First bike for my wife
Discussion
After my wife mentioned she would like to do her bike test last year I decided to get the ball rolling and bought her a CBT voucher for Christmas. She is yet to book anything and I will wait until she has completed it to purchase a bike but I've started looking already.
The obvious choice seems to be the Honda CB125F either brand new or a year or two old. It seems to tick all the boxes; learner friendly, reliable, cheap to run, etc. I don't see any point in splashing out on an R125 or similar for her to learn on as this will just be a stepping stone to a bigger bike if she gets on with it. I'd prefer to stay away from the Chinese brands as I've heard some reliability horror stories.
Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they as learner friendly as people seem to make out? I know it will be an underpowered thing which will need it's neck ringing but this is fine for a year IMO.
The obvious choice seems to be the Honda CB125F either brand new or a year or two old. It seems to tick all the boxes; learner friendly, reliable, cheap to run, etc. I don't see any point in splashing out on an R125 or similar for her to learn on as this will just be a stepping stone to a bigger bike if she gets on with it. I'd prefer to stay away from the Chinese brands as I've heard some reliability horror stories.
Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they as learner friendly as people seem to make out? I know it will be an underpowered thing which will need it's neck ringing but this is fine for a year IMO.
8IKERDAVE said:
After my wife mentioned she would like to do her bike test last year I decided to get the ball rolling and bought her a CBT voucher for Christmas. She is yet to book anything and I will wait until she has completed it to purchase a bike but I've started looking already.
The obvious choice seems to be the Honda CB125F either brand new or a year or two old. It seems to tick all the boxes; learner friendly, reliable, cheap to run, etc. I don't see any point in splashing out on an R125 or similar for her to learn on as this will just be a stepping stone to a bigger bike if she gets on with it. I'd prefer to stay away from the Chinese brands as I've heard some reliability horror stories.
Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they as learner friendly as people seem to make out? I know it will be an underpowered thing which will need it's neck ringing but this is fine for a year IMO.
My advice is to get her through her CBT first and see what she says after that.The obvious choice seems to be the Honda CB125F either brand new or a year or two old. It seems to tick all the boxes; learner friendly, reliable, cheap to run, etc. I don't see any point in splashing out on an R125 or similar for her to learn on as this will just be a stepping stone to a bigger bike if she gets on with it. I'd prefer to stay away from the Chinese brands as I've heard some reliability horror stories.
Does anyone have any experience of these? Are they as learner friendly as people seem to make out? I know it will be an underpowered thing which will need it's neck ringing but this is fine for a year IMO.
If she enjoyed it then just go straight for a big-bike course and save the messing about.
Rubin215 said:
My advice is to get her through her CBT first and see what she says after that.
If she enjoyed it then just go straight for a big-bike course and save the messing about.
I'd even consider doing a taster session on a bigger bike once the CBT is completed. If she enjoyed it then just go straight for a big-bike course and save the messing about.
I hated my CBT. The small bikes are horrible.
CBT first before you think about anything, then realistically just get her doing DAS if she likes it. 125s are all the worst aspects without the good ones, just get her on a lightweight 600ish type bike.
But yes the CB125 and MT125 are pretty good for 125s - quality is good for the money, and much nicer quality than the cheap chinese crap.
But yes the CB125 and MT125 are pretty good for 125s - quality is good for the money, and much nicer quality than the cheap chinese crap.
I passed my test in 2013. I found the 125 bikes harder to ride than a 600. My learning centre Yamaha XJ6 was a dream to ride. The sole disadvantage was that you’re more aware of the weight compared to a 125.
I’d go for lessons then buy a 600. I went for a 2002 Honda Hornet 600 and haven’t been able to let it go since.
I’d go for lessons then buy a 600. I went for a 2002 Honda Hornet 600 and haven’t been able to let it go since.
Here's our two. The wife scraped through her CBT having never ridden anything other than a push bike 30 years ago, I was quite proud of her for continuing to give it a go afterwards.
She's probably done less than 30 hours on the little cb and whilst it was worthwhile to give her the confidence to continue she wanted to get rid of it and do her proper test after only going out on it a couple times with me. So I'd say if your missus smashes the CBT and you haven't also got a 125 then just stick her through the proper test and save a lot of time and money.
I have have a lot of fun tearing the arse out of the little noise machine a few times though, they're a right laugh squeezing through traffic
Edited by s p a c e m a n on Monday 13th January 14:50
I never liked the 125cc learner bikes compared to the MT07 I learned on. The bigger bike felt more ergonomic. Manouveres felt more natural. I would hold up until she is about to pass. The only reason I would get a 125cc is if you plan on lots of riding around for experience before going for her test. after that I would be looking at any of the bikes that can be made A2 compliant. Even going full DAS these bikes are a good stepping stone. Thinking CBR650R, MT07 etc.
