Best 125cc commuter for saddlebags?

[EddyRider]

Hi All,

"That question" again. I have had a good look through this forum and others but I haven't really found a similar case to mine.

My car broke down in the summer and I sold it for pennies. At the same time, I left a job and went back to university, which was convenient as I didn't need a car for that.

I've taken up a part-time job which I can commute to (5 miles or so each way) on my road bike, but there are opportunities to work further afield and that's not possible on a push-bike or public transport due to the hours required. I would need to bring some equipment with me to the other sites, about 20kg or so, sometimes more, and way too much for one back pack. Some saddlebags or a seatbag will be needed. I may even take the bike out for some camping.

So I am looking for something which would be comfortable for those types of rides and something which won't get bogged down with that weight. Sure, 20-30kg is not a lot but it's still around 10-15% of the entire weight of the bike+rider so I don't want considerable loss of power.

My usual ride will be 5 miles and is pretty much a 30mph all the way with a couple of speed-bumps at the far end. The roads are nice and wide even when it's congested so filtering should be fine.

The extended rides will be around 10 miles long with 90% of it being national-limit country roads (and some steep gradients) and a tiny stretch of dual carriageway.

The other extended ride will be 20 miles with about 50% of it on national-limit single-carriageways and bypasses.


The main ones I have been looking at are the "old model" Honda CBF125 and the Honda XL125V Varadero (preferably a 2007+ model with the facelift).

The Varadero has the power and looks kitted up to carry lots of bits, but is rarer and more costly. The CBF125 has great fuel efficiency but is a bit skinnier. I do like the looks of the Varadero although I am open to any suggestions really. I generally sway towards Honda but I won't get stuck up on brand if I can get a better bike somewhere else.

I will be riding it daily all year round so the fatter tyres on the Varadero seem like a plus. I don't like the looks of the Enduros either, Sport Tourers or nakeds are more my thing.


In terms of me and my ability, I'm mid-20s and 5'9". I recently passed the CBT and have no other riding experience (except for my trusty push-bike). I have been driving cars for the past few years instead. I have no real interest to progress onto my full bike licence at the moment, this is more of a bike to fill a particular need for the next 12-24 months until I get a permanent job and can afford a car.


So any suggestions for bikes?

Thanks

[Teflon-Mike]

Most 125's are designed to carry a pillion passenger... they have a seat and foot-rests for them...

As an unqualified rider, milking the loop-hole that lets you ride anything at all, un-supervised, without first passing a test, to 'practice' for those tests, on L-Plates, not permitted to carry a passenger, then, you have around 75-100Kg of 'luggage' capacity available to you, don't you?

Meanwhile, you are permitted up to 14.5bhp on L-Plates from an engine up to 125cc. Most 125's, only actually offer around 10/11bhp, but that is still 'enough' to to go as fast as any other motorcycle, of any capacity is legally allowed to go in this country.... and again, on L-Plates most of the roads that speed limit applies to you aren't allowed to ride on any way...

Short answer.. Stop Thinking Start Riding.

A lot of thought going into this, but the L-Plate is for LEARNER... that's what the loop-hole exists for, that's what you are, and if you have chosen to learn by doing, on a lightweight, rather than get some training and do it on a bigger one, then cut to the chase, and get learning, by doing.

ALL 125's ought to manage to lug a learner and a bag of bits about without too much hassle.

Crikey, I've 2-Upped a Chinky 125 Cruiserette with camping kit!!!! This is a Non-Problem you are looking for solutions to!

IF there is a problem, it's what you expect from a motorcycle... b-u-t? Quick answer to that is to get out there and ride one!
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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?'

[Rogerborg]

Yup, no need to seek out a particular bike.

I'd keep the weight in a bag strapped on the pillion seat (not hanging off the back of the bike in a top box), and/or in a tank bag. Soft panniers can carry a fair amount too, Oxford "First Time" being perfectly decent choices.

<10-million-pictures-of-heavily-loaded-bikes-in-Asia-and-Africa.jpg>
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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

[alekc]

Yep, the same.

For 2 quid (from china or 3-4 from uk) you can use something like

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjAwWDYwMA==/z/anwAAOSwiCRUiAYi/$_1.JPG

and bring your stuff without any problem

P.s. if you are interested in item shown above search for "Motorbike Bike Cargo net" on ebay

[Andy_Pagin]

A scooter would be a better choice since you get a big load space under the seat and usually a rear carrier frame and a 'glove box'. I regulary loaded my 8.5bhp Vity up with shopping and a couple of large sacks of cat-lit and didn't notice any real difference in performance.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer