MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
I'm planning on getting my motorbike licence over the next few months/year. Been thinking about it for years, but now the time is right 😁
I'm not a total beginner, I hooned about on a 50cc in my late teens, and did a fair amount of scooter and small motorbike riding while living in Asia 25 odd years ago.
I also did my CBT about 14/15 years ago, but the advent of young kids stopped me progressing onto doing my actual test. After doing the CBT I rode a Honda XR125 for 2 years, so I'm used to using a clutch/throttle and gears.
I've booked my CBT for a couple of weeks time, and then I plan to buy a 125cc and get used to riding that around for a few months to get my skill levels back up.
Then I'll do my theory and look to book a direct access course at Easter or in the summer.
So....what geared 125cc for a 6ft, 85kg bloke? Needs to be relatively nippy and I'll probably commute 10-12 miles or so on it a couple of times a week.
I'm totally open to suggestions based on people's experience. Not after a scooter though 😉
Ive jumped feet first, all in the wrong order.
First, I bought a motorbike (Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Supernova) a few weeks ago.
Booked theory that night, just passed it (49/50, 69/75)
CBT on Tuesday, then a few days of learning. Mod 1 on 6 Dec, mod 2 10 Dec.
Go for it!!!
I rode an old CG125 for a couple of years, although it was quite small and not nippy! Varadero used to be a 'bigger' 125 but I don't know if many of them are still around.
Personally I wouldn't get a 125 in your position, you've done that and it won't take long to get your skills back up, you might also find a bigger bike more suited to your commute. Particularly if you're doing DAS. Not all that much spendier either, decent nick 125s seemed when I started to carry a bit of a premium over something like an ER6 or similar.
Heh, sort of a timely thread. I was asking my cousin for first refusal of his mid-70's Honda CB125 the other week. He had an offer of a bigger bike 2 days later but has to pass his big bike test first. Probably get it next March, which should be perfect. Never had a motorbike before.
Edit - Sorry, that's not much use to the OP, but I'm a bit excited. 😁
Edit 2 - There's a Royal Enfield Himalayan thread on here somewhere, given what you said below, that might be ideal.
Personally I wouldn't get a 125 in your position, you've done that and it won't take long to get your skills back up, you might also find a bigger bike more suited to your commute. Particularly if you're doing DAS. Not all that much spendier either, decent nick 125s seemed when I started to carry a bit of a premium over something like an ER6 or similar.
Main issue is availability of direct access courses with the mod1 and 2 test.
I'm finding nothing locally in the next 3-4 months. So I would at least like to get some practice in once I've done the CBT. Which obviously limits me to a 125.
My thinking is buy a 125, ride it until I can do the course/test and the potentially trade it in for a bigger bike.
I'm not fussed on getting anything really sporty. I'dm thinking more along the lines of a 500-600cc adventure style bike. Better for country lanes and bimbling about on 🙂
My daughter has a pretty new CB125 and I'm pretty impressed. It's never going to keep up with my Daytona 955 but it does her well. Parked up in the garage last winter and started on the first press of the starter 4 months later.
Depending where you're riding, it may be fast enough for you. It's uncomfortable on 70-limit dual carriageways - you end up sat at about 60 and everything overtakes you. On busier a-roads, you're able to keep up with the normal 40-50mph line of traffic just fine (and hopefully not be the cause of any holdup).
It's very cheap to run - economy is meant to be something like 35 miles/l (per litre not gallon). Honda quality seems to be spot on. It gets about fine and is nippy enough up to 40mph or so.
That being said, it is a frustratingly slow on a longer journey or on the motorway. My daughter is going to do her A2 test now she's old enough and get something with a bit more power.
So....what geared 125cc for a 6ft, 85kg bloke? Needs to be relatively nippy and I'll probably commute 10-12 miles or so on it a couple of times a week.
