Passed CBT today, XL125?
Discussion
This is exactly the route I took OP, albeit many moons ago. Taught me balance, timing, and all the other fundamentals without giving me more power than I knew what to do with. I also had some tame off-road fun too!
All in I enjoyed a great ‘learning’ 12 months and like to think that’s a key reason why, 35 years later, I’m still riding daily and with no big accident history too!
All in I enjoyed a great ‘learning’ 12 months and like to think that’s a key reason why, 35 years later, I’m still riding daily and with no big accident history too!
if you decide on the CB125R my local dealer has a pre reg one cheap, but don't tell the wife I told you she wants it!
www.maidstonehonda.co.uk
www.maidstonehonda.co.uk
axgizmo said:
I had my 125 for 2 years before doing my Mod 1 and 2. built up some NCB which helped when it came to insuring the Thundercat as a new rider 
I couldn't imagine going from having half a day out of the road on a 125 to doing my Mod1 with nothing inbetween
There is something in between...however many days training they think you need to pass Mod1 on a 600 typically. I did it, never ridden before and many many others do too.I couldn't imagine going from having half a day out of the road on a 125 to doing my Mod1 with nothing inbetween
The Fazer 600 was actually far nicer to ride in every respect and presented no issues. 5 days for Mod1 & 2.
To be fair, you might be basing this opinion on going from 10 or 11bhp to 100. It may be better for some to skip the wheezy 125 and settle on something of about 75bhp as a first stop.
axgizmo said:
I couldn't imagine going from having half a day out of the road on a 125 to doing my Mod1 with nothing inbetween
Somehow I don't think we'll solve this question in the thread though, it's been raging on for many years!
ETA: As above, other than the weight pushing it around, the Z650 I've been learning on was easier to ride by far.
I did my bike license last year (May 2017) and started with the intention of doing the CBT and getting a 125 to gain some experience.
I sought advice from the instructor (and I understand that they may be biased and want to take you for more money) but it hit home that a year, on your own could do more damage that it might first seem. You will no doubt pick up bad habits.
Get straight in there and do DAS if finances allow, you wil not regret it. It’s pretty scary the first time you go on a dual carriageway. 70mph feels ridiculously fast, but you quickly become accustomed.
Good luck.
I sought advice from the instructor (and I understand that they may be biased and want to take you for more money) but it hit home that a year, on your own could do more damage that it might first seem. You will no doubt pick up bad habits.
Get straight in there and do DAS if finances allow, you wil not regret it. It’s pretty scary the first time you go on a dual carriageway. 70mph feels ridiculously fast, but you quickly become accustomed.
Good luck.
Walshenham said:
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.
Just go and buy one. Buy well and you'll hardly loose a penny on a decent second hand 125. They cost bugger all to insure and tax. Have some fun and when you're bored flog it. It's money tied up not spent so you can still carry on down the DAS route when the weather improves. In the meantime by owning something you'll get a better idea as to how they work, Chain adjustment etc and what you want in a bigger bike
Why not ?
The only other thing is don't skimp on the riding gear. Buy cheap buy twice.
Why not go to your local DAS training centre & have a 10 min chat with one of their instructors before making such a major decision ? They may even let you do a 1 hour paid trial offroad on a 500cc for a modest sum.
The DAS shouldn't be seen as a hurdle you have to clear to get a bigger bike, it's about making you safer - both handling control & reading the road conditions & other users to reduce the of injuring/killing yourself or someone else. What's not to like ?
The theory course too will make you a safer rider (and driver).
In case my experience is relevant, I did my tests after about 3 decades of car driving, and was by then probably a typical, rather rusty, but confidant driver. I was surprised how little of the highway code I remembered, or maybe much had changed. My car driving & road cycling improved thanks to the 10 fold increase in the observation skills that were drummed into me - I was so impressed by the training I got on m DAS course, I'd make it obligatory for all riders - bar the lower ultimate top speed, you're just as vulnerable on a 125 as a bigger capacity bike.
And re finances, if you go the "125cc now, bigger later" route, you'd probably lose more on depreciation/trade-in of the 125 than the cost of the DAS training first & go straight to the bigger bike.
The DAS shouldn't be seen as a hurdle you have to clear to get a bigger bike, it's about making you safer - both handling control & reading the road conditions & other users to reduce the of injuring/killing yourself or someone else. What's not to like ?
