New to biking!

[scoobiemandan]

Hi there.

Dan's the name! Petrol head by nature but always been the four wheeled variety until now!

Bit long in the tooth now at 38 but having recently moved to the next town I needed to find some way to commute a little cheaper! Cheaper than running my 280bhp Subaru Legacy that is. So, that's where I considered a motorbike....after considering using my push-bike, which wasn't a very long consideration if I'm truthful.

Only passed my driving test in 2006 so the usual "you can ride a 50cc on your license" didn't apply and a CBT was required. I figured as I was gonna have to do the CBT then I might as well do it on a 125cc and perhaps progress to a bigger bike in the future

So, sold the Scooby....but don't worry, I've got a newer version on it's way from Japan as we speak Took my CBT yesterday, passed it without much a to do and even got to have a blast on a 600cc Hornet which just fuelled the already rising (from riding the 125cc) bug I reckon that was his aim, get me to have a quick go on the Hornet and then real me in for lessons

Anyhow, I digress. The guy just happened to have a Honda NSR 125R in his porta cabin that was for sale. Why not I thought, 2001 plate, little rough round the edges but perfectly fine for a first bike and commuting the 5 or so miles each way. So, he's gonna service it, get it taxed and tested and I pick it up Saturday afternoon......can't wait

That's me

[Mumrah]

Hi Dan and welcome!

I'm not much younger than you and have also been a 4 wheeled petrolhead up until now. It's bizarre but I'm now bored in my car and feel trapped. I just want to be on the bike now!

Well done on the CBT and good luck with the new (old) 125

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks Mumrah

Certainly not bored in the car....or I won't be when the new one turns up from Japan but the prospect of riding has always appealed, especially in the fairer weather we have

[Efes123]

The only time I'd rather be in a car than on a bike is when it's pissing it down or icy, even then it's a close call
____________________
Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[map]

Welcome.
Enjoy riding, it's a learning experience

Also don't take this place too seriously, it's just a Smörgåsbord of opinions, views and ideas. Some of which you take, others you can filter out.
____________________
...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[scoobiemandan]

[Matt B]

Welcome to the madness
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Az]

What mpg does/will your legacy be popping out?

My NSR used to do around 50mpg and that doesn't include extra cost of good 2 stroke oil, it wasn't really that cheap to run in comparison to a 4 stroke 125 (such as the CBF or YBR) which can realistically return up to 90/100mpg even if you full throttle it everywhere.

2 strokes don't tend to be the most reliable forms of transport, NSR's are cracking bikes and fast for a 125 but, it's not something i'd have as a commuting tool. But then again, with a 5 mile commute it shouldn't be that bad.

Edit: A quick search of fully.com suggests the Legacy returns 25-35mpg, so even a 2 stroke 125 would be cheaper on fuel. So ignore my first question

[Tamsin]

Be a bit canny, not all NSR 125s are legal on a CBT - unrestricted they produce approx 26bhp and you are limited to 15bhp without passing an A2 or A License.

It may well have been restricted, in which case it would likely be legal - but check carefully through the paperwork for a certificate...

[MC]

[scoobiemandan]

Thanks again for the welcomes

[wr6133]

[scoobiemandan]

[Matt B]

[scoobiemandan]

As I say, I'm pretty sure it's not been as the exhaust looked very standard with a small exit pipe

[Matt B]

Restriction sits at the manifold end.

https://www.nsr125.com/derestrict.htm

All academic and immaterial anyway, just ride it
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stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[bobber69]

Hi Dan,

Similar position to myself albeit I am in early 40's

Took my CBT at back end of last year and been trolling round on a CBF125 since.
Just started my DAS training yesterday with first proper go on a 600...
Hell yeah it felt good

Just get it all done
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CBT = CBF125

[scoobiemandan]

Hi bobber,

My plan is too also troll around for this year and perhaps next year go for the full license.....we'll see what the financial situation is like then

[dolly3900]

Hiya Scoob,

Welc's to the clubhouse of madness that is called motorcycling.

Don't be too hard on yourself for leaving it so long to get on 2 wheels, I had my CBT from Santa in 2012 at the ripe old age of 44 and DAS'd mid 2013, so by that standard, you're a spring chicken

BTW, I always thought when you passed your cage test, you automatically gained the moped licence as standard, I'm sure my lad (18 when he passed last year) got the designation on his ticket, so it might be worth checking on that, look for the code on your photocard licence (think it is AM, but don't quote me on that), that way to ride a 50, you can do so without CBT and without "L" plates.

I am sure if I am mistaken, a kindly BCF'r will politely point out my error
____________________
2002 Rieju RS2-50 (Sold, spares or repair), 2010 Suzuki DR-125SM (Traded for ->), 2007 Honda CBF 600 (Sold), 2010 Suzuki V-Strom 1000 (Briefly, now returned), 2007 Suzuki Intruder 1800m (Even More Briefly, traded in for ->), 2014 Suzuki V-Strom 650

[scoobiemandan]

Cheers Dolly.

Rules changed in 2001 regarding automatic entitlement to riding a 50cc on your driving license. Can't remember exact date but I if you gained your cage test after Feb' 2001 then you NEED to do CBT to ride anything with two wheels. The provisional entitlement is there but doesn't allow for auto entitlement to a 50cc.....that's a fact buddy

[c_dug]

I wouldn't fret about the restriction, you'll work it out soon enough if it isn't. Fairly sure they were sold restricted so there wouldn't be a restriction "certificate" of any sort to look for. I doubt an instructor would sell you a bike you couldn't ride anyway.

Nice choice of first bike too, if I'd done the 125 thing it's what I would have wanted for sure.

What's the new scooby out of interest, BRZ?
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[ficedula]

[scoobiemandan]

Absolutely ficedula. 50cc (without L plates) is good for the life of license after CBT or retake CBT for 125cc.......if you don't take the full test!

[scoobiemandan]

So, I picked the bike up today and had a very bad start to ownership

A mixture of a novice rider, not knowing the bike (clutch) and gravel ensured I hadn't even got two feet before the front end got away from me. Broke brake lever, right indicator, a couple of minor scuffs and a broken toe........this could only happen to me

Still, no real harm done apart from my pride. Managed to make a good lever out of a spare the guy had lying around and got the parts ordered on eBay. The 7 mile ride back home was pretty uneventful apart from me feeling a little intimidated at first but that soon passed.

Also established it's a French import (22B). Restricted by all accounts and the hardest/most expensive to derestrict....which is fine by me as I had no plans to derestrict anyway.

Anyone care to mention what else might be different, it being a French import? Also, anyone care to tell me what the "passing' switch is on the left handle bar? It doesn't seem to actually do anything??
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IN THE GARAGE: 2001 Fox Eye Honda NSR125R, 2004 Subaru Legacy GT Spec-B, 2013 Ford S-Max 2.0 Titanium X Sport

[Mumrah]

I believe the passing switch is to flash other drivers with your headlight rather than using the high/low beam switch. I don't have one on mine.

Sorry to hear about the bad start. It can only get better and will!