Best 125cc for me?

[Tdibs]

Looking that you have had bigger bikes before, my 2c is that you will end up very frustrated with a 125 again once the novelty wares off. If its pure mpgs I would look more at a 500 twin or a NC700 and enjoy it a lot more than a 125.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[adam277]

NC700 are great but out of my budget.

What do you think of these?
https://www.gumtree.com/p/honda-motorbikes/honda-cb500-1998-21-000-miles/1303230606
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806247797897?postcode=ss132be&model=CB500&advertising-location=at_bikes&make=HONDA&sort=price-asc&radius=1501&page=1
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[Courier265]

^^^ Both bikes look just fine to me, low mileage, well looked after, worth a test ride.

[adam277]

Thanks would a suzuki GS500 be worth a look as well? Not sure how well they hold in reliability compared to a cb500.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[G]

They were very common training school DAS back when the system was simpler and seem to have a reasonable reputation generally.

[Rogerborg]

[adam277]

Looks like I'm not gonna get the bike today.

Problem is there doesn't seem to many about and finding one that didn't belong to a courier can be tricky.

Also for some reason people on gumtree wont have their phone showing and more people refuse to disclose the number plate.... What's the logic in that? They seem to forget people need to check reg for mot history and insurance quotes or if the bike is not a write off/hpi clear/stolen.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[woo]

i commute on my honda msx which is 125cc and i get 140mpg most of the time sometimes even 150mpg, one journey gave me 174mpg once

heres my fuelly: https://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/honda/grom_125/2015/wooizm/441875

If i was forced to either keep either my R1 or the honda msx, I would keep the honda msx!
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Elen sila lummen omentielvo!

[Rogerborg]

[stephen_o]

Re Rogers posts on GPZ500 when I had mine I was getting 180 miles to reserve and 220 miles to dry - that was not exceeding 5k revs because the engine would misfire above that after a few minutes. I now have a YBR 250 my current commute is 7 miles on 30mph roads and 4 miles on 2 50mph dual carriageways. My fuel bill is £5 a week for this using the bike 6 days a week for work and a bit of other as well. YBR's do get hit by the wind especially over 50mph but will pop along at 65-70 happily with a bit in reserve. Would recommend a 250 over a 125 if in budget. I am in the process of winding down my self employment and will then be commuting 20 miles either on 40-60mph dual carriageway or 16 of those miles on the motorway and the YBR will do it.
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[Rogerborg]

Mmm, while I wouldn't necessarily recommend seeking one out, I'm on the Ninja 250 today and am reminded again that it really is all the bike you'd need for a commute, including 70mph work.

If The Man came and seized everything over 25kW tomorrow, I'd still be whistling a happy tune most days.
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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

[adam277]

Would a bike that's been sat for years be a potential issue? Just looked at one and it seems to of been sorned for 8 years.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[stephen_o]

If it has been in a garage then it "might" not be as bad but anything that's been outside will be scrap. My GPZ500 was sorned in the garage after a theft attempt caused damage and the issues from not using it became insumountable. Once it went outside because of the electric car it rotted quickly and within 2 months was hard to move because of rusting discs etc. Was P/xed scrap value for the YBR.

You have to see it running and be able to move it around to check for brakes binding and bearings and stuff like and make sure it warms up right and runs when hot as well as cold.
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[Rogerborg]

[u33db]

[adam277]

Got this one in the end
https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NzY4WDEwMjQ=/z/8mEAAOSwF7lbMK3t/$_86.JPG


Few scratches and engine case is a little flaky but 20k miles with decent tyres and just been serviced with a top box. Paid £1000.
Drives fine but no fuel gauge. It has a reserve switch but I swear I switched it to the off position as I didn't need the reserve and after a bit fuel cut out on me. Gonna have to look in that tomorrow.

Not a bad bike though so far. If i can average 60mpg I'll be happy.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[stephen_o]

Looks decent, I like the top box, I think I am persuading myself to get one for the YBR. Don't make my mistake of switching the petrol tap to res and forgetting about it...until it cuts out in the middle of nowhere "I will just put it on reserve - OH!"
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current scoot 2009 Yamaha YBR250 + Current Pootle 2013 Nissan Leaf

[adam277]

Topbox is a requirement for me as I'm done with cars.

Depending how long this lasts I may just get a r1200gs with 3 panniers and I'll be set for 10 years. I done the same on my 1150gs and I got the weekly shop from tesco in there no probs.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[Rogerborg]