Buying a bike

[tom94]

I found great bike not much tlc , for 800££ it's only 9 miles from my home so it's great.

What do you think about it for me it's fine just not sure if nsr is learner legal and if it's worth looking

it's link of the add

https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-nsr125cc/87231485#gallery-item-full-1

got insurance qoute for 370 pounds

[Rogerborg]

[Teflon-Mike]

NSR Hooligan's bike, in hooligans price range; bloke knows what he is selling; and that £800 dont fiond you MUCH that actually has tax and test on it that can be heard running... he also knows that pics of shiney paintwork sell bikes; hence pics of shiney paint work, and token shot of cracked seat cover so you aren;t 'mislead' its a minter.... but no mention of mechanicals, or pics of worrysome bits, like tyres or suspension, forks or brakes, and curiouse mention of a 'spare engine'.... so he DOES know something about mechanics, and ALSO how top end rebuilds often migrate......

Its a reasonable price, for what it is, but I would be vetting the seller.... and TBH, I would NOT be looking to buy hassle in an NSR....

They aren't a BAD bike, but.... they are a compromise; they aren't a sensible learner bike, they are a 'more sensible' alternative to Mito or RS, but if that's what floats your boat, you are sort of uncompromising person an NSR would dissapoint..... and as compromise, I see them more often as a hinderance than a help. Not an economical, easy to ride, easy to live with, easy say ta-ta to, commuter, you aren't seeing the 'benefit' of a tiddler from one, as a 'half way' to full on, uncompromising full power lightweight, don't deliver 'all' they could, and you end up in a no-where land, where the bike doesn't encourage you to step up, get tests done dusted and out the way, OR give you the exitement it ought to without tests. Meanwhile running costs are inordinately 'high' for the biking you get from it.

They are nice bikes, nicely designed and nicely built in Honda fasion; giving you what you NEED and making you think that's what you want; but it's not a really 'useful' bike, strategically; its an apeasement machine, which does a great job of giving you the looks and hints of performance, to salve aspirations, BUT not 'really' being helpful to you, as a learner, doing it.... better as a learner bike than a Mito or RS, far more livable with, BUT..... not the most helpful. IF you know what you are getting, and happy with that compromise; the risks and costs, then fine, go for it...

Only REAL risk with them is kiddie-go-kwik owners neglecting maintenence, thrashing the knackers off them, and putting thier attension into trying to make them quicker.... so VET THAT seller and go over the bike with a very careful eye....

And quickly, becouse its priced to sell; and I suspect that chap wont be particularly helpful over awkward qwuestions, like "So when were the rings changed?" Did you have the barel re-plated?.... he'll as like give gruff answer "Well, it runs; now D'ywannit? I have five other people wanning to come see it?"

Meanwhile, £370 insurance don't sound SO bad, but don't know what the clauses and excesses are. Smilers Insurance on the Corporal (CB125 Super-Dream) was £280, which makes that seem rather cheap; but depends; security; mileage; whether you have 'Commuting' on teh policy; Smiler got a shock, and premium went from about £160 to 180 when he realised he needed that cover to ride it to Uni every day!

NSR is I believe group 6 or Group 7 insurance; one of the highest for 125's; so you can garantee equivilent policy on a CG125 would be significantly lower; and that premium would, again, like for like value, mileage, exclusions etc, insure you something like a GS500 on a full licence....... So depends whether its worth it to you.

I'd go view, if its your kind of thing; but dont be over-sold on the performance or style; its just another Learner-Bike, and nothing THAT special....
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[N cee thirty]

thats about the milage were they need a top end rebuild

factor that in with the price against others
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[Ericck]

Don't know much about 125s but with all bikes, there are literally thousands of bikes for sale.

Look at as many bikes as you can to see what is out there for the money. Don't buy the first bike you see. If your not sure walk away, another one will come up sooner than you think. If it seems to good to be true it usually is.

As said you must do your research. If you don't know what a bike is worth let alone whether you can legally ride it I doubt you'll find a good deal.
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Current Bike: 2004 Suzuki Bandit 600S
Previous Bikes: Yamaha FS1E, Mobylette Moped Thingy, Suzuki GS125, Kawasaki Zephyr 550, Kawasaki Zephyr 750, Kawasaki ER500, Suzuki Bandit 600, Honda CBR600F, Triumph Street Triple 675, Suzuki V Strom 650, Suzuki Bandit 1200, Suzuki SV650N, Honda CB500F.

[tom94]

Hmmm so nsr is not great idea.What about hond varadero 125
https://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/honda-varadero-cc125/87445605 price i low but millage is 24 k a bit big but it's four stroke and also close from my home

[Teflon-Mike]

[Teflon-Mike]

[tom94]

Obviously i will not buy bike by my self xD so i dont worry about getting mugged

[Livefast123]

The NSR is very capable sports 125 but would I choose one as a learner bike, probably not. I've owned a full power Italian version since 2006 and sold it very recently and I do regret it. IMO why it doesn't make a good learner bike :-

1. Even though they are more reliable than the RS etc they still require fully synthetic 2 stroke oil which at a minimum is £10 - £11 a litre.
2. Plastic body work is very expensive new from Honda and fairly rare on Ebay.
3. Turning circle of a supertanker
4. Unforgiving power delivery, not much low down power for learners pulling off and powerband may catch some out in the rain.
5. You need to be committed riding it, working the gearbox etc, not a relaxing ride.

£800 is cheap for a decent NSR, I sold mine for 925 on a 94 plate and I could have sold it 20 times over. Top end rebuilds are easy and cheap if you do it yourself so don't be put off by the fact it hasn't had a rebuild if your willing and skilled enough to give it a go.

Sadly I'd put my exotic bike dreams away for now, buy a CG, YBR and pass the tests and then get the sports bike that you want.
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Current ride - Yamaha MT-07

[Alex_B]

No harm is viewing the Baby Varadero.

As tef says, if it's to good to be true it probably is and all that..

BUT I picked one up for £820 and all seems OK so far (touches wood )

Don't go with cash in pocket, meet at his home and only his home and take someone with you.
I went at night (had to) but not on my own, I took no cash, I just wanted a first viewing and told the guy I would be back in the morning and I'm serious buyer.

HPI'd it when I got home, all good. Picked it up after looking it over in daylight and am loving it.

Can't hurt to look but it could be iffy...but it could be great!
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