Cbf125 brand new on finance?

[Deadonkey]

Been thinking about a bike for a few months now.
First I thought about doing an intensive DAS course but I am now tending to agree with the feeling on the forum that I might be better staying with a 125 for a while. Teach myself how to ride safely get the basics then have a few lessons on a 500 or 600 or whatever school bike then take my tests on it and move on that way. I'm 27 so the new rules don't bother me much.

So taking the 125 approach I would usually be advised to buy a 10 year old Honda CG keep it for as short as time as possible and sell it on as soon as I can once passed.

But the more I think about it, I'm starting to come round to the idea of buying brand new.
I could get a brand new cbf125 on 0% finance with zero miles on it etc. a full Honda warrenty, RAC cover etc. for £2500
Meaning that I get a new bike that's not going to cost me anything in repairs or breakdowns apart from servicing and wear and tear which I would get with an older bike anyway,
I know that there's going to be nothing wrong with it and if there is I just take it back. Lets be honest I don't really know enough to check a second hand bike over.
And I could keep it until the finance is paid off (2 years) then sell it for £1900 -£2k meaning that I've only lost £300 a year.
I'm thinking 2 years is going to be a decent amount of time to get started in motorcycling without rushing then sell the bike and move on

I'm just looking for views really. If I'm going about things the right way, because without the help of this forum I would probebly have booked an intensive DAS and ran the risk of failing the tests then being without a load of cash still with no licence!

[Nope.]

Right, ok.

First off, I don't see why you'd want to buy a new 125. Its a complete waste of money. As you said, get a CG or a second hand YBR or something. With regards to looking it over post your location and I'm sure someone more experienced off of here will come and have a look with you to check the bike over. Yes you might have to spend a few quid here and there but it wont be as much as you'll loose on a new bike. Especially if you drop it.

To be honest, if I was you I'd do a DAS course and do it with regular lessons rather then an "intensive" course. Then when you've got a licence pick up an ER5 or a GPZ 500 or something to potter around on for a year. Both of them are easy to ride and relatively boring twins with plentiful spare parts and cheap maintenance. Then when you've got a years riding under your belt you can move on to something bigger and faster. At least on a 500 you'll be able to keep up with traffic on the motorway etc. where as on a 125 you'll be left tucked into the tank and just reaching 70 if your lucky.
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400

[Gunhawk]

I bought a brand new CBF125 from my local Honda dealer in May this year. I had just passed my cbt and had the idea in my head that I would happily stay with my 125 for a couple of years whilst I learn the ropes.

Fast forward 3 - 4 months.... Loving the bike still, but its just a bit to slow...Ie the top end maxes out at about 60 -65 depending on the wind direction and it all just gets boring quick. The bike feels to light sometimes and the tires are a bit to thin for my liking.

If the bike maxed out at 80 mph... Then I wouldn't change it, but its just a bit to slow at 60ish... feels a bit dangerous sometimes on the A roads I ride on.

Here I am 5-6 months later, on the cusp on passing mod 2 (I'm 27 but its cheaper for me to do it on my own bike at my own pace and not via DAS) on my 125 next week. Do I want to get a restricted 600...yes please and as soon as possible.

Do I wish I had bought the cbf? Yes

Do I wish I had bought it brand new? No!

Took it back to the dealer to see what trade in they would offer me off a bike and they said £1800. Sure I could squeeze a bit more, but not much I bet. Probably wont see £2000 either if I tried privately.

Bottom line is...don't buy one new as you will be bored of it in 6 months and will want to move onto a bigger bike. Don't take the hit in depreciation just for the sake of being the first owner....

