New Biker - New Bike - Keeway RVK 125

[Adam_89]

Hi!

I'm new to the forum, have my CBT in the morning and pick up my bike next weekend!

I first rode a 50cc scooter around 8 years ago, which was unfortunately stolen after less than 2 months! As i was learning to drive (a car) at the time i didn't get another.

Fast forward 8 years the wife and I share a car, with us planning​ on starting a family I've managed to convince her a bike is a better and cheaper option of giving us both transport for (if and) when the baby arrives!

So I've opted for a new bike, gives me piece of mind with a warranty and I'll know how every miles has been driven.

I know the brand gets some stick but having done as much research as i could i couldn't mind much to dissuade me.

Anyway... Hello everyone! Be good to see anyone else who has an RKV and chat about your experience of it so far!

Wish me luck for the morning, having 8 years car driving experience and having done a CBT once before I'm not too nervous but as with everything never know how it will go!
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Adam_89
Rider since April 2017 - CBT completed 16th April 2017
Current Bike - Keeway RVK 125

[Bigvern72]

For about the same money you can get a year or two old 'reputable' bike (maybe even from a franchised dealer for a bit of added protection) which will hold its value much better when you come to trade up to a bigger bike; which your gonna wanna do.

Example

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201704104257776?sort=sponsored&maximum-mileage=5000&postcode=cv61la&advertising-location=at_bikes&make=HONDA&radius=1501&year-from=2015&cc-to=125&cc-from=125&page=1

But if your mind is made up then good luck and have fun. Summer is soon here
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Tracer 700 (66) and Triumph America (65) - current rides
Yamaha xj600 diversion and Honda cb125f (65) - both 'retired'

[Adam_89]

[Rogerborg]

[andyscooter]

having been through a similar situation with having a baby and a bike have you thought about how you are going to transport said baby if wife has car

I used to have to rely on family to move me and my daughter around
I now drive and have my own car but it was a nightmare

wife was at work and daughter at my mums I either had to wait for her to finish work and collect or for my mum to bring her back

also what roger said
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gilera runner vxr200 (chavped)
if its spelt wrong its my fat fingers and daft auto correct on my tablet

[Barker-CBR 600]

From the post / sig looks like you've bought it already?

If so little late for the oh sh*t moment and all you can really do is try and take absolute best care of it you can and I'd really double up on your normal checks before going anywhere and at the first sign of trouble try to sort it.

Ultimately you could end up with one that turns out fine and has no problem... (or you sell it before a problem) but the probability is lower than from a mainstream brand.


If you haven't - then +1 roger said.

You're going to be sitting on busy roads amongst other bigger vehicles. with nothing but this thing between your legs going 50mph+ reliant on it to behave how it should. The extra cash for a more reliable/better one seems worth it to me.
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Previous - Gilera DNA50 / XVS125 Dragstar/Honda CBR 600F/GSF 650 Bandit
Current - 2013 Suzuki VZ800 Intruder
'Is this a rhetorical question?'

[Bigvern72]

[Bozzy]

+2 what Roger said.

Do yourself a favour, get yourself a proper branded bike rather than a chinky knock off.

Welcome btw!
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2004 SV650S >>> 2009 Street Triple R

[Rogerborg]

To be fair, Keeway seem to be one of the better manufacturers. I regularly see older Superlights kicking around in decent condition.

But buying a brand new (but still old tech) RKV now for ~£2200 OTR, I wouldn't.

It looks like Keeway aren't bothering with Euro4, so they'll only be able to register a few more Euro3 bikes under the 20% grandfather clause before DVLA Computer Says No. At that point, you can probably forget about MotoGB doing parts support and you'll be sourcing parts direct from China-China-China.
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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

[B0ndy]

[Rogerborg]

Euro4 bollocks has pushed the price of new Chinese bikes over £2K. Fuel injection, ABS or CBS, OBD, anti tamper and all the rest. Lexmoto's cheapest Euro4 bike is ~£2250 OTR.

It kicked in on January 1st 2017[*]. There are still 0-mile Euro3 bikes for sale but they're pre-registered or being registered in limited numbers under the temporary "20% of the previous two year's sales" grandfather clause.

Even the 2017 Keeways look to be Euro3, so they're essentially obsolete stock in a going out of business sale. Without the sale.

Again, sorry to OP for pointing this out. Facts be all Buzz Killington.

[*] Should have been 2016 for many bikes, but DVLA ignored tat.
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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

[Bald_Eagle1]

FWIW, the Euro 4 compliant Yamaha YS125 (replacement for the non-compliant YBR) are advertised new 'from' £2799.

https://www.yamaha-motor.eu/uk/products/motorcycles/urban-mobility/ys125.aspx

[Alpineandy]

My first thought is that you're over 24, so why a 125?
If there's any way of backing out on the 125 then do it.
Get your DAS and suddenly the special '125 requirement' purchase tax disappears along with the 'rape and pillage' 125 insurance costs...

You don't have to get a 600 - 1,000cc bike when you've passed your test but the ability to look at whatever comes up 'on a deal' is a real wallet saver.
Add to this that a 125 is hard work for anything more than town work, so you're limiting yourself to fighting over a car whenever you need to do more than 50 mile (and I guarantee you'll lose that fight!). Even for town work there's little difference between a 125cc and a 250cc, so you wouldn't be losing there (a few less mpg but a shedload less necessary maintenance and insurance cost).

All 'IMO' .
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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.

[M.C]

[linuxyeti]

[Evil Hans]

[Rogerborg]

[Adam_89]

Thank you (i think) to most of the replies... To answer a couple of questions:

I'll mainly be making the short journey to work so not overly concerned about power / speed for now.

I can't afford my direct access yet but needed to get something on the road, as I've been able to finance the bike it's been the best option for me and I'm quite happy.

I plan on looking after and maintaining the bike to the best of my ability and within the guidelines from the dealer and manufacturer so hopefully as with any bike this should prolong it's lifespan and keep it running as it should.

Not had any replies from anyone who's actually owned one yet or even anyone with anything negative specific to this new model, so just the usual 'it's going to be crap and I can't wait to say I told you so' comments, not so helpful.

I completed my CBT yesterday, it went quite well. Would have preferred it not to P*ss it down all day but all good experience I reckon. Mastering the slow moving clutch and accelerator control took a few attempts so planning to practice that once the bike is here! Also read a thread about this, someone competing their MOD1 and people advising to let the clutch out and just use rear braking and throttle, will have to have a further look at this and give it a try in an open space!

I do plan on completing my licence before the CBT runs out but need to save up, got a lot on this year to fork out for.

I appreciate that a lot of you have vast amounts of experience but I know myself and I think a year or so mastering the controls of a bike after 8 years lazily driving a car with probably a fair amount of bad habits is going to be hard to shake! I read another thread which was quite similar and someone replied that their father had been a bike instructor and he guided his son down a similar path, working his way through the sizes in sensible steps. It might not be to everyone's preference but I think a bit less negativity and a bit more respect for personal preference wouldn't go a miss from some of the replies.

I fully respect everyone's replies and opinions, although some are not very welcoming or friendly. Like i say you're all more experienced than me but it's not always as straight forward as forking out 5/600 for direct access and then affording to buy and insure a big(ger) bike.

Thanks 👍🏻
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Adam_89
Rider since April 2017 - CBT completed 16th April 2017
Current Bike - Keeway RVK 125

[Rogerborg]