looking for a bike

[kickflare]

Hey, i'm new here and i just passed my cbt.... now i'm looking for a cruiser style 125 [its my dream to have a honda shadow 750] so i want something in a similiar style to get used to the riding profile.

I got a limit of 800.., and i'm trying to steer clear of chinese bikes due to their rep of breaking down after a 100 miles...

any suggestions on where to look?
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CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Rogerborg]

Cruisers don't come cheap, even as 125s. Owners over-value them, for the same irrational reasons that they get them.

If you really, really want one, Suzuki Marauder 125 is probably the least pain that you can inflict on yourself.

Having been a small capacity cruiser owner, I can say unequivocally that it was a mistake. The riding position is uncomfortable, they don't turn, they're heavy and don't even have the torque and brap-brap-brap that's the main point of proper sized ones.

I would strongly suggest that you ride other sorts of bike before committing to a cruiser.
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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

[kickflare]

I have noticed that. Esepcially with 1998 curiser going for nearly 2k. Whimper. I set my self a limit of 1k for a bike, as I already have all my gear. Go-tex jacket and trousers with CE armour, armoured gloves, RST boots and LS2 with sun visor helmet. I have have pragmist chain, 19mm chain waiting and a disc lock with an obxious chain reminder loop. xD

I do love the look of the cruiser and the reason for waiting one is pretty simple, I plan to be travelling all over the country with it [plus being short butt doesn't help] and next year I've planned with some of my friends to go motorbike camping. So i did think that a cruiser would be the best bike for that... if the riding position isn't comfortable.... which style bike would you suggest?
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CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[someotherguy]

A tourer.

Although personally, I wouldn't go touring on a 125. If you're looking to do long distances, I'd use the money to do your big bike tests (assuming you're old enough) and buy something more suited to the job.

[KnightsFall]

Not really a proper cruiser (as if any 125 is) but it might be worth having a look at the YBR 125 Custom. The riding position on the regular one ain't exactly sporty but the custom is even more relaxed and has a somewhat lower seat. Riding long distance is doable but expect some aches after a day in the saddle (based on experience to date with the regular one). Quick search on Autotrader suggests you can get them within you budget, with not a million miles or years on the clock.

[Rogerborg]

[Val]

[Teflon-Mike]

With £800 to spend, what we think of particular makes or models wont mean much; you have to find a bike, ANY bike, in your budget, that you might buy... and there's a lot more folk looking for 125c bikes in that price range, than there is bikes for'em all to buy; then, when you have found something, and got to look at it, money in your pocket, before any-one else has handed over their wangah.... you ent going to be looking at something factory fresh and show-room shiney! It'll be 2nd hand or more, and even Chinese, older enough to need an MOT.

That sort of cash might get you a ten year old Marauder in 'useful' condition, but you'd have to be pretty lucky to catch one, if that' all you went looking for.

And as said, what we might think of particular make or models; you'll be looking at something decidedly used and likely abused, by however many clue-less newbies who have owned it over the best part of a decade or more.

Condition is All.

A Marauder might be a pretty 'sound' choice, BUT, I'd take a well looked after Chinese AJS Raptor, over a clapped out Marauder, or any other knackered Jap for that matter!

My advice? Sod the buyers guides, get on Gumtree; get on the blower, arrange t look at some bikes; ANY bikes; sod the make, sd the model, and certainly sod the 'style'. You want a bike, that's worth having; for the money you can afford; open your odds of finding one, and look at EVERYTHING on offer, and weigh each up on its own mechanical merit... and don't take your wallet with you util you have seen more than a few real actual bikes, and are ready to actually do a deal on one! A fool and their money are soon parted....
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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?'