Either that or u can buy mine lol
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Current: Honda VFR800 VTEC
Previous: Honda CBF125, Honda XL650 Transalp, Honda CBR600f3
CBT: 19/5/12 > Theory: 06/08/12 > MOD1: 29/08/12 > MOD2: 16/10/12

[ScaredyCat]

[anthony_r6]

[DaveB]

I bought brand new last August (Derbi GPR 125r @ 3k) thinking the same as you. Got bored with it pretty quickly. Six weeks after doing CBT started DAS, six weeks later passed test....Traded it in for used Street Triple got 2k p/x. Getting a 125 is a good move, just dont buy new IMHO of course
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Mod 2 passed 26/10/2011
Current ride: 2014 Triumph Street Triple R. Previous, 2007 Triumph Daytona 675, 2007 Triumph Street Triple, 2011 Derbi GPR125r.

[jeddy11]

Maybe look for one thats a year old ? probably on sale as they brought it new then done their tests let them take the hit and you get the discount ! you will probably get your money back when you go to sell it if you look after it specially with the value of 125 going up next year.
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Fuelly My Z1000SX
cbt 06/08/11 mod1 (second go) 01/08/12 mod2 21/09/12
Varadero Viking YBR125>Varadero125>ER6F>Z1000SX !!!

[Rogerborg]

I was happy on a slow 125 for a year, but I'm probably atypical. That was about as long as I wanted to use it as a sole means of transport, although I kept it for another 2 years for popping to the shops.

It depends on what you're going to use it for. An urban or suburban commute, a 125 is fine. As soon as you hit any NSL road, you'll immediately want something bigger.

Yoof are going to be stuck on them for 2 years and buying new might make more sense, but there's no reason to commit yourself to that if you don't have to.

What happens if you buy new then throw it down the road outside the dealer? Even fully comped, you'll get back the used price, less your excess, and are going to be about a grand out of pocket straight away.

Since you're just getting into it, I doubt you're going to be able to squeeze in a test pass on a 125 before next January. That means your only route to a license is a taught course and a DAS test on a training school bike.

While I agree with Mike that time on a tiddler is a good preparation for a bigger bike, you don't have to jump straight on a Hayabusa after you're licensed up. So do the DAS tests, get your license, then you can pick and choose the right bike for your purposes without having to pay over the odds for a 125 that will quickly leave you wanting more.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Richy CB1000]

You don't seem to be a hot head with a reasoned argument for a new bike so... I would do the DAS, I think you would be bored after a few months and having to change bikes again.

I had a bring back a slightly larger capacity post for newer bikers that got well argued out that I'm sure you can find.

I've returned to bikes only a year ago after a decent break having ridden anything from a Fizzy through to GPZ100

I thought about getting a 600 ish and went and did about 6 hours training on one. 1 to get an instructors feedback 2 to check out a new 600 in this case an XJ6 that I think the skools use.

That thing pleased me for about an hour, even the lass I was with said don't bother mid range you'll be bored.

So I guess the do some training get a 500/600 that's a bit heavier, keeps up with traffic and gives better value for money would be my vote, the insurance shouldn't be too bad if you pick the right sort of middleweight.

[JoeDougieDoug...]

I ride a CBF 125, I have a full license and I love my bike. It does everything that I need it to do. 250 miles to the tank (minimum), Will cruise at 70mph, cheap to run and insure.
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CBT Passed - 22 / 10 / 11 >> Theory Passed - 16 / 02 / 2012 >> Mod 1 Passed - 07 / 03 / 2012 >> Mod 2 Passed - 18 / 05 / 2012.

[Matt-]

Don't listern to anyone else, if course take their advice on board but overal its up to YOU what you do.

The CBF in my eyes is a good bike to buy new, it's fairly cheap very reliable ( excluding the fuel pump issue ) lovely first learner bike ...

To be honest though if you think about it in the long run, paying for services is going to be a killer for a bike under 5000 ! So maybe it would be a better idea if you bought a " newer " CBF maybe year 2010 - 2012 with already some mileage on them which have been looked after. Good thing about the CBF is its not a sporty bike so little CHAV's don't get their greasey mits all over them and chances are it hasn't been thrashed with every inch of its life.

