New biker

[K1NGSM1LL]

Alright guys, and girls, I'm Ryan, 19 next month, from London.

Recently started a new job and got interested in getting a moped for the journeys (and just for general transport too). I've always liked bikes and my dad's had loads and stuff, just recently my interest expanded. I've been looking over this forum for a while and it seems great, so decided to join.

So I've got my CBT in 10 days, really excited.

I was looking for a Speedfight or a Runner really, but I've been to look at a few and they've just seen so many better days. So me and my dad had a talk and came to the conclusion a new bike was the way to go, we went to a shop and they had one of these (but the 125 version):

https://i.ebayimg.com/18/!!rvVgiQ!m0~$(KGrHqMOKicEu(95St1bBLrL04rut!~~_12.JPG

..a TGB R125X for £1695 brand new 10 plate, which is the likely option for me at the moment. What do you guys think? Anyone ever had a TGB? I've heard they're good and make parts that other bikes use.

Thanks.

[jamR]

at 19 you'd surely be better of picking up a decent geared 125 for that price?

[K1NGSM1LL]

[Paxovasa]

Hello and wecome.

Just don't buy a cheap chinese scoot/bike.
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Suzuki GSF600 K3 (in the fastest colour, black).

[K1NGSM1LL]

[That_Hornet]

Buy a CG, and off you go. Will probally go faster than that, last longer and sell it for the same price if not more than what you payed for it.

Simples.

CG's are upright, and very easy to learn on. 100% better.

Don't buy chinese crap.

[Kal]

By the end of the first day you will hardly fluff the gears, by the end of your first week you wont do it at all.
____________________
Kal...
I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It I Like To Hoon It Hoon It Ya Like To (HOON IT!).
1984 GB250 Clubman,1983 CB250N Superdream, 1999 GPZ500S

[K1NGSM1LL]

Fluff the gears?

[That_Hornet]

stall, miss gears etc...

[K1NGSM1LL]

Oh I see.

I've read/heard that TGB make good scooters. And one of my dad's friends son has the exact same in yellow and black and he loves it.

I just really can't find a decent scooter that I like that's worth the price it's going for or that hasn't been abused etc.

[slyrob]

the answer is not to buy a scooter, get a bike
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Pitslayer wrote "it could be Ndubz.....ruining this once great place with donkey gobbling loafer knobbing "music".
silky666 wrote "In my eyes, when you shake cocks with the devil, you may as well go for the full reach around"
Villers wrote "as reliable as a ginger stepchild on smack"

[K1NGSM1LL]

I wanna get used to being on the road on a scooter first mate..

[ian789]

Scooters don't get respect off other road users!

A 125cc bike will be safer, more reliable and much more useful.

Scooters are for 16 yr olds!

Get a lovely CG or similar

[Askura]

I know you think we're being bias because we're a bike forum, but everyone is providing with good sense. Take your CBT on a motorcycle. Get a feel for it. A decent running 125 can cost between £500-£1000 depending on what you get. Not knocking your dad but he can't be much of a motorcyclist if he suggests you go for a ped. Therefore he's not in a position to know the best way to get started.

A 1990-2000 (and later models of course) honda CG 125 if well treated will run forever. It has better MPG, handling, acceleration and braking than 9/10 scooters I've ever heard of.

If you buy a honda CG 125, it will retain value! Say if you buy a 2000 honda CG with 12,000 for £700, you will be able to sell it for about the same if it's in good condition. You can't do that with scooters!

If you have £1700 to spend, don't blow it all on a scooter. You're going to drop it once or twice or maybe have a slide as you're new and inexperienced at this time. Get something you won't mind getting scraped.

Ian is right too, mopeds get snuffed by other road users. You've heard of the biker's nod? Where biker's nod to one another when they pass? Well peds don't get that. People assume that you're a little scrote on a ped, and car drivers won't give you much credit either.

