Funnily enough - "what bike?" (again!)

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Mon, 06/04/2009 - 20:58
Farlsborough
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Joined: 06/04/2009

Hi Ash,
Trying to think of how to put this concisely - OK - I'm a 24 year old, 6' tall, wrong side of 15 stone "strong" (!) and am thinking about a 125cc.

Bit of background - I've had a bit of biking experience - done 2 CBTs (need to do another), and a fair bit abroad too. Had 3+ years of driving a car.
In a week or so I'll be finishing my medical exams and will be starting a placement in Harrogate. I live in Leeds so it's a new biker's dream of a commute - slow moving traffic to shimmy past, some nice clear straights but no motorways.

I'm hoping to do my direct access in june/july, but not sure how possible that will be and besides, I don't live in the best of areas so doing the DAS and going out and getting a bigger bike (Suzuki GSX650F is what I had my eye on...) perhaps isn't the best idea, it'd just get nicked. A 125cc would probably suit me fine, at least for another year.

So... any recommendations? Obviously a 125 is only going to go so fast but being a larger guy, having had a reasonable amount of road experience etc. means I'd prefer something that's gonna do the top end of what you'd expect from a 125.

Looks wise - don't *really* care, but would prefer it not to be a trial bike style (see too many idiots around here on those things) or a wannabe cruiser (think a regular bandit or sportier!).

What's that you say - a tall order?!
Cheers in advance for any help you're able to give!
Tom

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Tue, 07/04/2009 - 10:43
#1
kevash
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Joined: 05/10/2008
Hmm, you've touched on a

Hmm, you've touched on a persistent problem, that bike designers don't seem to realise that it's not just small people who ride small bikes... 'strong' ones do too. Trail-type bikes do tend to solve the problem, but they don't have to look too trailie... there's always the Honda Varadero 125, which is like the big Varadero 1000, Suzuki V-Strom etc you wouldn't really call a trail bike. If you really must have a sports bike, avoid the CBR125RR, that's tiny, but the Aprilia RS125 is bigger (and much faster...). Trouble is, these are the kinds of things that get nicked more than anything.
I did like the DR125SM Suzuki, though that could be seen as the kind of idiot's bike you want to avoid... well, it's a supermoto rather than trailie and actually works really well as a solid commuter. Does more than 100mpg too.
Another thought (stream of consciousness here...) is the Kymco KR Sport 125. These are cheaper than the Japanese 125s but it's solid with a decent dealer network and goes pretty well. Bigger than a CBR but looks similar.
Some to be looking at there, let us know your thoughts...
Kevin

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Wed, 08/04/2009 - 00:17
#2
Farlsborough
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Joined: 06/04/2009
Hi Kevin, Top notch

Hi Kevin,
Top notch suggestions, thank you. I didn't even think about the varadero, which is a bit silly as my Dad's got the big one! You're right, I think the Aprilia is likely to get nicked, and besides - though I'd like something that looks reasonable, I don't actually care quite as much about the intricacies of the bike as Aprilia would want me to, and frankly I'd choose a bike on performance and reliability, not the name label or the price tag!
That suzuki doesn't look quite so bad actually, if it was in black... if I could get a good deal on it I'd consider...

But so far, the Varadero and the Kymco are seriously pushing my buttons...! Looks like Kymco do some other reasonable options too.

Thanks a lot for those suggestions, and if anything else occurs to you, do put it up here! I'll let you know if I go for one and if so what I think of it incase anyone's in the same positon.

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