High Mileage First Bike

[throwyourbike]

Hi everyone,

Recently got my CBT certificate and am looking for a bike to ride over winter to build my confidence before going for my full test next year.

I have my heart set on a cruiser style bike so am in the market for a Honda Shadow, Yamaha XVS or Suzuki Intruder.

Spotted a 2003 Yamaha 125 Virago at a local dealer so went and took a look.

First impressions were good, the bike was in great condition, even the chrome was near perfect, however it has 29k miles on the clock.
The dealer is looking for £1,200 which I think is a bit much.

I know it all comes down to how the bike has been maintained but generally speaking what are your thoughts? Is it worthwhile considering or should I run a mile?
I don't intend to use the bike to commute, just the odd Sunday morning cruise.

[Commuter_Tim]

[Rogerborg]

[throwyourbike]

[ThatDippyTwat]

[Commuter_Tim]

[throwyourbike]

[M.C]

30k for a bike is (generally) equivalent to 100k for a car IMO. Check how many previous owners its had, my 125 was on 27k with lots of owners, and it was a horrible bodge fest.

[Commuter_Tim]

[throwyourbike]

[throwyourbike]

This is the one...

https://i66.tinypic.com/25k0cd4.jpg

[WD Forte]

odd sunday cruise ?
Buy a chinese 125 cruiser and spend what you've saved on assless chaps.
____________________
bikers smell of wee

[ThatDippyTwat]

[NJD]

Vixen.

Wouldn't really be bothered about styling in 125cc's since they're all built to a set power output. Do your wobbling around on whatever and then buy what bike suits your styling needs where the bigger capacity's are concerned.

<bike picture>

Size of the bloody thing. Looks like a lot to drag around.

That foot-brake position, so forward. There's not a meme to even come close to my puzzled face in an attempt to get used to its location. Enjoy winter crud / road crap jamming up the brake spraying directly into the pivot points etc. Looks like footpegs been through the wars. I'd be checking other parts for similar marks and or wear and tear.

Handlebar design.

Enjoy and all that.
____________________
The do it all, T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶r̶o̶k̶e̶n̶ ̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶b̶i̶g̶ ̶l̶u̶m̶p̶,̶ ̶C̶h̶o̶n̶g̶ ̶N̶o̶o̶d̶l̶e̶

[bamt]

We've got the 250, which I'm pretty sure is the same bike except for a bit more displacement, power and torque. The bars look odd, but put my hands in a reasonable place.

It's actually not bad to ride, but definitely on the small physical size. It's perfect for Mrs Bamt; I look like I'm riding a kid's toy. Which puts me off riding it - it's the sort of bike that is supposed to say "look at me I think I'm cool", but instead says "look at me I'm riding a tiny bike trying to look cool". Very SoA wannabe.

[throwyourbike]

[throwyourbike]

[Alpineandy]

[throwyourbike]

[Azoth]

The learning curve implies that we pick up certain skills faster than others, which means that we can omit them entirely, and then, at a later date, we are able to assimilate those fundamental skills, when other parts of the jigsaw puzzle are in place.

The world of motorcycles is a vast ocean of varied skills and knowledge. Riding skills themselves are a huge subset of that. There are lots of specialised techniques that can only be mastered by understanding them properly and practising them assiduously. It doesn't suit someone, who is just starting out as a road rider, to become too specialised in their basic skillset. There are racing bike types, enduro and crosser types, adventure types and cruisers. These classes of bike have radical geometry, and demand specific skills to be ridden well.

The cruiser type of bike is a poor choice of bike for a beginner because it deviates too far from the 'standard motorcycle' geometry to allow you to practise basic and necessary skills, such as bike control when cornering. It isn't neutral enough to encourage a beginner to keep a stable base below the waist and a relaxed and loose grip on the bars and a relaxed torso. You won't use this bike to practise correct leaning and turning, because the posture doesn't give you that many options. Compared with a standard bike, such as the Suzuki Gladius, the feet are planted much further forward, the hands are much higher on the bars and the upper body is erect. This combination doesn't encourage you to learn much about front and rear weight distribution. While learning about such things may not be your priority for now, you need to have the basics straight first.

Have you ever taken martial arts? There is always a set of basics that must be mastered and become second nature before you can get to the good stuff, because the good stuff is based on good habits. If you cut corners now, you will just end up having to go back and fill in the gaps later on, as your development as a rider will reach a glass ceiling. Make sure the basics are in place, and start your practice and improvement as a rider by buying a 'standard bike'.
____________________
Safety in numbers

[throwyourbike]

Thank you for your advice Tawny.

I have rode bicycles at a professional level for many years so understand that basics are very important.

I honestly think I'd rather never ride a motorbike again than have to ride the likes of the Varadero for the next few months though, haha.

[Ste]

Presumably you were back on the 125 for the road part of the CBT?

[throwyourbike]

[Ste]

Tut tut, to ride a bike bigger than 125 on the roads you need to already have a CBT and have L plates on the big bike whilst you're accompanied by a DSA Qualified Instructor who is in radio contact with you at all times.

[throwyourbike]