Thinking about renewing my CBT, 125 bikes for short person?
Discussion
Hi all,
I didn't really take to biking last time I tried. I fell off, couldn't get my confidence back and just generally didn't feel safe or able to relax on the bike after that. I'm 5' 7" and I had a Yamaha YZF R125 previously. It was a nice bike tbh, but I could only get my tiptoes down on both sides and just never felt very stable on it, nor did I enjoy the riding position.
With the price of fuel as it is, I'm considering renewing my thoery and CBT and getting back in the saddle. I can't say whether I'll feel the same way again or not, but I was thinking perhaps something like a CBR 125 might be a better option? I only want to spend about a grand really in case I don't take to it again, damage it etc.
Just interested in opinions on any alternatives really or anyone reinforcing my idea. I'm not really wanting a full upright bike, I'd like something with at least some sporting pretences, just a bit lower down and a bit less extreme, posture-wise.
I didn't really take to biking last time I tried. I fell off, couldn't get my confidence back and just generally didn't feel safe or able to relax on the bike after that. I'm 5' 7" and I had a Yamaha YZF R125 previously. It was a nice bike tbh, but I could only get my tiptoes down on both sides and just never felt very stable on it, nor did I enjoy the riding position.
With the price of fuel as it is, I'm considering renewing my thoery and CBT and getting back in the saddle. I can't say whether I'll feel the same way again or not, but I was thinking perhaps something like a CBR 125 might be a better option? I only want to spend about a grand really in case I don't take to it again, damage it etc.
Just interested in opinions on any alternatives really or anyone reinforcing my idea. I'm not really wanting a full upright bike, I'd like something with at least some sporting pretences, just a bit lower down and a bit less extreme, posture-wise.
I think a CBR125 would be fine. Very light and agile.
If I were you, I'd try to stick with riding the bike/persevere. It will only get easier and more enjoyable as you get settled in. I've had my licence since the start of 2009 and surprisingly, even in London traffic, it's still a lot of fun after all these years.
If I were you, I'd try to stick with riding the bike/persevere. It will only get easier and more enjoyable as you get settled in. I've had my licence since the start of 2009 and surprisingly, even in London traffic, it's still a lot of fun after all these years.
It's weird because when I first got the CBT done, I was getting into it and enjoying it, but I had the fall and I also had a couple of incidents where I realised I wasn't going to make a corner so had to straighten up and go up onto the kerb/grass verge and come to a stop (without falling off) and I just couldn't get out of my own head. I've had a break now of probably 18 months so maybe that will have done me some good.
I'm always going to be a car guy at heart but a bike would make sense. My current commute is only a few miles too so that shouldn't be too challenging.
I'm always going to be a car guy at heart but a bike would make sense. My current commute is only a few miles too so that shouldn't be too challenging.
Yamaha YBR from a quick look on Autotrader ? Or Sinnis or WK ? Don't get a sports style bike to learn on, you need a more upright position which gives better vision.
At £1k or thereabouts, if you take care of it and maintain it you should be able to get your money back in a year if you don't like it.
Edit to add: Just looked at your profile and I doubt a 125 is what you're after. I'd go direct access on a CB500 or something like that, miss out the 125s, they are all small and feel flimsy.
At £1k or thereabouts, if you take care of it and maintain it you should be able to get your money back in a year if you don't like it.
Edit to add: Just looked at your profile and I doubt a 125 is what you're after. I'd go direct access on a CB500 or something like that, miss out the 125s, they are all small and feel flimsy.
Edited by SteveKTMer on Friday 1st April 16:09
TroubledSoul said:
...but I had the fall and I also had a couple of incidents where I realised I wasn't going to make a corner so had to straighten up and go up onto the kerb/grass verge and come to a stop (without falling off) and I just couldn't get out of my own head.
Maybe just take it easy to begin with/calm down a bit? In my years of riding, going up onto a kerb/grass verge is not something that has ever happened to me...If it's about riding a motorcycle I'd echo what others have posted and suggest getting more training before even buying another motorcycle. That would seem a better bet than buying a motorcycle to later realise you may not be able to resolve the issues that stopped you riding before.
If the commute is only a few miles, would an electric push bike be a better bet? At least two motorcyclists I know have electric push bikes, and one uses it to commute on.
If the commute is only a few miles, would an electric push bike be a better bet? At least two motorcyclists I know have electric push bikes, and one uses it to commute on.
Ha, I wasn't going particularly fast tbh, was just a tight bend and I realised I wasn't making it so straightened up rather than carried on trying to turn.
I don't particularly want to be messing around with DAS yet in case I don't take to it again. I'd feel like I wasted my money on it. If I get on better this time I'd probably consider it in a few months' time.
I don't particularly want to be messing around with DAS yet in case I don't take to it again. I'd feel like I wasted my money on it. If I get on better this time I'd probably consider it in a few months' time.
A bit old in the tooth now but the Yamaha SR125 is a decent option as it carries its weight low and is fairly low to the ground; its why it was used at a fair few trainign schools in the 90s and early 00s..... It is however s
te in 5th gear and a fair bit slower than other 125s out there, but if you're a bit hesitant after an off that might help a little.
te in 5th gear and a fair bit slower than other 125s out there, but if you're a bit hesitant after an off that might help a little.Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff