Buying bike with NO paperwork - Lexmoto Venom / New Rider
Discussion
I'm looking to get my full licence, starting on something like the Lexmoto Venom. One has come up on ebay ( see link ) but it has zero paperwork. For starters - is it worth the hassle, assuming i can get a winning bid somewhere south of the £1800 brand new they are from the dealership 5 mins away from my house. The ebay one is 200 miles away. Time isnt an issue I'm signed off with a knackered leg for at least 2 weeks but am happy to buy and store it if its worth it. I've read the .Gov info on registering vehicles - experience in real life of doing similar would be appreciated. Thanks all 
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lexmoto-venom-125/25415...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lexmoto-venom-125/25415...
t.
I wouldn't touch a bike with no paperwork wahterver it is, let alone a 50cc or 125cc which are theft magnets in a lot of cities. Plus that ad just looks sketchy as hell!
However I'd argue against the chaps saying 'don't touch Korean/Chinese' - sure, they had a terrible rep in the past, but some of the newer ones from Lexmoto and AJS aren't that bad for 125cc starters - just as long as you are buying it full in the knowledge that they are disposable items: buy one second hand, run it for a year to learn, and then flog it if it still runs OK; providing you picked it up for £500 or less you'll lose next to nothing if it still runs, but still be able to get £200+ for it if it doesn't as someone will likely pick it up to strip for parts.
I bought a AJS 125 (chineese copy of YBR) for my now ex-wife when she expressed an interest in learning; picked it up with a knackered starter for £240, fixed it for less than £15, spent another £30-40 on breakpads, olil change etc. and she was good to. She decided she didn't like it (and shortly after, didn't like me) - so when it came to selling it on, I got £350 for it.
Before that I'd also had a Lexmoto 'Vixen' (badged as mulitple things including Huanio HN125) as a cheap winter hack - was fairly decent, only notable probelms were the chrome pealed amazingly fast (no surprise) and the exhausts rotted pretty quickly unless you replaced them with proper-Honda ones - again though, bought for less than £300 and sold for similar despite trippling the mileage on it. A quick check on both these shows both are still taxed and MOT'ed so assume they are still on the road, the lexmoto is now 8 years old so doing well for a cheap chinese dog.
However I'd argue against the chaps saying 'don't touch Korean/Chinese' - sure, they had a terrible rep in the past, but some of the newer ones from Lexmoto and AJS aren't that bad for 125cc starters - just as long as you are buying it full in the knowledge that they are disposable items: buy one second hand, run it for a year to learn, and then flog it if it still runs OK; providing you picked it up for £500 or less you'll lose next to nothing if it still runs, but still be able to get £200+ for it if it doesn't as someone will likely pick it up to strip for parts.
I bought a AJS 125 (chineese copy of YBR) for my now ex-wife when she expressed an interest in learning; picked it up with a knackered starter for £240, fixed it for less than £15, spent another £30-40 on breakpads, olil change etc. and she was good to. She decided she didn't like it (and shortly after, didn't like me) - so when it came to selling it on, I got £350 for it.
Before that I'd also had a Lexmoto 'Vixen' (badged as mulitple things including Huanio HN125) as a cheap winter hack - was fairly decent, only notable probelms were the chrome pealed amazingly fast (no surprise) and the exhausts rotted pretty quickly unless you replaced them with proper-Honda ones - again though, bought for less than £300 and sold for similar despite trippling the mileage on it. A quick check on both these shows both are still taxed and MOT'ed so assume they are still on the road, the lexmoto is now 8 years old so doing well for a cheap chinese dog.
DirtyHarley said:
I wouldn't touch a bike with no paperwork wahterver it is, let alone a 50cc or 125cc which are theft magnets in a lot of cities. Plus that ad just looks sketchy as hell!
However I'd argue against the chaps saying 'don't touch Korean/Chinese' - sure, they had a terrible rep in the past, but some of the newer ones from Lexmoto and AJS aren't that bad for 125cc starters - just as long as you are buying it full in the knowledge that they are disposable items: buy one second hand, run it for a year to learn, and then flog it if it still runs OK; providing you picked it up for £500 or less you'll lose next to nothing if it still runs, but still be able to get £200+ for it if it doesn't as someone will likely pick it up to strip for parts.
I bought a AJS 125 (chineese copy of YBR) for my now ex-wife when she expressed an interest in learning; picked it up with a knackered starter for £240, fixed it for less than £15, spent another £30-40 on breakpads, olil change etc. and she was good to. She decided she didn't like it (and shortly after, didn't like me) - so when it came to selling it on, I got £350 for it.
Before that I'd also had a Lexmoto 'Vixen' (badged as mulitple things including Huanio HN125) as a cheap winter hack - was fairly decent, only notable probelms were the chrome pealed amazingly fast (no surprise) and the exhausts rotted pretty quickly unless you replaced them with proper-Honda ones - again though, bought for less than £300 and sold for similar despite trippling the mileage on it. A quick check on both these shows both are still taxed and MOT'ed so assume they are still on the road, the lexmoto is now 8 years old so doing well for a cheap chinese dog.
I'm sorry, but everything you've stated above is a reason not to touch chinese or korean crap.However I'd argue against the chaps saying 'don't touch Korean/Chinese' - sure, they had a terrible rep in the past, but some of the newer ones from Lexmoto and AJS aren't that bad for 125cc starters - just as long as you are buying it full in the knowledge that they are disposable items: buy one second hand, run it for a year to learn, and then flog it if it still runs OK; providing you picked it up for £500 or less you'll lose next to nothing if it still runs, but still be able to get £200+ for it if it doesn't as someone will likely pick it up to strip for parts.
