Newbie questions on equipment and a Rieju RS

[Nai]

Hullos! Just passed my CBT this weekend *huzzah!* Gots a couple of questions on what to wear and a bike i keep seeing at the moment.

Equipment questions first i guess, im a cyclist normaly. Been doing 40 mile a day commuting in london for 12 years. Im more than aware it doesnt matter how good i am at cycling or how good i get on a motorbike, other drivers are still dangerous and im kinda squishy compared to cars. Bearing in mind for the most part the bike will never do over 50 is it worth investing in or excessively paranoid grabbing body armour bits such as this : https://www.getgeared.co.uk/ALPINESTARS_Track_Protection_Vest?sc=20&category=-120. Does that sorta thing fit under any jacket? Would it be ok with this jacket : https://www.getgeared.co.uk/BERING_Tempo_4_Season_Motorcycle_Jacket?sc=14&category=125 . Are Kevlar jeans any good for keeping you well protected? Seen them on the websites and im assuming they are better protection than normal jeans. Gloves, helmet and boots seem pretty standard 'you get what you pay for'. I am aware with that i prolly sound like i want to be a neon armadillo but like said, been cycling long distances for a long time and i really am paranoid about being knocked off at any speed.

Okis, other question. I keep seeing Rieju R2's recently, they are fairly cheap and i was told the Spanish bikes are good, just a bit more highly strung than their Japanese counterparts. This was by someone who worked ina dealers however. But like said, i keep seeing the Rieju R2, its fairly cheap compared to the other sporty 125cc's. It looks a bit bigger than the CBR 125 too (which i felt like i was sitting on a toy when i had a go on one). Are they better than the fall apart Chinese bikes ive been repeatedly warned off? Reliable enough to get me 40 miles a day around London?

[27cows]

I had a Rieju Moto Roma 125 (trail thingy) and it was fine. Had a Yamaha motor and the cycle parts were decent quality. It also had Showa forks. I think it was probably more Japanese than the average Jap bike LOL Only real pain was the location of the battery - perfectly placed to take the full force of the road muck.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[Clanger]

Good boots (protect your ankles), good gloves as you will automatically put your hands out when you fall. And that's kinda it.

The rest is totally up to you, what you feel comfortable in, there is tonnes to choose from. Go into something like Heine Gericke and have a look at their range of stuff and try kit on.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Digitalize]

I've got the naked version of the 50. Didn't survive too well in the road salt, rusted on the underside. But other than that, and a few odd things, duff battery, corroded bulb, its been fine. The new RS2 125 is a 4 Stroke i believe, so will be fairly reliable too.

However, if buying new, they are releasing an RS3 soonish, so might be an idea to wait, as it does look a lot better.

[Nai]

Thanks for replys, well, seems it could be a winning bike for me. Local dealer has the RS2 pro marked down to £2500.

The RS3 ive heard about but no idea about cost or when it actually comes out in the UK.

[Digitalize]

Comes with a good 2 year warranty too, as long as the dealers a nice bloke.

[Nai]

Grabbeds the black one Gotta waits 10-12 days for it to be built and delivered but mlah, gonna have a follow up drive at the school at got my CBT at as practice this weekend. Cycling 40 mile a day for 12 years leaves me putting my foot to the floor a lot and constantly covering my brakes. Deffo need an extra bit of practice to run them habits out.

Linkage to the shop : https://www.motorbike-warehouse.co.uk/productdetails.php?pid=91#anchmainimage

Is just around the corner from where i work

For anyone interested in them, they are a similar size to the Honda CBR 125's.

[The Tot]

Funnily enough I was looking at that site when I was at work today!
The RS2's are good for 65mph but that's it because they're air cooled so realistically will only put out 12bhp = 8-10bhp at the back wheel assuming the standard 20% transmission losses. It'll be economical for sure. My main concern is about you dropping it. Because you're a new rider, it WILL happen.... and in London, you have an increased likelihood because of the traffic and other bikers. They probably won't have any crash bungs designed specifically for the bike to protect the fairing if it drops but I'm sure you can improvise. I settled for an XR125 for my commutes to college (Edgware to Harrow) purely because I know how bad Northwick Park Roundabout can be. I'm not sure how good spares availability would be for the Rieju for bodywork? But yes, it is a yamaha engine that they use so you can be guaranteed reliability from that front.

If you ARE in NW london, just swing by Hein Gericke in Kenton... They'll sort you out. A good textile jacket from Hein Gericke WILL have a built in back protector so you don't need to worry about Alpinestars Bling just yet. Kevlar jeans will still hurt when you fall off but they don't abrade as fast as denim, so your shins/kneecaps/thighs will thank you.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Nai]

Heh yeah im expecting a drop or two. The fairings on it are quite cheap to replace if i i whack em to much. Thankfully im doing the same route ive cycled every day for 12 years so im know my route well. Also know London drivers well though

Hmm Kenton... Quick trip from where i work i think... I pass Infinity on the Hanger Lane roundabout every night on my cycle too, never thought to look in there till i got home tonight. Gonna have to have a nosey there too tomorrow

[The Tot]

Well that's good to know then. I'm not sure where else do good quality gear for a reasonable price in London. I can vouch for HG stuff. I've abused mine in all weather and they've held out fine in downpours, snow and heat. I would spend about £200 on a GOOD GORE TEX Jacket more than anything else. You'll thank it when you get caught in a downpour in london. You can remove the thermal lining and they become exceptionally good as summer jackets. They even have zippable vents to let the jacket breath.

If you're uncertain about rustproofing, have a search for ACF50 on here and you'll find some good applications for it. I used it over the winter on my bike to help prevent corrosion spreading. Won't stop it entirely but it's good enough.

Where did you do your CBT in London? I've been out of touch so I don't know who does CBT/Tests anymore since the new license.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
Never argue with autism

[Nai]

Ahh cool, ill have to look at rustproofing! Read most of the FAQ threads here but havent seen rustproofing yet

I did my test at Getbike in Ealing (opposite Northfields station). They were really good. Good enough for me to want to go back and pay for a 4 hour ride with a tutor for some post CBT training. Mainly on a geared bike as we learned on mopeds. You know London traffic, and im a paranoid (/veteran?) London cyclist. Id rather be confident and able before hitting the streets on my lonesome on a motorbike

There gonna do some ride outs too im hoping to join them on. Linkage to website. https://www.getbike.net/