[dydey90]

I always kind of wanted a van van. Couldn't say why, they've got a fat bottom and the power is barely into the double figures, but I still think they're kind of cool. Maybe it's because the seat is thicker than the engine?
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This post is probably not serious and shouldn't be taken literally.
Past: CBR125,ER6f NINJA 650, ZZR600 Current: VFR750

[kickflare]

Thanks for the input guys! <3

I'm looking at a Suzuki GN125 on friday! wish me luck! <3

As for doing my full bike test, thats going to happen the end of this year. I just need to get my lazy ass in gear and put money aside for it hehe
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Rogerborg]

Reasonable choice, but do judge on condition. It'll be an old (old) bike that'll have been passed from bloke-to-bloke and ridden harder than Lindsay Lohan, so don't pay too much attention to whatever its current owner says about it.
____________________
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

[Wighty]

[someotherguy]

[kickflare]

Road experience really and being able to go places. I need my freedom .
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Wighty]

[stinkwheel]

Sounds like you need an SR125. Styled like a cruiser, designed like a normal motorbike. People always forget the humble SR.

Or a Honda Rebel, but good luck getting a decent one of those for that kind of money.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Polarbear]

SR is a good shout. Nothing particularly special but nothing particularly bad either. Pretty bomb proof and they crash ok as my daughter found out a couple of times.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[Raksha]

Get you a shit Chinese for 200/300 plent of lexmoto streets around for that price general you need to change the battier plugs and a service kit and they run fine.
Then use the rest for your full test.

I just got a kymco zing 1 for 250, its 8 years old its got rust all over but nothing a wire brush wont fix and some barque paint.

your tests will be more helpful to you long turm.
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Disclaimer: The above post was brought to you by bad spelling, murdered grammer, and no care or attention. Thank you.

[P.addy]

[joncwl]

other thing you can do is get a larger budget and buy a DT all the cool kids have one!

im selling one as well hint hint.

but on another note get a yamaha SR, the things are practically bullet proof, i bought one as a work horse and well after 200 miles and then needing a top up it become my machine of choice when i want to go long distances.
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currently being a cager cause winter......the bike will be back out during the summer now

last bike, 1990 yamaha tzr125 (2rk model) - still after a fairing kit for it !!!!!

[kickflare]

I love my net access sometimes. Sorry peeps, my net went down.

Update: I looked over GN125, my biker friend took it for a spin... NEARLY Potatoed himself and said I'm not to touch the bike. Le sigh. Clutch catches, brakes barely work and it needs a new gearbox.

So... I've been putting my pennies together and I'm going to buy a lexmoto Michigan [thanks to family all chipping in] and i'll have her by the middle of Oct.

As for doing my big bike test... I've decided to put it off until I have at least 1 years experience riding.
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[Val]

OP got 800 budget and says it will stay clear from crappy chinese bikes:

[kickflare]

Fair enough. I know I'm all over the place. lol.

But one of my friends found a video on youtube a guy taking a michigan green laning. It survived and was still rarring to go. Plus... warranty means i can get the parts replaced.

FYI: Im female.
____________________
CBT Passed: 20/09/2015 - Lexmoto Michigan incoming! home date: 27/10/2015 <3
Biker buddies already in place, head count so far: 2

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

Like stinkwheel said - SR. They really are overlooked. Ace bike for that kind of thing.
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"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[Rogerborg]

Good job on dodging the bullet on that GN.

Never mind, I see you've already bought the Michigan. Ignore everything below, it'll be totally awesome.


Some issues with the Michigan, despite BvG's shilling.

OK, it's got a low seat, but it's relatively heavy at over 155kg wet.

They've only sold 30 of them. With it being Lexmoto, parts shouldn't be an issue, but they won't carry as big a stock as for their more popular bikes.

The main issue (and why they haven't sold many) is that it's far too expensive. It's just another carbed 10bhp air cooled generic Chinese bike. So it's made by Zongshen rather than Dihao, such wow.

When you come to sell it on, it'll be worth exactly as much as a £950 OTR Vixen - about £500, if you can find a buyer.

If you insist on going new and Chinese, then I'd suggest that you take a look at the Vixen. The silver-and-blue looks a bit try-hard but they also do it in black-and-cream.

It's as cheap as you're going to get, there's a strong owners' forum (set up for the HN branded version of it) at https://www.huoniao-owners.co.uk/forum/ and there are loads of them around meaning that parts are very easy to get. It's light, friendly, and a doddle to ride or work on.

ACF-50 all over it from new, add LocTite and spring washers where necessary, enjoy it for what it is.
____________________
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