Any bikers about, advice needed

[Mikaveli]

Actually I'd have to disagree there, the aprilia's are actually well put together and will last if looked after, I had an rs125 (about as highly strung an aprilia's as you'll get) and in 6 years all it ever needed was a balancer gear (which were made of nylon to help speed up response)

 

You might have had a good experience with them, but on average, Aprilia RS 125's are nowhere near the reliability of a Japanese 4-stroke.

 

Riding fast before they're properly warm or when they're too hot will wreck them, they need high quality oil (and lots of it) and the electrics are atrocious. Corrosion's a big issue, as is the quality of the plastic-work. ...and that's all assuming its previously owner didn't 'improve it'... Don't get me wrong, they're actually one of my favourite 125's - I just wouldn't get one if it was my only transport.

 

I've stuck with Aprilia's (I now have an RSV 1000 R), but only because I use a car for my daily commute. My garage has a roll-cab full of tools - you'll end up with the same with an Aprilia - but you'll enjoy it when it's on the road.

[ferguson_tom]

I dont know if they are still built but my friend at school had a Sachs XTC 125 which was 4 stroke, for a 125 it was quite a big bike he was over 6' and didnt look to big for it. Good looking thing as well.

[Glensman]

Got something for you mate why ride a bike that looks like and has the road presence of a 125

 

Check out the honda varadero 125 , got one with 12000 miles on the clock for sale at £1100 pm me if interested

Also has a data tool alarm and imobiliser on it

 

I rode a Vardero 125 for my CBT.

Nice bike. Has a lot of presence for a 125...

[Rimfireboy]

 

I not offering it. And i can gladly say nothing will touch a honda for build quility.

exept for clunky gear boxes and nasty cam chains. Suzuki engines tougher than any.

[Man-o-woods]

if I was in your position I would go for something like a Bandit 600cc and have it restricted to 33bhp.

You can still ride on your restricted access, will be of a better size for a chap of your build and be a lot more stable on the road. will have a lot more power than any 125 which means you can travel at a safe speed with the traffic with out putting your self in danger should the traffice be moving a bit quicker. and it will stop quicker than a 125 as the brakes will be rated fpr a 600cc machine.

 

M-o-w

[yankeedoodlepigeon]

Gixer you are only basing your opinion on one bike you have had. Its like me saying Hatson escorts are really good as I have one and it has never let me down.(no offence to Hatson owners) on a earlier post I said that Aprilia 125's have a issue with blowing up and you said it was drivel. My partner has a few friends that own bike garages, one re-builds Aprilia 125 full time for a living.

I wanted to get one as was told what would happen if I went ahead and got one so I factored in a re-build into my budget. 3 re-builds later I got rid of it. Its not my opinion they are weak its a fact.

[Rimfireboy]

Gixer you are only basing your opinion on one bike you have had. Its like me saying Hatson escorts are really good as I have one and it has never let me down.(no offence to Hatson owners) on a earlier post I said that Aprilia 125's have a issue with blowing up and you said it was drivel. My partner has a few friends that own bike garages, one re-builds Aprilia 125 full time for a living.

I wanted to get one as was told what would happen if I went ahead and got one so I factored in a re-build into my budget. 3 re-builds later I got rid of it. Its not my opinion they are weak its a fact.

they only keep breaking if they're misused and not maintained. Abuse anything and it'll break eventually. They can and do run up some reasonably high mileages when they're looked after.

[yankeedoodlepigeon]

Not quite. yes every 2 stroke will need attention soon enough I was not saying that.... they are weaker than other options out there. Mine was well looked after and had the best of everything and a top mechanic to boot. four of my friends had one....they all had to be re-built.

Edited October 15, 2012 by yankeedoodlepigeon

[Albert 888]

exept for clunky gear boxes and nasty cam chains. Suzuki engines tougher than any.

Are we talking about my kl600 .Did a mod to the camchain adjuster on it and it now works

[Tiger955i]

As said above you shuoldn't go far wrong with either Suzuki or Honda.

 

When I sat my DAS the school ran Suzuki GN125s. Cracking little 125 "upright" bikes. Easy to ride and fairly simple to maintain.

 

 

ATB

[colin lad]

Don't get a two-stroke if you want economy or reliability... and remember these are machines owned by 17 year olds who don't bother with maintenance.

 

A CBR 125 is reliable and economical - you'll see 90 mpg or better. There's the CG 125 if you're not too fashion conscious - that'll do 120 mpg!

 

Don't get a scooter - they're for birds and 16 year olds!

 

:good:

one of my boys had a cbr 125 and it was great and my youngest just got a cg 125 to take test on cost £500 and i goes forever on a tank full both good advise

but if you are a boy racer in disguise and dont mind forever forking out your hard earned cash the try one of the others

 

colin

[colin lad]

if I was in your position I would go for something like a Bandit 600cc and have it restricted to 33bhp.

