New Rider Buying Keeway Superlight 125 (non-kinky edition)

[Thenuclearcat]

Hi everyone!

I'm currently planning on purchasing a Keeway Superlight 125cc new from a local dealership (around £2150) and wanted to know if anyone had absolutely any forewords about it (and riding for new bikers in general).

My main interest in the bike is the fact that it seems somewhat more comfortable than others available (it'll be used for commuting around 20 miles a day into central London and back and as someone wider, it's important). Also, I have a strong interest in DIY work on machines (I really enjoy working on my current car and am not afraid to take something apart to find a fault). However, as my experience is solely with cars, is there anything I should prepare for or keep an eye on?

I'll probably be getting some variety of aftermarket satchels too!

Anything from the obvious to the obscure would be a real help, the web is really lacking on individual reviews on this bike imo!

Also, not to sound completely green to the whole riding thing, but I've also compiled a list of riding gear and if anyone has any comments or additions I've not considered, I'd really appreciate it!

- Flip up motorcycle helmet (spectacles wearer)
- Armoured riding gloves
- Waterproof overtrousers (not made for motorcycles)
- Waterproof insulated jacket (also not made for motorcycles)
- Extra riding pads (shins, knees, and elbows)
- Steel soled and toed boots
- Wiggly rubber cord (to attach to keys to try keep them safe from snatchers)
- Mini helmet dashcam

I've been told that full armoured riding attire is likely overkill, especially as waterproof pullovers also mean I can wear office wear underneath.

[Ayrton]

I'm sure others will say the same thing and I hate to sounds like a cunt, but dont buy one of those brand new that's practically throwing money away on depreciation. If you really want one of those then go pick up a 2 year old one for around £1000 and put the rest of the money towards decent kit. Although honestly I'd say a wiser choice would be to go for a tried and tested Japanese bike like the Yamaha YBR custom (i'm sure there are plenty of other cruisers, but it's not my kind of thing ). I would do 100 mile trips on my non-custom YBR without any comfort problems.



You also want gear that's designed for a bike, not some random insulated jacket. If your trying to save money then find some second hand.
Also depending on your office attire rules you can find some stuff that's suitable to wear. I ride to work in casual/ trainer style bike boots and armoured bike jeans and then wear that all day.

[struan80]

Buy a second hand CBF would be my advice. Won't lose any money on it and most likely sell it for more than you bought it for. Then half way to a deposit on a ZZR1400.

[Easy-X]

Welcome! Excellent choice of bike, that was my first one Now the bad news...

From new they're overpriced, unless you're aiming to keep it forever and even then. What you're getting is arguably one of the best Chinese interpretations of the cruiser aesthetic but it's not better quality than any other Chinese bike. It's not particularly powerful and slightly on the heavy side for a 125. Anyhoo, we're probably not going to persuade you to get something else so what to look out for:

From my experience, for a 20 mile commute, it'll be comfortable but any more than that and you'll realise the seat is way too soft. You'll find it likes to cruise around 50mph, plenty for around the city but merely adequate for NSL.

Maintenance mostly revolves around a good coating of ACF50, regular oil changes and valve clearance checks. Unless they've changed anything recently most of the connectors and switches aren't sealed so things like the front brake and kickstand switches can go wonky even within a year.

Be aware though this is a faux-cruiser: it isn't particularly big and doesn't offer much to the... errr... larger gentlemen over any other 125. Make sure you at least sit on one or even better get a test ride before committing.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Thenuclearcat]

I actually took on board the general advice and managed to find a very good condition 66 plate for under £1500.

I've been getting to grips with how the choke functions and I'm a little confused as to what the other silver twister is thats nearby the choke. It can be twisted halfway and is made of metal, if that at all helps?


Any experience with this?

[NJD]

[Ste]

[arry]

[Zen Dog]

[Thenuclearcat]

Hi,

So I've come to the discovery that it's the fuel petcock, although I'm still unsure as to where it should be pointing. I understand that the position dictates whether it's on reserve, cut off, or full open. I've switched it to pointing up but I'm unsure if this is correct.

Also, in terms of the choke, I can start the bike from cold on the lowest position but it won't idle. Starting on the middle position seems to work best, and it won't start at all point up. When in third, it really struggles to hit any speed above thirty, is this as a result of the choke being in the wrong position?

I'm sure this is a million times asked question, but I really do appreciate the help in this forum!

Oh, also, I've returned the waterproofs and spent about £200 on some armoured jeans (knees and hips) and a Richa Phantom 2 jacket. Pre-CBT me was a different man and I really don't feel safe being in a waterproof jacket anymore!

Thanks again for all the help!

[Zen Dog]

[Thenuclearcat]

Sorry, here is what I assume is the fuel petcock and in the position I've now moved it to. Originally, it was pointing down.

With the choke, is the highest position up off or completely open?

[Zen Dog]

[Easy-X]

Wow, that petcock is super unhelpful! I don't think it actually has a reserve position as you have a fuel gauge on the tank. I would imagine lever up is off and lever down is on. You can always verify this by pulling the fuel pipe off the carb - don't have a ciggy on the go - but after a few minutes of riding you'll know which way is correct

With regards to the choke I'm starting to have a new found appreciation of my old EFI Superlight Is this a choke lever on the handlebars or at the side of the carb? For the former you might want to check the cable is moving freely and if there's any slack. Bless 'em but the Chinese aren't great at routing cables.

Other than that if you want a bike that you just jump on and go then that's what EFI is for (even so, most people let a bike warm up for a moment or two) so pissing about with the choke and throttle while the bike warms up a bit is par for the course.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter