Good make and model 125cc bike and safety gear

[DeckardB26354]

Hello All

I have just recently completed the CBT and plan to take things easy and get experience on a 125cc this Summer to end of September, and then do the Direct Access Spring 2014 and buy a bigger sports bike.

As I'll only be using the bike for 4 or 5 months, I don't want to spend more than £500 on the bike, and wondered if you could recommend decent makes and models at this very low price

I also wondered if you had any links to motorbike review sites - I use What Car? when choosing a new car, but have no idea on good bike review sites, so any links would be appreciated

Lastly, if you could recommend good brands of safety gear - helmet, jacket and gloves etc and good value places to get these, that would be excellent! I plan on getting a helmet from Fowlers in Bristol so I can try it on, but hope to thrift the rest of the safety gear on ebay or similar if possible.

Thanks

[badgerKDD]

Hi mate, good to hear you are joining the ranks of the two wheeled types, it would be appreciated if you go to the introductions area and just say Hi, where you are from etc.

As for a 125 for £500, I think beggars can't be choosers at that price. Just check its safe and running properly, has all the docs etc. before parting with any money ;) .

Cheap gear is up to you, but if you plan to move up to a bigger bike as soon as possible then consider that you don't want to have to buy all the kit again but to a higher spec to suit a faster bike. That said depending on your size I am selling some leather bike trousers very cheap in the sales or wants section. Otherwise you're right in heading for ebay, local paper or Gumtree .

[R1dian]

just dont get chinese , at the 500 mark your looking at the old yamaha SR125 suzuki gs125 honda CG 125 , those 3 are bullet proff bikes

[Mervin]

I am with R1dan there any one of those 3 , avoid sports 2 strokes they have been thrashed and will cost ya loads to maintain ,

[Kingz]

Also agree on those 3 R1dian suggested, best to get a geared bike if planning on moving up.
As for gear I bought a few things second hand and saved a lot of money keep your eyes on ebay

[goatpants]

If you're only going to use it for 5-6 months does it really matter what you get?

[Atomic]

As others have said, if you are only keeping it for about 6 months it doesn't really matter. Just make sure it is a safe bike - have it checked over by someone if you are not mechanically minded. If you buy at this time of year it is generally the premium time, and the winter months are cheaper. On this basis there may be a price difference between your purchase and sale. Spending £500 should not lose much money percentage wise,but if you select your bike carefully it can be a useful part-exchange.
As mentioned, the YBR and CG are always in demand and are great learners. The CBF (replacement for the CG) is a cracking bike, but having the fairing is more costly if you drop it.
You may also want to consider the uprightness of the bike. When I was gaining different riding experiences over a six month winter, I had a R125 and a CBF, using them depending on how bad the weather was. They are very different in riding, with the CBF being very much upright.
To give you some idea, I lost about 20% on the R125 and nothing on the CBF.
Although these bikes would cost more than your stated budget it might be better if possible to spend a bit more on the right bike to start with.
MCN are good for reviews, but I'm not sure how many 125's they test.
With regards protective clothing, buy good fitting second hand to start off. You will find what you prefer at less cost. Leather or textile, etc. etc.
I personally would not buy a second-hand helmet, but many do. Apparently they can be x-rayed to see if there are faults, but I don't know how or where.

[billinom8s]

google DeckardB26354, it's the badge number of Harrison Fords character in Blade Runner.


Real Member ?

[badgerKDD]

was wondering seeing as only one post, then no reply to any of the posts that follow and no introduction either?

Either that or maybe I scared him off..........