What should I get???

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

because the bank has decided to be very generous in giving me a loan at the end of the either this month or the next I will have bout 3 grand to spend on a learner legal bike, I don't know whether to get an RS125 or NSR. A friend of mine has an unfaired version of the nsr which I do like (would prefer it with fairing tho) but I don't know anyone that has an RS. Has anybody heard of any probs with the RS???

mike_neon · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Karma :

i am no expert, i have heard the RS 125 needs more maintenance over the NSR, the RS 125 is a tad faster tham the NSR "nothing noticeable at all i hear" but the NSR is more reliable and in my opinion looks way better! Rolling Eyes

mike_neon · Scooby Slapper Joined: 16 Apr 2003 Karma :

i also dont think it would be worth you buying a brand new legal bike, get a second hand one which ever bike you choose.

Ant · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Feb 2003 Karma :

id go for the nsr and i also would spend as little as poss on a lerner bike if your not planning on keeping it for a while, especially if your still paying your loan off when you sell your bike!¬!

TiN · Pocket Tin Joined: 14 Feb 2002 Karma :

Have you taken insurance and riding gear into account? ...and have you done your CBT yet? It all adds up you know...
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TiN
dotgems.net

Mr.Everready · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Mar 2003 Karma :

if youve got £3k to spend use it to do your test and get a restricted Wink

bigger bike like a CBR etc.....

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The NSR is probably better for road use, especially as a first bike.

The RS would be better on the track (as can be seen by the fact that Honda has a different bike for a racing 125).

As other have suggested, I'd reccomend going second hand.
Check the FAQ forum for my views.
Even if you have enough money for all the other stuff, you can always use the spare to do your test, which you really won't regret Smile

Scotty · Scooter Boi Joined: 31 Jul 2002 Karma :

buy my NSR. lol Cheap Cheap.

No i dunno which ever you choose there all good bikes. I just wouldnt wanna pay full pricce for a brand new shiny one. that you'll loose alot of money on.
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Regards
Scott

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

well I'm definetly buying secondhand its just that I'm having trouble finding a second hand NSR in my area (staffordshire) and if I do find one its either been poorly looked after, over-priced (£2200 for an L reg) or slid down the road a few hundred times but I've just found a secondhand RS thats in good condition n only 2019 miles on the clock, but I would prefer an NSR if I want it to go faster I'll de-restrict it!!! Very Happy

Scotty · Scooter Boi Joined: 31 Jul 2002 Karma :

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

I'm trying to find a faired version black and silver hopefully but its quite hard to find one by the looks of it I just wanna get back on the road even if I have to go back on me old CG Embarassed

brought it to manage me for a while then threw that down the road n cracked the engine case - awaiting final repairs after new engine fitted so I can sell it x-treme cheap to be rid of it for good, it goes too slow for my liking.

Scotty · Scooter Boi Joined: 31 Jul 2002 Karma :

Poor little CG.
Might be slow, But there one of the longest and best selling bikes...lol.

Good luck with finiding an NSR, theres plenty about really. Just gotta have a look about.
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Regards
Scott

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

My bad, thought they had some similarities, though thinking about the weight differences they would need to be significantly differnt Smile

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Being honest they are both good bikes, and you should be able to get both new for around £3k. However insurance will hurt you and I would recommen buying a 2nd hand bike unless you really are going to keep it for a long time.

The RS is more stiffly sprung. Works very well on smooth roads, but not so good on bumpy roads. The RS needs fairly regular engine maintenance, but given that along with careful warming up it will be reliable.

Performance wise my RS (a 1993 L reg one I have had from new) will happily indicate 100mph sitting upright and I have had it round to 115mph indicated. Last year we were out with me on the RS with a pillion and a friend following on an unfaired NSR. The RS with a pillion managed 97mph indicated, and was a fair bit quicker than the unfaired NSR (both full power bikes).

The RS brakes are brilliant if you use EBC HH pads. Work OK with the standard pads but not much feel.

The RS has fairly low handlebars and a limited steering lock, along with a fairly high first gear. While great out of town it is a bit of a pain round town. It isnt that easy to move off on a hill start at a reasonable pace (it is easy to either crawl off slowly, or scream off rapidly making lots of noise)

My RS averages 55mpg, with a best of 74.5mpg during the petrol strikes (and it was agony)

Only down side is that (personally) I dont like the looks of the current RS.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Err.... I've never heard of a unfaired (pre 94 anyway, hardly any new 'uns around) NSR with an original engine as fast the faired onee... they seem to do more than a 75mph restricted, but definatley not upto the indicated speeds on the fully faired ones.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Yep, but a pillion on the RS should more than make up for the lack of fairing on the NSR Laughing

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

Shaun · Likes 'em bent Joined: 17 May 2003 Karma :

Thanks for the info K'start bin lookin at an 02 reg RS Y'day 3K no damage n only 2019 miles on the clock think I'll be goin for that now that the bank has been very kind to me n they've fixed me cg for £40 so I can use that get to work on until I get the RS so I'm on the road again n I'm happy Very Happy

Probably goin have to wait until the end of next month to get the other grand together pay for the RS but I'll put the rest down as a large deposit so they don't sell itnow I just gotta play the waitin n workin game for another month.

Kickstart · The Oracle Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Karma :

Hi

Unless the bike is a real bargain I wouldnt put a large deposit down. Wait until you have the money and then look. Also be VERY careful when buying a 2nd hand bike (the down side of buying from a dealer is that you dont get the "vet" the previous owner), and check the bike over VERY carefully.

Age isnt that important as far as condition goes. I have seen immaculate 10 year old bikes and 1 year old wrecks.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing