First time buyer - URGENT HELP! (Bikes)

[LPlate]

CBR125 is no good for that sort of riding anyway, its trying to be a sports bike and using a CG125 engine to start with

By far and above one of the best commuter type bikes in that category, and certainly for London, is the Yamaha Custom jobs, the SR125 etc.

Closer to the ground in terms of stability, excellent reliability, easy to manouevre through traffic and really good on petrol (insurance is cheap too).

I commute to work on a ZX9R and also my RSV1000 they are sports bikes and the sports bike riding position is fine for doing just that, for commuting its a pain

[Rave]

CBR125 is no good for that sort of riding anyway, its trying to be a sports bike and using a CG125 engine to start with

It's not the same engine, the CBR125 is watercooled.

By far and above one of the best commuter type bikes in that category, and certainly for London, is the Yamaha Custom jobs, the SR125 etc.

I had the choice between an SR125 and a CG125 when I was doing my training and I found the CG125 easier to manoeuvre. It's personal preference, I suppose. The CBR 125 doesn't really have a sporty riding position at all, but it is very small. I've not riden one, but I suspect at 5'11 I'd be too big for it.

[DeludedGuy]

Ok, I think I will be buying a CBR125.

I been looking around, and have found a guy on ebay who is selling one for £1300, near where I live.

I have offered him £1000 in cash when I pick it up, I'm waiting on a reply.

As I am gonna be a learner, do i need to have a license to be driving it around? Or do I apply for a provisional of some sort?

I have no clue about bike laws, sorry.

[Rave]

You need to send off your driving licence to get a provisional motorcycle entitlement added. There may be a charge for this, I'm not sure. Once you get it back you need to do a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before you're allowed to ride around unsupervised. The course lasts a few hours and it's to make sure that you can ride the bike well enough and safely enough to be allowed out on the roads. Any motorcycle training centre will offer CBT courses.

I think you'll be lucky to pick up the bike for £1000, but fingers crossed eh?. You'll also need to budget for kit; you need a helmet obviously, and gloves are essential too (never ride without gloves, your hands are too valuable). Sturdy boots are a good idea but it's not really necessary to buy proper motorcycle ones of you can't afford them. A decent leather jacket isn't essential but is a good idea- and a set of waterproof coveralls if you're commuting.

Finally, get a decent lock and always use it, a CBR125 can be lifted into the back of a van in seconds so if possible lock the bike to something solid by the frame (not the wheels which can be removed).

[DeludedGuy]

You need to send off your driving licence to get a provisional motorcycle entitlement added. There may be a charge for this, I'm not sure. Once you get it back you need to do a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course before you're allowed to ride around unsupervised. The course lasts a few hours and it's to make sure that you can ride the bike well enough and safely enough to be allowed out on the roads. Any motorcycle training centre will offer CBT courses.

I think you'll be lucky to pick up the bike for £1000, but fingers crossed eh?. You'll also need to budget for kit; you need a helmet obviously, and gloves are essential too (never ride without gloves, your hands are too valuable). Sturdy boots are a good idea but it's not really necessary to buy proper motorcycle ones of you can't afford them. A decent leather jacket isn't essential but is a good idea- and a set of waterproof coveralls if you're commuting.

Finally, get a decent lock and always use it, a CBR125 can be lifted into the back of a van in seconds so if possible lock the bike to something solid by the frame (not the wheels which can be removed).

Thanks m8, good advice there. People should have this in thier favourites

[webbyman]

i thought it was a year? but your proberly right.

[TeePee]

Some very good advice from Rave there.. Good gear, especially gloves are essential, or even a small accident will leave you with stumps.

If you are on a budget I'd avoid leathers.. Cheap cordura or similar jackets are much better than cheap leather jackets and waterproof and much warmer too. Boots of some description are a very good idea, and if you are comuting during the winter you will need waterproof trousers and thermals. M&S do good thermals that are as good as 'peter storm' bike branded thermals but much cheaper. Long Johns ftw!

[J4MES]

buy a copy of Ride magazine - loads of kit/equipment tests/comparisons, and cheapest suppliers etc.

[amccready]

Honda definately would have the build quality over the other makes I think. I've a 92 CBR600 and it still looks mint.

You'd get 75 out of a 125, and if its de-restricted you'd prob get nearer 90 (with a good wind)... :-)

[dave87]

I've got a Varadero and it will do 75-80, more than I need for the majority of the around town riding I do

Dave