I bought a AJS 125 (chineese copy of YBR) for my now ex-wife when she expressed an interest in learning; picked it up with a knackered starter for £240, fixed it for less than £15, spent another £30-40 on breakpads, olil change etc. and she was good to. She decided she didn't like it (and shortly after, didn't like me) - so when it came to selling it on, I got £350 for it.
Before that I'd also had a Lexmoto 'Vixen' (badged as mulitple things including Huanio HN125) as a cheap winter hack - was fairly decent, only notable probelms were the chrome pealed amazingly fast (no surprise) and the exhausts rotted pretty quickly unless you replaced them with proper-Honda ones - again though, bought for less than £300 and sold for similar despite trippling the mileage on it. A quick check on both these shows both are still taxed and MOT'ed so assume they are still on the road, the lexmoto is now 8 years old so doing well for a cheap chinese dog.
Thanks DH and Brad.
There's a lad 6 doors up that has been running his lexmoto arrow for at least 2 years. It looks like s%$£ but it seems to get him to wherever he goes - I dont know him - just see it parked up at night.
I've hammered gumtree ebay etc but you dont seem to see chinesey stuff at the price you mention. The CG's and YBRs are about but decent ones are £1k and i'd have to travel. Not a problem per se as mentioned as you get your money back.
gah ive opened a can of worms in my own head.
There's a lad 6 doors up that has been running his lexmoto arrow for at least 2 years. It looks like s%$£ but it seems to get him to wherever he goes - I dont know him - just see it parked up at night.
I've hammered gumtree ebay etc but you dont seem to see chinesey stuff at the price you mention. The CG's and YBRs are about but decent ones are £1k and i'd have to travel. Not a problem per se as mentioned as you get your money back.
gah ive opened a can of worms in my own head.
Brads67 said:
I'm sorry, but everything you've stated above is a reason not to touch chinese or korean crap.
Horses for courses really - I'd fully agree if he were wanting a bike to keep (or was going for an above 125cc bike - seen a few 250cc chinese cruisers that are made of tinfoil and tears of sweatshop labour) - but as dirt cheap disposable items that you'll keep for a year or two max, it works out a very good entry into biking for a lot of people.Either way Cronos - keep your eyes open for anything taht takes your fancy, ultimately its up to you and how you plan to go about getting into biking. Let us know how you get along!
cronos said:
Thanks DH and Brad.
There's a lad 6 doors up that has been running his lexmoto arrow for at least 2 years. It looks like s%$£ but it seems to get him to wherever he goes - I dont know him - just see it parked up at night.
I've hammered gumtree ebay etc but you dont seem to see chinesey stuff at the price you mention. The CG's and YBRs are about but decent ones are £1k and i'd have to travel. Not a problem per se as mentioned as you get your money back.
gah ive opened a can of worms in my own head.
If you've around £1800 to spend, I would go for a nice little Honda Grom (MSX125). Not only are they hilarious good fun but they'll give you plenty of opportunity to understand and familiarise with the controls of a motorbike, clutch, throttle, brakes are all in the right places.There's a lad 6 doors up that has been running his lexmoto arrow for at least 2 years. It looks like s%$£ but it seems to get him to wherever he goes - I dont know him - just see it parked up at night.
I've hammered gumtree ebay etc but you dont seem to see chinesey stuff at the price you mention. The CG's and YBRs are about but decent ones are £1k and i'd have to travel. Not a problem per se as mentioned as you get your money back.
gah ive opened a can of worms in my own head.
On mine I actually wanted to go out and thrash it around for fun, which in turn built up my riding ability to a good level before going for an A2 compliant machine around the time of my full license test.
Couple of less-dodgy ads for some inspiration:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
120 mpg is a very nice thing to have as well for any commuting you do. Only thing to watch out for with these is that THIEVES LOVE THEM! So, negotiate on the price and buy at least 2 high-end security devices, e.g. disc lock and chain, and keep it out of sight of public roads when not riding it.
Whilst I would agree about not touching a bike with little/no paperwork, I think Chinese stuff has moved on in leaps & bounds.
My neighbour has a 16 plate Synnis 125 scooter, which she's used to commute all winter & doesn't appear to have cleaned it at all. The exhaust looks pretty manky & there is a fair bit of rust, but it seems to start every morning & run like clockwork....
I have no experience with South Korean bikes, but I can tell you that Mrs B's Kia is one of the best screwed together cars I've ever encountered. So what's wrong with their bikes??
My neighbour has a 16 plate Synnis 125 scooter, which she's used to commute all winter & doesn't appear to have cleaned it at all. The exhaust looks pretty manky & there is a fair bit of rust, but it seems to start every morning & run like clockwork....
I have no experience with South Korean bikes, but I can tell you that Mrs B's Kia is one of the best screwed together cars I've ever encountered. So what's wrong with their bikes??
I woudn't touch lexmoto again. I bought a lexmoto 125, 2015 model to learn to ride on (late 2017), it looked nice, but was terrible. Really bad build quality. Had a number of issues with it and the depreciation was brutal. Loose throttle (lots of play), bad electrics, cut out a lot. No confidence in it, which is the last thing you want on a learner bike.
I forget which model, but the yamaha 125 was the most recommended, 2-3 times the cost of a lex, but you should lose less in depreciation.
I forget which model, but the yamaha 125 was the most recommended, 2-3 times the cost of a lex, but you should lose less in depreciation.
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