Erm... You know the term "nippy" isn't one that could be associated with an 85kg rider on a 125 motorbike by anyone who's ridden one...? At least not a modern 4 stroke one... Maybe a 1990's race rep derestricted 125 with 30ish bhp would suffice in that respect, but I also suspect that you don't want to be rebuilding the engine every other week so will rule that one out...
My advice...? If you must have a 125, find a reasonable condition Honda CB125F... They have cast iron residuals. You'll probably sell it for what you pay for it after a few months as long as you look after it. It won't be quick but should hit 60 at least, it rides closer to a bigger bike than most 125's, and it will be super reliable and incredibly cheap to run... Avoid anything Chinese as whilst these bikes are better than they were years ago, they are still considered "throwaway" bikes by most, get no love as a result, and £1500 on a 2nd hand Chinese 125 is more likely to be £1500 thrown down the drain when it falls apart where £2500 on a 2nd hand CB125F might only be £500 cheaper than a brand new one, but you'll almost certainly get your money back (or very close to it) after a few months...
But you'll want to get off a 125 as quickly as possible, so my main advice to ANYONE who is of an age where they can do direct access, is not to bother buying a 125 and just stump up for the direct access course in the first place! Buying a 125 really is just wasting your money and delaying the inevitable IMO...
@mboy - cheers that's good advice 🙂 Honda CB125F sounds like a good shout.
I still think I'll probably get a 125 if I can't get a test until march April, as I'll want to get some practice in while I wait - and tbh I'd rather do the course/test when the weather is nicer anyway.
The commute is about 11 miles mostly on decent surfaced B roads, so I won't need to be hitting more than 45/50mph tops.
When you say 'over the next few months', are you really ganna kick this off over the winter months? I don't ride from Nov - Mar but am a self confessed willy woofter. I'd put it off 'till spring, book whatever needs booking for DA and not mess around with 125's.
When I did my test, you had the initial CBT, then riding around for week on a 125, test on Friday, 1000cc on Saturday. Then try not to get squashed/hurled into space. I think it helped not being 17.
When you say 'over the next few months', are you really ganna kick this off over the winter months? I don't ride from Nov - Mar but am a self confessed willy woofter. I'd put it off 'till spring, book whatever needs booking for DA and not mess around with 125's
Yeah, don't see why not. I'll still have a car too, but as I'm in Devon, the weather's never too extreme. I'll happily ride to work a couple of times a week when it's dry.
Fair enough. I'm only in Cambs so hardly the North Pole but we get ice and freezing wet weather for weeks on end. It's bad enough cycling let alone riding many BHP's...
The commute is about 11 miles mostly on decent surfaced B roads, so I won't need to be hitting more than 45/50mph tops.
You might find that the cars and other traffic have a different opinion on that!
Also, it's now winter... There's a HUGE difference between me riding my 1300cc fully faired adventure bike with heated grips, heated seat, full Rukka suit, heated jacket etc etc. (and I still don't bother unless it's a nice dry day) to someone on a naked 125 in budget riding gear only just learning how to ride!
Book that direct access now... The longer you delay booking it, the longer you won't be on the bike that you actually want to be on in the end!
you must have a 125, find a reasonable condition Honda CB125F
I was going to say the same thing. I rode a CB125F for a couple of years and thought it was great. Bought it 2nd hand but it was almost like new and sold it for only a few hundred £ less. The only issue I had was the chrome bits were showing signs of age but that was it.
If you're going to ride over winter I would strongly suggest treating it with ACF-50 to protect it from the salt on the roads. And rinse the salt off as soon as possible.
And while we're talking Hondas, the CB500X could well be the perfect big bike when you pass your test!
Just get your mod 1 and mod 2 booked and get them over with.
I thought I wanted a 125 until I rode one. I decided to be patient and buy a proper bike when I had a licence.
The best riding you can do is commuting as you'll be out in all weathers which is a good learning experience.
Buy a cheap 2nd hand Japanese 125 (Honda/Yamaha) and you should loose too much money on it and if you drop it (and you probably will) they are cheap to fix.
