Tall commuter looking for a 125...

[jewishlad]

Hi guys,

So I've just done my cbt and am looking at getting my first bike at the ripe old age of 26.

I commute from Newport to Cardiff (on the A roads...about 20 miles door to door) and I'm looking for my first 125 to take me on my merry way...

I'm 6'3", and every time I look at a sports bike, I then get my head turned by a cruiser (bonneville style).

Anyone have any recommendations for starting on a standard/cruiser or sports bike?

I think I'm in love with the KTM RC125 if it helps, but I've not found a standard that I like!

Any hints for those tall bikers would be much appreciated!

[Beehive Bedlam]

Varadero 125.

[Rogerborg]

[josh95]

why not do your license?

[Clanger]

[sutty86]

Derbi Terra is big, I'm 5ft9 and sometimes struggle

[Nobby the Bastard]

FZR1000exup is insane.

I can ride it at 5'4"

Pass your test. You know you want to....
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Taught2BCauti...]

+1 for the Varadero.

There are a couple of 'tweaks' (5 in all) that will help get the most from the engine, and make a 20 mile commute more pleasant than most other 125cc machines.

If you get a decent 'injection' model and look after it, you will get back what you paid for it, if you decide to go for a bigger engine later.
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Honda Varadero XL125(V8)
www.TheFutureIsHere.eu

[dolly3900]

[Yaka]

like others have said varadero 125.

but in all honesty if i coulda gotten the time off work soon as i did my cbt i woulda done my das then gone for a 600.

the varadero is a lovely bike but there is a huge difference between it and bigger bikes. ive learnt to live with it for the mo while i decide on what bike i want. but some times when i get tail gaters which is fairly often i do miss the instant acceleration of a bigger bike
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Current Bike : 2008 Varadero XL125
mod 1: passed 16/02/2015
mod 2: passed 19/02/2015

[Rogerborg]

[Wonko The Sane]

used to use varadero for 20 mile commute through Slough (reason I got it) literally from neighbouring town, through Slough to neighbouring town out the other side.

then started doing a 20 mile motorway after changing jobs.

Tall screen helped in poor weather, worth considering changing the size of the front sprocket adding or loosing a tooth

adding a tooth you'll accelerate a bit slower but should get a higher top speed, loose a tooth and you'll accelerate / climb steeper hills easier but at the price of loosing some top speed.
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[Rogerborg]

Loose laces lose races.
____________________
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

[JonWal]

I'm 6ft and I ride a YBR125, actually the same road you would, except I go the other direction from West Swansea to Bridgend.

I completed my CBT end of March and bought the YBR125 whilst I wait to get the theory and DAS out of the way.

Theres not really much around in a 125 that doesnt make you look like a frog sitting on matchbox. The only ones that really spring to mind are the honda Varadero and Derbi Terra. The Trail style bikes will be ok too size wise.

However, I've been riding often for just over a month and there have been occasions (OK daily) where I wish I'd had more power. Gradual hills are my worst enemy. The day I pass my DAS cannot come fast enough, I think you'll be in a similar boat.

That said, the 125 is what it is. Doesnt pretend to be anything that it isnt. It will get you from A to B and cheaply too, once you're all set up.
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- Yamaha YBR 125 - Swansea, UK
- Triumph Street Triple
A Licence Passed 25.09.2015

[Alpineandy]

[Rogerborg]

[Alpineandy]

[finniee]

+1 for Varadero 125.

I had a shot of one the other day and if I could have found one closer to home, I would have bought it instead of the cbf quite easily.
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Honda CBF125

[JonWal]

Provided you keep your wits about you and keep the noob ego somewhat restrained statistically you will be a higher risk on a more powerful bike. Does that mean you will crash? No. Statistically you will be a lesser risk on a 125. Does that mean you won't crash? No. But one thing that is not in your favor is overall years and years and thousands and thousands of miles driven in an auto, but nobody expects you to wait until you are 20 years older before you buy a bike.

Yes, the bike IS a factor, but gravel around the bend doesn't care which bike you are on. Excessive speed around a turn doesn't care which bike you are on. The 80 year old that just pulled out in front of you or just rammed you from behind doesn't care which bike you are on. Etc...
____________________
- Yamaha YBR 125 - Swansea, UK
- Triumph Street Triple
A Licence Passed 25.09.2015

[daverave999]

Varadero if you must get a 125, though at your age just go and get your full licence. You can then choose any bike.

[Aspire2]

One bro has a Derbi Terra other had a Gilera SC 125 2t (Derbi gpr).

Terra pros

Riding position
Capacity for a top box
Handled well
Large dimensions

Cons

60-65mph performance on a flat (Slow)
Boring
Reliability (Gear box issue)

Gilera pros

Good looking
Quick - genuine 80-85mph flat performance
Engine tzr lump so nice hit from the power valve
Handling
Brakes (R1 caliper)
Fun
Tzr engine good balance between power & reliability
20-22bhp making over taking cars regularly possible. Terra you'd need it to be going slow and hope it didn't speed up.
Tune ability

Cons

2t oil is expensive
Mpg
Riding position
Mirrors are useless

IMO the Gilera is what I love about bikes. Makes you want to ride because its fun. The Derbi is a good bike but does not stir the soul.

[turningCircle]

+ 1 for the Varadero.

Don't worry too much about the price either. The net loss is actually less than your cheaper CBR's / CBF's etc.

Sure, you can buy a CBF for £1200 but you'll be selling it for < £900. Buy a Varadero for £2k, you'll be selling it for about £2k. Don't be misled by the initial capital outlay.

It's high, confidence inspiring, plenty of power for a 125 and handles reasonably well with excellent fuel consumption. The engine is typical Honda (reliable) and for a 125; it's pretty.

The only issues I have with mine are the indicator clicking sound (may be aftermarket by previous owner) and issues with quick rusting.

[rhyso]

I'm 6'4 and been riding a CB125F around...despite my initial fears that the bike is too small, it has never felt that way.

I am shooting for my license in the Summer and gonna sell up the CB in around 18 months time...it is going to kill me to have to ride it after passing (if I pass).

My Mrs' old man does have a pretty beastly looking Suzuki cruiser (unsure of model) tucked away in the garage...I am hoping he may let me have a go!

[Ribenapigeon]

Yamaha WR125X or a Varadero. Everything else us like a monkey bike if your tall.

[Pockets]

Another vote for the Varadero 125, had one myself some years ago and it was absolutely brilliant especially for tall riders, it doesn't look like a 125 in that it's quite big physically and being a V-Twin it's somewhat smoother than a single cylinder 125. It's a shame Honda didn't do a slightly bigger Varadero rather than the extremes of a 125 and a 1000cc Varadero.

I was walking down the road once and hear what I thought to be a Ducati approaching, when it got closer, I was surprised to see it was a Varadero 125 with an Arrow exhaust.