125cc Tyre Question

[SS_Dumplings]

Hi All,

New bike dude here.

I'm old enough to go through DAS but before I do that I've figured spending a few months commuting on 125cc would be good to build experience (while hopefully avoiding picking up bad habits! (any tips on that, let me know)).

I'm thinking YBR 125 would be great for daily commuting in London and good for my wallet as I'll be saving for DAS as well. However, my concern is its tyre width holding during rain and frostier road conditions.

Do you think it's better to shell out twice the price for a used YZF/MT 125 which would have a thicker tyre? I'm assuming I'll be able to receive a lot of what I spend buying it when it comes to selling, but budget wise paying twice for a thicker tyre... is it worth it or am I overthinking and YBR will do the job? I've read conflicting comments on here, so a bit apprehensive.

Any help appreciated.

[Evil Hans]

You're not just overthinking it, you're over-overthinking it. YBR will be fine.
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Triumph Sprint ST 1050. And it's Red.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[A100man]

[Mysteriass]

I'd say that "no news is good news" when it comes to bikes.

It's VERY difficult to find out any information whatsoever about YBR's... that must mean they're fairly good. Like absolutely bloody boringly good. It just works. Presumably.

If there is a complaint about YBR's it is that the stock tyres are crap. The communal recommendation is Michelin Pilot tyres. Ah, and the gearbox can drop out of first into neutral sometimes when you come to pull off but that's a common finicky thing with lots of little bikes. There's a habit of firmly clonking into first before you stop that usually solves the issue.

YBR's are mainly fuel injection after 2009 or so. Vacuum fuel tank. Therefore you'll have to do a bit of learning as most old duffers who may have helped you with a carb bike are flumoxed by Fuel injection. Bit over the top in tech really for a 125. Some silly unnecessary sensors to go wrong too.

If you want a more simple bike then take a look at the older pushrod Honda CG. The only learner two stroke you'll get cheap is an RXS-100 but getting parts is a bit of a twat now. And getting that 6v electrics through an MOT is not fun unless you're willing to do the 12v upgrade. One time I went for an MOT on an RXS; The mechanic was riding it round the yard shouting "Get Out Of The Way!!"...as that was far more effective than the horn.

Everyone loves an RXS. Nobody loves a YBR. So there's also that aspect to consider.

If you do buy the YBR then consider keeping it as your second bike when you move on. That'll encourage you to look after it as well.

[Ayrton]

YBR with standard tyres will be fine, they are one of the most common commuter bikes out there. I've owned one myself and never thought the tyres lacked grip and I don't think increasing tyre size necessarily gives you more grip. It was however a very practical bike and I'd have another one if I were just riding around a city.

[Fullers1845]

I’m in a similar situation, looked at different 125’s and just plumped for a boring cb125f that was local and cheap. If you’re going to move it on once you’ve got the A licence might as well have a cheap runaround that’s easy to ride which can then be punted on at a similar price, plus cheap boring old YBR is maybe less likely to get lifted as MT’s and YZF’s are.

Regarding practice, I’ve just been following some of the excellent videos on YouTube, and trying to ride ‘to the book’ however if I’m commuting then sometimes it becomes much harder to not do things you’d fail for, eg going for gaps on a mega busy roundabout, just have to be firm that you won’t do it on the test.

I’d also recommend booking and doing Mod1 on your 125, it’s dead cheap (£15.50) and gives you a real world practice go for when you do big bike test

[steve the grease]

It's not just about the width of the tyres, it's also about where you put them.
It's always extra slippery when it starts raining after a dry spell. The rain lifts worn rubber and spilt diesel off the road surface and into a slippery layer that soon rinses away, but at first it's extra slippery - especially on roundabouts.

Avoid slippery surfaces like metro rails, grids and manhole covers ( they would put them on the apex of a bend wouldn't they - the pipes need to change direction) when it rains they are extra slippery.

Having said all that tyres now are much better than they were back when I was learning. European tyres much more so than Chinese made tyres, buy a set of Michelins, ( or other well known European brand) you won't regret it.
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All the above is my personal opinion, you can see my lips move, but I'm talking out of my arse.
I've been riding, and fixing , bikes for 50 years, in that time the more I learn, the less I am absolutely sure of.....