If you're going to ride a moped for the rest of your life, get a moped. If you're going to learn to be a motorcyclist at some point, start on a motorbike. Where as they are completely different, it's not hard to ride a motorcycle. After the CBT you'll find it easy, and easier yet after you've been on it a few weeks.

If you want help looking for a good 125 motorcycle I'll help you, just ask man.
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Honda CG 125 - Cagiva Raptor 125 - GS500 - Cagiva Raptor 650 - Honda Bros 400.

[CarlosCBR]

When i started out i wanted to get a ped as i thought it would be easier as the idea of gears intimidated me, in the end i thought fuck it and did my CBT on a geared 125. After the CBT i went out and bought a CBR125 straight away and i dont regret not getting a ped for a second.

[Clanger]

Hello, and sorry but you've landed in a Bike Chat Forum, you're not going to find much support for your choice of scooter...we like bikes, as in Motorbikes here.
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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

[Irn-Bru]

How about your do your CBT on a geared 125 first and then decide what you want to buy?
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KTM 990 SMT & Suzuki DR-Z 400 SM

[K1NGSM1LL]

Thanks for the replies.

My dad's rode bikes all of his life, he just wants me to be upright etc first to get used to being on the road, which is understandable I think.

When I thought about doing my CBT I was looking at CBR125s and stuff initially. I'll have another talk with my dad cause to be honest I'd like to have a proper bike looking 125.

I just really can't find any decent used scooters which is why I'm looking at the new option now.

When I booked my CBT I said I wanted to do it on an automatic, if I ring up and ask if there's any manual spaces left for that day would they let me change to that without any hassle?

[Askura]

Yeah usually they're pretty forgiving, most places have several 125s so I think you'll be all right. If not you can always ask to book for another day. There is no problem with that, so do so!
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Honda CG 125 - Cagiva Raptor 125 - GS500 - Cagiva Raptor 650 - Honda Bros 400.

[metalangel]

If you get a scooter you'll be a pedboi, driving around in trackies (tucked into your socks) and with your hood pulled up over your lid. You will get Shaznay, the local slag whose mary is like swinging a cricket bat in Wembley Stadium, and a nasty infection to boot.

If you get a proper 125 bike you'll be cool and wear a leather jacket with big armoured pads. You'll get hot chicks of your choice (emo, rocker, rnb) because they won't be ashamed to be seen on the back of a bike but wouldn't be caught dead on a hairdryer.

TRUTH.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[K1NGSM1LL]

Yeah, I really wouldn't wanna be seen as one of those scooter guys if I got one.

But anyway, I rang them up and I'm now doing my CBT on a manual.

The CBR125 looks nice. Can anyone suggest any other bikes similar to it?

Also, is changing gears hard? Any info on it or help would be appreciated.

[Nai]

On the CBR 125's, make sure you sit on one before you buy it! I aint tall, and even I found them tiny! Its apparently a brilliant bike, reliable 4 stroke, but if your a big guy you may find them to small.

I looked at the bigger 125cc race reps and it came down to Aprillas (2 stroke's), Hyosungs, Yamaha YZF, and a Rieju RS2 (all 4 stroke). Got the Rieju RS2in the end (Spanish brand, Yamaha engines in them).

[K1NGSM1LL]

Will do. I'm about 6'. Yeah I've read all over people praising it etc, will definitely check them out.

Thanks. Want a 4 stroke I think, the Rieju RS2 and Hyosung look nice.

[Nai]

Hyosungs felt bigger than the Rieju, no idea of course what it feels like in the long term. Reviews off all of them on MCN and Carole Nash. Im sure this lot here will know more about them. But so you at least have something to read about them.

https://www.carolenash.com/insidebikes/bike-reviews/

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/

Again, go to the dealers and sit on them if you can. After you've sat on all the ones your interested in, go look for a bargain. I nearly bought the CBR on impulse right after CBT and sooo glad I didn't now!

Also read the sticky at the top of the forum :

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=33113

Check the links in it, useful stuff there for a first time buyer!

[K1NGSM1LL]

Thanks for the info and links mate.

So can you tell me anything about using gears?