and have stumbled across the "1978 Hercules 125cc" and the " Honda CD175" -these possess the sort of style that I enjoy.

If I seem ignorant or melodramatic, feel free to call me out -I do not mind; I have done my best to convey my message in an interesting manner. If there is someplace I can be pointed to learn all about the inner-workings of a motorcycle then don't hesitate to link it to me -I will read it thoroughly.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Well I dunno. You're living in Canadia and want info on a bike to ride there. I will answer on that basis. Firstly, and by definition no 125cc or other small capacity bike has touring capabilities. Not that such a small - or even smaller - engine/bike isn't capable of touring. They are - read Simon Gandolfi's ride on a CG125 down through South America. But really. It's a hard life for both rider and bike. A better idea might be something like a (BMW) GS650 - something in that kind of size and style. But if you're committed legally, budget-wise and in thought to a much smaller bike there's the suzuki vanvan. Very, very slow (60mph tops!!!), but quite possibly to your taste looks-wise and with a very tried and tested engine that's been in all sorts of crap over the years. Not sure if they're available in Canadia though. So maybe something like a Yamaha TTR250? Not as comfy as a vanvan but far more capable in almost every department, but especially if you were planning some off-road stuff. I imagine all you lumberjacks of Canadia are very fond of riding your forest trails, and a bike like this would mean you could maintain your habit of heading straight across fields, rivers and hillsides. Again they may not be available in Canadia though.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

Mobylette Type 50 ---> Raleigh Grifter ---> Neval Minsk 125

[Teflon-Mike]

Oh Dear, Alberta. He's might only be 14. (Min age for Learner-Drivers-Permit)
Forest trails? Depends which bit he's in.
Most of it is wheat-fields, four quarter mile squares to a 'section', with gravel tracks down the middle. All dead straight.
Gets interesting up in the mountains as you head West out of Calgary, but JUST as it gets interesting... you get stopped by blokes with big guns and funny hats at a road block, and asked for your 'permit' to enter the National Park; and motor-vehicles are strictly controlled to permitted areas only. They wont even allow an outboard motor on a fishing boat in some parts!
Remember, Canada is the spiritual home of Americas conscience and 'political correctness' enforced almost as stringently as their purchase taxes! Though curiously, its still easier to buy bullets than beer! Or at least it was when I lived there!
Edmonton, the provincial capitol, is also home to the only known 'roundabout' in North America; and consequently how to use a round-about or 'traffic circle', crops up about half a dozen times on the Alberta 'New Drivers Exam', because no-one has a bludy clue how they work!
Quarter Tilt... do they use proper computers these days for the NDE?
When I took it, which was a VERY long time ago... UK Learners had only just been prohibited from riding 250's by a matter of months, not years! And our bike tests were still wobble round the block affairs, and photo-card licences and the idea of a 'theory' exam not even dreamed of...to get my Alberta 'Learner's Permit' I had to go to an office, where they sat me in front of what looked like a library micro-fishe machine, without the reels. I had to put a piece of I think it was pink card I had been given, into a slot, then press a button to tell it I was ready to take the exam. The thing clunked into action, like a slide projector, with lots of audible mechanical bits inside doing stuff! And was amazed it showed REAL photographs, and even a short movie clip, and asked questions printed on the bottom, and you had to press one, of I think four buttons to answer them. Upon completion, it spat out the bit of carboard, which then had a lot of holes punched in it, and had to take it to the clerk at the counter, who 'scored' you from it.
"You must be English" she said, "NO-ONE gets the traffic circle questions right, unless they're English... or from Edmunton"
Usually it was the accent that gave me away!

From what you describe you want, Quarter, a Honda CD175, CD185, CD200 or CD250 would be about spot on the mark. They are reletively comfy 'tiny tourers'. Smooth, low powered but gutsy twin cylinder engine, with simple single carb. Pretty 'sturdy' for a small displacement bike, and can accomodate a reasonable amount of luggage, all with 'traditional' styling. They did a 125 model, too, but while a willing little engine, lacks the added grunt of the bigger models.

However, suspect that its likely to be a question of hobsons choice to some degree; most smaller displacement machines finding thier way to North America have always been dirt bikes; and most end up abandoned in remote farm barns; small displacement bikes tending to be Japanese and 'cheap' and treated as buy new, and throw away when you're done with'em disposeable consumer products.

(I also have a feeling, that a bit like in the UK, farmers could avoid the punative purchase taxes, if they declared them as 'for agricultural use', but if they then sold them on, they had to pay the purchase taxes on the actual show-room list price, which after a couple of years could be more than the bike was actually worth! Hence cheaper to ;scrap' than sell on)

However, if you aren't impedimented by capacity caps by licence entitlements; then anything up to 650cc or so could be as worth looking at as a real tiddler.

And I would be looking as much to what I knew I could easily service and maintain, as anything else, especially on an older, more maintenance demanding 'classic'.

And in your part of the world, the safe bet has a 'Made in Milwaukee' label on it, I am afraid to say, along with a minimum displacement of 883cc.
____________________
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?'

[Quarter Tilt]

"Quarter Tilt... do they use proper computers these days for the NDE? " -very funny. Yes, we do in fact have modern technology in our country these days. I will be attending university this fall, and I would like to own a motorcycle that I could use for commuting, rather than depend upon an unreliable transit system, and my parents are both in need of their respective vehicles on a daily basis; this is why I specify a need for a cheaper ride -it would be hard to justify paying more for a motorcycle than a small car.
Furthermore, I live on the outskirts of Calgary and therefore have access to both the sprawling city roads and wide stretches of country trails. About 1400 kilometres east is my hometown, where many of my old friends still live; last summer a few of them rode out here an sport bikes, and while the journey was apparently uncomfortable they professed that it was enjoyable enough to warrant doing it again. I wouldn't mind making the same trip to visit them next time. I should have included this in the original post -I apologize.
If a larger motorcycle is what I need, then I would be willing to learn on one -if there are any other recommendations for more powerful motorcycles, then please do share.

[Teflon-Mike]

[Quarter Tilt]

Thank you very much for being so thorough in your answer. I will seriously rethink my decision(and reasoning) and, should I still decide to purchase a motorcycle, I can always come back later; I am finished with this thread for now -I will start a new one or "necro" this one when I've got some more ideas.