Complete totally clueless novice needs help!

[Ade067]

I've never had a bike before and am just looking for something that will get me to work and back which is a 30mile round trip mostly on B roads.I'm about to take my CBT this weekend and have been looking at a few bikes but just cannot make my mind up on which one! the few i've narrowed it down to are either..

An 02 plate Suzuki GS125
A Y plate Honda CG125
Or a brand new Vulcan Harrier,i'm told they are very much like a Kymco Pulsar and do look very similar,the thought of having 'brand new' is very tempting!

I would like to get something a bit quicker like maybe an older NSR125 or something but i need it to be very very reliable as i'll be depending on it mostly for work.

Any help would be appreciated!
cheers

[Jammy-G]

If its reliability you want, then look at 4 strokes. CG125 is a reliable fun learner bike, not very fast but gets you there and they go on forever !

[Mattastic]

I have an 1986 C plate GS125 and although it's not the quickest,and the breaks are pointless it is full and hasn't let me down.

*touches wood*
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Too skint to buy a bike

[Bod]

I have a GZ125, its very good and very reliable. Its a good bike to learn on, have you seen it in the Exchange and Mart section?
Bod

[AcIdBuRnZ]

None of the bikes that you mentioned will be faster than an NSR.

They are 4 strokes - NSR is 2 stroke. Ride them if you can and feel (hear!) the difference.

Seriously - buy a secondhand NSR, you won't be disappointed (and when you drop it it won't be as painful as dropping a new bike).

Hope this helps your decision,

Mark
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Past: Honda NSR125R >> Kawasaki ER-5a2 >> Kawasaki ZZR-600e1 >> Suzuki GSXR-750Y >> Honda VTR 1000 Firestorm
"Chickity China the Chinese Chicken..."

[G]

Depending on the B roads a 4 stroke may or may not be acceptable. I really wouldn't buy one of the chinessey brands, brand new, unless it is very cheap. You will loose a lot when you come to sell otherwise.

I would go for something like an NSR, my old NSR125F was very reliable, better than my cg infact (but also a lot less crashed than my cg). Keep it well maintained, change stuff like piston/rings before it is required and you shouldn't really have too many problems. 2 stroke engines are a lot easier to work on as well generally.

[Rob]

But then, a NSR being 'sports bike' shaped, isn't going to be the most confortable bike to ride on a commute? If you have to do a lot of weaving through traffic too, a more upright riding position will be much more helpful as will the better turning circle!

Yes the NSR will have more poke than any of the 4 stroke's but at a price, and if you are going to upgrade at some point in the near future, why bother paying a premium for a NSR?

Just my 2p's worth!
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Love is 1050cc

[Danny]

I found my NSR much more comfortable than a CG, my back really hurts after riding a cg for any length of time.

[Rob]