New bike advice, 125cc, 6'4" tall dude

[bluesky]

Hi everybody.

Just passed my CBT on Friday.

Decided do go for the 'bike option/route' as being fed-up recently with increased car travel time - i.e. going to work (Manchester).

I would like new or nearly new 125cc bike to use for commuting (30 miles a day) and to practice for/till DAS in late August. Planning to get a bike ASAP.

I like Honda CG125, as everybody recommed it as good learner bike. Also new Yamaha YBR125 looks like it is going to be even better than CG125. It will be available in the UK over the next few weeks.

I've read/searched previus post and some people recommend Honda Varadero 125, but I find it a bit too expensive (but it would probably be ideal for me).
If I buy a new bike I would probably keep if for a year, even if I pass my test.

Am I right going for the above bikes, or will I look silly on them being 6'4" tall (and 38 years old ) ?

Any advice/comment appreciated.

Cheers everybody.

[jon88]

think i would say a sachs xtc 125 if u got the money, it aint too fast as its a 4T but is quite a long bike so might sute ur height better.
Jon

[G]

I would look at something like a DT125.

It has more power (when derestricted) than the 4 strokes, is a lot lighter than the Varadero and is still quite tall, so should 'suit' your frame.

Also look at a TS125, KMX125 etc.

I presume you're looking at buying second hand?

[Biker-Kev]

I would say the honda varadero

You wouldnt look out of place on this bike

Except the L-Plates
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[bish777]

DT125, DR125 or another trailey style bike, as most 125's are quite small.

One of the 125 cruisers are good also as they allow for a more stretched position for your legs I had a hyosung cruise 2 thingy and was comfy on it.
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[bluesky]

Thanks everyone.

I am not a big fan of trail bikes, probably being under false impression that they do not as good as standard bikes in town traffic (re: handling/filtering/cornering).
Also I think they are not as good on fuel economy.

I know, you can't have it both ways. Will have to make some decision very soon.

That Sachs XTC looks good, but a touch expensive. Had a look on Hyonsung gt125 Comet as well. Looks OK for my size, but stiill preffer CG125 or new Yamaha YBR125 - mainly for low maintanance & fuel economy.
My idea is to save on the expenses for a year (petrol & insurance), get some riding experience and than splash out on decent 500cc.

I am not bothered how do I look on the bike, as I will use it only for commuting to work. If its raining will probably take a car.

It is difficult choice, as I might 'get a bug' and regret the choice later.

Cheers

[Josh|RD125LC]

Honda Varadero, Yamaha DT, Kawasaki KMX, Hyosung Comet (Maybe) and an Aprilia Tuareg 125. Those are pretty big bikes and I think they'll be ideal for a tall rider.
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
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[WalkeruK88]

DT's the tallest of the lot but i may have a TS for sale ( theres not much in the height between the two )

[G]

[Kickstart]

[lilredmachine]

If you're not gonna go offroad on a trailie, go for a supermoto. (My totally unbiased opinion .)
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Bikes: too many, too much for one man to maintain anyway.

[bluesky]

Decisions, decisions, ...

Thanks everybody for help.

I am researching/checking bikes for many hours every day. Want to buy one over next few days.

After several people suggested trail/moto I've checked Yamaha DT.
New DT125X looks quite cool. Could not find any reviews yet.
This looks like my compromise - trail bike with road tyres. A bit pricey and heavy on juice, but who cares - let have a bit of fun

Cheers
bluesky

[G]

Personally I'd only buy new if I had a lot of money sitting around that I didn't particularly want - especially in the case of a 125cc.

Do remember that with a new bike you'll have to run it in - so that's 500 miles where you can only use half revs (if your bike only does 75mph top speed, that isn't very quick). Then revs increasing for the next 500 miles before you should properly abuse it.


Note that you don't need road sized wheels to have fun on the road; as I said my dr600 (about 40-45hp, broad range of torque) did fine on road biased tyres on trail wheels.
Could still keep up with sports bikes where corners were concerened (at road, not track speeds).

I suspect it's only when you start to get up to the 60+ hp full on supermotos which are being abused on track that the road rubber starts to offer a big advanatage.

I've seen some reviews of the DT125X and they all seemed pretty positive, so if you've got the money to spend on the style (and that's what you want) then it'd be a good choice, as it offers the performance as well .

[Dom_]

One ofmy friends has just bought a DT125X. They can keep up on the corners and make for great town riding, they arn't too loud as standard either which will be good for commuting.

