buying a salvaged bike... (or any kind of cheap option)

[carlmalibu]

incidentally, I'm not even sure if I would fit on one, but if I was to buy a CBR-125, that had been salvaged, and attempt to do a repair job (bearing in mind that my mother used to take bikes apart and i know a couple of mechanics), would I end up with a cheaper bike? would it be more likely to break ?

Because I really don't see how I'm going to be able to afford anything any time soon otherwise
(oh, the pains of being young!)

I'm in such a quandry, as I'm 17 in March, 6'4 and 14 and a half stone.

I DONT want a scooter, but I don't know what the cheapest way of getting onto the road is.
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CB500, woop.

[McJamweasel]

It could end up being cheaper, if its a straigforward fix. On the otherhand it could just as easily turn into a money pit that will be worth 3p when you come to sell it.

Buy an older used bike instead.
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[G]

Rather than a CBR125, why not look for something like an older ns125, nsr125, rg125 etc? Can get a reasonable one for around £500, or one that needs work for less.

The CBR being fairly new is going to be expensive to buy, even damaged and expensive to get parts to fix.

[carlmalibu]

I've looked through biketrader and it seems as though theres nothing anywhere near sheff.

I work a part time job, but juggling that with A Levels and relationships generally means it takes second place.

I am insanely jealous of those in my situation with parents willing to spend an awful lot of cash to get their little dears on the road.
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Shine on, you crazy diamond
CB500, woop.

[G]

It costs something like £40 to advertise in bike trader.

That's 10% of a £400 bike, so not many bargins in there.

Try free places and ebay. www.adtrader.co.uk is a good start.
There's a load of other links listed somewhere, in the new biker bit maybe?

[carlmalibu]

[McJamweasel]

Biketrader is not good for cheap bikes - paying £16+ to advertise a £500 bike doesn't make sense to most people.

Check your local rags, free-ads papers and ebay.
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[Sparks!]

I personally don't see anything wrong with cat c/d bikes.. as long as they're cheaper then who cares,there's nothing wrong with them that can't be fixed... and whats to say that a hpi clear bike hasn't had equal or worse damage?

The only problem is most people don't see it the same way so you have to sell it real cheap to get rid of it usually so make sure that the purchase price + repair costs is pretty damn cheap then when you come to sell it you won't be so bothered about selling it for a significant amount less than others are going for..

I've had a cat c before and about to get another probably so don't let it put you off just be careful

Check ebay for costs of what needs fixing to see if the parts are cheapily and easily available.. else it becomes more hassle than it's worth... but then again it depends if your buying to sell on or buying to use ... if your going to use then it doesnt matter quite as much, you get a cheap bike.

[Aikman666]

Buy an RX125, im about 1 or 2 inches shorter than you, and the RX50 fits me fine. Im not sure about the availability of the RX125, but they cant be hard to find 2nd hand (or in a breakers yard). Or any type of crosser for that matter, i honestly dont see a sports 125 being comfortable for someone of your size, i dont think i would have felt very good on it.... I would just comfortably fit on my Stepdads CBR900RR because im so big. But i guess its your preferance
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[Nath]

Is the AdMag sold in Sheffield? That's always full of cheap bikes (admag is a localised version of loot). The trick to getting a bargain is patience - Keep looking in the papers every week and eventually something will turn up.

A Kawasaki AR125 would be a good bet, as would a Suzuki RG125, ora Yamaha TZR125 - Those will probably be the most likely bikes you will find as cheap non-runners. If you just want to get on the road as cheaply as possible, why don't you go for an old cg125? I think it was Gazdaman who had an MZ which bought for £200 - It doesn't get much cheaper than that for a running bike.

At 6'4 you are going to struggle to find any bike that wont be too small. Motocross bikes will be your best bet, but they are generally more expensive than other 125s. I would say buy whatever's cheapest, as it won't be that uncomfortable for you.
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[Andy C]

[woo]

Shame your in college because if you was at uni id have told you to use your student loan money thats what i did.
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[feef]

biggest problem you'll have is, if a bike is easily repairable, there's probably a dealer out there who'll have got in before you, and the salvage jobs that are left often turn into money pits.

I have aquired some bargains thru contacts, but not adverts..

eg:

T reg NSR125, less than 3 yrs old at the time. Insurance right-off since it had been dropped at 90mph due to a siezed engine. Needed, in addition to the engine work, some bodywork, footpegs and clutch lever. bought for £90 and a bottle of red wine. Sold for £660 on ebay as a , non-runner, but with new bodywork on it.

F reg GPZ500: Blown engine, knackered exhaust, but came with a Muzzy Ti race system. Bike was free, new engine, £250.

current bike S reg Thunderace, with spare engine (blown 2nd gear), spare belly pan, and remus can as well as OE can. £1500. relatively high mileage, and with tatty bodywork. owner was emigrating, so needed a quick sale.


These are, imho, better deals than an advertised salvage job, where the sellers are out to make a profit.

a
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[satans_BIG_helper]

No offence mate but your probably a bit tall for a CBR125 if i were you i would be looking at the likes of the XLR125, DT125,TS125 etc... traily/offroady things as you will get a bit uncomfortable after a while on a little crotch rocket im 6ft 1 n struggle when i play about on the 125's of mates n that especilly CG's, NSR's n RG125's.....


Trailies can be picked up cheapish... a mate of mine is selling a Yreg XL125R for about £850 (i think) and its not mint but its all there n quite tidy

[cyberglass]

went to blacks bike salvage on friday they hava a couple of nsr125s with minimal damage for £800 just scratches on the fairing and broken indicators

check the auto trader they are on there

search for

honda

125cc

[Jack_Cheese]

That silver and orange nsr in blacks has gone, hasn't it!? i rang them about it a few weeks back.

Blacks is a great place - they even have a rocketIII in there

Cyberglass, where bouts you from?

Jack
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