Which 125? opinions please

I need your advice. I know only what I've read in bike magazines.

I`m doing CBT next month. After which I intend riding for about 6-12 month and then
going in for the test.

My problem is what bike to get.

I'm currently thinking of either;

1> Honda VT125C Shadow, then 2 year "probation" on this bike.
or
2> Hyosung Comet 125, then (with the price difference) doing DAS.
or
3> ??? you tell me.

I'm mid 30's and am not small (I'm a little under height for my weight OK?) I have a
lower back injury which rules out foetal position, racing repro bikes and finally I
want something I can start at 6am without the neighbours declaring World War 3!. I've
been told V-Twins are quieter then singles (is this right?).

I'm not going to commute on the bike regularly but if it could hit 70mph I would feel
happier about using it on local Dual Carriage ways.

If anyone has/had either of the above bikes I love to know what tank range or MPG could
be expected.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Draco.

 

Neither.

CG125. Buy one for around £500 in decent nick, ride it for 6 months,
then either sell it for what you paid for it, or keep it as a winter
hack when you've passed DAS.

 

*AHEM*

Are we not forgetting something, when discussing the Holy CG125?

 

Not bad, but a bid small.

If you're a big geezer, you might want to consider a 125cc dirt bike:
they suit the, er, fuller figure.

Honda's 125 Varadero is physically a big bike. Oh, and V-twins are not
inherently quieter than singles, no.

 

<makes sign of the holy pushrods>

Better?

 

<Nods in approval>

 

What price difference?, you try selling one. You'll lose more on that than
on a Honda.

It may also rule out cruiser type bikes.

TOG has mentioned the Varadero 125, which is an excellent bike, if pricy.
Wonderfully comfy, and capable of about 70 MPH.

The venerable CG125 <MSOHP> is a top bike. You will probably do your CBT on
one. See what you think to it. The later disc braked models even stop!.

The soft-roader version of the CG, the XL125 is ( whisper it ) a better bike
for those over 5'10"

The Yamaha XT125 range is also worth looking at. Avoid the HooFlungDung
cheapie copies if you aren't either a certified mechanic or just plain
certifiable.

I'm 6' and somewhat overweight. I find the soft-roader type bike to be the
most comfy after full on tourers. I do both CBT and DAS and am currently
riding a Transalp. IMO, one of the comfiest bikes I've ever owned. The
Varadero 125 is similar, if a little smaller.

IMHO, the best thing to do is complete your CBT and talk to your instructor
about going straight to test, either on a 125 or DAS.

If you are brassic, then follow the advice of SteveH. You can always sell a
good condition CG125 <MSOHP> and the depreciation on an older one is
minimal.

 

On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 18:28:09 +0000,

"What a dreadful heap of shite"

Happy now?

 

Verdigris emerged from their own little world to say

I did something similar 12 years ago. The GS125 I bought was fairly new and
cost me £900. It was a posh version with electric start and a disk brake. I
kept it for less than 3 months and sold it on for £900. I bought a 650cc
Honda Dominator as a first bike post test.

DAS was not necessary back then as you could step onto a CBRZZRFZR1x00
straight from a pass on a 125. I think if I was learning now I would go the
CBT/DAS route on hired bikes.

The recommendation of a Transalp as a post DAS bike is a very good idea.
There are plenty around to suit all budgets as they have been in production
for many years, with a major re-vamp not so long ago.

 

Draco came up with the following;:

Hiya Ken [1] ...

If this is the cruiser thing, then your bad back will make you regret it.

You'll lose whatever money you put into this, unless you can find someone
stupid enough to not know what it is when you come to sell it. If it
breaks, and it will, it'll cost shed-loads and will just break again shortly
after fixing.

Trail/Supermoto stylee bikes will suit someone with a bad back better. You
sit up straighter and they have softer suspension to soak up any bumps, and
they'll be easier to sell on later if you want a bigger bike. My
recommendation for your stated uses would be any of the four-strokes, XL,
XT, DR.

[1] 'In-joke' for purveyors of uk.r.m.classic

 

What he said. When I was >20st my Honda MTX125 was of suitable height. It
was a tad underpowered, though.
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www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I had not actually considered dirt bikes (or anything that even resembles a
'scrambler') as I live close to open rugged land, which is plagued by
#@$%@~£ on stolen dirt/off-road bikes. As such I doubt I could keep it safe
and would probably not get more than 1/2 mile at a time before being pulled
over by the police (side note: The police actually have officers on
scramblers but this has made little difference so far).

I do like trailie (ie Varadero) types but again fear the safety of the
bike. However having said that if I can get one 2nd hand cheapish (and it
has to be from a dealer, as I really would not spot a dangerous LEMON at 10
paces) I could invest in a decent alarm...etc...Hhhmmm.

I'm going to hit the local main dealers next week to see whats on offer.

Thank You
Draco

 

Good idea but intensive courses are out at the moment as I only have 1
weekday morning and alternate Sundays for myself.

So the idea was to do CBT over 2 weeks (the 2 mornings I have free) and
then practice until the summer when I have loads of time to do either an
intensive DAS course or the normal license test.

I'm hitting the local main dealers next week to see what trade-ins they
have. I have not actually seen a Susuki GS125 in the metal yet, I'll
keep an eye open for one, it will have to have an electric start as I
would feel a right pillock falling over trying to start one ;-).

Many Thanks
Draco.

 

Hhhmmm....I had not considered the softer suspension, which would also
help with the ploughed-field effect road surface around here (achieved
by the local council and utility services at every opportunity).

I like the idea of a trailie but dirt/scrambler styles certainly get
stolen around here (I asked the local Plod "I'd give any scrambler type
a 50-50 chance of going walkies in the first two months and if you still
have it in a year I'll ask you where you put the bodies of the sods you
caught trying to nick it."). A trailie like Varadero (XL) looks like a
tourer and may put the little SOBs off (I know I'll need to invest in an
alarm, ground anchor, chain, disk lock and if possible a trained guard
velociraptor to keep it safe).

I'm hitting the main dealers next week to see what is on offer 2nd hand.

Thanks (especially for the suspension tip)
Draco

 

The skip is over there -->>

 

You could probably get a CBT done in one morning to be honest.