For my first bike I only ever thought about how easy it would be to move on once I was ready for something bigger.
For my first bike I only ever thought about how easy it would be to move on once I was ready for something bigger.
If you are just looking for a 125 to learn on the standard answer is to get a cbf / ybr in good nick for around a grand. They buy and sell for around the same price.
I've ridden my £950 ybr for 10 years and 25k miles and it has been a solid bike.
I've ridden my £950 ybr for 10 years and 25k miles and it has been a solid bike.
Edited by Donbot on Monday 13th January 22:16
What is the plan?
If the wife wants to ride to ride urban on her own then CBT and a 125 make sense, but if you're thinking about ride outs together the whole 125 thing begins to unravel. You'll get bored and frustrated going that slow, she will be scared trying to keep up.
You might be better off doing the CBT followed by DAS and buying something from Honda in the 500cc bracket.
If the wife wants to ride to ride urban on her own then CBT and a 125 make sense, but if you're thinking about ride outs together the whole 125 thing begins to unravel. You'll get bored and frustrated going that slow, she will be scared trying to keep up.
You might be better off doing the CBT followed by DAS and buying something from Honda in the 500cc bracket.
Donbot said:
If you are just looking for a 125 to learn on the standard answer is to get a cbf / ybr in good nick for around a grand. They buy and sell for around the same price.
Agreed, should pretty much be a 'free' bike. I bought a YBR125 for my Son, he rode it year round for a couple of years and when I sold it, I got within £50 of the purchase price.
I've recently purchased a Yamaha XSR125 and think it's great.
I did CBT 10 years ago then never did anything else. Repeated my CBT last month and really wanted to have a bike to properly practice slow speed stuff in my own time. I am definitely planning to DAS within a few months but wanted to feel really comfortable doing those tests rather than a bit rushed.
But everyone is different!
I am impressed with the XSR and it definitely feels a step up from the bike I did the CBT on. In my gear I probably weigh around 100kg and it doesn't actually feel as strained as you would imagine. Certainly getting up to 40mph feels fine. It's also a good looking bike that is something you want to own rather than a sad looking little thing.
I did CBT 10 years ago then never did anything else. Repeated my CBT last month and really wanted to have a bike to properly practice slow speed stuff in my own time. I am definitely planning to DAS within a few months but wanted to feel really comfortable doing those tests rather than a bit rushed.
But everyone is different!
I am impressed with the XSR and it definitely feels a step up from the bike I did the CBT on. In my gear I probably weigh around 100kg and it doesn't actually feel as strained as you would imagine. Certainly getting up to 40mph feels fine. It's also a good looking bike that is something you want to own rather than a sad looking little thing.
Thanks all - some good advice there. I suggested going straight for test to her and she said she would prefer to bimble around on a 125 for a year just getting to grips with the controls and sensation of riding. My plan would be to get her an intercom and do a bit of local riding together. I'm not an instructor but I have almost 30 years experience on a bike so I'd like to pass that on before going through the official channels.
The only thing putting me off buying a cheapy for a grand is the 125 market being flooded with bikes owned by 17 year old lads running them on a shoestring. I remember my days on 125's and everything was done as cheaply as possible, normally on someones drive with nothing more than an adjustable wrench. I know if we're constantly pissing about fixing it this will put her straight off so I'd prefer to get something a bit newer. They seem to hold their value quite well anyway so that's not a major concern. I'll be more excited when the time comes to get her one something bigger.
The only thing putting me off buying a cheapy for a grand is the 125 market being flooded with bikes owned by 17 year old lads running them on a shoestring. I remember my days on 125's and everything was done as cheaply as possible, normally on someones drive with nothing more than an adjustable wrench. I know if we're constantly pissing about fixing it this will put her straight off so I'd prefer to get something a bit newer. They seem to hold their value quite well anyway so that's not a major concern. I'll be more excited when the time comes to get her one something bigger.
8IKERDAVE said:
The only thing putting me off buying a cheapy for a grand is the 125 market being flooded with bikes owned by 17 year old lads running them on a shoestring. I remember my days on 125's and everything was done as cheaply as possible, normally on someones drive with nothing more than an adjustable wrench. I know if we're constantly pissing about fixing it this will put her straight off so I'd prefer to get something a bit newer. They seem to hold their value quite well anyway so that's not a major concern. I'll be more excited when the time comes to get her one something bigger.
The bikes are really basic, so if it runs and has oil in it I wouldn't be too concerned. The engines are pretty much unkillable, and they are reliable little bikes.I understand the concern with it though.
Something newer which is bigger and has more power will be nicer to ride anyway.
Gassing Station | Biker Banter | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff