Buying my first bike, help please!

[Zukira]

Hi Everyone,

I’m just starting my biking adventure, done my cbt the other day and now looking to buy a Yamaha YZF-R125. I don’t know much about bikes yet and when I’m viewing them I don’t really know what to look out for to make sure I’m not buying something that’s not been looked after or abused. I have found one that I like, viewed it today, it’s a 66 plate and only has 4900 miles on the clock, comes with 3 months warranty and the salesman seemed a good man. The bad points are it already has 3 previous owners and no service history at all.

What got me thinking was that there was another YZF-R125 next to it which is 61 plate and nearly 12000 miles on the clock, priced very similar (only £200 less which seems strange when you compare the year and the mileage). When I questioned the salesman about this he said it’s because it only has 2 owners, full service history, upgraded exhaust, handlebars and datatool alarm fitted.

He said they check all their bikes and the one I want is in very good condition and nothing to worry about, should I just go for it even tho the price seems too good compared to that other bike, could it be in bad mechanical condition with only having 4900 miles on it? The fact it’s already got 3 owners and no history at all make me me a bit unsure about it.

Please help !!!

[trickywoo]

Can’t really help other than to say that is pretty standard pricing at dealers.

If the newer one has more worn tyres than the other you could use it as a negotiating point on top of the lack of history.

I personally avoid anything with a Datatool on it or at least get enough off to pay someone to remove it.

[Waynester]

The one with no service history you can only really go on condition to indicate what kind of owners it’s had.. has it been dropped, any damage anywhere? Has it been looked after, I.e. no rust or caked in grime around the swingarm and shock. Check for things like neglected knackered chain and sprockets, check fork seals for signs of weeping. Anything you’re not sure about, ask the salesman. If you find any issues, use it to negotiate. Double check what the warranty actually covers as well.
Good luck though, welcome to the bike world.. it’s addictive

Wanted to add. Don’t fall into the trap that you must buy one of these 2 bikes.. take your time, perhaps look at other bikes before you pull the trigger..

Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 16th November 20:18

[Krikkit]

If you can take someone who knows bikes for a quick look at them - in my experience it's easy enough to give a bike a look over and see it's good.

[Zukira]

Thank you all for your help, I appreciate it.

I have checked the MOT history of that bike on the gov website, but surprisingly there’s no MOT history available to see apart from the last MOT, why would it not have any online MOT history ?

With it having no history at all, not even the online MOT history which was usually available for any vehicle I checked in the past, no receipts, no service book, literally just logbook and last MOT certificate, it just seems wrong and makes me wanna steer clear

[Jakarta]

It will only have had one MOT, not required for the first three years from registration.

[Tribal Chestnut]

HPI check it & if it’s fine, condition is ok, price reflects history, then seriously consider it.

[jrich123]

trickywoo said:

I personally avoid anything with a Datatool on it or at least get enough off to pay someone to remove it.

Agree with this! See my thread on the issue I had.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Quite easy/cheap to remove

[Zukira]

Jakarta said:

It will only have had one MOT, not required for the first three years from registration.

It was registered in Sept 2016, so should be MOT’d from Sept 2019, the only one I can see is the current MOT which was done this year and runs out next September so there are 2 MOTs missing.

[carinaman]

Because it's not been MoTd as it's been sat in a showroom waiting for someone to buy it?

Many bikes or cars are advertised by dealers without an MoT but will be MoTd when sold.

I think the common advice is to get used 125 so you don't suffer the initial depreciation of buying new and once you've finished your 125 training period you may be able to sell the used 125 for much the same sort of money if it's in the same condition.

[carinaman]

Zukira said:

The fact it’s already got 3 owners and no history at all make me me a bit unsure about it.

Please help !!!

Was the first owner a dealer, was it a Pre-Reg. to reach a quarterly target and/or shift stock?

If it's had three owners that have ridden it, they've sold it after a short period of ownership because they've done their 125 Learner period and have moved onto bigger motorcycles or decided motorcycling isn't for them?

How did the tyres compare on the two different YBRs, particularly the rears?

Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 17th November 12:59

[the cueball]

I would consider doing your big bike test and getting a better/bigger/faster bike.

A 125 is just too dangerous these days (IMO).

20 years ago, I would say go for it, even 10 years still OK as they would still be faster than most of the cars out there..

These days, you've got waaay too many complete fking idiots with cars doing sub 5 second to 60 times and are easily faster than 125s

Being slower than cars (both away from the lights and top speed) takes away a big bit of security for me, and I just wouldn't do it.

Not trying to be negative or anything and may just all be in my mind... but I've seen some st maaaan (thousand yard stare, thinking about the wars face on)

[Dan_The_Man]

Due to kids/work I had ten years off big bikes but picked up a cheap (and nasty) Hanway 125 scrambler recently and have to say it's bloody fun and I don't recall being overtaken on it apart from on DCs. Biking is biking

[S2r]

I'd go on condition, good tyres and a lack of crash damage rather than if it's got a stamp or 2 in the book.

Having ridden with my teenager and his mates on 125s, most are thrashed to within an inch of their lives for the majority of the time and seem to cope quite well, some of the so-called rubbish chinese stuff appears to crash a lot better than the 'named' 125s that every one raves about as well...

Go for the one you like the look of the most and enjoy it.

[Rob_F]

I'd try not to rush in, keep an eye out for local private sellers. People tend to move 125s on quickly as they move up, and I reckon you get more of an impression on how it's been looked after if you get to talk to the owner?

[_Neal_]

Bit cynical I know, but relevant especially with a 125 that you may look to sell on fairly soon - think about residual value as and when you come to sell it - you'll be advertising it with no history (apart from anything you do to it) which may put some buyers off, or at least have them think twice (like you are).

Personally I think there's a low-mile bike in good condition with full history out there, so I say shop around.

[Nick928]

I wouldn't worry about a highish number of owners.
For this type of bike most people will generally only keep it for a year will they pass their test.
Service history would be a bit of a deal breaker for me though.
As Neal said, think how it will appear when selling it on.

[Zukira]

Nice one guys, thanks for all your opinions. It’s great to have forums like this.

I decided not to bother with this one, it’s had a colour change as well because the place selling it specialise in unique colours and designs and they change colour on most of bikes before sale. It’s a nice bike and could well be a good one to buy but like some of you say it will definitely be hard to sell on which is important matter for me as I plan to only use it to make myself comfortable riding a motorbike before proceeding to a full licence and buying a bigger bike.

I am looking at another one, looks like it may be a good idea to go for it, but I’m sure you will advise me on this.

It’s a private sale, 19 plate YZF-R125 ABS, 2150 miles, the guy bought it brand new so just 1 owner, still under Yamaha warranty until next June, Akrapovic exhaust system, he reckons it just had an oil changed and the chain cleaned but did it himself so no proof. Condition is like new according to him which to be fair does reflect in pictures and a video he sent me, can’t see any marks or scratches anywhere. It was advertised for £3700 before so I was ignoring it, but price on the advert went down to £3500 so I gave him a call and now got the price down to £3200 which to me seems a good price for this bike but what do I know.

Let me know what you guys think.

[carinaman]

If you're getting it at a good price and it's a private sale is it worth spending a small amount to do a HPI check or whatever the equivalent is for motorcycles?

[Iminquarantine]

I didn’t realise 225s were that expensive. I’ve worked in developing countries previously and bought new 125s for about £1000 to get around on.