You can still ride on your restricted access, will be of a better size for a chap of your build and be a lot more stable on the road. will have a lot more power than any 125 which means you can travel at a safe speed with the traffic with out putting your self in danger should the traffice be moving a bit quicker. and it will stop quicker than a 125 as the brakes will be rated fpr a 600cc machine.

 

M-o-w

 

you need to pass ya test before you can get a bandit 600cc

 

colin

[fruitloop]

aprilias are ok if you only take them out in the dry and have it booked in for a service on the way home every time you take it out

[gixer1]

aprilias are ok if you only take them out in the dry and have it booked in for a service on the way home every time you take it out

Bull....

[-Mongrel-]

Despite Gixer1's assertions, MOST Aprilia Rs's will let you down regularly. I should know, BOTH of my lads wanted one as they look great, they both bought 125's and both of them spent as much time fixing them as riding them. Great fun little bikes but not a daily commuter IMO.

 

The Varadero that Magman is offering has to be a decent option for a big fella. Full size bike with a 125 engine and at that price worth looking at.

 

As also suggested, if you can afford it, do a restricted test, get a 'proper' bike with decent enough power to get you where you're going, and, in a couple of years you pull the restrictors out and have a full fat bike. Bandit or Fazer's are cheap enough and restrict well.

 

Did I mention that you should have a look at Magmans Varadero?

 

Alternatively you could have my Blackbird and disable 3 of the cylinders, might get it down to 33bhp then!

Edited October 15, 2012 by -Mongrel-

[Browning 425 clay hunter]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Certainly given me alot to think about. That Honda 125 that has been recommended looks a great bike but I didn't know u could restrict a "proper" bike as it's been put.

 

Originally I was in a rush to get something sorted but things have changed a bit so with more time I think I should just put in a few more hours and try and save up for the DAS.

 

Not to open another can of worms but what bike would suit a new rider after hopefully passing the DAS. My preference is towards something like an R6 or gsxr-600 or similar ( I know not ideal bikes to restrict ) I know as a daily commute a sit up position would be better for me but I've always wanted a sport bike.

 

Anyway thanks for the advice offerd by everone. much appreciated

 

ATB 425

 

 

[Albert 888]

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Certainly given me alot to think about. That Honda 125 that has been recommended looks a great bike but I didn't know u could restrict a "proper" bike as it's been put.

 

Originally I was in a rush to get something sorted but things have changed a bit so with more time I think I should just put in a few more hours and try and save up for the DAS.

 

Not to open another can of worms but what bike would suit a new rider after hopefully passing the DAS. My preference is towards something like an R6 or gsxr-600 or similar ( I know not ideal bikes to restrict ) I know as a daily commute a sit up position would be better for me but I've always wanted a sport bike.

 

Anyway thanks for the advice offerd by everone. much appreciated

 

ATB 425

 

kawasaki zx6rb1h 04 plate is good for a taller rider,the last model with a normal exhaust.the model before 02 plate is also good for a taller rider and alot more comfortable. What about a suzuki bandit they are easy and comfortable to ride.

[Catweazle]

Recent 600 sports are tiny, I would avoid them. To get something roomier look at an older sports bike or a "naked sports" type, like a Tuono or Speed Triple. In the real world a naked sports bike is easily quick enough and they are loads of fun. Great in traffic too.

[houlsby]

Had a rs125 for 3 years.. Was great fun but **** itself and spat the main bearing every 10k.

 

Fantastic bit of kit when your 17-19 but when your mates start getting proper bikes you'll get left behind.

 

There **** on fuel too

[dan-250]

If your doing direct access you don't need to restrict. I'd go for a er6n kwack, or sv, firestorm, trx, mainly twins, cheaper to insure, nice smoother power. And sound much better once you have an aftermarket exhaust too.

[Tiger955i]

HI Mate

 

As said above, for a first big bike the 600 or 650 bandit will serve you well. Also look at the Suzuki SV650 and SV650S. My first big bike was the SV650S and I loved it. The engine was brilliant, the bike was

light, for a middle weight, and very responsive also the insurance was very low for a new rider on 650.

 

Jamie

[gixer1]

Gixer you are only basing your opinion on one bike you have had. Its like me saying Hatson escorts are really good as I have one and it has never let me down.(no offence to Hatson owners) on a earlier post I said that Aprilia 125's have a issue with blowing up and you said it was drivel. My partner has a few friends that own bike garages, one re-builds Aprilia 125 full time for a living.

I wanted to get one as was told what would happen if I went ahead and got one so I factored in a re-build into my budget. 3 re-builds later I got rid of it. Its not my opinion they are weak its a fact.

