Motorbikes!

Post by **mrbenn** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:11 pm

Any bikers on here?!

I have been harbouring a desire for a motorbike for a little while now and would like to actually do something about it. Maybe.

I would be looking at a 125cc I guess. What do people think - is it best to get a make like Yamaha/Honda etc or are these imported ones with all the chrome and big handlebars such as Lifan/Sym just as good but for considerably less dosh?

I am thinking of jettisoning the "modern" and just having the Minor and a small bike

Thanks for any opinions/advice

Post by dp » Mon Mar 03, 2008 9:58 pm

What type of riding would you do on the bike, just for pleasure, for commuting - if so what distances, what average speeds?

What budget do you have?
Do you like to tinker or would you prefer something with longer service intervals?

Post by **les** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:27 pm

I would suggest something like a Honda cg125, if you are starting out. A pretty reliable choice.

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:36 pm

Are there any of those still about? Agree with the choice, mind, just haven't seen one in 20 years

a

Post by **les** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:39 pm

yes, not sure about brand new, but I think so. A few years ago I fished one out of a river!

Post by **plastic_orange** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:40 pm

Don't even think of anything Chinese - go for one of the mainstream manufacturers.
Honda has the best build quality.

Pete

Post by **bigginger** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:48 pm

les wrote:yes, not sure about brand new, but I think so. A few years ago I fished one out of a river!

I think mine must have been in on at some time, from the state of it

I miss that bike - in a nostalgic kind of way, don't think I'd have the nerve for one these days
a

LATER Just Googled, and I see that there were models of the CG125 long after the one I had. That'll explain why I haven't seen one - I'm sure I have, but didn't recognise it...

Post by **Bluesman** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:10 pm

I´m currently a Vespa (Piaggio) PX 200 owner. The perfect ride for a city dweller. I´ve had a few "real" bikes too, in my day...

Zundapp KS 100, Yam 125, 1968 Panhead chopper, Honda CB750K, CB900 Bol D´Or, Suzuki DR650 allroad....fun, all of them. And so many kilometres and not ONE accident in all these years. Close, yes, but no cigar. Does that mean I´m a boring pilot, or did I just not go fast enough?

Cheers /Richard

Post by **mrbenn** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:15 pm

Thanks for the replies

At the moment any riding would be for pleasure.
In terms of distance, I would guess at roughly 2000 miles per year.
The roads round here are mainly national speed limit A roads that seem to run at about 40-50mph ish with various towns dotted about, so frequent 30mph stretches.

I don't really know how much to spend in truth, certainly under £1000 though. I would not mind getting an older bike or one with a higher mileage. I was thinking that I would get a cheap ish one now then, if I took to riding, maybe get something bigger/more expensive when I had some riding experience.

I have done some searching on the Honda cg125 - a handsome machine

AND the price seems right.

More thoughts and ideas welcome

Thanks again chaps

Post by **MarkyB** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:45 am

avoid Chinese bikes like the plague

They are cheap because the materials are poor as is the build quality.
Hondas are a good bet, how about a BSA Bantam or an Enfield Bullet for more "character "

Post by **AndrewSkinner** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:22 pm

Damn! MrBenn

I just litteraly this morning handed over the keys to my 125cc Sym Husky! ok yes it was a Chinese import and it did have corrosion on it like a 20year old bike (Was 2004 model) but it was such a bloody fun bike to ride!

My next bike is going to be a Honda Varadero! That is the bike I would recomend. Has a very big feel to it, most people mistake it for a 600 or bigger!

V twin cylinder engine, very smooth and once you have passed your real bike test you can have the limiter removed which makes it a pretty damn good bike.

Only problem is they are so good you have to look hard to find them. On ebay they go for around £1600 and new they are something like £3400??

Post by **paulhumphries** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 12:28 pm

Don't dismiss the good old Honda 90.
I've had several and great machines.

In my "collection" I've got a Honda 125. A late 1950's CB92 Benly like this -
http://www.racing-motorcycles.co.uk/img ... t/1284.jpg

A little ouside your budget though

Paul Humphries

Post by **mrbenn** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:43 am

Some serious bikes you had there Richard

Glad you didn't fall off, gives me some hope.