The school you complete your CBT will probably have tests already booked and can speed up the process. I'd join them for a couple of days training as they will run you through everything involved in Mod 1 & 2. Its worth the time/cost.
Mod 1 is a lot harder than it sounds, as its all fake stuff riding around cones, so its best to have an instructor teach you that stuff.
Mod 2 is easier if you already have a car licence and can ride a bike. Again another day or two with an instructor and they will likely take you out on parts of the test route and point out all of the tricky/silly stuff that most people fail on.
We had a YZF125. It was great but insurance for my son was ruinous. The most stolen motorbike in the UK, apparently. Was nice to ride and we both did CBT and theory. My son went on to drive my car 🚗 instead on the cold very early mornings, and we sold it as lockdown took effect. Never went back to motorbikes but I enjoyed it at the time. I’m 179 cm, 72 kilos and it felt rapid enough and surprisingly big enough for a baby sports bike.
We had a YZF R125. It was great but insurance for my son was ruinous. The most stolen motorbike in the UK, apparently. Was nice to ride and we both did CBT and theory. My son went on to drive my car 🚗 instead on the cold very early mornings, and we sold it as lockdown took effect. Never went back to motorbikes but I enjoyed it at the time. I’m 179 cm, 72 kilos and it felt rapid enough and surprisingly big enough for a baby sports bike.
As others have said, I'd just wait and do DAS (especially as you've got a car). You've left it 15 years, another few months changes nowt. You will (probably) find it harder adjusting from a 125 to a big bike than simply starting from scratch with a 500.
I bought a Chinese 125 in May after doing my CBT. As someone who has not ever thrown a leg over a motorbike in my 52 years, having the 125 over the summer has been fine and useful to get my machine control practiced.
No plans in riding in the wet since I've chosen this for fun. I plan on using it next dry season until my first born finishes Uni and I have the cash to do a direct access course, at which point I'll sell the 125 and move on up.
At 98kg, the lack of power is a bit frustrating, but it will sit at about 65 on the flat and will eventually even get to 70, but mostly I'm pottering around in the 40-55 zone.
I think if I hadn't bought something to play with, I would have lost my impetus.
The big bikes are much easier on mod 1 test too. ABS and actually have the power to get up to the speeds needed.
KTM duke 125 has a decent seat height (over 800). Means that you've got a bit more rooms for your legs. Should be quick too. Tons on the second hand market, you just have to put up with garish orange.
For your height, get a Sinnis Terrain. The CG might be a tad small...
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/reviews/bikes/sinnis/terrain-125-2021
Oh and get the test(s) booked ASAP (DAS or otherwise)
Edit ive never had one, but if i was going for a 125 thats what id consider (passed my bike test in 1988 at 17)
Yeah, do a DAS, it's like erm... riding a bike, you'll get it all back soon enough.
To be honest, even learner 125s are fun, you just thrash them absolutely everywhere. In some ways I find them more fun than my big bike, as riding that is a permanent exercise in self control that a 125 doesn't require.
125s Struggling to top 60? My FS1E would nearly do that and my KMX125 would tip over 90 on the clock. WTF happened to 125s? I know we dropped 2 strokes and H/S gone mad but that's really not progress.
Must book a DAS for the spring so I can finally get my license and start riding my late dad's old bike.
125s are limited to 15bhp now, many a few short of this even. I think the KTM Duke comes closest to the limit.
125s are limited to 15bhp now
Mine might have been at some point but I think it was breathed upon before I got it as it was always a rocketship in comparison to anything else of the size. Was most of the reason I never actually took my test back then - I knew I'd be a liability on anything quicker.
Hopefully I'm a bit more sensible these days.
KTM duke 125 has a decent seat height (over 800). Means that you've got a bit more rooms for your legs. Should be quick too. Tons on the second hand market, you just have to put up with garish orange.
I did like the KTM Duke, but I'm not sure a naked bike is the best option for British weather 😁
The Sinnis or Lexmoto 125cc Adventure bikes seem to get decent reviews.