The theory course too will make you a safer rider (and driver).
In case my experience is relevant, I did my tests after about 3 decades of car driving, and was by then probably a typical, rather rusty, but confidant driver. I was surprised how little of the highway code I remembered, or maybe much had changed. My car driving & road cycling improved thanks to the 10 fold increase in the observation skills that were drummed into me - I was so impressed by the training I got on m DAS course, I'd make it obligatory for all riders - bar the lower ultimate top speed, you're just as vulnerable on a 125 as a bigger capacity bike.
And re finances, if you go the "125cc now, bigger later" route, you'd probably lose more on depreciation/trade-in of the 125 than the cost of the DAS training first & go straight to the bigger bike.
I think that the key point has to be that if you just take to the road on the CBT then you've had minimal training. Doing DAS means that you get training so should be doing things properly, not starting with bad habits etc.
At some point you will want to do a proper test, why not just get it done now? It isnt obligatory to buy a big bike just because you've done the test.
Mod 1 is basic handling. it will feel quite different on a 125 vs 600. Stability etc. Its basically slow speed control, braking and counter steering for the swerve.
Mod2 is just riding normally for a bit.
At some point you will want to do a proper test, why not just get it done now? It isnt obligatory to buy a big bike just because you've done the test.
Mod 1 is basic handling. it will feel quite different on a 125 vs 600. Stability etc. Its basically slow speed control, braking and counter steering for the swerve.
Mod2 is just riding normally for a bit.
I think after all that, I’m just going to get cracking with the DAS, and then buy something easy to ride in the 500cc range. The additional training argument makes a lot of sense. May as well spend the money getting the training days in so I’m more confident when I buy one for myself.
It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
Walshenham said:
I think after all that, I’m just going to get cracking with the DAS, and then buy something easy to ride in the 500cc range. The additional training argument makes a lot of sense. May as well spend the money getting the training days in so I’m more confident when I buy one for myself.
It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
That was exactly how I felt after weighing it up - I was gonna have to buy some gear and various bits anyway, skip the faff. It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
Walshenham said:
I think after all that, I’m just going to get cracking with the DAS, and then buy something easy to ride in the 500cc range. The additional training argument makes a lot of sense. May as well spend the money getting the training days in so I’m more confident when I buy one for myself.
It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
I wouldn't post on BB for any sensible advice. I own a litre sportsbike and my son just passed his CBT and got a KTM RS125. I bought the bike home for him. I'm 6' 1 and a bit lardy and I was happily doing 70mph on the motorway with bursts up to 80mph. It’s too bloody cold to wobbling about in a 125 at the moment anyway
125s are different to 30 years ago. There is no wobbling, his bike is very competent around corners.
If you ask opinions on here you'll get a lot of hot air bravado, but to me honest I didn't feel a 125 was underpowered for the road. It would have been nice to do a bit more overtaking with it and for that it needs more power to make it safer, but for keeping up with commuter traffic, no problem.
By all means throw money at a DAS and larger more powerful bike if you want, but do it cos you want to, not because people on the internet tell you its a must.
Exact same boat as you OP.
Missus bought me the CBT as a present as i've been talking about it for years. 15+ years driving but never even sat on a bike. Took the CBT as more of a "bike riding experience day" and absolutely loved it. Took to the bike really well and found it just felt natural to be on one.
Currently waiting for the mornings and evenings to lighten up more and I will be buying a 125 to commute on decent weather days.
I had this very discussion with the guys at the CBT center and they suggested that based on my riding, they would be confident I would be able to get through the DAS fairly easily and that I would be daft to buy a 125 to "learn". They did point out that if I do buy one, don't buy anything from the chinese brands as when I get bored (not if) of the 125, I shouldn't lose any money selling on a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha etc.
I'm going against their advice on the 125, although certainly sticking to their advice on which bike. Currently looking at either a Yamaha YBR or Honda CBF as a sensible commuter or as a bit of a wildcard, a Suzuki GS maurauder if I can find one locally in decent nick.
Plan is to basically see how I get on using a bike to commute over the spring and summer, then look at doing a DAS course in 2020.
Missus bought me the CBT as a present as i've been talking about it for years. 15+ years driving but never even sat on a bike. Took the CBT as more of a "bike riding experience day" and absolutely loved it. Took to the bike really well and found it just felt natural to be on one.