 

Erm...one bike??? Are you on drugs my good man? I'd hazard a guess I've had a bike from nearly all the main manufacturers bar trumpet and that includes 2 an 4 strokes, motocross, enduro, sports, naked, super sports, trials, v-twin, in-line fours....

 

Please don't leap to conclusions, as has been said by another poster with common sense - if looked after correctly the aprilia's will serve an owner well, the plastics are no different (grp) to other bikes , the frames were twin spar cradle alloy as per the 500gp bikes, the engines were made from total parts which were the British army bike maker of choice for a while...the common issues with the RS125 was a snapped power valve (called a "RAVE" valve) cable due to people wrongly adjusting them) and failures due to people throwing the cheapest mineral 2stroke in them...

 

My balancer gear issue was most likely due to travelling up and down to college from Aberdeen to Edinburgh with mine at motorway speeds.

 

It's the same load of tosh people speak about ducati's - yes they can have problems but usually it's down to neglect - and the jap 4's can also suffer this.

 

And I am in no way biased as you can probably figure from my user name my favourite steed has historically been Suzuki GSXR's (SRAD and K models)

 

Yes the Honda probably does have the reliability if you buy a CG or cbr 125 but to compare apples for apples you need to look at NSR125's compared to the aprilia's RS125 and I can assure you that the NSR was nowhere near the build quality of the priller - and I am entitled to comment as I owned Both of those!

 

Regards,

Gixer

[Rimfireboy]

 

 

Erm...one bike??? Are you on drugs my good man? I'd hazard a guess I've had a bike from nearly all the main manufacturers bar trumpet and that includes 2 an 4 strokes, motocross, enduro, sports, naked, super sports, trials, v-twin, in-line fours....

 

Please don't leap to conclusions, as has been said by another poster with common sense - if looked after correctly the aprilia's will serve an owner well, the plastics are no different (grp) to other bikes , the frames were twin spar cradle alloy as per the 500gp bikes, the engines were made from total parts which were the British army bike maker of choice for a while...the common issues with the RS125 was a snapped power valve (called a "RAVE" valve) cable due to people wrongly adjusting them) and failures due to people throwing the cheapest mineral 2stroke in them...

 

My balancer gear issue was most likely due to travelling up and down to college from Aberdeen to Edinburgh with mine at motorway speeds.

 

It's the same load of tosh people speak about ducati's - yes they can have problems but usually it's down to neglect - and the jap 4's can also suffer this.

 

And I am in no way biased as you can probably figure from my user name my favourite steed has historically been Suzuki GSXR's (SRAD and K models)

 

Yes the Honda probably does have the reliability if you buy a CG or cbr 125 but to compare apples for apples you need to look at NSR125's compared to the aprilia's RS125 and I can assure you that the NSR was nowhere near the build quality of the priller - and I am entitled to comment as I owned Both of those!

 

Regards,

Gixer

well said, there seems to be a stigma that two strokes are unreliable and need rebuilding every other weekend. Usually carried on by people who don't know what they're talking about or have had one bad experience of them.

[Mikaveli]

well said, there seems to be a stigma that two strokes are unreliable and need rebuilding every other weekend. Usually carried on by people who don't know what they're talking about or have had one bad experience of them.

 

Hmmm, I wonder why they've got that reputation?

• Any two-stroke wears piston rings at a much higher rate than a four-stroke bike. The more highly tuned it is (wider ports etc.) the faster they'll wear.
  
• The oil delivery of a two stoke differs to that of a four-stroke too, where key areas of the crank aren't delivered oil in the quantity a modern four stroke engine would do.
  
• Spark plugs get fouled up by the oil / air mixture. At best, you have to change them more frequently, at worst it causes reliability and performance issues.
  
• The inlet systems often make use of flexible 'reed' valves to improve the control of the air flow mixture. These often fatigue or perish prematurely.
  
• Exhaust ports can eventually be restricted by the build up of oily carbon deposits.
  

Couple all that with the fact that the Aprilia RS 125 is a cheaply made, Italian learner bike and you have the most reliable vehicle in the world... apparently.

[Rimfireboy]

Two examples from the same era.

Honda cb series air cooled 4 stroke twin. Comprehensively worn out, gearbox included, by 50,000 miles.

Suzuki t500 two stroke twin. 50,000 miles rebore,80,000 miles, crank seals.

I've had my t500 for 31 years and it had 30,000 on the clock when I bought it. It's since done another 60,000 miles with one new set of pistons and one crank rebuild. That was just big end needles and mains seals. Still runs lovely. True there are weaker two strokes, but there are also weaker four strokes. And, there's a lot more moving parts to go wrong with a four stroke when they do go. I'll dare bet that I've done more tens of thousands of miles on two strokes year in year out in all weathers than most. Still got quite a few two strokes now and others have been and gone, some not so good. Just because its a four stroke doesn't necessarily make it better. That's all I'm saying.