Passed CBT today, XL125?
Discussion
Hi Guys!
I passed my CBT today.
First time riding a road bike ever. I had toyed with the idea previously, but was never truly convinced I would enjoy it.
The mrs bought the CBT as a gift for Christmas, and I have now realised that bikes ( even tiny little 125’s) are fantastic, and I need one immediately
Now I know the “What 125 should I get?” Question has been asked an answered many a time on here, but I have a bit of an additional issue. I am 6 foot 5, near 18 stone 30 year old, and the other threads I could find didn’t shed much light on a suitable larger beginners bike other than an xl125 varadero ( which I am looking at).
Are there any other bikes I should be looking at which would be comfy? I struggled on the cb125f today, it’s a bit low.
Any other tips/ kind words/ light piss taking more than welcome.
I passed my CBT today.
First time riding a road bike ever. I had toyed with the idea previously, but was never truly convinced I would enjoy it.The mrs bought the CBT as a gift for Christmas, and I have now realised that bikes ( even tiny little 125’s) are fantastic, and I need one immediately
Now I know the “What 125 should I get?” Question has been asked an answered many a time on here, but I have a bit of an additional issue. I am 6 foot 5, near 18 stone 30 year old, and the other threads I could find didn’t shed much light on a suitable larger beginners bike other than an xl125 varadero ( which I am looking at).
Are there any other bikes I should be looking at which would be comfy? I struggled on the cb125f today, it’s a bit low.
Any other tips/ kind words/ light piss taking more than welcome.
I had similar issues being 6ft 7 and 17 stone. I’ve ridden a few 125s from 80s rd 125lcs to Vespa px 125 cg125 cbf125. I even go to the shops on my kids 50 moped. You can ride most things if truth be told. Best bet as discussed is pass test sooner rather than later. Just because the bike is a little bigger doesn’t mean you can’t ride steady and still get the experience needed. It’ll just be more fun not riding something not that comfortable or with enough power to keep you safe. For reference first big bike was a Honda dominater which was a brill first bike. Honda transalp would be equivalent now.
My first bike when I turned on 17 was an 2001 Honda XLR 125. It was as slow as hell (60mph absolutely flat out) but taught me everything I needed to know about the basics of riding. Most people on here will probably tell you to do your DAS as soon as possible but I would take that with a pinch of salt, riding a 125 might seem woefully boring if your used to anything with a but of power, but it is a cheap and relatively safe way to learn to ride. Sure you can still fall off or ride into things but what you won't be doing is reaching obscene speeds at the twist of your wrist. Buy second hand then move up to a larger capacity machine when you are ready. Another advantage is that by getting some miles under your belt you might gain more of an idea of the kind of bike you want next.
In terms of what bike, get yourself to some bike shops and sit on a few. You will find some bikes more comfortable than others even within the same category.
In terms of what bike, get yourself to some bike shops and sit on a few. You will find some bikes more comfortable than others even within the same category.
Congrats! it is a great feeling which we have all gone through, well done and enjoy it!
If you are set on a 125 good news in if you have something with the simple twin shock set up (i.e. CG125 or CBF125 etc) then shocks on ebay are mega cheap and can raise the ride height reasonably simply to help with your height.
Also if you are on standard shocks it will help massively to just whack the rear preload up to max to account for your weight. Should help stop some of the complete sogginess, particularly on things like the CBF or CG.
If you are set on a 125 good news in if you have something with the simple twin shock set up (i.e. CG125 or CBF125 etc) then shocks on ebay are mega cheap and can raise the ride height reasonably simply to help with your height.
Also if you are on standard shocks it will help massively to just whack the rear preload up to max to account for your weight. Should help stop some of the complete sogginess, particularly on things like the CBF or CG.
TurbosSuck said:
My first bike when I turned on 17 was an 2001 Honda XLR 125. It was as slow as hell (60mph absolutely flat out) but taught me everything I needed to know about the basics of riding. Most people on here will probably tell you to do your DAS as soon as possible but I would take that with a pinch of salt, riding a 125 might seem woefully boring if your used to anything with a but of power, but it is a cheap and relatively safe way to learn to ride. Sure you can still fall off or ride into things but what you won't be doing is reaching obscene speeds at the twist of your wrist. Buy second hand then move up to a larger capacity machine when you are ready. Another advantage is that by getting some miles under your belt you might gain more of an idea of the kind of bike you want next.
In terms of what bike, get yourself to some bike shops and sit on a few. You will find some bikes more comfortable than others even within the same category.
Maybe as an impulsive 17 year old the limited power is a good thing, but as a grownup with some impulse control I think a 125 can be a bit of a liability trying to keep up with modern traffic, especially on a dual carriageway etc where you have to absolutely wring it out to keep up with an HGV...In terms of what bike, get yourself to some bike shops and sit on a few. You will find some bikes more comfortable than others even within the same category.
