125 Recommendations

[CarlW12]

Hi all,

Currently I'm am bikeless and it's getting to me. I'm looking for a 125 to potter about on and do country lane/town riding with the occasional A road in there. I am not bothered about riding fast everywhere.

The budget I can get up to is around the £1500 mark with a little saving. I've seen the CBR and YBR come up a lot. I'm guessing there isn't a lot between them performance wise, but the CBR might be a little more 'fun'?

If anyone has any other suggestions for a small bike that's a bit of fun and that I've missed, I'd be happy to hear.

Many Thanks,

Carl
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Carl
A2 Licence Holder
Previous bikes: YBR; GPZ500S; Kawasaki Ninja 250R

[A100man]

If you want a lightweght go a bit bigger - 250 or 400, still fine for pottering and probably cheaper to buy. I paid less that 1500 for an MZ Skorpion recently
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[stinkwheel]

Also look at the insurance cost. I bet a bigger bike costs less to insure. My 9bhp 125 costs more to insure than my VFR750 or my modified 612 bullet.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Ayrton]

I have had both the cbr and the ybr, I'd say the cbr is a little more fun and easier to ride on the fast roads because of the screen. Both will top out at 65mph. The ybr wasn't bad either though, definitely a little more practical and easier to maintain or work on without the fairings.

[CarlW12]

[CarlW12]

[stinkwheel]

[A100man]

Chinese.. but nearly new..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205629999188?

Japanese

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/396883064135?

Sporty number..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/316719241740?

Worth watching?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/236215046217
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[CarlW12]

[jeffyjeff]

What about a 350 with the performance of a 125. That's where I'd be looking. Royal Enfield Classic/Meteor/Bullet 350
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[A100man]

[CarlW12]

[jeffyjeff]

[WD Forte]

I'd be careful about any second hand 125.
There will be some well maintained bikes about but
as most will have been owned and ridden by yoofs and newbies,
a lot will have been thrashed and abused as well as 'improved' by kids wanting moar powah.

Bigger bikes aren't immune from abuse of course so its always buyer beware and do some research.
Any second hand bike bought on a limited budget my a well have issues
and making them a good reliable bike will involve some time, money and
a certain level of electro-mechanical skill and experience.
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bikers smell of wee

[CarlW12]

[to v or not to v]

id be looking at the Enfield 350 range like Jeff suggested. there are several different models to choose from and some were going for £3k brand new back in the spring.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[FF68]

RS 125s are fun and nice to look at too but getting a good one under £1500 could be challenging..
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Honda H100s. Aprilia RS125. Honda CBR600RR. Aprilia RSVR1000.

[CarlW12]

[stinkwheel]

I can tell you the 350 bullets probably have comparable performance to a 125 in terms of speed and acceleration BUT way better if going uphill, into a headwind or with a load of luggage on board.

As has already been mentioned, by the time you get to £1500, a 125 could well be into double digit previous owners. All of whom were under 20. All of whom have either tried to (or failed to) maintain it themselves or make it go faster.

You'd pick up a fairly tidy Honda Innova for the sort of money you're looking at. They are a hoot to ride and tend not to have been bought by the "boy racer" type of owner. Also very resistant to ham-fisted maintainance as long as the oil has been kept topped up and changes somewhat regularly.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Easy-X]

The other thing with 125s is insurance see them as thief magnets, especially in and around cities.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Capt Sisko]

One of the biggest problems you're going to find is actually finding a decent 125 in that price range. What I mean by that is most 125s are bought as first bikes, often by teens who have neither any mechanical sympathy or maintenance knowhow. The result is the bikes get neglected, services skipped or only certain things done and then with a dubious origin/quality 'kit' bought off ebay. Small problems then grow into big ones and becuase these 125s are seen as disposable items, those youngsters don't really care.

Okay, that's little unfair on many, but go in eyes open and ask lots of questions.

[CarlW12]

[Easy-X]

Royal Enfield turner a corner with the runaway success of the Interceptor 650 and Himalayan. Anything after those would be a solid value proposition but you're probably looking at two and a half for a reasonable Meteor 350.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[jeffyjeff]

Here is a short video from 2021 suggesting that back then, RE quality of manufacture was actually quite good.

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=fortnine+quality+of+manufacture&qpvt=fortnine+quality+of+manufacture&mid=4016BE2206ADE9FED46F4016BE2206ADE9FED46F&mcid=9C0C6AEAE2114063AB9E45065A3DA98D&FORM=VCGVRP
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC