Riding a mosquito (follow-up from "Shortarse Question")

It's been said that the older you get, the more that can bring back "old
memories," and today's experience brought back some _very_ old memories.

Went out with my daughter for a "fitting" test of Honda's 125cc "Baby Blade"
(CBR125R), and the immediate impression was that the photos on the web did
it no justice - or rather, it didn't do the photos any justice. Definitely
built down to a price point, and direly lacking in practically everything
available in similarly-priced bikes.

"Let's take one out for a test ride," I decided. If it can handle my bulk,
it'll easily handle my daughter's diminutive frame.

And apart from feeling like a Great Dane trying to mate with a Chihuahua, it
did amazingly enough manage to handle my weight surprisingly well for a bike
of that size - got up to 100 with no problems, and wondered why they'd
bothered with a six-speed transmission.

But then came back memories of the horrors I'd experienced riding
lightweight bikes with skinny tyres - you fret every time a car passes
nearby, and you get the urge to pull over if you see a truck, lest you be
picked up 'n thrown away like a twig in the slipstream.

Not to mention the fact that the bars were so short and grips so narrow that
my hands spent most of their time at the very tips thereof, which brought
about another confusing sensation - the bar-ends were "free floating,"
spinning rather than fixed. Coupled with the very light throttle, it made it
hard to judge whether I was applying stick or simply twiddling the bar-ends.

"$3990 (after cashback)," numerous web sites mentioned. But the reality is
that they're asking close to $5k "on the road." Notwithstanding the fact
that "on-road" costs do represent quite a few dollars, at that price it's
hardly worth considering as an alternative to the $6k "on the road" asking
price for a new Kwaka GPX250, which feels much surer on the road, and is a
properly-built bike (as opposed to Honda's "scooter shaped like a
supersports" offering).

There're of course "cheapish" used bikes to be had, but for any noticable
saving I'd have to dig back to something from the early '90s or even '80s;
learner-legal bikes simply don't depreciate as much as larger ones, and for
the few extra $$$s I think a new bike'll be the go.

Ok, rant over!

--
Bob Milutinovic
Cognicom - "Australia's Web Presence Specialists"
http://www.cognicom.net.au/
telephone (0417) 45-77-66
facsimile (02) 9824-2240

 

Just be prepared for a major price drop in used 250s when the 250
restriction is replaced by LAMs in your State. Hang on, you're in NSW,
hasn't that already happened?

Theo

 

Yep, happened at least three (likely more) years ago.

The only bargains to be had though are really old bikes, or grey imports of
uncertain origins.

I've got eBay & the Trading Post staked out for something worthwhile, but
I'm not holding my breath.

--
Bob Milutinovic
Cognicom - "Australia's Web Presence Specialists"
http://www.cognicom.net.au/
telephone (0417) 45-77-66
facsimile (02) 9824-2240

 

By strange coincidence, I happened to be in Sydney City Honda, and had a
look at the wee 125 myself, today.

What do you mean by that. As far as I could see, it had all the major
components, engine, steering, brakes, saddle.... ?

Anyway, what did your daughter think of it?

Fairy 'nuff!

Right. So it's not too lacking in go.

Firstly, that's the light weight, not the skinny tyres.

If anything, the very few light bikes with fat tyres are even worse.

Also, how old are these memories?

Are we, by any chance, talking thirty years ago, or more?

Are we remembering C70s and the like?

Because, over the years, frames have got better, as have suspensions.

A light bike does still get blown about, but it isn't quite the
heartstopping sensation of the old days.

OK so you would need to get used to narrower bars.

How did your daughter like the feel of the bars?

Hmm, so it's over a grand cheaper than a Kwaka 250.

But, which does your daughter prefer?

<shrug> your money, your decision.

Personally, I was almost tempted. If I thought I could get one, and get
away with grafting in a 125 two-stroke motor, it would have a certain
appeal.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

BTW, for any one interested, they has a Spada in their showroom.

Haven't seen one in a showroom for a longish time.

regards,
CrazyCam (it was yellow,too!)

 

Angieee!

Theo

 

Ok, things I'd have expected; not necessarily things to be demanded - like a
lockable helmet hook and a centre stand.

Her immediate response (before sitting on it), was "it's too tall." And when
she sat on it, it confirmed her suspicions.

She did note though that it was very easy to handle because of its weight,
so she wasn't entirely against it.

Also tried a CBF250 and determined it was both too tall and too bulky (for
her anyway). The dealer had a used Zeal in the showroom, but their price
($5k) coupled with the numerous dings on the frame & tank didn't make me
want to buy it (from them at least). But she did like the feel of the Zeal.

Far from it; actually felt about on par with the '84 GSXA250 I had a few
years ago, power-wise. And surprisingly robust in the lower rev range too.

So far she's still keen on the Kwaka, with more than a hint of interest in
the Zeal (if I can find a good specimen at a reasonable price, that is).