Currently waiting for the mornings and evenings to lighten up more and I will be buying a 125 to commute on decent weather days.
I had this very discussion with the guys at the CBT center and they suggested that based on my riding, they would be confident I would be able to get through the DAS fairly easily and that I would be daft to buy a 125 to "learn". They did point out that if I do buy one, don't buy anything from the chinese brands as when I get bored (not if) of the 125, I shouldn't lose any money selling on a Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha etc.
I'm going against their advice on the 125, although certainly sticking to their advice on which bike. Currently looking at either a Yamaha YBR or Honda CBF as a sensible commuter or as a bit of a wildcard, a Suzuki GS maurauder if I can find one locally in decent nick.
Plan is to basically see how I get on using a bike to commute over the spring and summer, then look at doing a DAS course in 2020.
I was in a similar boat to you about a year ago OP.
I did my theory and CBT then decided to buy a Varadero 125 to work out of biking is really for me and to build up confidence. I've not been able to ride it as much as I'd hoped for various reasons but hopefully once it warms up I'll be able to start using it more. Top speed is supposed to be 75 ish but it feels more comfortable at about 60, though it's still revving quite high!
I did my theory and CBT then decided to buy a Varadero 125 to work out of biking is really for me and to build up confidence. I've not been able to ride it as much as I'd hoped for various reasons but hopefully once it warms up I'll be able to start using it more. Top speed is supposed to be 75 ish but it feels more comfortable at about 60, though it's still revving quite high!
Baldchap said:
The Varadero 125 is an excellent bike. Not just an excellent 125, but an excellent bike. They also keep their money fantastically well and don't feel like a toy to ride.
You could do far worse, especially as winter approaches.
Couldn’t agree more. I borrowed one for a few days years ago and I was really impressed with the thing. Yes they’re slow but all 125’s are. They’re comfortable, reliable, frugal and relatively practicle things. I could think of many worse ways of getting used to riding on the road.You could do far worse, especially as winter approaches.
To put it into perspective, I’ve ridden alsorts from Aprilia RS125’s to R1’s at silverstone. Just about the most fun I’ve had on a bike was a KTM duke 125 on some twisty mountain roads. If I had the money and space then I’d be straight out to buy a 125 to get about on.
AdamIndy said:
To put it into perspective, I’ve ridden alsorts from Aprilia RS125’s to R1’s at silverstone. Just about the most fun I’ve had on a bike was a KTM duke 125 on some twisty mountain roads. If I had the money and space then I’d be straight out to buy a 125 to get about on.
Polar opposite of experience to you, but having ridden a reasonable 125 as a learner, I'd much rather have a Duke 390 instead of a 125, or a ninja 300 in the same swap as you have more than enough power for the road but chuckable handling and immensely light weight.The 125 classes as we see them are a product of licensing imho, the good ones are a decent bike despite their limited power, not because of them. The slightly bigger capacity bikes are good because it's a great combination.
Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 22 January 22:35
I personally went from having never sat on a bike to my DAS in 1 week. I personally felt it was better to get the additional training done before going out on the road and then having the option of choosing which bike I wanted to ride rather than be restricted and as a guy in my early thirties (when I did it) I had enough sense to not go crazy on a bigger bike.
I bought a GSX-R600 which is very light and not particularly quick below 8k. Because of its lack of torque at low revs it’s actually pretty slow and lacks any torque/power to do something silly but over 8k it’s genuinely fast.
I’m glad I did it the way I did it as some of the folk who did their CBT really were pretty awful riders on public roads and really needed more training before going out on their own. I personally believe unless the new rider has completed a theory test (by passing their car test etc) they should have to pass a theory test for their CBT as some of the young lads were completely clueless about lots of the Highway Code and there isn’t the time to cover it on a day CBT course.
I bought a GSX-R600 which is very light and not particularly quick below 8k. Because of its lack of torque at low revs it’s actually pretty slow and lacks any torque/power to do something silly but over 8k it’s genuinely fast.
I’m glad I did it the way I did it as some of the folk who did their CBT really were pretty awful riders on public roads and really needed more training before going out on their own. I personally believe unless the new rider has completed a theory test (by passing their car test etc) they should have to pass a theory test for their CBT as some of the young lads were completely clueless about lots of the Highway Code and there isn’t the time to cover it on a day CBT course.
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