Im going to get a cbr 125 no matter what

[hill156c]

hi guys and girls i have been seeing bad reports about the CBR 125 but to be honest i dont see it as a bad bike for a learner why is it so bad?

[garth]

Because it's a four stroke.

It's not a bad bike, it's just slower than the rs and the like.

However, more reliable at a guess, i'd say.

Why don't you save the money and do your full bike test, then buy a real bike?
____________________
You ain't a has been if you never was

[Ste]

Short answer, have a read of some of those reports.

Slight longer answer (but not much), because its a four stroke rather than a two stroke, its expensive and has expensive (to fix after crashing or dropping the bike) fairings. You'd be lots better off getting a cheaper, older, two stroke bike rather than a shiney four stroke. Save the money for doing your test and getting a bigger bike once you've got your full license.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

A CBR125 will be the perfect learner bike. Ignore what most people say about getting them, they will be reliable, they look good and will go fast enough for now. Relative to the other bikes available (RS and Mito in main) it isnt as fast, or at the other end of the spectrum isnt as cheap as an older CG125 or NSR.

An old 2-stroke will be quicker and cheaper, but it will probably cost more to run, be less reliable and have worse brakes. If you have the mechanical knowledge, or the willingness to learn then an old 2-stroke is ideal, however finding one that doesnt need an engine rebuild or hasnt had a relatively nasty accident/hard-life will be very hard as they are bought by novices like you and me who will change down instead of up by mistake and are waiting for the engine to pretty much explode before fitting a new piston!

If you can handle the looks and the slowness then a CG125/SR125 will be an ideal bike, check for crash damage again!
____________________
Pictorgraphicalfantastical

[Gazdaman]

Its not a bad bike at all.

But there are much better ways of getting through the 125cc stage!

I got a very cheap, old 2 stroke 125, loved every single minute, then sold it for more than I paid.

Gaz

[G]

It's an excellent learner bike, apart from the fairings. However it's about twice the price I would want to pay for a learner bike.

Look at the number of people that come on asking about performance modifications that don't really exist and you will see why we say a faster bike is better. A lot of those people thought they would be happy with the power before they got it.

[culpan]

Get a CBR 125 RR and you have your self a nice bike, but just dont spend too much because you are going to want a new bigger bike not too far down the line.

[mchaggis]

The main problems in my opinion are the breakability (fairings) and the lack of 2nd hand availability due to not having been released for very long.

The thing which strikes me is mainly how ridiculously small it looks (and is), considering the look which it appears to be trying to carry off. The thing which amused me today was that my legs fit the tank better than they fit on a XJ600.
____________________
I must not be a troll...
Mmmm, Guinness
Discovering the delights of Hammerite and a 3/4" brush.

[AL-]

Not forgetting the ridiculousy small tires. Plus i hear alot about the gear box, there seems to be an age between 1st and 2nd gear plus its really stiff, so you will need to force it when you get into 5th and 6th

[wantser]

[Nighteyes]

[Josh|RD125LC]

[JonB]

meh, do whatever you like if we were all the same the world would be boring.
____________________
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[G]

As an eddendum; if you've got lots of money and don't mind losing some of it, then it's a pretty good choice.

[froggy128]

Dont buy it new, my mate bought a 2 year old one for £1600 and sold it for a little bit more. You wont lose much money on it if you buy it second hand to start with, its a good looking 125 and people wil always want one.

Its going to be fast enough for a learner, not the fastest but ive never beign one to care about one 125 going 10mph faster than than another one. At the end of the day 125s are always going to be slow but then the idea is you keep it for howerver long you want, then take your test and get something bigger.

If you find the cbr nice to ride, get one.

[stevo as b4]

If you want one then go for it, but unless your dealer gives you a very good price on the bike, or a good deal on some riding gear, or training etc, then please dont buy a new one. The CBR is a popular bike, and there will be a few for sale that people in your position will have brought new last year, and have now lost alot of money in depreciation. The CBR is likely to be a good reliable bike based on previous Honda machines, like the CG, and so a second hand one will be a much smarter buy than a new bike.
I also agree with G, that £2000+ is about £1000 more than its worth spending on a 125/first bike, as you will at the most keep the bike 12months or so, but you may want to get another bike even sooner.
The only thing you can say about a CBR when buying new is that is still better to waste £2200 rarther than more on a very expensive 125, and as such there is no logical reason to reccomend anyone to spend nearly £4000 on a (New) RS125 or Mito etc. That would be a tragic waste of future bike buying funds!

[simon1221]

Go for it

Dare to be different and dont just follow the pack
____________________
DNA50 (sorry) ->> TZR125l >> GPZ500S

[hill156c]

thanks for the feedback but i have one question what bike would you recommend then i would like it to look like a sports bike and go fast

[stevo as b4]

You cant be too fussy for your first bike, if your going to get a secondhand machine, and it pays to keep fairly openminded as to which machine you want, as you might get a better deal that way if something comes up at a good price.
If you really want me to tie it down to the best 125cc sportsbike, Then IMO if you can find one in a nice condition, it would have to be a Jap built 95-97 TZR125R!

[Josh|RD125LC]

Then you need to be looking at the newer models of Suzuki RG125, Yamaha TZR125, Honda NSR125, Aprilia RS125 (Chesterfield shape looks the best IMO), Cagiva Mito etc. Also the Gilera GFR125 is worth a look, thats if you can find one
____________________
Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[Kickstart]

[Stu_666]

Although I can see why people reckon that buying second hand is better, I would say that I'm glad I bought the RS new. Problem with a lot of 125's is that they're used as learner bikes and can be pretty sh*gged. At least new, I found, you can trust it pretty much 100% that it won't break down and the person before you has'nt mucked around with it.

[Josh|RD125LC]

If you really want to know what type of RS Stu has its the Manuel Poggiali replica I believe. Very nice bikes and the best paint scheme you can get for an RS IMO. There is some nice examples of non-thrashed learner 125's out there, the only problem is finding the damn things. 125's learnt on by women are the best ones to go for because you know that they have not been thrashed

Or for great value for money, get an RD125LC
____________________
Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[JonT]

I got a second hand 2stroke for £700.

I've had nothing but trouble with it, its been ragged, needs a new piston and a rebore and leaks oil like crazy, basically to get it into "good" condition would cost another £300.

If your someone who doesn't mind paying more for convenience and less aggro then get a new bike, however for me paying the extra wasn't an option.

[wildcat]

I have a cbr125rr and as I have said before I love it, however, if you are tall or chunky you will look like an elephant on a skateboard.
I only had mine 8 months when I felt the need to upgrade. If you buy one, buy second hand, they are starting to surface. I think I saw someone on the forum selling one???
I would not recommend NOT getting one, just think very carefully.
____________________
https://www.bebo.com/Z1000-Wildkat