Even a cheap 125 is the same price as a cheap 600 - a Diversion or something equally dull can be had for £1500. Something like that's got more than enough power to frighten a newbie, but also more than enough poke to keep up with traffic.
That said, it depends if the OP is doing town or country riding - in town or down twisty B-roads a 125 isn't so much of a problem.
Krikkit said:
Maybe as an impulsive 17 year old the limited power is a good thing, but as a grownup with some impulse control I think a 125 can be a bit of a liability trying to keep up with modern traffic, especially on a dual carriageway etc where you have to absolutely wring it out to keep up with an HGV...
Even a cheap 125 is the same price as a cheap 600 - a Diversion or something equally dull can be had for £1500. Something like that's got more than enough power to frighten a newbie, but also more than enough poke to keep up with traffic.
That said, it depends if the OP is doing town or country riding - in town or down twisty B-roads a 125 isn't so much of a problem.
I agree, they are pants on higher speed roads, and I would personally try and avoid dual carriageways and motorways etc. They may also seem expensive compared to what the the same money can buy in a bigger bike. Even a cheap 125 is the same price as a cheap 600 - a Diversion or something equally dull can be had for £1500. Something like that's got more than enough power to frighten a newbie, but also more than enough poke to keep up with traffic.
That said, it depends if the OP is doing town or country riding - in town or down twisty B-roads a 125 isn't so much of a problem.
The difference for me though, from a learners point of view, is not just in being able to control your impulses, it's about riding something that weighs 125kg instead of 190kg, that has 5hp as you open the throttle a little harder than you intended on that wet roundabout instead of 40 odd.
Ultimately there are pros and cons to each. One thing I would always try and avoid though, is being that guy (or girl) riding a gorgeous sports bike perfectly perpendicular to the road at 1200rpm because you're terrified of it. Get something un-intimidating and master it, then move up.
Thanks for reply’s, seems to be two distinct camps.
A few more bits of honest info... the bike is not for use as a vehicle in any real sense for me, it’s purely for use as a weekend toy.
50mph on my CBT scared the crap out of me. I know I’ll get used to it quite quickly, but it really is alien to start with!
Impulse control isn’t such an issue in my mind, I’m not part of the “ I’d kill myself on one of those” crowd. I understand it’s not an on off switch.
Its more being able to enjoy the machine and not be intimidated.
I know I can jump in a BMW M3, drive it competently and get it wound up enough that it’s enjoyable, I’m pretty confident I couldn’t do the same on a big bike yet.
3rd point is I figured getting some more experience in a 125 would actually help with the DAS ( lowering the number of sessions of road riding between tests). May as well spend the money on a bike in the run up.
Food for thought though, I didn’t expect as many people to have the “just do the test straight away” viewpoint.
A few more bits of honest info... the bike is not for use as a vehicle in any real sense for me, it’s purely for use as a weekend toy.
50mph on my CBT scared the crap out of me. I know I’ll get used to it quite quickly, but it really is alien to start with!
Impulse control isn’t such an issue in my mind, I’m not part of the “ I’d kill myself on one of those” crowd. I understand it’s not an on off switch.
Its more being able to enjoy the machine and not be intimidated.
I know I can jump in a BMW M3, drive it competently and get it wound up enough that it’s enjoyable, I’m pretty confident I couldn’t do the same on a big bike yet.
3rd point is I figured getting some more experience in a 125 would actually help with the DAS ( lowering the number of sessions of road riding between tests). May as well spend the money on a bike in the run up.
Food for thought though, I didn’t expect as many people to have the “just do the test straight away” viewpoint.
My wife rides a Varadero 125 at the moment its a great bike , I sometimes take it for work too feels in size like a CB500x.
the other bike I would go see is the new CB125R its fantastic proper big bike feel and very safe feeling but a top of the range 125 and will do 110 to a gallon apparently.
If you look there are recent pre reg at £3500
the other bike I would go see is the new CB125R its fantastic proper big bike feel and very safe feeling but a top of the range 125 and will do 110 to a gallon apparently.
If you look there are recent pre reg at £3500
Don't knob about, spend some of the 125 money on DAS, the rest on decent gear. This will only go one way anyway and you'll own the 125 for about 10 minutes if you buy one 
Get the DAS done now then spend between now and spring doing test rides and saving.
Get the DAS done now then spend between now and spring doing test rides and saving.
Edited by ash reynolds on Thursday 17th January 21:22
Congrats!
I was pretty similar to you about 18 months ago. I done my cbt and decided to get a 125 for road experience, I’ve been driving a car for 15 years but wanted bike experience before getting a “big bike”.
