First 125cc - Which Year Bike?

[Malthus101]

I know this has been done to death and I've read the stickies but I wanted to say hello and post a few questions anyway!

My CBT elapsed so I need to do it again. I never got a bike in those 2 years and went abroad instead. Now I have just returned, I am determined to actually start riding!

I am 38 and never ridden a bike before.

My plan is to do my CBT again, buy a second-hand 125cc and ride it as a commuter in London for the next year to gain experience.

After that, I will do a DAS.

I am thinking the Honda CBF 125 is the best for me - light enough and a comfortable upright position plus low fuel consumption.

Question - assuming I DON'T drop it, what is the best year to buy it to sell it for minimum loss of value?

Given we are in 2014 now, I was thinking to look at 2011/2012 bikes.

So when it comes to sell in 2015, they will only be 3 or 4 years old.

Or should I look at 2012/2013 bikes?

2011 bikes seem to cost around £1750 for a good condition one; is this too much? Is that showroom only price?

What could I sell it for a year on?

Or as a sticky says, should I buy a £500 piece of junk and make do for the year instead?

Also, has anyone ever heard of someone offering their experience to first time buyers, i.e. looking the bike over with the buyer and helping them choose for a small fee? Might be helpful!

Thanks...

[stevelup]

At 38, I'd cut all that out and just do your DAS.

I can't see what benefit there is to doing it the way you propose.

Your insurance costs will be lower, and you will open up a much greater choice of bikes. You'll pay through the nose for a decent used 125 compared with a bigger bike.

The savings will probably offset the cost of doing the DAS, and you'll be a better rider having done the DAS than you would be just doing the CBT.

[dydey90]

[stevelup]

I'm confused. How does having no formal training better prepare someone?

Shouldn't someone - theoretically at least - be in a better position to achieve a first year of safe riding by having some proper tuition?

I never suggested going out and buying a Ducati - it's hardly a sensible commuter bike for London!

[waffles]

Does it really matter what year you buy? So long as you maintain the bike well and keep it dent/scuff free you should make your money back. I bought my xt for £1700 and sold it 8 months later for £1650.

Buy the best example that you can afford, keep it clean and hold out for the right buyer when it comes to sell.
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Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[Malthus101]

Thanks guys...

I just want to gain experience on the least powerful clutch bike I can.

I could have got a scooter for commuting but I want to learn to ride clutch bike properly.

I'm sure the DAS would feed me good information about safe riding but nothing beats actual road experience and I know that from 8 years of cycling in London. Hopefully things I learned there are also applicable to motorcycle riding. (positioning, defensive riding, being aware of car drivers quirks!)

Once I feel confident on the 125cc I'll move up to 500 or so. I want to earn the power increase if you know what I mean...

[Rogerborg]

It's a perfectly reasonable way to go about it, and it sounds like you have a good attitude. Yes to cycling experience carrying over: I did my CBT, then cycled regularly for year before deciding I was ready to try the vroom-vroom version.

Forget buying from dealers if you want to minimise your deprecation. You'll be £300 to £500 down over a private sale, even at the low end of the market.

There are some decent CBF125s around, but quite a few lemons as well. Personally, out of warranty, I'd go for YBR. The looks are a little dated, but they have fewer known issues other than a touch of cosmetic corrosion.

If you do go CBF, view it as a budget bike and squeeze every penny. I can see 2011 bikes on Gumtree with full T&T for £1K.
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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