Impossible to find a Japanese bike within my budget?

[Benwalkden]

Alright fellas

I've got my CBT coming up this weekend as I did a little taster last sunday and absolutely loved it. I've been spending the quiet time at work trying to find some reliable looking japanese bikes on the usual sites (Gumtree, Ebay, Autotrader) but I'm struggeling to find anything within my budget of £800 that isn't going to turn into a giant rusty turd on wheels after i get it home.

I'm 20 so the idea is to get a 125 for commuting to work and taking out at the weekend instead of sitting in the pub all day. The only issue is my Dad doesnt think its a wise idea spending £500-600 on some of the bikes i've found (Such as the CG125) because they are over 20 years old.

I can see the point he's making as i don't want anything to conk out on me after a few weeks of riding but on the other hand, if i had to save to afford a newer bike £1200-1300+ then I won't be able to get on two wheels until January or February.

So please give me some opinions. Do I risk it and try and find an older bike in my budget but ensure its MOT for a good few months (Or maybe someone on here has a spare 125 taking up too much room? ) or do I put it off for a few extra months and spend a bit more. The only real issue I have with waiting is at the moment I cycle to work. I really cant be arsed cycling from now until Jan-Feb in this bleeding weather and I could do with the extra 30 minutes kip that a motorbike would allow me to have

[bridgedino]

I will be selling my 2002 Varadero 125 in around a week for around £1000. I'm near Edinburgh.

If your at all interested then PM me and I can provide more details.

[pinkyfloyd]

Tell daddykins to look at it another way. Spending £600 on a 20 year old bike is spending money on a bike that has proven its worth for 20 years. The fact that its still working is a testament to the Jap machines.

Of course you could tell daddy you will spend the same amount on a Chinese model only a couple of years old but to me that would scream a warning. Why is this chinese version only worth the same as a 20 year old Japanese version?

As for a newer bike. Whats the point? I mean, its been proven time and time again that if you spend your £600 on a Jap 125, keep it in good nick and clean you can pass your test on it and then sell it for the same money you bought it for giving you a free bike to pass your test on as most people upgrade when they pass.

Tell dad that its your choice. Find a bike in your budget, post the details on here if you are not sure, and depending on location you might even get someone who knows what they are doing to go with you to view it.
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illuminateTHEmind wrote: I am just more evolved than most of you guys... this allows me to pick of things quickly which would have normally taken the common man years to master
Hockeystorm65:.well there are childish arguments...there are very childish arguments.....there are really stupid childish arguments and now there are......Pinkfloyd arguments!
Teflon-Mike:I think I agree with just about all Pinky has said.

[Efes123]

Your dad's right. You won't find a jap for less than £800, and that'll be around 15-20 years old. In fact, you probably won't even find a newish Chinese for your budget.

Either up your budget, or drop your criteria to include older bikes, or even better do both.

There's nothing wrong with a 20 year old bike, if it's been looked after.
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[TheSmiler]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HONDA-CG125-/190751083030?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item2c69a68a16
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Pete.]

You'll find a bargain, all you need is patience. Put up some wanted ads in local shops, papers and gumtree
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Efes123]

[Docker]

I wouldnt rule out the older cg125s, I picked up a 92 CG 125 for £500 and after a few easy fixes such as throttle returning, valve clearances etc its running as smooth as ever and even managed to hit 70 on the A23.

Not to mention you wont feel as bad if you do happen to deck an older bike, less fairings and the repair costs would be cheaper.

[P.]

[symonh2000]

You would get an exceptional RXS100 for £800

A better bike than the CG125 IMO, just not as popular because you cannot get a full licence by doing your test on it.

Still 12bhp, 75mph and 90mpg, very little maintenance to do other than top up the 2 stroke tank every now and again, and on the rare occasion they do break down they are dead simple to fix.
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Four strokes is two strokes too many.

[Efes123]

[Benwalkden]

Cheers lads, I was pretty keen on getting an older bike as it means I have a bit more leeway in the price and if anything goes wrong (Drops, crashes) the parts should be fairly easy to find and cheap for say a cg125 (I think im correct in saying that)

I'd also like to learn a bit more about the bike itself and avoid taking it to the garage every time something needs doing so I think an older bike would be better for me to tinker with?

I'll keep my eye out and try and find something within budget that suits my needs. If anything does go wrong then at least I can ask you lot how to fix it

[Docker]

[P.]

Mileage isn't king, history and state of the bike is.

I have had a 2001 CLR125 with 45k on it, I now have a 2007 Varadero 125 with 70k. I would happily ride either of them to Spain and back.

[Efes123]

I would imagine most are just used while people get their 33bhp license. On a 20 year old bike I'd be looking between 20k and 30k, I doubt I'd buy one much with more than that as a first bike.
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Honda Goldwing GL 1000 Current love
Honda VT500 ED - SOLD
Projects Suzuki GS125 Done, then stolen - Kawasaki GPX750R SOLD - Honda VF750S SOLD

[haroman666]

I bought my mechanically sound/cosmetically mediocre CBR125 for £852 on ebay.
The right priced bike for you is out there. Just a case of waiting for it to come up. I was searching for 6 months til I bought the Bandit 400 I have now. £520. Splendid (Although lets not mention the amount i've spent on it since).

Just dont go rushing for a 2 year old chinese thing. Whilst some people have proved they can be kinda reliable over the course of 3/4 years; it's nothing in comparison to the proof of reliabilty over the course of 20 years.

And older bike should (SHOULD) be easier to work on.
Learn about carbs and how they operate:up:
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The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Nervous_Jase]

In your bugeting, you have accounted for purchasing a helmet and other protective equipment?
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Current bike: The missus

[Efes123]

[Pete.]

Condition and consumables are much more important than service history or mileage for a bike in your budget. if you have to fit tyres andr chain set you can add 200 pounds or more to your budget.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Benwalkden]

Yep the £800 is solely for the bike. I have another pile of cash for insurance and gear, which I won't be looking to get cheap. I would like to reach my 21st birthday without any disfigurement.