I’m 6ft and weigh 17 stone so I decided to buy a Honda xr125l. Alright maybe a bit too old to be riding one at 34 but I bought it for £1k rode it for 4 months, (I got bored of the lack of power after 2 weeks) and managed to sell it for £1.5k which was a bonus!
I then went and completed my DAS and bought a 600 which I’m still enjoying now, I think it’ll be a long time before I want to go bigger.
If I had the choice again I’d have gone straight for DAS, I felt embarrassed on the 125 to the point were I stopped using it for work.
I was pretty similar to you about 18 months ago. I done my cbt and decided to get a 125 for road experience, I’ve been driving a car for 15 years but wanted bike experience before getting a “big bike”.
I’m 6ft and weigh 17 stone so I decided to buy a Honda xr125l. Alright maybe a bit too old to be riding one at 34 but I bought it for £1k rode it for 4 months, (I got bored of the lack of power after 2 weeks) and managed to sell it for £1.5k which was a bonus!
I then went and completed my DAS and bought a 600 which I’m still enjoying now, I think it’ll be a long time before I want to go bigger.
If I had the choice again I’d have gone straight for DAS, I felt embarrassed on the 125 to the point were I stopped using it for work.
Do you not think you'll pick up the skills in time through a DAS? Sounds like you enjoyed the CBT which makes me think that you probably have some competence.
I did the elongated route like you suggest a while back and it has its merits but equally would have just got straight on the big bike and probably been fine. Some schools do taster lessons so you don't need to commit to see what big bikes are like.
I had the CBT as i never intended to do the DAS for a while but got fed up riding around at 50mph with a crap light.
I did the elongated route like you suggest a while back and it has its merits but equally would have just got straight on the big bike and probably been fine. Some schools do taster lessons so you don't need to commit to see what big bikes are like.
I had the CBT as i never intended to do the DAS for a while but got fed up riding around at 50mph with a crap light.
I'm another vote for riding around on a 125 for a bit before doing your DAS
I rode a van van around for 5 years before I finally did my Test - I didn't intent to to delay for 5 years, I actually had no intention of doing my DAS, my bike was just Home <=> Station transport. Riding really grew on my though (and to be honest, I got bored of the two-yearly CBT re-test!)
I wouldn't advocate 5 years, but I do think there is something to be said for getting familiar with the controls so that they become more second nature. Also, having a light, limited horsepower bike allows you to learn without it getting too out of hand.
.. that said, I know there are fiercely held views on both sides of the debate
I rode a van van around for 5 years before I finally did my Test - I didn't intent to to delay for 5 years, I actually had no intention of doing my DAS, my bike was just Home <=> Station transport. Riding really grew on my though (and to be honest, I got bored of the two-yearly CBT re-test!)
I wouldn't advocate 5 years, but I do think there is something to be said for getting familiar with the controls so that they become more second nature. Also, having a light, limited horsepower bike allows you to learn without it getting too out of hand.
.. that said, I know there are fiercely held views on both sides of the debate
I am in a somewhat similar position OP. I did the CBT and the theory late last year. What swayed me towards DAS and not a 125cc bridging bike was a 2 hour big bike x-over lesson. I quickly realised that the bigger bike was better in every single way (except pushing it) and I’d want rid of a 125 ASAP. I’m ploughing on with mod 1 and 2 over the next few months and will then get something big as a weekend toy. I’m more excited for the ZX10 NIN purchase recommebdations than I am riding the thing!
Ok, what about a halfway house.
Someone earlier on suggested a cb125r would be suitable size wise, and looks brilliant IMO.
In a perfect world, DAS and then going to a cb300r or similar would be the best of both worlds. Still not rediculous power wise, but I might be able to exploit it and learn without scaring the absolute s
te out of myself?
My main issue with this however is that realistically this is going to delay me getting A bike of some description in my garage. Part of the appeal of the “long winded” route is that second hand 125’s seem to hold value very well, which could be sold and used to fund the DAS over a week once I have re-saved for the next bike.
I could get decent gear and some form of second hand 125 in time for spring, I’m not sure I could if I spend it on the DAS without massively compromising the budget on both.
I hope that makes sense.
Someone earlier on suggested a cb125r would be suitable size wise, and looks brilliant IMO.
In a perfect world, DAS and then going to a cb300r or similar would be the best of both worlds. Still not rediculous power wise, but I might be able to exploit it and learn without scaring the absolute s
te out of myself?My main issue with this however is that realistically this is going to delay me getting A bike of some description in my garage. Part of the appeal of the “long winded” route is that second hand 125’s seem to hold value very well, which could be sold and used to fund the DAS over a week once I have re-saved for the next bike.
I could get decent gear and some form of second hand 125 in time for spring, I’m not sure I could if I spend it on the DAS without massively compromising the budget on both.
I hope that makes sense.
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