Just been down to the bike show this week - Fantic do a 125 version of the Caballero. Looks fantastic, IMHO.
@Speeder the KMX125 is a two stroke, so has to be restricted down to 15bhp from 25-30 that it makes oit of the box, derestricting it was as easy as fitting the power valve to it (possibly knocking a restriction plate out of the pipe) and putting the correct jet in the carb. Modern 125s aren't restricted - 15bhp is about the most power you can get out of a 4 stroke single cylinder 125 without spending ££££ on upgrading it and then it still won't make much more power and will be woefully unreliable.
@Speeder the KMX125 is a two stroke, so has to be restricted down to 15bhp from 25-30 that it makes oit of the box, derestricting it was as easy as fitting the power valve to it (possibly knocking a restriction plate out of the pipe) and putting the correct jet in the carb. Modern 125s aren't restricted - 15bhp is about the most power you can get out of a 4 stroke single cylinder 125 without spending ££££ on upgrading it and then it still won't make much more power and will be woefully unreliable.
I think it was just the restrictor in the exhaust tbh. I know 2 strokes were banned on environmental grounds but it's embarrassing that the 4 strokes haven't closed the gap in the last 30+ years. I guess the 2S were cheap and easy to make at that power and a 4 requires a lot more tech/expense. Just did a little search on FB and it appears that the old 2 strokes are erm . . . quite the appreciating asset.
Yup, I hoovered up a load of Aprilia 125 2 strokes while they were still cheapish, got one a couple on the road and enough sparea to keep them that way for the foreseeable future. No intention of selling them, they're too much fun!
I scratched the itch this year to ride a motorbike aged 54. Did my CBT in April and now doing my Full A license. In the mean time I’ve been razzing around in an Aprilia RX125. Bought it as I have been doing a lot of off roading and wanted something light to learn on as I knew I’d be picking it up off the floor. It’s been bloody good fun. Only real downside is that to go above 60 you are really gunning it, another 10mph cruise speed would be nice on dual carriageways but I’m not on them often. Not regretted getting the 125 rather than doing direct access, but the extra torque of the bigger bikes is nice. I will bump up to a 300/400cc trail bike at some point, just Mod 2 left to pass before I can do that, but not in a rush. Oh and at 6 ft tall the RX has a tall stand over so I don’t look like a monkey on a clown bike.
Purely from a size point of view, look around for a 125 trail bike. No idea what is relatively current. Don't worry about speed too much, you won't be motorway riding on L plates . Maybe even an older XL125 or such like. Bet there is something Chinese about. You'll be more comfortable than on some titchy race replica.
A Suzuki Van Van is a fun 125 to hoon about on as a novelty.
I don't know how much value there is in spending time on a 125 if you can already ride. Without an instructor it will just ingrain the habits you already have, good or bad, which isn't necessarily helpful for the test.
don't know how much value there is in spending time on a 125 if you can already ride. Without an instructor it will just ingrain the habits you already have, good or bad, which isn't necessarily helpful for the test
I have the advantage of having a family member who is an IAM instructor 😁 so hopefully I'll be able to to go on a few rides with him to work on my road craft.
He's actually quite positive on the idea of riding a 125 for a few months before the test.
I also asked him about the current crop of Chinese bikes (eg. Lexmoto, etc.) and he said they've come on leaps and bounds over the last few years.
I’ve been tempted to get a bike for a while and was just going to start with a 125 to get used to it and seee how unsafe i feel!
This is probably a no no but i really like the retro look of the Mutt bikes. Appreciate maybe a bit ‘hipster’ but interested if anyone has any thoughts on them?
This is probably a no no but i really like the retro look of the Mutt bikes. Appreciate maybe a bit ‘hipster’ but interested if anyone has any thoughts on them?
I looked at them, went over to the place they used to have in Brum. I really liked them, but they had some very bad reviews....and have since gone bust.
I went for the Royal Enfield Meteor, similar retro styling but without the chunky tyres.
