Author Topic: Any ideas for a 125cc (Read 5623 times)

slimwilly · « **on:** 09 June 2013, 10:21:20 pm »

My nephew is 21 and has asked me for some advice on him getting a 125, now i know nothing about that size of bike,

He has a budget of a £1000 to £1500, is that enough for a reasonable bike?

What models are worth checking and what models to stay away from? any help?

Billy

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #1 on:** 09 June 2013, 10:27:50 pm »

Stay well away from Chinese junk. Badly built, and fall apart in no time. It all depends on what style of bike he likes?

slimwilly · « **Reply #2 on:** 09 June 2013, 10:35:08 pm »

Yes i had a lad working for me , he bought a new "ching chong" , true, it rattled apart,

FuZzBoM · « **Reply #3 on:** 09 June 2013, 10:48:14 pm »

Suzuki GS125's are good. solid little engine and return 100+ mpg.

stevierst · « **Reply #4 on:** 09 June 2013, 10:57:19 pm »

My son has had a couple of CBR125's, and my sister just bought one. They're cracking bikes, and the engines are pretty bullet proof. Spares are also in abundance for some reason :

Yamazer-92 · « **Reply #5 on:** 09 June 2013, 11:02:09 pm »

Not particularly fast or exciting but I had a Yamaha SR 125 that I got for £700 and sold on for the same half a year or so later. Can't really fault it at all was very reliable and looked quite nice as it was the custom version. Cheap to run and insure, very easy to ride, reasonably comfortable although quite small if you are over 6 foot. Had a really bouncy front end but stick born to be wild on your ipod and it was cheesy grins all the way. The honda xr/cg 125's are worth a look too although they're ugly and a bit pricier. I wanted a DT125 so bad but couldn't afford one at the time.

andybesy · « **Reply #6 on:** 09 June 2013, 11:20:16 pm »

I'd probably suggest test riding a Honda CG 125 and the Yamaha YBR 125:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-CG125-1975-current/

or http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Honda/Honda-CBF125-2009-current4/

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Yamaha/Yamaha-YBR125--2005--current/

Although to a large extent it'll depend on his height and weight and what he'll fit on.

But those would be a good place to start looking and should both be safe bets.

You could spend a lot more on something more flash, but realistically it'll likely be a stepping stone to something else.

As Nick says, don't be temped by Chinese clones of the above.

Andy

mickvp · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 June 2013, 12:02:49 am »

Ive got a 125cc at present and am working towards my full license. Agree with all of the abovem avoid all the chinese copied makes, they are not worth bothering with and are utterly unreliable.

Ive got a VL125 (suzuki) which is a sort of cruiser style bike, its a bit bigger so suits someone like me who has a, ahem, larger frame shall we say

I would recommend a Honda CG125, or Yamaha YBR 125 (which are very similar), both of these are what he will likely do his CBT on, and are very reliable bikes. they do hold value well because of this though, but the insurance is a lot cheaper than the equivalent CBR or YZF as its not such a sports style.

Davebo · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 June 2013, 01:14:37 am »

However, my brother-in-law just bought a second hand chinese 125 for peanuts and it runs like a dream. Some sort of Cb125 replica with (shock) Fazer like headlights.

dBfazer600 · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 June 2013, 01:52:52 am »

Its down to the style he wants i.e. cruiser, racer etc but I would not spend the money you have quoted if he is going for full licence. Pay no more than £700 as he will be better off spending wisely when he wants to trade up.

Daz

Slaninar · « **Reply #10 on:** 10 June 2013, 05:26:37 am »

Quote from: FuZzBoM on 09 June 2013, 10:48:14 pm

Suzuki GS125's are good. solid little engine and return 100+ mpg.

Extremely cheap to run, maintain, simple, forgiving, nothing to damage when dropped (just glue turing lights plastics). Neutral riding position. Perfect IMO. From there you can go more racy, or enduro, or chopper, whatever you fancy.

Cheap to buy, won't loose much on resale.

And yes, I'd definitely recommend 250cc afterwards, before anything bigger.

For learning, first bike - get an old one, for 500-800 euros max, ride, fall down, learn, sell it on after a year.

Dave48 · « **Reply #11 on:** 10 June 2013, 06:38:28 am »

If hes intending to take his test & progress to larger bikes the CG 125 or YBR 125 will have the best resale value as they are built properly. Even if he is buying to commute economically these are still the best bet. just be aware that some will have had a hard life & been dropped a few times but there are low mileage offerings where people have bought (on impulse?) & not liked motorcycling.
On his budget he should be able to get a decent bike-has he allowed for cost of helmet,clothing etc?

tomjimtom · « **Reply #12 on:** 10 June 2013, 09:19:40 am »

If he's tall I suggest looking at the Yamaha DT125R, I had one, paid £2000 for it and sold it for £1500 back to the shop, so pretty good at holding value if doing it all privately, also apparently known for being one of the quicker 125s so you'll always find buyers.
oh, and it's a 2 stroke

Chris · « **Reply #13 on:** 10 June 2013, 10:59:16 am »

I had a Honda CBR125, great bike. I'm 16 stone and it was very nippy in town and up to about 40, bit guttless above that but could sit at 60ish all day long if you got the right gear which for the bhp is amazing. gearbox is based on the xr125 so can take plenty abuse, gearbox can be a bit clunky and need to keep an eye on the oil level but appart from that it's bulletproof.

