First Bike

[leon]

Hi, I'm 18, I've never rode a bike before (apart from randomly having goes on twist'n'go peds) but I've recently decided I want a supermoto.. I'm going to book my CBT when my next pay check comes through (Friday), and i'm planning on getting a 125 pretty much as soon as I can afford it..

I'm hoping to pick one up relatively cheap, but because I know sweet FA about bikes I think if I get one second hand I'm gonna ride it out the street and it's gonna fall apart.

So I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on the following bikes, and any other bikes they know which are similar (and better!).

SUPERBYKE RMR 125
PULSE ADRENALINE 125
QINGQI GY 125
KAWASAKI KMX 125
HYOSUNG RX 125 SM
ORION EXT 125
YAMAHA DT 125R
SHINERAY GY125
KINROAD MOTORBIKE 125
HONDA CBR 125 (I know it's not a supermoto but my more experienced mate told me it's the best bike to start on, period)

If someone could tell me pretty much if I should cross any of these bikes off my prospective list, or if i should add some, and even if anyone knows rough 2nd hand prices for a half decent one. I would LOVE a DT but I don't think it's within my price range, as I wouldn't want to spend much more than £800. Also, pretty much as soon as I buy the bike I'm going to want to drive it for about 200miles, because I'll be going to university up north, so I don't want to buy it and have it conk out half way up there.

Cheers for any replys in advance

[Mudskipper]

[carlperkins00...]

go for the kawasaki kmx or the yamaha dt.

cbr's are good but are tiny, feel like a kids bike, and get very boring after about 4 months.

as leon says.. avoid chinese. they are absoloute shite! your better off with a pushbike.

the hyosung is ok but its probably going to cost more on insurance, probably not so many parts available either.

kwak and yammy are the best ones.

hope this helps. Carl.

[qarka]

The top 3 are the same bike. I have it...
____________________
Previous - Sinnis Apache - Honda Bros 400 - Yamaha SR500 - Honda Transalp - Kawasaki ZX-7R - Honda CB-1 - Honda 929 Fireblade - Honda NTV650 [b]Current[\b] Honda CB500

[leon]

alright cheers, i'll avoid chinese lol.

Yeah my mate used to have a CBR and i always took the piss out of how thin his wheels were..

I'm really wanting the dt, does anyone know how much one would be that would actually work, but pretty cheap and where i can get one from?

[bhinso]

Definitely agree with KMX, Yamaha DT, Aprilia RX
that was my final three.
In the end i went for the KMX because new it was 1,000 less than the DT.
not sure how that relates to used bikes though

[tsmith]

DT has better brakes than the KMX, so if you are going to be doing most of your riding on the road get the DT. Otherwise get the KMX, tweak the KIPS and enjoy 26bhp

[BlackStallion]

Good choice going for a supermoto 125, in my opinion they're the best bikes to start off on. They look big too.

I'm going to agree with everyone else, cross all the chinese bikes off straight away, all they do is make you happy for a matter of weeks and then they fall apart. Useless load of junk that isn't worth the money.

In my opinion i'd go for the Hyosung XRX 125SM, i have an XRX, it's not supermoto though, it's the enduro version, basically the same, but bigger tyres with more tread, and the rear brake isn't disc, it's drum.

On the SM version, the one that you have on your list, it's got disc brakes at front and back, which is good.

You can get hold of Hyo's fairly cheap, mine is a 57 plate (07 model) it had done 6000 miles and was in immaculate condition, owner took good care of it, and that cost me £1000. I actually got it off the instructor that took me for my CBT, so he was well trusted.

Anyway, more onto the bike....

It's a 4 stroke which means it will last you ages and doesn't gobble up fuel. Much suited if you plan to do long distance journeys, as 4 strokes are more comfortable traveling at high speeds for a continuous amount of time.

Fuel consumption is about 95 - 100mpg on the SM model, which is brilliant. Mine is 90mpg, because the SM model has a larger fuel capacity.

The engine itself is an exact copy of a Suzuki engine, because Hyosung and Suzuki are both in a contract with each other. A fact i found out not to long ago...

The SM model will go quicker than the enduro version like mine, so i'd say it will be able to do 75mph, as mine can top 70. The acceleration isn't the best as it's a 4 stroke, but will easily beat most cars. Surprising how nippy the bike actually is.

Will cost you about £8 to fill the tank, and one tank will get you very far indeed. I once traveled 150 odd miles with a mate, and when i topped up, it only cost me £2, so there was still about quarter of a tank of petrol in there.

Suspension is lovely and soft, you can glide over potholes and not feel a thing, nice big upside down forks too.

It's a comfy bike, and in my opinion was a great way to start me off. I'm 17 and this is my first bike, had it for about 4 months now, and it's never let me down. Read reviews about it too, you will be surprised at how many pleased people there are. I'll give you a link mate:

https://www.ukbike.com/Reviews.aspx?redirect=1

The tax is about £20, insurance cost me £251 and i spent a fair bit on protective gear.

This bike should keep you going for a long while though mate, if you look after it, clean and lube the chain, tighten it when you need too, check your oil level, and give it a wash down every now and then, it should last you ages. I'm planning on keeping mine for a year or so, before i take my big test.

If you have any questions, just message me

Hope this helps

[BlackStallion]

Sorry mate, just read through what you put again, and you said you didn't want to spend no more than £800 really.

The Hyosung XRX 125SM is only in the 2007 model and onwards. If you check out ebay and other websites, you will find 04 and 06 models, even my exact bike the 07 model, all at about £700.

If you went for these, unfortunately they wouldn't be supermoto, they'd be enduro. Basically the same frame and design, but like i said in my other comment, rear drum brake and front disc brake. The wheels are bigger too, and the tyre's have more tread.

I'll put a few photos up of my XRX, to give you an idea of what the enduro model looks like.

https://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/milkster125/OptimizedP240509_1140.jpg
https://i657.photobucket.com/albums/uu299/milkster125/P240509_114002-Optimized.jpg

Just to let you know, i've ridden a CBR125, they are a reliable bike, but they look to small and thin, and the wheels are petty little things. If anything, being a 4 stroke, the Hyosung is just as reliable.

I'm going to leave it here anyway mate, i've wrote some essays today lol.

Good luck choosing, and get in touch if you want help and advice

[ItzFluffy]

Any bike will work. Everyone told me not to get a cbr600 but I did and I love it!! First bike I ever rode.
Go to a dealer, sit on bikes, find one or more that you like, look on craig's list and fine a cheap one.
Edit-your not in the states so Craigs list won't work for you...

[tsmith]

You might want to have a look at the Yamaha TDR125 as well. Big looking supermoto styled bike, has a DT engine and a deltabox frame.

[redline]

The hyosung's engine is in a very soft state if tune, therefore little or no engine breaking and no noticable focussed power anywhere in the range. suspension is also very soft (front and back), the rear shock is adjustable, but it is a sod to get at with a c spanner without dropping the linkage first. If you chose this be prepared to change the tyres and brake pads, (If stock parts are still on it) on the plus side, If it's well maintained, it will probably last a few years and won't threaten your licence.

Personally I would prefer the kmx or the DT, although imo, the KMX has the edge in all round performance, (just watch out for piston wear probs due to the exhaust port size), otherwise it is fairly easy to maintain.

I am not sure about the reliability of the aprillia, I have not had much experience of them, again, as with all bikes the maintainance routine probably plays a major part in this.

Hope this helps.
[/img]