CM 125 - buying advice for an old twin cylinder

[Entertwainer]

looking at a CM125 this friday, advert says its around 30 years old, been sat for 2 years unused.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-125-LEARNER-LEGAL-HONDA-CM-125-/291382981049?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item43d7c771b9

i've asked seller to confirm the presence of V5 docs and MOT expiry and to have them present when i view the bike so i can just get on and check the bike out without having to wait for him to dig them out).

It does look a little battered (dent in petrol tank, snapped indicator and broken tail light, damaged front mudguard)

i've checked out a buying guide from ebay:
[url]https://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/BUYING-A-HONDA-CM125-REVIEW-AND-VIDEO-ROAD-TEST-/10000000000973380/g.html [/url]

which i may take with me and highlight some of the checks i can carry out on the spot.

im looking for a cheap runabout, but dont want to be buying something this old that'll just blow out within a weeks use.
sussex area is a little dry for cheap runabout motorbikes in the 500-600 budget that ive got.
dont want a scooter as i want to keep my experience with geared bikes and with any luck be able to do my full test later on this year.
Had my bike nicked recently, and considered giving it a rest, but needs must and this popped up...

the ad also says the carb may want tuning or replacing...?? is this easy enough to do on this bike? im confident enough to do jobs like this providing ive got a manual/guide to go by.
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Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[Fisty]

Inb4 autism.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[Iain.]

You could have superped for £650.

2011, years MOT, 50 mile old engine tuned to perfection.

The CM125? I'd give around £100-150 for it absolutely tops and fully expect to spend the same again having to rebuild & repair loads and loads of stuff. Pair of new tyres if it's been sat that long...

I mean it'll end up being worth £200 after you've spent £300 getting it through an MOT...genuinely wouldn't bother.

Food for thought. £600 buys you an MOT'd and running '06 Suzuki Marauder

https://www.gumtree.com/p/suzuki-motorbikes/2006-suzuki-marauder-gz-125cc/1098368033

I'd also be cheeky and offer £300 for this;

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lifan-motorbikes/lifan-of-125-9j-for-sale-%C2%A3450/1099038404

Whilst it's a chinese POS it'll probbably run okay and parts will be cheap. It'll likely need less work than whatever that was you listed first...

[Entertwainer]

hmm, marauder im not so keen on, but is probably more solidly built than the Lifan.
Lifan appeals to me more as its a more appealing position.
I'll still check out the CM125 just in case its actually fine with just cosmetic issues/carb issues.
owner 'says' its been moved/run occasionally in storage.

i dont mind working on it to be honest, as i quite like the look of the CM.
i could potentially knock him down while i'm there viewing it if i can politely tear it down to show how much of a lemon it could be and offer him the cash right there.

i may sit on it and decide i fucking hate it, or love it enough to warrnant the potential work and input later on.
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Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[Entertwainer]

there is also this:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/kawasaki-motorbikes/125cc-motorcycle-/1100602296

but above my budget and totally scum-magnet.....
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Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[P.]

Use £600 to buy the CBR125 sitting in my garden.

Do not buy that KMX... "had top end dun xmus and cluch new battery new breaks and hand gards bike gos well as off road tyers on it so can go off road and have sum fun"

The spacker reading is off the charts.

That CM is somewhat overpriced for an ancient piece of shit.

[Iain.]

[Entertwainer]

lol - actually missed that - i remember seeing that first time and had the same reakshun
just forgot it was same advert

Paddy - where you situated then? are you local?

spotted a Lexmoto for £500, but needs work:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/lexmoto-motorbikes/lexmoto-xtr125-low-mileage-good-runner/1100093398
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Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[Tamsin]

I think that lexmoto would be a pain in the bum. If they were easy fixes surely they would have done it and be selling with a full MOT?

[wr6133]

XTRS is a lexmoto I wouldn't want to touch with someone else's bargepole. The one I helped fix was shoddy beyond belief and it seems to be a common story for them.

The Lifan Iain linked I'd chance a cheeky offer on, though I actually like the tatty old CM125 but you would be buying a project not instant transport I think.

[P.]

Maidstone, Kent. 60 ish miles, 1.5 hours max. Bus to Tunbridge Wells and I'll ride it down for you. It is infinitely better than that atrocity

[Tamsin]

I'd give you a lift there and back in the van (for derv money of course) if you were concerned about the distance

[stevo as b4]

I wouldn't buy a Kawasaki KMX125 as a cheap and only road bike, they aren't all that for road use, and anyway smooth 4T fuel sipping machinery FTW I would say!

[69.9mph]

If you want a cheap runabout and are not mechanically minded, get a CG125 or YBR125, pretty much indestructible.

[Entertwainer]

[Entertwainer]

[iooi]

[Entertwainer]

yeah, thats what im starting to think.
Ive spotted a City Fly up near Reading for a decent price:

https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-city-fly-125/1101021313

quite tempted to check it out as im up in Reading next week.
Owner says they have full history and Log book, not been ridden - been sat in garage for unspecified amount of time though. No MOT either....

i've heard good things about City Flys, but unsure about ones that have been sat unattended for years...(or any bike for that matter)
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Honda CG 125 W - Turkish - 1998 - 2015 RIP

[P.]

Had 2, ancient engine and good for about 60mph.

I'll get some photos of the CBR for you if you pm an email.