125cc motorbikes

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cheadle hulme

cheadle hulme

Guru
Location
Llandudno
Looks like my new commute is going to me a bit long for day to day cycling (20 miles or so ew).

I don't want to get a second car and have been looking at motorbikes instead. I used to have an RD125Lc when I was younger and there are some stunning ones on ebay. However at 37, I think I'm too old for revving the nuts off it to stay in the powerband and want something more relaxing. I'd also outgrown the Elsie at 17, when I was 6'3''!!

The commute is mainly A roads, so a 125 will be fine, especially if I can derestrict it. I've been recommended the Honda Varadero but it's so expensive! Holds its value though. Don't mind buying second hand either.

Motorbike forums are a bit scary for a noob.

Anyone else on here got experience of 125s and can offer advice?
 
L

Lazy-Commuter

New Member
Location
Bottom Right Corner
It's duller than a dull thing on dull pills, but the good ole Honda CG125 makes a reliable commuter by all accounts. Do they still make them? The only time I've ever ridden one was when doing my training years ago .. but it did the job.
 
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cheadle hulme

cheadle hulme

Guru
Location
Llandudno
Lazy-Commuter said:
It's duller than a dull thing on dull pills, but the good ole Honda CG125 makes a reliable commuter by all accounts. Do they still make them? The only time I've ever ridden one was when doing my training years ago .. but it did the job.
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There's loads of chinese copies on ebay for around £900. They don't get very good reviews.

Too small for me though, I think a super motard or DT style bike are the only choices.
 
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Crackle

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Lazy-Commuter said:
It's duller than a dull thing on dull pills, but the good ole Honda CG125 makes a reliable commuter by all accounts. Do they still make them? The only time I've ever ridden one was when doing my training years ago .. but it did the job.
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Fourthed. Dead simple, economical, great torque for a 125, relatively cheap and handle reasonably.

An early incarnation of one took me and a mate on 1000 mile touring holiday with kit. I know but we were young and skint.

I wouldn't get any kind of two stroke or revvy twin in 125 form for commuting.
 
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cheadle hulme

cheadle hulme

Guru
Location
Llandudno
Crackle said:
;) Only if you're 17
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But in my head I am still 17!!

OK OK, does this make the grade? I cannot believe how expensive these things are, but they seem to be the only player in the market for "125s that don't look like 125s".

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2008-HONDA-VARADERO-XL-125-V-8-BLACK-08-PLATE_W0QQitemZ290287352225QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycles?hash=item290287352225&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318
 
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Crackle

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cheadle hulme said:
But in my head I am still 17!!

OK OK, does this make the grade? I cannot believe how expensive these things are, but they seem to be the only player in the market for "125s that don't look like 125s".

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2008-HONDA-VARADERO-XL-125-V-8-BLACK-08-PLATE_W0QQitemZ290287352225QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycles?hash=item290287352225&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318
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Looks good, don't know much about the Varadero though. Honda don't usually get things wrong though.

Have you considered a scooter? I must admit I'd seriously consider one these days for commuting, quite stylish as well. Take a look at this:-

http://www.yamaha-motor.co.uk/products/scooters/125cc/xmax125.jsp
 
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Crackle

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cheadle hulme said:
Actually, if it was a plaything, this would win every time. I used to have a black one when I was 17. I did a Frank Schleck on it the day after passing my part 1 test and stuffed it through a wire fence. Happy days.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/YAMAHA-RD125LC-RD125-RD-125-RD-125-LC-C-REG-1986_W0QQitemZ280298178415QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycles?hash=item280298178415&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318
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;) I rebuilt my mates twice after he put it through two fences. Exhilirating when it worked and frightening for a 125 but I wouldn't hanker after one anymore, I've become too sensible.
 
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cheadle hulme

cheadle hulme

Guru
Location
Llandudno
Check the Suzuki Bergman too. It tends to lead the market in big 125 scooters. I can imagine myself trying to get through cycle sized gaps when filtering and getting stuck, it has serious road presence.

£3.5k for a 125 though? It seems high when you can get a new Fiat panda 1.1 for £5k!
 
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Crackle

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They are expensive, I know. I've been looking at them with a view to ditching the car. Not so keen on the Burgman, it looks a bit 'fat' to me. I prefer some of the Aprilla's.
 
4F

4F

Active member of Helmets Are Sh*t Lobby
Location
Suffolk.
If you wanted a scooter then the gilera runner vxr is a great machine, I used to have the 2 stroke 125 version. Personally though I would up the ooomph and get a 500. The suzuki gs500, honda CB500 and kawasaki ER500 are all good commuting bikes.
 
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