I was tempted to buy one on the spot too, 'til the dealer offered the
unwavering "on-road" price. He cited the fact that they were "selling like
hot cakes" as the reason why he couldn't take a hit on the "on-road" costs.
Maybe I'm just a bastard for never allowing a dealer to charge me full price
on a vehicle?

--
Bob Milutinovic
Cognicom - "Australia's Web Presence Specialists"
http://www.cognicom.net.au/
telephone (0417) 45-77-66
facsimile (02) 9824-2240

 

Bob Milutinovic wrote:

Probably had a wee bit of wire, hidden under the seat. You loop wire
thru something on helmet, and hook to a thingy under the sea, put seat
back on and it's supposed to secure helmet. That's what the Hornet has.

Centre stands...oh what luxury!

Aye, it did look tall for its size.

Exactly what I was trying to express. You can live with a taller, but
very light machine, while a heavier bike may need to be lower.

The Zeal wasn't a bad wee beastie, but would have to be a few years old
now. I dunno if they are as near indestructible as the GPX250.

Dunno if I believe that they are selling that well...<shrug>

Sydney City certainly had heaps of them about. I'd suspect that a few
months wait will see them being much more negotiable.

No. You just didn't want it _that_ much.

I was fairly sure, when I bought my Hornet, that a three month wait
would reduce the price, as it did, by about a grand. But, I wanted it
right away, so paid near enough full price.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Dobber!

regards,
CrazyCam

 

You should be able to unless they've wised up and changed the regs, it
use to only differentiate by capacity (not 2t vs 4t) - if the new
engine was within 10% of the cc's of the original then you didn't need
an engineers certificate provided it was of the same era or newer
(pollution regs).

Having said that, for the money you'd spend (4K plus an engine - say a
grand plus labour and probably some specially machined brackets), you
could buy a Mito 125 or an Aprilia RS125 new or recently second hand.

On the other hand hand a Sachs Madass 125 with a 125 2T engine would
go very nicely - and at a brief inspection looks very do-able

JL

 

Well, I happen to have, in the garage, a 1978 125 motor which works
_really_ well.

Ah, but I don't fit on an Aprilia, and can only fit on a Mito if I do a
street fighter job on it.

I also have, in the garage, an RZ250 motor which could be persuaded into
a Mito frame.

Dunno. The Sachs looks like an almost horizontal motor, a la Z50, and,
as far as I can see, the motor in my Z50 probably produces more power
than the Sachs 125.

regards,
CrazyCam

 

Yeah unfortunately they wised up to that one. You can't put that
engine (legally) in a modern frame. If you were very creative with
your framebuilding skills you might be able to have a frame of that
era which is 99% a modern frame. I would not of course condone moving
compliance plates around though, that's highly illegal <whistles
tunelessly while staring skywards>

Hmm well you can buy the streetfightered Mito off the shelf, it's
called a Planet. There's not many in the country but they definitely
did import a few - Central Coast had some in the showroom when I
bought the Raptor and the Gilera off them.

Indeed but illegally unfortunately due to emissions laws. Without
checking I think the last year they allowed you to play silly buggers
unrestricted was either 88 or 89. Engines and frames older than that
and you can do anything you like with an engineers certificate. Newer
than that and the engine has to be the same age or newer than the
frame. Unless you want to go through proving it meets emissions regs
(painful and exxy).

Yeah the engine is from the same family as your Z50 as I understand it
(J5 knows more there) - it's an almost horizontal single 4T with a
bracket at the cases holding it on. Yes the sachs 125 is puny which is
why you'd swap it for a 2stroke 125 that puts out some real HP I don't
know whether the Mito or Aprilia 125's would be suitable, but there's
a shedload of 125 2stroke dirtbikes - one of those must have a
suitable donor motor.

JL

 

In aus.motorcycles on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 18:45:11 -0700

Do you still have that DNA? I'm nver going to get the Runner back,
and I'm not sure I want to waste the Norge commuting up Lane Cove
Bloody Road.

Zebee

 

Yup. Sitting in mothballs in the garage, you wanna take it for a
blat ? It is for sale I just couldn't be arsed advertising it at the
moment - with the crappy weather I figured it was a waste of money - I
was going to wait until it warmed up again.

email sent to your gmail account

JL

 

Hi Bob,
Maybe look at something a bit less race-rep and a bit more commuter style?
Like a lot of guys, i started on any bike i could get for cheap $, running
or not. If i was choosing for a loved one, I would start with something
lower, with a bit more engine for easy riding, a bit less 'revvy power' to
keep out of trouble, and a bit more weight to stay planted. How about a
GN250, or a CB250? Both modest easy to ride safe bikes.

Anything with an 'R' in it doesnt make a good first bike unless you're
testosterone driven ;-)

Shaun