Bit of an update....
Did my CBT a couple of weeks ago. It was a good day on the bike (MTS at Wedtpoint, Exeter are very good) and the instructor was very positive about my riding - said he be happy for me to the DAS/test straight away.
I decided to get a 125cc to practice on (and commute a couple of days a week) and will book my DAS for the summer or early autumn.
Wanted a 125 with a bigger bike feel and luggage, so went and sat on a few bikes, and the Lexmoto RX1 ticked all the boxes. Very well specced - ABS, 6 gears, 15hp, luggage, engine bars, etc. £3000 brand new on the road!
Rode it home today on a mix of A and B roads, and it's great. Happily cruises along at 50+mph and the riding position is very comfy with good visibility.
Looks fun. Get out and ride as much as possible.
Yeah boi 🤘
Not sure if OP's purchase is new (it looks immaculate if it's used) but for the spec and look it seems like a good buy. Plus with attentive servicing there shouldn't be much to go wrong. Nice one
Not sure if OP's purchase is new (it looks immaculate if it's used) but for the spec and look it seems like a good buy. Plus with attentive servicing there shouldn't be much to go wrong. Nice one
New 😁
They aren't much cheaper 2nd hand, and new ones come with the full 2 year warranty (as long as you follow the service intervals).
It's a great spec (though traction control seems a bit OTT on a 125 😆), rides really well, and looks nice too (of you like the adventure bike aesthetic).
Wow - nice. Yes, it does look good imvho and I personally prefer to be more upright than crouched, esp commuting.
Looks nice, enjoy! I loved my 125cc, many happy memories 🤩
That looks a really nice bike. Enjoy it. I do like 125s, so much fun.
Big bikes are great, they are nicer to ride.
But there is a problem with big bikes. Unless its something terrible, bigger bikes are so fast compared to cars and that can be addictive and dangerous, and it only takes a few seconds of winding the throttle open on a big bike to be doing way over the speed limit. I couldn't control myself on a big bike, despite being a very slow and sensible car driver.
A few years ago I went back to riding a 125, when I bought a Yamaha Trailway 125. To say it's slow is an understatement, it struggles to hit 50 on the flat. But on country roads it is great fun to ride and made me slow down and just enjoy riding without being crazy. I get the downsides, it struggles to keep up with traffic on fast road, but I enjoy riding it way more than riding any big bike I've ridden.
I probably say this on every new motorcyclist thread but - always ride with earplugs in, even if you have a good quality helmet.
I probably say this on every new motorcyclist thread but - always ride with earplugs in, even if you have a good quality helmet.
You'll be alright on a 125, especially in a full face that doesn't have a proliferation of sharp edges.
But yes, find some that fit and get into the habit of wearing them. Try a few out and see what works for you. After much trying (and making some custom plugs which struggled to anchor themselves in place) I've found my ear canal is very short and wide, nothing circular fits in it so I just use disposable moldex foamies.
Yeah, I just bought a big box of 3M foam earplugs from Screwfix / Toolstation
You'll be alright on a 125, especially in a full face that doesn't have a proliferation of sharp edges.
I disagree with that, at 30mph wind noise will be about 70-90 dB, which the internet suggest is the threshold for permanent damage.
My father was deaf through unprotected exposure to noise and it's pretty shitty.
Yeah. Fully agree on wearing earplugs thing. Especially if you don't want my tinnitus.
I've got custom moulded silicone ones now. Really good and worth spending on.
Custom silicone are definitely worth it. Just hated wearing foam ones but no issue with all day rides customs.
Got a few different ear plugs I can try out...
Box of foamy ones that I take to festivals (for sleeping near noisy, drunk people!), and some I use for band practice - cos drummers are loud 😆
Good shout though, I'd not really thought of it until mentioned above.
Congrats on the CBT & purchase.
My reply that I fancied doing CBT & getting a bike licence to the “what do you want for Xmas?” question was met with scorn. So I think I’ll be disappointed on Thursday.