KTM Duke 125 vs. CBR 125

beaslethorpe · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Karma :

Err no, as in I gained my CBT three days ago. I.e. I'm a fully fledged, no bones about it newbie (who incidently has only ever riden a Kymco Pulsar 125)

Its not what other people think looks cool I'm fussed about, it's what I think looks cool- or more to the point, doesn't. And as I said earlier, I personally think getting on a bus looks cooler than something with the styling of a CB125. Getting on a bus with L plates strapped to my motorcycle clothing for that matter. They're not for me, anymore than getting on a bus is, which really is the end of that side of things.

beaslethorpe · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Karma :

The above is the sort ofreview I was after and I much appreciate it. I'm gonna take a look at the bike, kick the tires a bit, you know. See how the size looks in the flesh as unfortunately the thousand words written by pictures isn't enough. May even see if he'll let me have a quick raz up the road if his insurance covers it.
i really like the look of it and by the sounds of things its a fairly well looked after machine, so hopefully it'll be love at first tug (well...isn't it always?)

1cyl · World Chat Champion Joined: 04 Feb 2004 Karma :

OP

If You do your test = Duke 690
If you don't = Duke 125
Thumbs Up

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Ayrton · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Karma :

beaslethorpe · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 03 Mar 2012 Karma :

superleeds76 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 02 Feb 2012 Karma :

each to their own on this
i ride a cbr 125 and love it use it daily starts first time all weathers
mine was a used bike with 9k on the clock not too bad for a bike thats 5 years old
but hey thats just my opinion

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Older CBR125s are smaller than the newer one, I've had many of them, they were fine. Cost a fortune when you drop it though.

The KTM sounds like a bag of poo, even with an open can, but has some nice parts on it Thumbs Up

All in all, for a commute on 30mph roads, you'll want a YBR125 or a CG, thats all.

If you are 17>24 you'll want to do your test on it and sell it fast. Wink

Its not snobbery, as I actually enjoy 125s, but get the test out of the way. Insurance on a 125 costs more than a 500 for me. Confused

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

CBT --> YBR ---> Theory --->Mod 1--->Mod 2---> sale of YBR---> Buy Duke 200/CBR250.

Proceed to enjoy riding up hills at normal speed, loosing the looser plates, and being able to use motorways.

2yr restriction ends--->Sell duke/CBR--->Get big propperly fast bike!

Though the posey 125's are all a bit shit...I mean my YBR, with a blood bag on the back, me at 17stone, and a backpack with a drink, hoodie, GPS scanner/tracker thing, was able to hang with yamaha's R125 w/a leo vince exhaust up till about 40-50mph from a standing start off the lights. thats what, a £4500 bike, with a £300? £400? exhaust on it and it cant get away from a £1500 commuter with decent tyres? Insurance wise a CBR would add £200 to my insurance premium, and the duke just shy of 1k.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxB3RfBN8aY and lets be honest - whats more impressive? Pretending to be something you aint has never, and will never be cool! Laughing

Food for thought.

Well thats the way i'd play it anyway. Although i'll add i fucked up my theory AGAIN today. Passed on the questions, and then stuffed the hazard perception up. Clicked too many damn times, and then shit myself thinking "this has changed scince the car, i cant click so often" and hardly clicking at all. Re-book, try again... Rolling Eyes

Although this does prove the iPhone app for motorcycle theory is worth the 69p!
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

MotorbikerTom · Spanner Monkey Joined: 23 Mar 2011 Karma :

Out of the two i would definitely have the KTM, purely because i love Naked bikes. It looks the part and seems pretty nippy from what i've heard and seen on videos of it.

The fact is you could get on with doing your full license, start the 2 year restriction countdown and be riding a cbr 600 or ktm duke 620 in 2 years time. Or for that matter in a months time Smile

If you have the money to do your test then i definitely would Thumbs Up

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Ayrton · World Chat Champion Joined: 02 Sep 2010 Karma :

_Iain_ · Banned Joined: 01 Feb 2012 Karma :

Worth taking a good look at though. It seems the insurance varies so much depending on area, rider, cover etc...

£20 difference for you could work out at £2,000 for him!

Or it could go the other way...
____________________
Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

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

guile · Spanner Monkey Joined: 20 Mar 2012 Karma :

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

As I say, I was in the same position as you when I was 17. I thought a 125cc 4 stroke would be plenty. I was soon disappointed and wanted more.

After using a a wide range of different bikes from a C90 to a tuned ex-race superbike, I bought a 2006 GSXR1000 for commuting through the centre of Reading (basically from one edge of Reading to the other, through the centre).
Was it needed? Certainly not; but it was easiest and most pleasant way to do the journey.

If you are just stuck with central London, you may well find that's all you need - though for me, I'd want a bike I would be sure could out accelerate most cars out there - so at least a 125 2 stroke.

If you were on a limited budget, it may well make sense to just but a 125cc 4 stroke and stick with it - but it seems you've got a very reasonable budget to play with.

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

The Duke is better all round. However bleeting on about having a 125 because the running costs are lower is moronic when you are talking about dropping the majority of £4k on a brand new bike!

I'd like a Duke 125 to drop a 250SX engine in or similar
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petexa · L Plate Warrior Joined: 03 Jul 2011 Karma :

Hey guile,

Get the bike you want, i have the KTM and think its a fantastic bike, but thats my thoughts.

The KTM is my first bike and if it wasnt for the KTM i wouldnt be considering doing my test.

Im up and down the A406 and A13 everyday doing 30mile journeys and the KTM does hold its own as its all 50mph speed limits.

I thought it was expensive when i bought the bike, but was the only 125 i like.

Hope it helps. Thumbs Up

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

MyCarVsYourHe... · Nova Slayer Joined: 27 Mar 2012 Karma :

I think you will lose less money in the long run with the CBR, but considering you're buying a 125 brand new, resale value doesn't seem to be much of an issue for you presumably, there's a bloke about 6 doors up from me with a duke, we've ridden together before and he seems to struggle a bit when it comes to A roads. Have you considered the YZF r125 +A1 test for a permanent 125 commuter?

lihp · World Chat Champion Joined: 22 Sep 2010 Karma :

How's this for a neutral view?

Don't buy a new 125, it's a massive waste of cash. For that 4k you could do the license and buy something bigger, and if you buy right probably just as economical.

Oh, I bought a brand new 125 many years ago, in hindsight it was stupid.