First bike help

[Robsuarezwatson]

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-rs-125-replica-HAG...



What's people think about this import I'm just curious about this not looking to purchase

[phatmanace]

Honestly - I think wannabe 125's (sports bikes) look a bit ... wannabe. The engines all sound strained, there is no getting away from that skinny back tire and the L-plates - so you might as well embrace it and get something more naturally a £1000 125. Save the money for your test and upgrade soon.

I had a Suzuki van van for about 5 years. Probably slightly slower than most 125's, but it was a great bike - mega comfy and did everything I asked of it. Slightly unexpectedly, they seem to generate quite a lot of conversation - I think they look quite cool and don't look like they are trying to be anything they are not. Downside is relatively old tech (e.g drum brake on the back)

If I had my time over again - I'd probably have gone for the varadero - think they are really the only 125 that really has 'big bike' look and feel.

If you really want a bigger/better/faster looking bike - I'd suggest doing your full license (or A2 if you are not old enough). I have an ER6 now, and it's night and day from a 125. The other thing is there is much more choice at > 125cc and the market seems more fairly priced.

--Ace

[Fleegle]

Robsuarezwatson said:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-rs-125-replica-HAG...



What's people think about this import I'm just curious about this not looking to purchase

It seems you're set on buying an Aprillia. Go for it, but just be cautious when buying an import. Has this one been converted from left hand drive to right?

[phatmanace]

Fleegle said:

Robsuarezwatson said:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-rs-125-replica-HAG...



What's people think about this import I'm just curious about this not looking to purchase

It seems you're set on buying an Aprillia. Go for it, but just be cautious when buying an import. Has this one been converted from left hand drive to right?

Assuming it ends up somewhere around this price

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aprilia-RS4-125-2013-Bla...

I think I'd buy something cheaper and do my A2 test ASAP. Whats the issue with buying a cheaper bike and spending the rest on your full/A2 license?

[crashley]

phatmanace said:

Honestly - I think wannabe 125's (sports bikes) look a bit ... wannabe. The engines all sound strained, there is no getting away from that skinny back tire and the L-plates - so you might as well embrace it and get something more naturally a £1000 125. Save the money for your test and upgrade soon.

I had a Suzuki van van for about 5 years. Probably slightly slower than most 125's, but it was a great bike - mega comfy and did everything I asked of it. Slightly unexpectedly, they seem to generate quite a lot of conversation - I think they look quite cool and don't look like they are trying to be anything they are not. Downside is relatively old tech (e.g drum brake on the back)

If I had my time over again - I'd probably have gone for the varadero - think they are really the only 125 that really has 'big bike' look and feel.

If you really want a bigger/better/faster looking bike - I'd suggest doing your full license (or A2 if you are not old enough). I have an ER6 now, and it's night and day from a 125. The other thing is there is much more choice at > 125cc and the market seems more fairly priced.

--Ace

What this man said. Don't waste money on a knackered 125 'sports bike'... embrace the fact you're learning and get something cool instead. Fleegle would suggest a Vespa, he's a HUGE fan.

[phatmanace]

crashley said:

What this man said. Don't waste money on a knackered 125 'sports bike'... embrace the fact you're learning and get something cool instead. Fleegle would suggest a Vespa, he's a HUGE fan.

Yeah - vespas are wicked. The only thing I'd say is that if you do want to do your full test - might be to your advantage to cruise round on a geared bike - you'll gain familiarity with the controls etc.

I did my DAS at the same time as someone that had been riding around on a scooter for 3 years, they struggled primarily with the back brake. Hill starts were hard as its tough to fettle the front brake and the throttle at the same time.

[sbird]

phatmanace said:

I had a Suzuki van van for about 5 years. Probably slightly slower than most 125's, but it was a great bike - mega comfy and did everything I asked of it. Slightly unexpectedly, they seem to generate quite a lot of conversation - I think they look quite cool and don't look like they are trying to be anything they are not. Downside is relatively old tech (e.g drum brake on the back)

I used a VanVan for about 6 months, and did 3000 miles on it. Was a lot of fun, but the low power/top speed was frustrating. Couldn't wait to get onto something much larger.

I chose it because the riding school use them for CBTs, as they're easy to ride. Plus they do look cool.

[phatmanace]

sbird said:

phatmanace said:

I had a Suzuki van van for about 5 years. Probably slightly slower than most 125's, but it was a great bike - mega comfy and did everything I asked of it. Slightly unexpectedly, they seem to generate quite a lot of conversation - I think they look quite cool and don't look like they are trying to be anything they are not. Downside is relatively old tech (e.g drum brake on the back)

I used a VanVan for about 6 months, and did 3000 miles on it. Was a lot of fun, but the low power/top speed was frustrating. Couldn't wait to get onto something much larger.

I chose it because the riding school use them for CBTs, as they're easy to ride. Plus they do look cool.

Yup - now I have a 650, the best thing isn't really the outright speed - it's more not "sighing" when I get to hills. On the VanVan I used to have to click down a couple of gears and go up at 30mph with the engine literally screaming.

[Mad Dave]

I think 125 'sports bikes' must come with some special 'shallow hal' style glasses, all the owners I've met are convinced they look identical to the real bikes they're trying to emulate. They don't see the bicycle tyres and pea shooter exhaust or hear the ridiculous engine noise. Loads of the ones I've met are so convinced that they ride without L plates thinking the police won't realise it's only a tarted up moped. They just seem like such a huge waste of money to me.

A friend of mine, when in a similar position, went for the Varadero 125, it looks like a proper bike and was a pretty good bike for what it was. He got some experience and then got his full license and now rides a CBR600. That's the route id go in the OPs situation, especially given he doesn't seem to have much cash set by for repairs.

[LuS1fer]

I have a 2013 MSX125 and was mooted "about £1000" on a px so maybe wait outside a local dealer and catch someone trying to px their 125 as if they can buy cash, they may get a better deal and everyone wins.

[phatmanace]

Mad Dave said:

I think 125 'sports bikes' must come with some special 'shallow hal' style glasses, all the owners I've met are convinced they look identical to the real bikes they're trying to emulate. They don't see the bicycle tyres and pea shooter exhaust or hear the ridiculous engine noise. Loads of the ones I've met are so convinced that they ride without L plates thinking the police won't realise it's only a tarted up moped. They just seem like such a huge waste of money to me.

A friend of mine, when in a similar position, went for the Varadero 125, it looks like a proper bike and was a pretty good bike for what it was. He got some experience and then got his full license and now rides a CBR600. That's the route id go in the OPs situation, especially given he doesn't seem to have much cash set by for repairs.

Yip, exactly this ^^. When I did my first CBT, the instructor gave us all a pre-bking about ensuring we displayed front and rear 'L' plates and not trimming round the 'L' so that people can hardly see it. I didn't even realise that was a thing until I saw my first few skinny 'L's around.

A YZF125 with no L plates must be such a target for cops to check to see if the owner really has a full license.

I get that an L plate looks a bit lame. But the best way out of it is just to do your test... It undoubtedly a bit of a ball ache, but must be better than being stopped the cops and asked about your dodgy or missing L plates

[freddytin]

Easy answer is buy the best YZF you can afford. Virtually no depreciation and very reliable .

Hyosung , dull and slow , probably due to being a little weighty.

Aprilia....yes I would ...but trouble and fun in equal measures.