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125 Runabout

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martin734
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PostPosted: 15:00 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: 125 Runabout Reply with quote

I am considering getting a 125 runabout for use in town and short rides. My regular ride is an ST1100 which I love, but riding it around town can be a little awkward at times. I have been looking at two bikes, the Aprilia Tuono 125 and the Yamaha MT-125, Has anyone any experience of these bikes? Many thanks.
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 15:18 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Probably not quite the answer you're looking for, but I went through exactly the same thought process and ended up concluding a lightweight commuter bike (in my case, a 500) isn't really any more cumbersome than a 125, doesn't cost any more, if anything is less of a theft target and yet as a bit more about it. I'd agree that small scooters will probably squeeze through tighter gaps, but I reckon there's little in in between a 125 and a commuter 500.

If you're insisting on a 125, I'd favour the Yam though.
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martin734
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PostPosted: 15:31 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThunderGuts wrote:
Probably not quite the answer you're looking for, but I went through exactly the same thought process and ended up concluding a lightweight commuter bike (in my case, a 500) isn't really any more cumbersome than a 125, doesn't cost any more, if anything is less of a theft target and yet as a bit more about it. I'd agree that small scooters will probably squeeze through tighter gaps, but I reckon there's little in in between a 125 and a commuter 500.

If you're insisting on a 125, I'd favour the Yam though.

That is a thought. Just been looking now and I quite like the look of the Benelli 502c. Is it me or does the Benelli look suspiciously like the xDiavel?
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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 17:26 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'd recoomend a FB Mondial HPS 125, I've got 1, and even went on a 230ish mile ride out on on Sunday, it will do 70, realtively comfortably, i was quite pleasantly surprised.

https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/fb_mondial_hps_125_2018_20190901_03_waddington_1.jpg
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Kawasaki Jimbo
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PostPosted: 20:39 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Re: 125 Runabout Reply with quote

martin734 wrote:
I am considering getting a 125 runabout for use in town and short rides.

Me too, but where are the few hundred quid, in need of work, small bikes? They don't seem to be on eBay. Maybe they're absent because they're worth more when broken into parts?
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ThatDippyTwat
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PostPosted: 21:15 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

linuxyeti wrote:
I'd recoomend a FB Mondial HPS 125, I've got 1, and even went on a 230ish mile ride out on on Sunday, it will do 70, realtively comfortably, i was quite pleasantly surprised.


Motor is from a Derbi GPR/Aprilia RS4/Derbi Mulhacen. Should do 80-85 (on GPS) if redlined in each gear. Unless it's really heavy, then 70 makes sense.
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Easy-X
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PostPosted: 22:32 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

How about an old 250? Neigh-on the same weight and size as a 125 but with a bit more poke.
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kgm
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PostPosted: 23:31 - 04 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

I used a 125 as a runabout for a few years with two larger machines as well. Recently replaced it with a 250 and, for all the 250 isn't quick, it's a definite improvement over the 125 all around and the fuel costs aren't much different. Fuel cost is only going to matter if doing s lot of miles though.
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linuxyeti
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PostPosted: 06:36 - 05 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

ThatDippyTwat wrote:


Motor is from a Derbi GPR/Aprilia RS4/Derbi Mulhacen. Should do 80-85 (on GPS) if redlined in each gear. Unless it's really heavy, then 70 makes sense.


Yeah I know, I did say relatively comfortably, including uphill against at times pretty strong headwinds.

For a chinese 125 it is quite impressive, the 300(250) version uses the same engine that's in the RX-3
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 08:37 - 06 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Easy-X wrote:
How about an old 250? Neigh-on the same weight and size as a 125 but with a bit more poke.


Need to be careful with sweeping statements like that. There are some old 250's that are really heavy and slow even compared to 12bhp 125's let alone the premium trendy ones.

Like wise there are some 250's that are faster than some old 600cc bikes.

I wouldn't suggest a generic 500cc single or twin to someone with a big bike that wants a light weight town bike. There's up to 70kg weight difference between a 125 and a 500cc twin, so if you think they are going to feel the same to ride then your judgement would be poor!

The only bit I do agree on is not wanting to spend a significant premium on a bike of exactly 125cc for a daily commuter hack, when a bike of even a slightly bigger or smaller capacity would avoid such a purchase tax secondhand.
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ThunderGuts
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PostPosted: 12:40 - 06 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

stevo as b4 wrote:

I wouldn't suggest a generic 500cc single or twin to someone with a big bike that wants a light weight town bike. There's up to 70kg weight difference between a 125 and a 500cc twin, so if you think they are going to feel the same to ride then your judgement would be poor!


There's about 50kg difference between my 500 and a CBF125. I consider my 500 to be a light bike, both literally and in terms of handling . . . but I guess it's up to the OP to ride different bikes to come to a conclusion.

I think I'm just of the opinion that 125s are overpriced for what they are . . . although I do keep thinking about an old Cub . . . which is allowed as it isn't a 125 Wink Laughing
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martin734
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PostPosted: 13:34 - 06 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys. lots to think about. I agree with stevo about some 250's being heavy and slow, I used to have an XS250 which would be left standing by most modern 125's. There is a dealer near me that has a few chinese bikes of 125-300cc that I may go have a look at and sit on. They even have a couple of Benelli 500s that look as bike as my Pan-European.
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stevo as b4
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PostPosted: 14:05 - 06 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's for OP to decide on if said runabout bike is to be a new or nearly new keeper bike that they want the best possible long term value from, or if they are just looking for a small/cheap/locally available hack at a given moment and are not after too much expectation from whatever they can find at sort notice in the classifieds.

Also the CBF500 is 183kg dry, but some 125's and 250's are closer to 100kg. I'm no bike design expert, but I can guarantee that an 83kg weight difference which is a massive percentage increase, will not result in a bike that rides or handles in anything like the same way.

The CB500 isn't a huge heavy bike by any means, and it's low seat height and simple design means it carries its mass well. But there's no fucking way on earth that it turns, and handles the same as a 100ish kg bike.
Maybe you meant to say you want no part in this overpriced 125 game, and you regard your CBF as a light weight town commuter and have no need for less weight or less engine capacity?

But trying to say that in every possible situation that a 180kg simply designed no frills 500 out shines and out rides or out values the virtues of a little light bike is not quite correct or universal opinion.
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Boxing
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PostPosted: 18:37 - 08 Sep 2019    Post subject: Reply with quote

mpd72 wrote:
Or get yourself a 90's DTR125 for around £1500. Easy to de-restrict if not already and a right laugh with around 22-25bhp when full power. Also quite capable of green laning.

"Unit 5 Motos", aka "Gibson", aka "Stinkwheels" brings back batches of them from France every other week.


2 Stroke's are unreliable. I had a DTR and it broke down regularly. They're owned by 17 year old's that rally them. Although saying that, I fully rebuilt my engine and only had another issue after 5,000 miles when the conrod started knocking and heat seizing.

Not to mention how many chav's wanted to steal my DTR. They used to do laps around my house on stolen bikes with masks on, hoping I'd left it on the front. Rolling Eyes
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The last post was made 6 years, 96 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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