Are 125s actually fun?
Discussion
xstian said:
That's not really a valid argument. Your bike is much faster of course there are problems keeping up, but I don't remember that ever being part of the question. I also wouldn't buy a 125 again, they are mainly built for people who can only ride with a CBT. But the question was, are they fun? I'm saying I think they can be, in the same way that anything with good handling can be fun. If people can't understand why a good handling bike can be fun, why are they riding for a hobby.
Yeah they can be fun. But they also can be very frustrating and in my opinion a waste of time and money. I had some great years when I was 17/18 on a 125, but my situation and why I ride is massively different now to then. Having ridden a couple recently the fun factor wore off within minutes. I weigh just shy of 15 stone no matter how sweet they handle they just don't shift my weight. The argument about a 125 not keeping up is valid to me because no body I go out with is on a 125 so unless I was to go out alone al the time it would effect how much fun I would be having.
I'm not saying they're s
t but I still wouldn't recommend a 125 to any of my friends that wanted to start biking unless then wanted it for a cheap mode of transport. Are 125s actually fun? IMO 99% of the time, no. Your opinion may differ which is fine
I see a sport orientated 125 in a similar vein to the Integra (albeit the better, original one); cheap, simple fun. You can rag the living daylights out of it, bounce it off the rev limiter and live to tell the tale. Having something require you to maintain momentum is much more rewarding than simply 'going quickly' or performing power slides IMO.
I've not driven my Integra much in the last 6 months but when I do I still appreciate just how much communicative and fun it is to fling around back roads or up over the moors, I don't currently feel anywhere near comfortable enough to do those speeds on 70hp bike as I would kill myself, just like I would have died in a fireball if I had the Integra at 17. A novice driver may fair better in something slower like an S1 106 Rallye
I've not driven my Integra much in the last 6 months but when I do I still appreciate just how much communicative and fun it is to fling around back roads or up over the moors, I don't currently feel anywhere near comfortable enough to do those speeds on 70hp bike as I would kill myself, just like I would have died in a fireball if I had the Integra at 17. A novice driver may fair better in something slower like an S1 106 Rallye
For a silly bimble around the local country lanes after work on a summer's eve, Nursy and I have often taken her 125 Eliminator in preference to the Pan Euro. Of course it's slow (but faster than walking 
), couldn't pull a condom off a flaccid cock and has more chrome than Jean-Luc Pickard's head but so what, it's sometimes the perfect tool for the job.
), couldn't pull a condom off a flaccid cock and has more chrome than Jean-Luc Pickard's head but so what, it's sometimes the perfect tool for the job.Rode about on my little Van-van for a year before doing my DAS. It was good fun, just gutless on hills and not really suited to fast A-roads because of the glacial acceleration. I knew it would be but it did the job and it got me onto 2 wheels so I'm not knocking it. And remember, it's still faster than any car stuck in a traffic jam. Filtering rocks 
anonymous said:
[redacted]
not sure how accurate the varadero speedo is, not highly I suspect.Wouldn't want to spend too long on a 125 but they are decent fun.
Mastodon2 said:
An emphatic "yes" from me. Compared to a bigger engined sports bike, then clearly they don't provide the same rush of performance, sound and feel, but in isolation, they are bloody great. I had a CBF125 the other week while my GSX-R600 was at the dealers getting some work done. Slow, poor throttle response, high, bouncy suspension, but decent brakes for the weight of the bike and the speed it could attain, they were more than adequate. Not something you'd take out for a blast if you had a bigger bike, but if you want a fun way to commute then they're so much more enjoyable than a car. I did 50 bonus miles on the one I had just by riding it around instead of going straight home when I picked it up.
The light weight, high and wide bars and the lack of power meant that it could be ridden with the throttle to the stop through the gears even on a fairly tight road, and it inspired so much confidence in cornering. Ok, so the GSX-R would have done it dramatically faster, but that 125 was a right laugh. I wouldn't have one as my only bike, and if I had one as a commuter I'd probably rarely take it out on evenings and weekends for the sake of it, though they are great for enjoying the scenery a bit more as it's not whizzing by so fast. I managed an indicated 70mph on mine, fully tucked in, chest flat on the tank. I'm 6 foot and 13 stone, so not exactly a huge weight to lug about.
The light weight, high and wide bars and the lack of power meant that it could be ridden with the throttle to the stop through the gears even on a fairly tight road, and it inspired so much confidence in cornering. Ok, so the GSX-R would have done it dramatically faster, but that 125 was a right laugh. I wouldn't have one as my only bike, and if I had one as a commuter I'd probably rarely take it out on evenings and weekends for the sake of it, though they are great for enjoying the scenery a bit more as it's not whizzing by so fast. I managed an indicated 70mph on mine, fully tucked in, chest flat on the tank. I'm 6 foot and 13 stone, so not exactly a huge weight to lug about.
I've found that you can have fun on absolutely anything with 2 wheels. You just need to find out how/where that fun is found and you won't stop smiling.
