Thoughts / Opinions on these 125s?

[panaceasaurus]

Hi!

I have a couple of bikes that I've got my eye on (hoping to view one of them this evening) and wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experience with either?

So far I've completed my CBT, booked in for my theory test on 30th Dec ... Gonna look to do DAS sometime in 2016 but I might need to wait until May to start in earnest. My CBT instructor seemed to think it was worthwhile me getting a 125 in the meantime, so I could work on some of my sticking points (this had kinda been my plan anyway).

Couple of bikes I'm looking at:
Yamaha YBR Custom 125: https://www.cardiffmotorcyclecentre.co.uk/used-bikes/yamaha-ybr-cardiff-201510218029901
Suzuki Marauder 125: https://www.gumtree.com/p/suzuki-motorbikes/suzuki-marauder-125cc-in-red-t-reg-1999-12-months-mot-/1146325825

With everything else the same the difference in insurance is about £120

I'm fairly short and, it being my first bike, I'd quite like to get both feet on the ground. This was possible on the Honda MSX used during my CBT (765 mm), when I tried the YBR (not custom) it was more 'on toes' (780mm). The YBR Custom is 760mm and the Suzuki Marauder is 680mm ...
I realise this isn't the whole story due to seat width, but I guess I've gotta start somewhere!

Thanks!
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[davebike]

I not really a cruiser fan

But go and sit on bikes

Me I always recommend a "standard Bike" as a first ride
#Honda CG125 or CBF Yamaha YBR are very good

The getting both feet down is all about inexperience If you are confident you can easily ride a bike where you can only put one foot down at a time
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Dave
NC750Xdct + others at work !
davebike1@gmail.com

[M.C]

Hi, IMO both those bikes are overpriced. I'd be looking at £1000 max for the YBR (probably not from a dealer). Trying to think of other bikes with a low seat, the Suzuki Van Van's reasonably low, and the Yamaha SR125. Personally I don't like the SR (it's slow, even by 125 standards) but some people have a soft spot for them. Might be a bit old now but there are some really cheap ones about.

[panaceasaurus]

Looking at other bikes that are around (on ebay, gumtree, autotrader)

- there's a couple of Honda CBF125 (792mm) for £1.8k-£2.3k
- the other YBRs are at least £1.4k (all at dealers, but even the last one I saw listed privately was up for £1.4k ... it's still listed, but sold before I did CBT )
- Suzuki Intruder (685mm) £1,350
- Suzuki GS125 (1999 year, 745mm) - £575

I'm hoping that with a bit more time on a bike I'll gain the confidence to not need both feet on the ground, but I don't think I'm there yet
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[MC900]

Id recommend a YBR (i got one from a dealer for 1k) or a honda cg/cbf
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Current Ride: Fazer 600 (02) & YBR125 (07)

[Polarbear]

I've ridden for 38 years and I still don't like riding a bike I can't get at least the balls of both feet on the ground so don't sweat it. If you aren't comfortable it isn't the bike for you.

Go to a dealer who has a good selection of second hand bikes and sit on them. Find ones you feel comfortable on and take it from there.

Bear in mind if you get a YBR or a CG and look after it you won't lose much money.

My daughter had a Yamaha SR125 and really liked it. It looks cruiser ish but the riding position is pretty standard. They are getting on now.

If you know someone with a van or trailer and are prepared to travel you can pick up some good deals
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[Northern Monkey]

The MSX is far superior to both of those bikes. Ditch the idea of a pretendy cruiser and go and buy an MSX
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[wr6133]

Now you actually have your CBT cert have you thought about casting a wider net? If you spot a good one you can bus/train/teleport to it insure/tax on the spot and ride home.

[Rogerborg]

[panaceasaurus]

Unfortunately I don't know anyone with a trailer or van ... I did look near to the main train stations across South Wales (like Swansea, Cardiff, Newport etc), will have another look.

It seems strange that all the bikes around locally are apparently priced a bit high - I wonder if it's the area or time of year or something

Think I'll go see the YBR Custom tonight as it's on my way into town anyway and then try the YBR from Gumtree and a local dealer on Fri/Sat

Closest MSXs and SR125s (under £2k at least) are about 100 miles away (or 50 as the crow flies, across the Bristol Channel!)
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[M.C]

Both feet down for me if I'm on tiptoes or on a heavy bike, camber, loose surface, even the wind can unbalance you It's nicer to be able to flat foot but I wouldn't let it completely dictate your choice of bike, particularly as that choice doesn't seem to be that large.

MSX's are neat but everyone seems to want one now, I blame that Jordanian bloke Seen some go as low as £1500 though, one went for £1000 with a seized engine (not that it helps).

Regarding price(s) I guess you'd need to find someone desperate for pressie money, I assume the dealers are hoping for parents buying their kids' first bike. Wait until January when they've got bored of it

[pdg]

Whatever 125 you look at, it's a 125.

It will be slow, it will be dull, it will be temporary. Some are shinier than others.

If I were in this horrible situation I would get the cheapest one I could find working, and run it into the ground for however many months until I could get a big boy (/girl) licence.

Once you can ditch the 125, you're likely to find insurance on (almost) anything bigger will be cheaper. The bike will be more stable, and nicer to ride.

Find a shitter for £300, lots of change for many fuels for practice/playing/crashing. Also enough change to pay someone the 50quid to get it trailered home. Christ, I'll trailer a bike for you, but it'll take hours
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[Evil Hans]

I had one of these.

Shares a lot of its design and some components with the YBR, and it's chucked together in the same Chinese factory as the Yamaha. Oh, and it has a 760mm seat height.

Yes, I know, it's still Chinese, but you can buy them second hand for peanuts. Mine was 2 years old when I got it, I used it every day for 2 years and it never let me down once. Mrs Evil Hans is using it now.
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[Northern Monkey]

[M.C]

[pdg]

I didn't say you might crash it (but you might).

But, why spend so much just for shiny?

Buy cheap now, whether you crash or not is up to you, sell in summer for profit when EVERYBODY wants a bike.

Problem?
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[panaceasaurus]

[wr6133]

[Rogerborg]

[stevo as b4]

[rhys99]

Seat height isn't a huge deal for some, is for others. I was fine riding my 50 which is 850mm seat height and im 5'5-6. I was used to it however because i rode Motocross before hand which are very tall. Best thing to do is try and sit on all the bikes and decide from there.
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[Northern Monkey]

[panaceasaurus]

So far this evening I've popped into two places hoping to at least sit on the YBR Custom and Honda CBF... I've actually only managed to sit on a KSR Moto Worx 125 (which worked height wise, but it was new and, as far as I gather, should generally be avoided)
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[panaceasaurus]

[Northern Monkey]