Best 125 For NSL Commute?

[mike74]

Never even so much as sat on a motorbike before so I am a complete virgin, but I'd like to take my CBT and see if motorbike riding is something for me.

I'd only be using it for leisure or my commute which is 8 miles of quiet A/B roads door to door and won't involve having to negotiate any heavy or slow moving traffic so low speed handling and manoeuvrability isn't really a priority.

So what would be the best 125 for comfortably bobbing along at around 50mph on a country road?

(edit) Purely in terms of looks my preference would be something like a Grom or Duke rather than a sports bike.

Edited by mike74 on Tuesday 8th May 06:47

Edited by mike74 on Tuesday 8th May 06:54

[T6 vanman]

If you want reliability get the Gorm
If you like Orange get the KTM
If you like the 80's sift e-bay for a MBX or RD-LC
If your a decrepit 50yr old wanting to relive his youth - sift e-bay for a Suzuki GP100

• *Proper bike alert***

[Loyly]

Any bike will do it but an unrestricted Aprilia RS125 making 33bhp will do it best.

[JulianHJ]

If I was starting out again I'd get a Grom. I bought a YBR to get started, though within six months I'd decided to do my DAS and part-ex'd it for a Tiger 800. If I had the space today I'd definitely by a Grom.

[Cbull]

My son has the new Duke and he loves it. Not had any issues. 0-60 is fine but it does lack that top end grunt (as all 125s do) but that might be due to the amount of teeth on the sprocket we chose. It looks the bizz for sure but the seating position is not for me but saying that I'm used to a more sporty position. Personally, I like the looks of the Yamaha MT and YZF 125.

[tjlazer]

I had an mt125 for 6 months and it gives a lot of confidence as it’s got decent brakes, proper size frame and tyres. Acceleration above 40 or so is very slow compared to a big bike but on the plus side you can absolutely rev the nuts off it and if you enjoy it you will bloody love a proper bike (now on a street triple). 99+ mpg guaranteed however you ride it. Definitely give one a go, do a ride safe as soon as you can.

[AlunJ]

I had an mt-125 for the brief period between CBT and doing my DAS. Great bike, was more confident chucking it around than my big bike. Not much go above 50/60mph, will just about make 70, maybe a bit more ragging it's guts out but I didn't find it much fun at those speeds.

[jonindorset]

I went through this and after 2-3 months concluded I was far better getting a full license and a proper bike. Constantly taking any 125 close to its maximum performance and feeling vulnerable is rarely fun IMHO. My commute was 11 miles and covered NSL single and a brief piece of dual carriageway. Its also nice to lose the 'L's and the associated stigma / abuse by other motorists too (dangerous overtakes etc).

[CaptainSlow]

The one with the best headlight.

[mike74]

Thanks for the replies, so nothing really definitive then... I thought some 125's might be better geared and set up for top end speed rather than inner city razzing and filtering, but that doesn't seem to be the case?

[crofty1984]

The Honda Varadero 125 is meant to be the most "grown up" 125.

[warch]

crofty1984 said:

The Honda Varadero 125 is meant to be the most "grown up" 125.

Not sure if this is still true but the Varadero was the only multi cylinder 125 on the market when I was learning to ride. I chose a DTR 125 by the way, fun bike to ride but only 40mpg because it was lacking two strokes .

[Cbull]

mike74 said:

Thanks for the replies, so nothing really definitive then... I thought some 125's might be better geared and set up for top end speed rather than inner city razzing and filtering, but that doesn't seem to be the case?

Nope, quite the opposite I'm afraid. I'm sure there may be a few options to improve top end speeds on some bikes but generally the gradient and wind speed/direction comes into effect after 60mph.

[xeny]

mike74 said:

Thanks for the replies, so nothing really definitive then... I thought some 125's might be better geared and set up for top end speed rather than inner city razzing and filtering, but that doesn't seem to be the case?

Somewhat - the Yamaha YFR 125 is more set up for top speed, but fundamentally with ~15 HP it doesn't matter much how aerodynamic you are. Additionally the style of bike you most favour, a Grom or a Duke 125 is physically better suited to low speed handling and manoeuvrability - your styling desires and performance desires are in opposition.

Do a CBT, so you've a feel for what riding a bike is like, and how much performance you want in hand at 50, and then revisit the question. I'd wonder if something like a CB 500F might fit your goals, although obviously it's a larger engine than you initially mentioned.

[ecksjay]

I have (and will soon be selling) a Yamaha YBR Custom which is quite a nice little starter bike. Comfy and more upright than the other equivalents (MT125 etc), big soft seat and generally quite straightforward. I've had it for a year and done a little less than 1000miles leading up to doing my big bike test. Done me very proud, quality little thing.

[chris4652009]

Loyly said:

Any bike will do it but an unrestricted Aprilia RS125 making 33bhp will do it best.

lol to commute? how many days will he miss/be late due to it nipping up? in my experience a LOT , until he has enough of it's BS and chops it in for something 4 stroke

[SteelerSE]

crofty1984 said:

The Honda Varadero 125 is meant to be the most "grown up" 125.

Agreed. A mate of mine had one for his 15 mile commute to Basingstoke and he really rated it. Good physical presence and very capable.

[mike74]

xeny said:

Somewhat - the Yamaha YFR 125 is more set up for top speed, but fundamentally with ~15 HP it doesn't matter much how aerodynamic you are. Additionally the style of bike you most favour, a Grom or a Duke 125 is physically better suited to low speed handling and manoeuvrability - your styling desires and performance desires are in opposition.

Do a CBT, so you've a feel for what riding a bike is like, and how much performance you want in hand at 50, and then revisit the question. I'd wonder if something like a CB 500F might fit your goals, although obviously it's a larger engine than you initially mentioned.

Thanks for that, yeah I had a feeling the Grom or Duke would actually be the opposite of what I really need with their smallish wheels... but they just look like they'd be a bit more fun to ride than the sports type bikes.

[xeny]

Depends on what kind of fun you're after - hello flowers hello bees riding, or trying to get the best line through the corner?

I'd guess (long time since I did CBT) that you'd do it on a fairly standard unfaired bike - bikes are very different to cars in that styling changes the operating posture much more. Go to a couple of dealers and sit on a variety of machines. See what is comfortable, think about ease of looking ahead and over your shoulder.

[mad4amanda]

Honda Varadero is great especially if you are not small or Honda have a new stylish cb125R out it looks amazing and rides better than the yam and the KTM looks like a 500 too!