Most of the little sport rep 125's are good though.

Chris

slimwilly · « **Reply #14 on:** 10 June 2013, 05:42:49 pm »

He said thanks for the advice, he has looked up the models suggested and replied "they are not sporty looking"

And he has asked about an Aprilla? i guess they are the lookers of the 125 world

wezdavo · « **Reply #15 on:** 10 June 2013, 05:49:53 pm »

Quote from: Chris on 10 June 2013, 10:59:16 am

I had a Honda CBR125, great bike. I'm 16 stone and it was very nippy in town and up to about 40, bit guttless above that but could sit at 60ish all day long if you got the right gear which for the bhp is amazing. Engine and gearbox are out of a motocross bike so can take plenty abuse, gearbox can be a bit clunky and need to keep an eye on the oil level but appart from that it's bulletproof.

Most of the little sport rep 125's are good though.

Chris

I cant think of any Honda 4 stroke 125 motocross bikes...

Slaninar · « **Reply #16 on:** 10 June 2013, 06:10:02 pm »

Quote from: slimwilly on 10 June 2013, 05:42:49 pm

He said thanks for the advice, he has looked up the models suggested and replied "they are not sporty looking"

And he has asked about an Aprilla? i guess they are the lookers of the 125 world

For a learner, I'd suggest a naked bike -classic. Drop pretty Aprillia once and you're looking at around 100 to 500 euros fairing repairs. Also, it is a small bike so probably not a keeper. You loose money on resale. Better get a beater to practice, learn. Then get a 250cc beater for practice and learning. In the meantime, figure out what kind of bike you like and save money for it. Just my 2c.

mickvp · « **Reply #17 on:** 10 June 2013, 06:24:56 pm »

If its sporty looking he's after try the Yamaha yzf 125 (baby r6), Honda CBR 125 (baby fire blade), or the aprilia RS125 (baby rsv mille).

All of the above are, as said, very expensive to buy, insure, and repair if you have a spill.

jon · « **Reply #18 on:** 10 June 2013, 07:04:08 pm »

Crf125?

I got a gn125 (suzuki) for my lad for 300 quid. It had been brush painted and was looking 'tired'. We spent a weekend tinkering and made it into a respectable little bobber. Bulletproof engine and a comfy ride. When we took it for its mot we were offered £800 for it there and then.

Hedgetrimmer · « **Reply #19 on:** 10 June 2013, 07:12:21 pm »

Aprillias are great little sportsbikes, but if you start to use them hard, you'll be looking at a lot of maintenance costs. Some owners seem to be stripping them every other weekend for top-end rebuilds. Some dealers won't touch them as trade-ins for that very reason.

Looney tune · « **Reply #20 on:** 10 June 2013, 07:18:52 pm »

Quote from: tomjimtom on 10 June 2013, 09:19:40 am

If he's tall I suggest looking at the Yamaha DT125R, I had one, paid £2000 for it and sold it for £1500 back to the shop, so pretty good at holding value if doing it all privately, also apparently known for being one of the quicker 125s so you'll always find buyers.
oh, and it's a 2 stroke

My girlfriend has one for sale, 57 plate, 5318 miles, blue/white. More details if you wish.

Cheers Russ

AdieR · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 June 2013, 07:43:39 pm »

Honda CG125 - not the most stylish, but will run forever and cost nowt to run.

Chris · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 June 2013, 09:16:12 pm »

Quote from: wezdavo on 10 June 2013, 05:49:53 pm

Engine and gearbox are out of a motocross bike

I cant think of any Honda 4 stroke 125 motocross bikes...

Sorry, you're right, I believe it's just the gearbox that's based on the xr125 box.

Chris

adeejaysdelight · « **Reply #23 on:** 10 June 2013, 10:46:19 pm »

I have a wee CBF 125 that I bough new in 2009. I have done around 15,000 miles on it. Mostly work and back, but I did do the coast of Scotland in 5 days (nearly 1000 miles). It nips through traffic and pulls away from the lights fast enough. A top box takes all my stuff. The MPG is amazing, I put fuel in it 2 days ago for the third time this year! I actually forget to check the gauge. It looks ok (did a few mod's) and its not tiny. Decent used ones are around your £1500 budget. And its the most popular bike in the UK, so parts will never be an issue.

slimwilly · « **Reply #24 on:** 11 June 2013, 07:07:05 am »

I see most Aprilla's for sale say they have had engine rebiulds,,,this says alot !!!! he will have to learn.

Thanks for the advice,,the young ones eh?