Bike for Learner - Which one?

[dgeorge11]

Hi all.

I'm looking to buy a used 125cc bike to start learning to ride. I've had a look around and see a lot of Lexmoto and Yamaha ybr 125cc for sale, which seem to be popular. A few people have mentioned a Honda 125 also.

Which is best make/bike to go for? Are there any to avoid?

Thanks,

[to v or not to v]

buy cheap, save your money for a more powerful bike if/when you pass your test.

Jap bikes are generally reliable and last well.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Ste]

How old are you?

[dgeorge11]

I'm 35. Wanting to get into biking as a hobby rather than using a bike for commuting.

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[BRUN]

I would go Jap, avoid the Chinese ones

I got a 125 to practice on in between lessons, as because of work and other things i couldnt do an intensive quick course, was helpful to go out and drill what I was being told on my lessons, in my own time, and I could go to and from work on it aswell for more practice

I had a Yamaha YS125

[dgeorge11]

Thanks all. I want to get a 125cc first, just to ride around on and see if I want to commit further to motorbiking.

I like both the Yamaha ybr125 and the Suzuki van van 125. Anyone have any preference on either? Pros and cons?

[Keithy]

[UncleFester]

Everyone will say the same thing.

I had a YBR125, hated the feel of the VanVan. I did 1008 miles on the YBR125 before i took my test and once i'd been out on the big stuff, wild horses wouldn't have got me back on the YBR.

TL/DR the internet is right. Unless you really want to slog it out on the slow stuff or are restricted to doing so .... get your CBT done and Mod1/2 and just buy a big bike if you pass the tests.

By the time you've done your CBT/Mod1/2 you'll know whether you want to continue with motorbikes or not.

Spend the money you'd have spent on the YBR on your training instead.
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Module 1 and 2 passed - October 2014. Happy owner of a 2017 Z1000SX, ex owner of a YBR125 / CB500 / VFR800.

[Ste]

There's no need for you to suffer by riding around on a 125 with L plates. Those L plates are for children and Losers.

Do DAS so you get full license and then buy a bike.

[rpsmith79]

[Fat Angry Scotsman]

[struan80]

VT 125 Shadow. If you can afford it. great wee cruiser bike and is only increasing in value. I loved mine, it was my first bike. Rode it for a while until I did my DAS.

Good luck you'll love biking.

Couldn't interest you in a 1993 Fireblade?

[Stevie-YBR]

[jonquirk]

I practiced while I was learning by hiring a 125 to go out by myself for the day. I spent £200 plus fuel over five days and managed to improve a lot by doing about 100 miles each time. I didn’t have to worry about buying a lemon, insurance, or selling it on afterwards.
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2021 Triumph Trident660
1978 BMW R60/7

[jeffyjeff]

I believe it is best to learn on a small, lightweight bike; maybe not a 125, but certainly a bike 250cc or less. Learn on something that is physically unintimidating, that you can physically muscle about until the fundamentals of brake, clutch, and throttle operation become automatic and you don't have to think about what you are doing. Small bikes allow you to pin the throttle at any time without potentially fatal consequence. Fortunately, small bikes also happen to be affordable, so you can learn basic maintenance skills at a lower financial risk. Chain tension, cable adjustment, valve checks; all skills that can be learned on a small bike. Even clutch diagnosis/repair, stator issues and regulator/rectifier problems can be learned on a smaller bike, but as a rule, reduced capacity results in a lower probability of problems in these areas.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC