Looking at getting another SM

[NifNaf]

When I turned 18, i had a Derbi Senda 125. It was fantastic (bar the exhaust flange kept coming away so had to keep getting welded), and swapped it for a Vauxhall Corsa as I wanted to drive, but i'm hankering for another one. But before I splash my cash on what looks like a dated SM, is there any out there that are any better?

I'm looking for either brand new or used providing I don't need to go down the finance route.

[NifNaf]

Anyone?

[G]

Might want to mention what license you have, what you'll be using the bike for and other useful details if you want to get a useful response .

[NifNaf]

Yeah that might be a help.

Okay so I'll be running L plate (Got a full UK drivers license but not bike).

Looking at a 125, and for daily road commuting.

These knobbly tyres are they okay for road use?

[G]

Personally I'd go for a 2 stroke like the DT125X SM - 4 strokes 125s are a bit too lethargic for my liking, especially on a tall bike.

If you're stuck on the 4 stroke, I'd consider the Honda Varadero. It's very heavy (heavier than my KTM 690 as an idea), but has a good reputation as a daily use 125 with a high stance.

Knobbly tyres suggests not a supermoto. Unless I was using it off road, I'd go for street tyres, even on dirt wheels.

[stevo as b4]

Using it every day you say?

Well I want to start liking some of the more popular and established Chinese 125's, like the Pulse adrenaline etc, but I know next to nothing about any of them, and my head still says keep it Jap son!

I'd possibily look for a good clean Yam XT125X or Suzuki DR125SM, as these will be really cheap to run and pretty easy to look after. I suspect the Derbi you had before was better though with a 14-15bhp motor?

The XT is closer to 10bhp, and 60mph is only occasionally possible, i.e flat road no wind or downhill, or tailwind. It's probably CG125 comparable speed wise, which is ok for a short distance daily commuter.

You could buy a much older far more fragile 125 that looks all trick, but is a total nightmare to own, get spares for, and leaves you with a twitchy left hand every time you pin it on the dual carriageway etc. Also such a bike will easily cost more to run than a modern 250 like a CRF250F, CBR250, etc etc.

[G]

[stevo as b4]

Supercity if you don't object to cast wheels?

or Pegaso, KTM Sting or Husqvarna 125SM if you do?

They'd all be night an day more expensive to run and I do believe cost more than more sensible road bike 250's or even an XR250 etc to maintain and keep on the road?

[G]

good points.

All a bit 'exotic'.

I'll chuck the TDM125 in as an older more-reasonable option. May well need a rebore if abused, but that's not expensive. Fuel and oil probably the biggest expense.

[NifNaf]

Now im liking the look of the KTM and the Husqvarna, some of these SM are looking more like tourer bikes which i'm not that keen on.

Anyone heard of a WK 125 Trail band:

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MzAyWDUwMA==/z/SL4AAOSwdsFUN97l/$_12.JPG

Quite similar to the Derbi I had.

[G]

[Ste]

You want need a two stroke.

What's the budget?

You mention you're looking at new or used, you could spend some of a new bike fund on passing your test, then buy a second hand bigger engined supermoto that'll be more super than a 125 supermoto will be.

[NifNaf]

[binge]

Don't really think 'supermoto' and 125 can go together unless it's 2 stroke.
A 4-banger 125 would be called a 'MediocreMoto'.

Likewise, a 2 stroke SM bike wont make the best daily.



IMO, you need to take your test, and get something like a DRZ400.




Ben

[NifNaf]

[G]

[NifNaf]

[B5234FT]

4 stroke 125s are crap and slow and best restricted to things like the YBR 125 cheapo commuter market, where your aims are saving money.

2 stroke supermotos are a good laugh, and should be bought where your aim is having fun

The two dont really mix, the two stroke will piss you off as it costs the equivalent of 30mpg, for which I'd just take the car and it needs more servicing. a four stroke supermoto will just be a bit bland and dull as it invariably wont make the power, and has a more linear delivery which makes it feel slower again.

I've got a husky SM125 and I wouldnt commute on it, but I also wouldnt want it with a 4 stroke in it.

[binge]

If you've had 80mph out of a Derbi Senda (Even a 70cc big bore one), then I dont understand why you are asking for advice on here?

I don't think anyone on this forum is capable of getting that sort of speed out of a bike so small.


I don't think my track bike will even do 80mph, and it's probably running double the bhp of most tuned 50cc peds/bikes.

https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10380969_10152903912960606_1664444798206037410_n.jpg?oh=fc689bc9182c92fcba913cb9d6c62494&oe=55EFD6F0

p.s. It's road registered too.




Ben

[G]

[B5234FT]

I remain unconvinced you'll get a genuine GPS 80mph out of ANY learner legal 125 on a flat road to be honest.

[stevo as b4]

All pretty way off topic now, OP want a 4stroke bike that looks off road and has 17" wheels. Call them what you will? To me it's a supermoto as is a 50cc bike with the same kind of style and set up.

I would swap my bike for brand new WR125X if I needed to use it daily, but condition for condition I won't get one without putting my hand into my pocket for £2k or more, and I don't need to use a bike for anything particular.

I'd like an XLR125 with 17" wheel conversion and brake suspension mods, but it's not an off the peg bike and I'd have to spend more than the bike would cost to make one, again no good for the OP.

I know 125's are expensive now, hard to find secondhand and in good condition, but if I needed one, I'd scour local classifieds as I won't travel far for a bike any bike, and buy the first clean good one I see that someone else hasn't beat me to first.

[G]

[stevo as b4]

Even more off topic, but back in the 12bhp 125cc days, restricted bikes like the TZR, RG Gamma and AR125 did very well top speed wise with a supposed 12bhp.

Many were found to be a bit over 12bhp when dyno'd, but in the case of the RG125 for example (the pre FUN version). MCN got a tested 80mph from it (still restricted) and granted it was a tiny bike and really light, but as G said older bikes got more out of 12bhp for some reason.

Even the std AR125 would do a real 78mph, and the full power version was 10mph quicker. I have copies of the road tests done at MIRA.

The CG125 has been tested at a genuine 63mph, and considering it's a shade under 11bhp and an unfaired upright bike, that's plenty good enough.

[G]

I think in reality a CG is probably more like 9hp.

My import NSR125F (never had as much go as a full derestricted UK NSR125) was much better than the CG for being a naked 'sit up' bike.

Makes a big difference being able to use dual carriageways up to the speed limit and beat cars away from the lights etc.