learner legal 125cc bikes

[Glasgow_Saint]

Understand there re a few motorbike enthusiasts on this forum so thought this could be a good place for some advice.....

 

I have recently relocated to Glasgow (work) and renting a house 6 miles (20 min drive/ride) from city centre. I am considering a motorbike (125cc) for the commute and wandered which to go for?

 

Top of my list right now is the Honda VT Shadow.......anyone had one? any other suggestions? Needs to be 125cc as only done my CBT!

 

p.s How can I arrange a name change?

 

[St Landrew]

Can't comment on this particular Honda, but I have a relative who pops by on his 125cc cruiser occasionally. It is mechanically very sound, yet when one opens the throttle, all you get is induction roar and a gentle increase in speed.

 

I know cruisers look good, but honestly, if you're restricted to 125cc, I'd get a lightweight trail bike. Nimble in traffic, and with enough performance to get you out of trouble. Something like this:

 

 

Even if you never use it offroad, I suspect you'd find it more satisfying in the end. Above all, test ride a few.

Edited 24 May, 2009 by St Landrew

[Dog]

Lambretta or Vespa, cool as a cucumber.

[St Landrew]

Lambretta or Vespa, cool as a cucumber.

 

Owned a Lambretta in the past. Lovely scooter, but sadly, cool doesn't get you to work and back, reliably every day.

[rocknrollman no2]

Dont know about the Honda,but my eldest son as just got a Texan 125 which looks a bit like the bike pictured.

He is very happy with it and its a bit cheaper than a Honda apparantly.

[dubsaint]

Harley 883

[swannymere]

You've probably chosen the most inappropriate bike for city commuting! The problem with cruisers are that your vision is restricted because you're low down, the are not very nimble which is essential for filtering and they make you look like an extra from a motley crue video As St.Landrew has already said 'off-road' style bikes are ideal as you can see over the traffic (and at the same time become more visable to them!) they're quite nimble and are usually quite tough. If you're short forget that and get a 125 scooter, they've got storage for your helmet and gloves built in and are quick and nimble enough to not be a problem in traffic. Above all try and test a bike before you buy. How about this?

 

http://www.suzukilowpayments.co.uk/model_dr125sm.html

[Scummer]

Remember that it snows and rains for about ten months of the year in Glasgow. A motorbike may seem like a good idea now, but might not in February.

[OLYMPIC]

I would give a Kawasaki KMX125 a look they are a bit older now but prob one of the best learner dirt bikes ever made also can't go wrong with a Yamaha DT125.

[St Landrew]

Remember that it snows and rains for about ten months of the year in Glasgow. A motorbike may seem like a good idea now, but might not in February.

 

Not many people decide to change to motorbikes through a process of sheer logic. There's many reasons for sticking with a car, and in the UK, the changing seasons is one of the biggest. But we don't all run around in practical cars, so not all 4-wheeled vehicles have been chosen through a logical process either. At least with bikes, and scooters for that matter, there is still enough room on the road to really enjoy the experience, even for just the warmer months. And if nothing else, traffic jams are just a minor hindrance. Think of that, next time you're frustratedly bouncing up and down in your driving seat waiting while your life passes by.

Edited 26 May, 2009 by St Landrew

[Ponty]

Think of that, next time you're frustratedly bouncing up and down in your driving seat waiting while your life passes by.

Very true, StL. Statistically speaking, your life is very likely to pass you by much faster if you're a motorcyclist.

[swannymere]

Very true, StL. Statistically speaking, your life is very likely to pass you by much faster if you're a motorcyclist.

 

What statistics?

[Saintmike666]

http://greece2day.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/yamaha-yzf-r125.jpg

 

My bike is the Yamaha YZFR125, its the newest edition to Yamaha's R series. Best 125cc out there in IMHO.

 

I Used to own the Shadow VT125, it was actually stolen from me! Very nice bike, but tops out at around 65mph. Really depends how fast you want it to go. The Shadow is very comfortable, as you'd expect from a cruiser style bike.

 

The Yamaha YZFR125 is built to same dimensions as it bigger brothers the Yamaha R1 and R6, and reaches about 85mph. So its more then at home on any A road.

 

If you need any more advice feel free to PM me, I've ridden most learner legal bikes at some point (I work for a Motorcycle dealership in Staffordshire)

[Ponty]

What statistics?

 

As a motorcycle rider you are 40 times more likely to be killed, in a road traffic incident, than car drivers or passengers.

[Glasgow_Saint]

As a motorcycle rider you are 40 times more likely to be killed, in a road traffic incident, than car drivers or passengers.

 

40 times - serious?

[Ponty]

40 times - serious?

 

Apparently so, according to the association of motorcycle insurers.

[St Landrew]

Very true, StL. Statistically speaking, your life is very likely to pass you by much faster if you're a motorcyclist.

 

Jeez Ponty, I took the teeniest tiniest swipe at what it's like being a car driver compared to being a bike rider, and YOU BIT DOWN HARD on the bait. For goodness sake mate, I'm a car driver too.

 

Why can't you just let some things go..?

[Ponty]

I rode a bike for long enough to appreciate the up and downsides of that too, StL. Five relatively nasty accidents (only one of them my own fault), in a single year, put me off quite a bit though.

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

mito 125 by cagiva

probably the best 125 for the money anywhere