Honda CBR125 - thoughts?

[biggy7]

hi guys

got my CBT now and want a bike to learn on.

my situation is i cant take any time off work at the moment (saving my hols) so DAS is not an option shame really as thats what i wanted to do.

so my only option is to buy a decentish 125cc bike, learn on it as much as i can, build my confidence and then finally go for the test (be it before October 2008 law change or after). I'l get the theory out of the way asap aswell.

so having a look around, and obviously the first bike that comes in the picture is the RS125, fast but a 2 stroker, some say unreliable due to engine rebuilds.

im liking the CBR125, 4 stroke, Honda engine, more reliable

has anyone actually got one? whats it like?




apart from the thin back tyre i think it looks very nice

any thoughts guys?

Thanks!

[desc]

hi m8,

I'm just in the process of selling mine having passed my restricted test

It's a great bike for learning on as it is really light and you can throw it around but being a 125 it is seriously under powered, although that'll really only be a problem once you've passed. The only thing I would say is that I did my CBT on a CG125 which does ride differently to the CBR125. It's not a massive change but it did take a little while to get used to the CBR's riding position and how that effects handling / rear observations.

As for reliability; I've got a 56 plate with low mileage (3300 miles) and never had any problems with it all. It always starts and idles first time and without choke.

[biggy7]

cheers mate, have PM you aswell

[wtaylor]

hi m8,

I'm just in the process of selling mine having passed my restricted test

Hi mate, if Biggy doesnt take it off your hands I might interested (depending on you location as it cant be ridden doen the motorways)

[desc]

ok, not going to hijack this thread. I will stick a post in the trade / forsale forum a little later if it's still avaliable.

[RSV]

You know you want the rs125 really lol, awesome bit of kit, my mate had the 250 version and it was a lil rocket....
Honda bikes allways do have good build quality tho

[Mario87]

The best 125 & 250 bikes are Aprilia! The RS125 is what you want!

I would only go for Honda with bigger bikes (ie 600cc and above), even then I prefer the Suzuki GSX-R 600/750/1000 bikes and the Yamaha R1 or R6 over the Hondas.

Dunno why, just do. However, the good thing with Honda is you know it will last a lifetime and wont have any major trouble with it.

The RS125 though nips on a fair bit quicker than the Honda 125 bikes, mainly because it weighs less than the Honda and has a fatter back wheel to get more traction.

[tiggerbiker]

The best 125 & 250 bikes are Aprilia! The RS125 is what you want!

.

what utter crap!!!!!!!!!!!

aprillia themselves only put a life span of 10k miles on the engine of an rs125! (it WILL go wrong - big time)

and its not acceptable by the DSA if you want to do your test on it.

save your money, get a really cheap, old yamaha sr125 or honda cg125.
get a few weeks/months experience then do your full test.

or have a word with your CBT instructor and ask if he/she thinks if you could do your DAS straight away.

I REPEAT - DO NOT BUY AN APRILLA RS125 (or cagiva mito)

[RSV]

what utter crap!!!!!!!!!!!

aprillia themselves only put a life span of 10k miles on the engine of an rs125! (it WILL go wrong - big time)

and its not acceptable by the DSA if you want to do your test on it.

save your money, get a really cheap, old yamaha sr125 or honda cg125.
get a few weeks/months experience then do your full test.

or have a word with your CBT instructor and ask if he/she thinks if you could do your DAS straight away.

I REPEAT - DO NOT BUY AN APRILLA RS125 (or cagiva mito)

Is that true about the engines? I know the suzuki rgv 125 used to need a rebuild after 10,000 miles but i thought that aprillia had improved the engine... Remember when i was 16/17 the cagiva mito used to look the dogs danglies to me because it looked just like a minature version of the 916 . Personally i would just go straight for DAS anyway. Every bike i've ever owned i've allways after about a month wanted more power.

[Mario87]

what utter crap!!!!!!!!!!!

aprillia themselves only put a life span of 10k miles on the engine of an rs125! (it WILL go wrong - big time)

and its not acceptable by the DSA if you want to do your test on it.

save your money, get a really cheap, old yamaha sr125 or honda cg125.
get a few weeks/months experience then do your full test.

or have a word with your CBT instructor and ask if he/she thinks if you could do your DAS straight away.

I REPEAT - DO NOT BUY AN APRILLA RS125 (or cagiva mito)

Obviously an Italian bike will NEVER have the same build quality of their Japanese counter parts, but my bro had an RS125 as his first bike (he's been through a few bikes....RS125, GSX-R 400, GSX-R 750, GSX-R 1000 (track bike only) and now a GSX-R 600 (track bike only)) and he never had a single problem with it.

How is it not accepted by the DSA to do your test on it? Its a legal road bike, what reason is there for that? Im quite interested in this one, esp seeing as my bro did his test on one (admitedly that was when he was 17 and he's now 29).

Also, I've ridden my mates CBR125, and my other mates RS125 and I much prefer the RS125. Its just a more enjoyable bike to ride IMO.

Im hoping to get my own bike soon and do my big bike test seeing as im now 21. Looking along the lines of an old GSX-R 400 or possibly a newer GSX-R 600 seeing as they dont make new 400's, all depends on how much money I have when I go to buy one.

[wakadoo]

as tiggerbiker said....get a cg 125 or similar..

easier to ride when it comes to manouvers on the test/training..nicer sitting position that will allow a better view as well..

the cbr125 is a nice bike though but not what i would choose to take on a test...that turn in the road is gonner be much better on the cg m8..

[tiggerbiker]

How is it not accepted by the DSA to do your test on it? Its a legal road bike, what reason is there for that? Im quite interested in this one, esp seeing as my bro did his test on one (admitedly that was when he was 17 and he's now 29).

.

they exceed the maximum power limit for learner legal test bikes and the usual roads used for u-turns arent acceptable for the bike.

we cant even accept them for CBT

[Mario87]

they exceed the maximum power limit for learner legal test bikes

When you buy them from a dealer, if you are still learning and under 21 then dont they have to restrict them before selling them?

and the usual roads used for u-turns arent acceptable for the bike.

In what way are the not acceptable?

Im just curious as to how they CANT be used. I can understand if they recommended you didn't use one, and obviously had to have it restricted if you were to use one for your test/learning, but I still dont get why you simply are not allowed to use one.

[tiggerbiker]

When you buy them from a dealer, if you are still learning and under 21 then dont they have to restrict them before selling them?

its the riders resposibillity to ensure their machine meets the current requirements.
you dont even need a licence to buy a bike - what you do with the bike is your problem.

In what way are the not acceptable?

Im just curious as to how they CANT be used. I can understand if they recommended you didn't use one, and obviously had to have it restricted if you were to use one for your test/learning, but I still dont get why you simply are not allowed to use one.

the roads used for u-turns are generally 6-7m wide, an RS125 wouldnt be able to turn in this width road so the examiners would have to find a really wide road for this part of the test, its seen as unfair on the rest of the candidates that are given the narrower road.

also, when they come from the factory they are full power (34Bhp) and to restrict them the dealers simply unplug the power valve - little snotty nosed johnny goes home and plugs it back in and hey presto - a rider with no licence,insurance and not enough experience or skill to ride a 34Bhp bike, the DSA know this and thus we cannot accept them for training/tests

[biggy7]

well i got a CBR125 in the end

absolute stunner!

had it for a week, lovin it!

ok not the fastest, but it does look the part, i think a few more weeks going out every night then i think i should ready for the big test.

[ekkl]

Get a picture up of you on it then mate!!!!

Have you got all your leathers and that?