First bike: Suzuki VanVan

[acki]

Hi,

I'm considering getting a Suzuki VanVan 125 as a first motorbike, after doing my cbt test. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this as a first bike, working towards a full license; and anything in particular I should look out for when getting a second-hand VanVan...?


Thanks!

[arry]

Expensive for what they are. Slow even for what they are. But they're hip n cool, wind in yer flaps type of thing. Not particularly well finished, even for a 125 - Suzuki paint / chrome isn't as good as other Japanese manufacturers IMO. Rusty bits would be a primary concern.

No particular engine issues or dramas. Just look for proper servicing records - 125's that get worked hard should have regular oil changes and given it's only just over a litre of oil and half an hour tops, you'd hate to see an owner skimping on the basics.

Outside of that - consumables; tyres, chain and sprockets fork seals and the obvious woops I've been ridden by an 18 year old with dyspraxia crash damage.

[Evil Hans]

[acki]

Thanks guys,

I'm also looking at AJS and Mash.
Not quite sure how they compare the the Suzuki...
Any thoughts?


J

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

I put 10k+ on a VanVan from new and it looked like new when I flogged it several years later. Or almost - the one part that had visible change was the exhaust and even that was only really a case of the black paint coming off. It wasn't rusty or corroded. But then, I didn't ride it in the rain - because I didn't have to.

I think if you're planning to commute on it, in all weathers, there are probably more durable bikes. Don't forget - the Suzuki's wheels are spoked - and they're not stainless steel spokes either. They *will* rust if you run it in rain, especially if it's winter and there's salt on the roads. This applies to most bikes with spokes though.

Also, the rear wheel on the Suzuki is a steel rim, whilst the front is aluminium. The rear tends to suffer a bit if it's not kept clean - paint lifting and bits of rust on the older, less well maintained bikes.

Personally I'd prefer a VanVan over the bikes you mentioned. But probably the most sensible option would be to spend half as much as the VanVan and buy a Honda CG125. As fun and interesting as the VanVan looks, the CG is surely where the smart cash is. It's likely to be a grand less.
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[Evil Hans]

[arry]

[acki]

[arry]

I don't have any specific input on them other than what I've read. There's a guy on here that had a Mash 400 and raved about its quality / reliability. I guess if you got one second hand, didn't overpay for it and could find someone to take it off your hands easily enough afterwards then it's not a terrible proposition.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

that guy was pretty tedious
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[Jmoan]

Large seat but spoked wheels.....

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[Tdibs]

Had a vanvan for 2 years as my first bike, if you like the look, id highly recommend it to be honest.

Pros
- Low seat height, big comfy seat with plenty or room for a pillion or some luggage. Very easy going to just cruise about on.
- Luggage rack as standard.
- Big tyres and wide bars make it a bit heavier steering, you have to give it some input in tight roundabouts etc, but it never gets shaky or unbalanced.
- Go 'anywhere' appeal, it can do basic lanes, I loved exploring with mine, eats up poorly surfaced roads easy. Going up some green lanes on them is a good laugh.
- Reliable and easy to maintain. I cant recall what year it switched from carbs to injection, but there is not much to go wrong with them. Very easy to change the oil yourself. Parts are cheap and easy to get.
- Resale value, if you look after it, you will be able to sell a second hand one for roughly the same price you bought it in a year or two if you decide to go for A/A2.
- Good following with a very helpful owners forum, they used to do meets etc if that interests you.

Cons
- Higher price in the 125 market (built in japan if it means anything to you)
- Top speed is about 65 absolutely flat out, 55 on a steep uphill. (you mileage may vary based on weight etc) but its not the fasest 125, but not noticeably slower under top speeds. Only
- Finish can go bad IF you dont keep on top of it. Id rate the paintwork on the tank and panels, but fork legs, lower yoke and spokes etc, you will see some rust unless you rub it down with acf50 now and then. This is true for any bike really though. I cant recall anything going on mine, but I washed/sprayed it with acf regularly.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[Jmoan]

[Evil Hans]

[jimster]

[Kentol750]

Mrs K had a van van for a year or so... cool looking and did the job. Engine is bombproof. If you're looking to progress there are better bikes for less money out there. If you want to look cool then just get whatever floats your boat. If you look after it it should be ok.
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Some bikes.

[Prawny]

I did my CBT on a Vanvan, I loved it and I still want one.

Very slow, but super cool and piece of cake to ride. The CBT one was an 04 model that had been used by the riding school for years and was still rock solid. This was 2 years ago so it was old then.

Now I’ve got my full licence is like a 200cc one for larks, but they’re not cheap for what they are.
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Yamaha Vity 125 (gone) Kawasaki ER6N(dead) 2022 Royal Enfield Meteor 350 (nicked) 2003 DL1000 V Strom

[krishay.baxter]

it wasn't too bad. But it did mean that I was a member of a few AJS groups, and the reliability and build quality of the 'Raptor' cruisers sounds pretty dreadful.
Speed Test

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/HappygoluckyKeenAtlanticspadefish-size_restricted.gif
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[carbon90]

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

cheeres m9!!
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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

[struan80]

I rented a Van Van when I was in between bikes after passing my CBT. I thought it was great although I hadn't really tried anything to compare it to. Short runs or posing around the city, great. Are you of the larger size? Van Van may be too small for you.

*Fuck sake old thread

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

yep - dumb f***ing bumping alert
____________________
"Life is a sexually transmitted disease and the mortality rate is one hundred percent."

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