CB125F or YBR?

[tiger blue]

I've just done my CBT, and at the ripe old age of 38 I'm venturing in to bikes for the first time. My motivation is a combination of new parking restrictions at work, and a general dislike for sitting in long tailbacks on my 13 mile commute. I'm going to buy a 125, but before I take the plunge with a Yamaha, I was wondering is there any reason to go for the Honda instead?

The points I'm considering include:
Which is better to ride, or are they pretty similar?
Yamaha dealer is 2 miles away rather than 16 for the Honda
Yamaha looks nicer to my eyes
Honda has a better dash with gear display and large indicator displays
Honda is the best seller - what's the reason?

I know I'll probably upgrade after doing my DAS, so I've pretty much been talked out of buying new by some of my colleagues. At the same time, I'm probably going to get something relatively new for peace of mind, probably from a garage rather than privately.

[Ste]

[ Wall of Teff ]

[ADSrox0r]

Not worth an arduous mental debate over the merits of different 125s if you're doing DAS. They're all slow as treacle, pretty much all get a billion to the gallon and the general rule of thumb is 'new' ones rust to fuck in a heartbeat.

Get whichever is cheapest and in the best condition for its age, simple as that.

An older well cared for YBR will serve as a good workhorse, but by the same tune a nice old CG in good nick is a safe bet every time...

There'll be more fluff about looks, reliability and so on but mostly it's bollocks if you'll be upgrading to a proper bike. I'd only torture myself over decisions if I knew I was sticking with a 125 as a commuter option for a reason. Which I wouldn't, I'd rather eat my toes than sit WOT yawning all the way home.
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Current bikes: '08 VFR 800 VTEC(yo) , '07 ZZR1400 Winter hack: '95 Aprilia 650 Pegaso Currently lusting after: RC30

[arry]

Buy the best example of a Jap 125 you can find within budget - the rest is symantics

[tiger blue]

Thanks, I'm definitely moving away from the thought of buying new, and just looking at what's relatively local, in budget (ideally £1500 from a dealer) and in good condition.

On that note, would I be right in thinking that it's no different from buying a car in terms of haggling? Is there much of a margin for dealers selling say a £1.5k-£2k bike? I've seen a year old YBR from a Yamaha dealer near me for £2k - I was considering going in, picking up some kit and accessories and trying to get the bike for £1700-£1800. Viable, or will they show me the door?

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I saw a YBR on a '12 plate in for a service at my mate's place the other day. It was extremely corroded. I've seen CBFs in a similar state. So from a finish standpoint both seem similarly weather-prone. Which ever you plump for, you'll probably need to tend to quite carefully with a variety of preservers, cleaning agents and lubes. Regular applications of ACF50 could be required and the chain will have to be de-gritted and oiled pretty much every day if you're slogging along wet winter routes. Seriously - don't underestimate the requirements of an appropriate maintenance regimen. Suffice to say if you don't have a garage, it'll be a right pita.
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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

[tiger blue]

I've read lots about ACF50 and will certainly be stocking up. I'm fortunate enough to have a garage, but my commute will be pretty much entirely along the coast so I expect to be cleaning/maintaining the bike very regularly.

[Rogerborg]

They're both bargain basement Chinese bikes. The YBR has fragile chrome, especially on the forks. The CB125F we don't know about yet but given the many problems with the CBF125, Honda needs to earn their reputation back. I'd let someone else take the gamble.

Sod buying from a dealer. 3 years old, fresh MOT (inB4 Tef), aim for a grand. Spend the minimum you can get away with.

You'll find out why the instant you ride a bigger bike. Time on a tiddler is (nearly) always wasted.
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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

[tiger blue]

Thanks, the more I look, the lower my budget seems to go! I just missed a lovely low mileage example on my doorstep for £900, so I guess I just need to be persistent.

[JoeDaStudd]

I would avoid buying new which is pretty much the only way you'll get a CB125F as the depreciation from showroom to road is large.
Expect to lose around £700 before you start getting any serious mileage.
On top of that you have the first service very early on and have to be careful during the run in period.

When I was looking at getting a 125 I limited down to the YBR and CBF125.

In the end I got the YBR for the following reasons.

3500 mile service interval vs 2500 mile
Rack offers more options for carrying luggage or a topbox.
The YBR is more popular which means its a lot more on the second hand market.
Less fairings means if I drop it less bits to replace.

[Rogerborg]