The BSA Bantams are nice looking bikes, would look nice in the garage next to the Moggy

and are pretty reasonable money too. Thanks for the tip. Enfields same but seem a bit more dosh

Nice bike you got there Paul. I like the Honda 90 too, looks nice and simple. Like me

I saw you bike Andrew just before it sold. It looked amazing and had I seen it earlier I think I would have been bidding. To be truthful it was your Youtube video that made me think I should stop dreaming and actually make the bike thing happen, so, thanks

Post by **coogee** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 6:40 pm

My older brother has a Yamaha YZF-R1

Phil

Post by **chrisd87** » Wed Mar 05, 2008 10:28 pm

I have a Honda CD250U which is a bit like the CG125 but with a 250cc parallel twin. Nice bike and much more go than a 125 (I did my test on a CG and it was slooow).

If you want something very cheap then take a look at the old 2-stroke 100s. My first bike (which is currently for sale

) was a Yamaha RXS100, it was good fun to ride and fairly nippy if you keep the revs up. Likewise the old MZ 125s and 250s are very cheap but pretty rough and ready.

I'd echo the comments about avoiding anything Chinese. I have a friend in Plymouth who had a Lifan 125 whose frame snapped - I've seen it in the flesh and it's pretty worrying!

If you're considering getting a bigger bike, do it now! The test is getting much more difficult in October this year, so do it before then to save yourself lots of hassle. Bear in mind also that instructors and test centres are seeing many more bookings than usual due to people wanting to avoid the new test, so be quick.

99% of people will find a 125 infuriatingly slow after a couple of months and will want to trade up, so I wouldn't buy anything new. Get something old and knackered, do your test and then buy the bike you really want. Just be realistic about what sort of power you can handle straight away.

Post by **mrbenn** » Thu Mar 06, 2008 11:39 am

coogee wrote:My older brother has a Yamaha YZF-R1

Phil

Nice! Think I would be touching tarmac in about 3 seconds on that!

Thanks for your comments Chris, about the bikes and also the test.

I think the "old and knackered", but hopefully not too much of either, is the way to go for the moment. I'm not a speed freak so should cope ok.

Although I was looking for something a bit more local to me, could you PM me a bit more about your Yamaha like miles, price, MOT/tax, what sort of condition its in etc, maybe a piccy please? Ta muchly

Post by **salty_monk** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 8:36 am

I have 2 GS1000's. A 1980 Shaft drive & a 78 Chain drive. Great bikes, very reliable & a couple of really great forums.

Dan

Post by **AndrewSkinner** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:16 am

mrbenn wrote:
coogee wrote:My older brother has a Yamaha YZF-R1

Phil
I'm not a speed freak so should cope ok.

If you choose the correct bike you should be fine. Because the SYM I had was so comfortable it allowed me to go anywhere.

Just before I sold it I left uni for the weekend and traveled home to suprise my mum for her birthday! Now bear in mind that My uni is in HULL and my house is in CHELTENHAM!!!! now exclude all motorways (because its a 125cc) so A roads all the way, then add rain, Fog, and very bad AA route planner directions to a 125cc bike with two very full bike side bags and a kit bag on the top. Now get lost just outside Lincoln and you get an idea of the struggle I had

I left Hull at 3pm and got back into Cheltenham at 1am! Me and my dad planned the route I had taken after and it became apparent that my beloved little 125cc SYM Husky had covered just over 400miles AND I didnt have one ache, one pain or scar from the journey! and wasnt even tired!!! The bike also did the whole journey on £14 of fuel!!!!

That is what a cracking bike it was despite it bad build quiality in places and tendancy to rust.......very quickly, and the little 125cc engine that pulled like a tank pulled all the stupid extra weight absolutley fine! it still cruised at 65pmh-70pmh. The only thing to complain about was the suspension became very bouncy due to the silly weight.

Post by **toomorecol** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 7:18 pm

Only one choice a Honda 400/4 of 1970's, price from £800 to £2000, plenty of spares from "Dave Silver spares" like a moggy spares dealer, stocks everything. The 400/4 keep their price like a moggy, so no depreciation. Easy to ride, low sadle height, can do a ton if so inclined, and good looking. Tax is £45 a year, insurance was for me £95 including recovery through any clasisc bike insurance company, ie Carol Nash or Bennets. I ride a 400/4, run a moggy traveller and ride a push bike when its too wet to take out my cherished posessions.
Colin

Post by **mrbenn** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 11:59 pm

Thanks for everyones thoughts so far. Its still something I am planning on doing, though a friend wants to do the CBT with me so we are trying to arrange a time when we are both free and he is around (now lives 70 miles away).

Nearly bought a nice little Honda the other day but it was left hand drive. Shame.