Couple of years ago, i bought a Honda Cityfly as a cheap ride to work commuter bike. Flawless reliable, 100mpg but struggled at anything over 55mph which made it dangerous on the roads i had to use.
Replaced it on a whim with a TDR125
Presumably de restricted as it would quickly pull upto the ton. Once wound up into the powerband it tore down the road which defeated the object of cheap commuting as it drank like a fish!
Cityfly boring
TDR lots of 2 stroke fun
Replaced it on a whim with a TDR125
Presumably de restricted as it would quickly pull upto the ton. Once wound up into the powerband it tore down the road which defeated the object of cheap commuting as it drank like a fish!
Cityfly boring
TDR lots of 2 stroke fun
Had the RS 125, in GP1 colours and I loved it (at 17). The 2 stroke power band was ridiculous, I blew the piston rings twice but it was amazing to just nail it everywhere. I'd love to have a go of an old 2 stroke on a track, reckon it'd be more fun than any sports bike. But on the road, too much hard work to use every day for me now (even though I did then).
CBR JGWRR said:
Biker's Nemesis said:
125's are for children!
EFA.My Dad passed his CBT last year, on the roads where we ride on, its fast enough not to be a problem with the traffic and its far more fun and enjoyable way to get around than any car, he has cooper s as his 'fun' car but thats sat in the garage since he got the bike..
Ive rode his YBR a few times and enjoyed it equally as much, it does manage to hit 70MPH after a while..but I will say, if your a young gun, used to a performance car, wanting to swap from car to bike, anything below 400cc isnt going to feel particulary quick for very long.
A 600cc bike will hold your interest for far longer, if you feel you need it or want it, get a 125 to learn the basics on and go from there.
I had a KMX 125 when I was 21. My friends all did their bike tests before the car test.
They were all riding 600's by the time I got myself the courage to disappoint my family, man up to cold weather and make the move.
At first it was ok. It looked more KX than KMX and I wore all the motorcross gear. Looking back I must have looked like a bit of a wally.
I changed the rear shock, fixed the fork seals and replaced the exhaust with something less restrictive, then it was a lot more fun. It could manage 80/85mph. It was fun. I stripped it down and painted the frame Ducati gold, it never ran again after that and I bought a Series 3 XJ6 4.2inj. Which was more fun.
I never did pass my full test so yes, I would have another 125. Anything can be fun, sometimes the slowest machines are the most fun.
They were all riding 600's by the time I got myself the courage to disappoint my family, man up to cold weather and make the move.
At first it was ok. It looked more KX than KMX and I wore all the motorcross gear. Looking back I must have looked like a bit of a wally.
I changed the rear shock, fixed the fork seals and replaced the exhaust with something less restrictive, then it was a lot more fun. It could manage 80/85mph. It was fun. I stripped it down and painted the frame Ducati gold, it never ran again after that and I bought a Series 3 XJ6 4.2inj. Which was more fun.
I never did pass my full test so yes, I would have another 125. Anything can be fun, sometimes the slowest machines are the most fun.
srob said:
Of course 125s are fun - any bike is fun in the right situation!
I'd be interested to know at what capacity people think a bike stops being fun. I assume they'd think a CB500 more fun than a Honda RS125, because it's got a bigger engine
indeed, there are some right spanners about at times I'd be interested to know at what capacity people think a bike stops being fun. I assume they'd think a CB500 more fun than a Honda RS125, because it's got a bigger engine
One of the best bikes for fun, that I ever rode, was an old Suzuki GT125 2 stroke.
They stop being fun where top speed is an issue.
In the 70s, when I started riding bikes, cars weren't that fast. these days, even a 1.0 Ecoboost makes a 125 look slow and traffic is that much faster.
So they are fun in their bubble of competence but can cease to be fun once that bubble is exceeded.
I do take issue that they are dangerous. they are perfectly capable of being used on dual carriageways, driven defensively but the world has speeded up and I don't really want to be in a 125 saddle for more than an hour or so.
I went on bike runs on a CB175 when I was younger and that was quite slow but sufficient. Learners had 250s until the 250LC came along and the great power race resulted in limitations for mopeds and then 125s. Never agreed with it, sales crashed overnight.
They stop being fun where top speed is an issue.
In the 70s, when I started riding bikes, cars weren't that fast. these days, even a 1.0 Ecoboost makes a 125 look slow and traffic is that much faster.
So they are fun in their bubble of competence but can cease to be fun once that bubble is exceeded.
I do take issue that they are dangerous. they are perfectly capable of being used on dual carriageways, driven defensively but the world has speeded up and I don't really want to be in a 125 saddle for more than an hour or so.
I went on bike runs on a CB175 when I was younger and that was quite slow but sufficient. Learners had 250s until the 250LC came along and the great power race resulted in limitations for mopeds and then 125s. Never agreed with it, sales crashed overnight.
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