If you bought something even older say a CG and you were worried about mechanics it wouldn't be the best option / cheap but could cost you some in the long run.

Good luck with your search.
Keep us informed.

Matty
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RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[Ribenapigeon]

I bought a new Yammy WR125X six months ago. I'm perfectly happy with it and my relationship with the dealer. On top of the bike (£500 down £120 per month 36 months) I got about £300 in deals on gear and even a %10 off on a few things needed after a few weeks (buff bike cleaneretc). Oh nd the dealer paid for my CBT so that's another £100 saved.

I'm not bored with my 125 at all and even after my tests I'm going to keep it for work use. In a couple of years I will have paid oit off and I will get another bigger bike new on finance. i've had thirty years of second hand cars, screw it I can afford new bikes from now so why not? Its swings and roundabouts cash wise but if you buy new you have less crap to deal with.

When it comes to selling on or trading up as long as you have a major manufacturer bike you will do ok.

[blito]

[Matt-]

[Matt-]

[JoeDougieDoug...]

[Ayrton]

[Matt-]

That's good then...

Now they have fixed the fuel pump issue it's a brilliant bike, very well priced.

Honda were trying to save money that's why they put cheap tyres on

Glad they have resolved issues, as the CBF has took some slating in the past year
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RIP jack (wheelie king), you will never be forgotten.
Current Bike's - Road Legal TZR 125 Pitbike, Aprilia SR50R 2010

[Mark 37]

I own a 2011 cbf125 purchased 3 months ago for £1600 with 400 miles on it. I couldn't have been luckier because the first owner was a pastor who road it 2-3 times a week to his church and kept it garaged all year. He did however neglect drying the bike after a run so there are some minor rust spots in areas mentioned above and at the top of the forks.

My first service was at 600 miles, should have been at six months as that came first before mileage and the previous owner didn't do it. It cost £102, but I was quoted £115 as a rough price on booking it in.

Your warranty is for 2 years unless you pay for extended cover. My roadside is with the AA and is valid for two years since purchase date.

I hope you find a good one!

Mark
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No matter how fast light travels, darkness was always their first.

[Ribenapigeon]

Woops sorry its not 36 months I'm paying its £120 pm to pay off a £4000 finance minus £500 put up front.

I'm sure there are plenty of bikes that can be "picked up" for a lot less but i've had thirty years of second hand cars and a new bike is a way better deal especially if your not comfortable buiying a bike second hand when your new to bikeing.

Look at what you get for say £6000 with a new car compared with £6000 on a new bike.

People act like there's no advantage buiying new, bolloks would ypou buy your underpants second hand? I looked into ways oif buying my bike and the new route was the best all round deal, like I said its swings and roundabouts but with a new roundabput you don't have to sit on a shitty swing.

[Matt-]

[Ribenapigeon]

This thread gets repeated ad infinitum. If I had waited around for a second hand bike of the type I wanted which I would still have had to arrange finance for I would still be traveling by bus.

[Ribenapigeon]

As for buying cheap chinese bikes. i've had my bike since March and all I have to do is wipe it down and it looks brand new. In contrast the chinese bikes and scooters that regularly park up where I park are already dripping rust.

[Spy]

Hi Deadonkey,

I am in a similar situation to yourself where I want to get into biking and considered:

1. Do CBT, get a 125cc bike (maybe new), learn and then do the DAS and upgrade the bike...or...

2. Jump in, do the DAS and get a 600cc bike

Following various bits of advice and thinking it through, i have decided that option 2 is the best route because:
- It avoids messing around buying and selling bikes
- I am sure I will learn the ropes just as easily (in fact people say larger bikes are easier to ride) on a 600cc as a 125cc
- I get a decent bike that WILL last me at least 2-3 years

Looking around, there are some well priced used bikes such as the Kawasaki ER6 and Honda CBF600 around £3k as well as some cracking new deals such as an ER6 for under £5k with interest free credit.