125ccm motorbike for long-travel journey

[vlastimilfise...]

Hey guys!

I have 21 now and I'm riding on a motorbike from 15. Last years I rode just on scooter or something like that. Nothing cool.

But now I want to buy a new (but can be older, of course) motorbike. My goal is long travelling. Like trips around Europe, across USA etc. Travelling is my big passion and now I want to travel with 125ccm buddy. And yes, I know is it hard to travel with 125ccm bike, but you know, why not?

I'm looking for something like Yamaha WR125R, but new one is pretty expensive. Do you know about some alternatives which I can buy older, than go to the shop, do GO of the power and the price will be still attractive and motorbike cool for the journey what I need?

I'm looking also about something what is popular on the whole word. I mean, if the bike will be broken on the another side of continent, there will be not big problem to solve that.

Thanks a lot for your tips and ideas!
And sorry for my English.

Vlastimil F.

[Wonko The Sane]

If you're wanting to be able to repair it in the back of beyond you need a Honda CG or similar as they've been used and copied around the world so parts are easy to come by and they're simple machines.

even better would be a Honda C90, but that's a smaller bike again. There's a chap on youtube who's done C90 euro tours
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[vlastimilfise...]

[wots]

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=306650

Round the twisties and in town it's epic. I can throw this thing around. Cult following, lots of spares and upgrades. My other one is now a 181cc

Not as small as they look.
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Currently: Yamaha DT 125 LC2,Repsol Fireblade, and Bumblebee MSX 125

[Alpineandy]

If you have a full licence then don't limit yourself to a 125. There are 250cc bikes that will be just as easy to ride but much better when you have to ride on a main road.
I wouldn't suggest anyone buys a new bike but that depends on the prices/taxes where you are.
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[Andy_Pagin]

Lol your English is better than a LOT of British members here.
Any European specification Yamaha is a good choice, they're reliable and parts are easy to come by.

I wouldn't worry about a broken WR125, I would worry about a stolen WR125. Thieves like that sort of bike. A YBR125 may look uncool, but it's less likely to be taken.

If you come over to the UK be sure to let us know, I'm sure some BCF'ers would like to meet you.
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They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[stevo as b4]

I'd suggest something like a TS125/185ER or a DT125 etc, as these bikes have been built in several countries around the world since the 70's and still are too. Spares won't be hard to find or expensive, and the bikes are simple enough to fix by a back Street mechanic anywhere. But maybe an Enfield bullet is not a bad idea for a round the world either?

[Teflon-Mike]

These couple of crazy Argentinians decided n an epic 'Round-The-World' expedition, on a Pair of Yamaha YBR125's.

https://www.re-moto.com/index.php?lang=eng

A 125cc motorcycle is not such a daft idea for such a excursion, they have enough power to achieve around 60-70mph, which is as fast as most traffic goes in most countries; while they are economical and cheap and easy to maintain, and so offer lots and lots more miles for your money.. which if you are on a two or three year holiday, trying to do lots and lots of miles, rather than go a few miles to and from where you earn money, is probably quite helpful!

Small bikes can be a bit cramped, though, and so ot be as comfy for long hours in the saddle... and dirt styled ones or sports styled ones, are likely to be even less comfy for longer periods.

Which puts that Yamaha YBR right at the top of the list of contenders, and as its bee shown one-one has gone round the world on one, and they have had the durability to do it, and the support to keep them moving etc, IF this is really the sort of thing you really want to do... it would be difficult to argue strongly against one.
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[vlastimilfise...]

[P.]

Varadero will be a good bike, get a fuel injected 2007 onwards one. They'll last a long time, just do regular oil changes.

[vlastimilfise...]

Guys, another cool guy: https://thelifeofwen.com/

The Honda Varadero looks really interesting. The power is really strong from all reviews which I found. It looks also like a comfortable bike. But one problem is, they are no selling new bikes in my country.

I found one with facelift and 18K kilometres. But how much cost complete review and GO of the power for this bike?

I want be sure the bike is really good if I will go around the world.

Thanks!

[P.]

I would have happily taken mine across Europe.

Tubeless tyres so puncture repair kits, big enough, can cruise at 70mph, 18k isn't too much, mine had 77,000 miles so 123900km on the clock. Was still fine.

[Alpineandy]

[Alpineandy]

[vlastimilfise...]

[vlastimilfise...]

So, which motorbike I need to look for budget around 1.000 GBP for this crazy trip? How much kilometres is the maximum for engines of YBR125 or CBF125?

Thanks!

[Pepi1967]

[stinkwheel]

In fairness, an older, aircooled honda 125 single is probably the thing to go for. They are very common all over the world.

What is even more common worldwide is the Honda 110cc engine. It isn't as popular in Europe and the USA but it is used pretty much everywhere else.

Mind you. If I lived in the Czech republic, I'd have a look about and see if I could find an old 70's MZ125 and refurbish it. If I could find an old ISDT model, so much the better. For £1000 you could practically rebuild the whole thing. New crank seals, a fresh piston, upgrade the clutch and fit a powerdyno conversion.

In this day and age, getting spares isn't a major problem. Unless you're going somewhere WAY out of the way, you can have stuff shipped to you. It's not THAT often you need a major spare part.

I'd be going for something which will run well on poor quality fuel sold at the side of the road out of a plastic bottle and strained through a rag to get the dust out, that can cope with low quality engine oil and that is easy to get the wheels out of and repair a puncture (and takes a commonly available tyre size).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[vlastimilfise...]

[stinkwheel]

I unashamedly like Hondas for reliability.

A varadero would be great for travelling. Especially if you're on road trips. That's the option for a bike that shouldn't break down anyway. It does however have a more complex engine so if it does have a problem, you'd be less likely to be able to fix it.

The other option would be a carbed XR125 which would cope well with offroad stuff, light enough to pick up and a pretty common, simple engine.

Shame you're not in Australia. You could have gone for a postie bike (CT110) which have a proven world touring heritage.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[vlastimilfise...]

[stinkwheel]

I'd be more concerned about condition than mileage. I personally would rather ride a varadero than a YBR across Europe or around the USA.

If I was going into poorer countries with the intention of riding off road, so say touring South America or round the far East, I would want something in a low state of tune and with a carburettor.

Bear in mind however, that I have chosen to ride an Indian made Royal Enfield (Designed in the 1950's, made on worn out 1950's machinery and with a similar power output to a 125) when I have the option of many other motorcycles. So my advice should be take with that in mind.

I'd ride an Enfield round the world and expect to make it there with only minimal mechanical issues. I'd be less confident of making it on a modern adventure bike.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[vlastimilfise...]

[P.]

No.

Don't buy that.

Buy a used fuel injected Varadero or as suggested, a carbed XR125.

[Alpineandy]

1) You are 21 and in the Cech Rep. I think CZ has the same motorbike rules as the UK (being an EEC country).
Do you have a full motorcycle license for a 125cc bike or are you still on 'learner' plates?
If you still use learner plates then you will have problems in some countries that require a full license.
They won't let you into their country with a motorbike but without the correct license and insurance (although some insist you buy their insurance as well).

2) What countries do you intend to travel through/to?

3) You really need to learn about engines. If you plan to travel long distances then you will probably have real problems with big expense if you know nothing about them.

4) if you have (or can get) a full A2 license then a 250cc will be much easier to use for long distances.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.