Heres a little clip of my mates in action, it's not too loud, and looks the part too.
The vid aint that good, you can still see/hear it though.
dtx.wmv

[bluesky]

[steveh]

im 6"3 and ride a marauder, however i have ridden a friends DT for quite some time... and in my view its perfect for the taller rider, especialy if you long in the leg...

Powerfull (with powervalve) great for wheelies, fun on and off road and beats most bikes around here.


great all round bike.


Steve.
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[biggerjohn]

At 6'2 and 19stone and started riding in January at the ripe old age of 33 and found the Honda Varadero 125 fitted me to a T

I found it a good commuter
Nice and tall so gave a good view of the traffic
Very reliable
Good fuel economy
And best of all comfy for a tall fat bastard

I bought new and traded in shortly after (6 week) for my CBF600s and lost only £500 on the deal cheaper than renting a bike without any reliability or dodgy HP problems to boot. So talk to your dealer you never know you may get a good deal just like me.


As for the other I can’t say but go to a to a few dealer sit on the bikes (take your time doing this) and you find the right bike for you.

And good luck with your DAS mate

[stevo as b4]

At 6'4 i think only a trailbike will be comfy enough to ride without back pain, so you dont really have much choice of machine types IMO. Im 6'2 and riding a CG125 for long periods, 30mile+ always gave me a backache, but a tall trailie is much better, and alot more roomy for taller people. Ive done a 130mile trip pretty much in one hit on a KMX, and i did not have much if any backache, just a sore arse, due to trailbikes seats being bearable for no more than 50mile at a time.

From what your saying i can see why you want to buy new, and if you have the money for a new machine fair enough. I would be aiming to keep a new 125 for at least 3-5years to get the best VFM from it. so if you only want/need a 125 for commuting etc, then fine. But if your buying a 125 to get some experience and have intentions of getting a bigger bike within a year say, then new is a big big waste of money!

The DT125X is great IMO, but i do think that the Honda Varado 125 could be a better long term option, due to it being more likely to hold its value and require less frequent servicing and have cheaper running costs.

[bluesky]

Got the bike finally

I went to Yamaha dealer to buy DT125X or YBR125 and there, in the corner, 'whola', used Honda Varadero 125 - just recently brought in as a part-ex.
Change of plan

Now, I am the proud owner of used Honda Varadero XL 125 V-4.
My first bike , 54 reg, 500 miles on the clock, blue, £2600. Dealer's done a first service for me.

Shit myself around first few corners, but after couple of minutes I settled in fine. Great bike, and very easy to ride. Just what I needed.

Thanks everybody for help and excellent advice.

Cheers
bluesky

[binge]

Suzuki Street magic!

https://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~bantrade/suzuki/STREET-MAGIC.jpg

Suzuki Monkey

https://www.cerclefrancojaponais.com/sunday/SD093_H_Monkey%20disco.jpg

[Josh|RD125LC]

How are you finding the Varadero? Is it comfortable for you?
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Honda MBX50 | Yamaha RD125LC | Suzuki RG125F Lucky Strike | Suzuki GSF600S
RD125LC Pictures

[garth]

Binge you tit, that's a honda monkey.




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[stevo as b4]

Sounds like you got what you wanted in the end, fair play mate! At least you havn't had to buy the bike brand new, so you've got an immaculate run in bike, and saved yourself quite a bit of depreciation at the same time. The Varardo isnt a bad bike IMO, its tall, big and looks far bigger and more solid than most 125's. It being a twin sounds nicer, and revs to about 11k making 15bhp on the way. Obviously not going to be a 2stroke beater, but i think it should reach a true 70mph, possibly 75 in ideal conditions, so its not too slow either. Honda Build quality is good, and if your planning on keeping this bike for a long time it shouldn't give you anything to worry about, and hopefully it will keep its finish well too.

[choll15]

Interesting thread - I'm very similar to Bluesky, 38yo and 6' 5" just done CBT after 20 years of no bike, just car. looking for decent 125 to fit me, but don't wanna fork out mega dosh for it. Plan is to flog ASAP after DA course/test pass (with minimal loss!)

Ultimate goal - Bandit or Fazer (commute/short weekend blasts)

Hadn't thought off road, but reading this I'm on the hunt for Yamaha DT. Any buyers tips on 2nd hand models?

Cheers everyone - top forum.

[JeffT]