The Bikeshite Thread

[DodgeRover]

Try it on reserve first, you can have a bit of choke on most bikes it's not just on or off. Some of them can take a good while to get up to temperature too.

Is the filter an oiled foam over a metal mesh? If so them it's ment to be oily.

[SiC]

I'm thinking of doing my CBT and possibly getting a bike to commute to work. My current commute from home to work involves either a 35 minute bus trip, 25 minute car drive with £13 per day parking or a 10 mile round trip cycle that has 3 quarters of the ride on a proper cycle track (old railway line).

 

I thoroughly enjoy the cycle in, however there are times when I could do with rest days and really CBA. E.g. throwing it down/really gusty/etc. Over the winter I drove in for a couple of months (with a permit for £130 p/m), but not only did I gain a lot of weight, I get fed up of sitting in traffic.

 

So I'm thinking that getting a 125cc bike of some sort would make a lot of sense, as well being a lot of fun. I have always been put off having motorbikes because the many ways of getting hurt - with a lot of the time not actually being your fault. However at the same time, being on a road bike is just as dangerous - admittedly less risky due to the large part of using a nice cycle route. Falling off any machine onto tarmac at 20-30 mph is going to hurt, but then at least on a motorbike you (should) be wearing full protective gear, unlike lycra when on a pushbike which offers sweet bugger all!

 

Anyway that's the man maths over. I have no idea if I'll like being on a motorbike, but then at least a CBT should give me some idea.

 

As someone who knows absolutely bugger all on bikes, I have a few questions!

1. What sort of machine should I look at?
   I don't think I want a scooter style bike as I don't know how confident I'd feel sitting legs together. Something more like a road bike I reckon I'd prefer much more.
2. Automatic or gears?
   I'm guessing around town, filtering in and out of traffic, automatic would make more sense?
3. Is 125cc sufficient for whizzing around town? 
   I've seen said that 50cc stuff is really shit and not worth the bother. It can be had very cheaply though!
4. Protective gear. What is there around?
   I want decent stuff, as I don't want to be torn to pieces if I fall off. However I also don't want to melt in the summer! 
5. Do you get really/overly hot in protective gear?
   Thinking again around town, sub 30mph.
6. How much should I budget all in for a decent bike/helment/jacket/trousers?

Cheers!

[Guest Hooli]

Sic,

 

125 & gears I'd say. You're stuck with scooter things for autos as far as I know. Besides wazzing it through the box is part of the fun of thrashing them & you will be thrashing them to make them move like you want soon enough. You'll be lucky to get much over 60mph from most 125s, hence thrashing it. Oh,  clutches are really light on a 125, so no worries there around town either.

 

Go for gortex gear with removable linings, they are cooler with vents etc for summer & waterproof (unlike most leathers) in winter. Helmet wise, fit matters more than price, a good bike shop will help with that - but one that fits will feel too tight until it beds in. TBH at 125 speeds anything would do, you don't need the expensive stuff. But if you get good gear then in six months when your bored of 11bhp & do your DAS then you'll be go to go on a biggun.

 

Bikewise, you can't go wrong with a CG125. But most new chinese stuff will last till it needs a MOT & at the price they are worth throwing away after that long. The sporty ones will make your wrists ache & don't go fast enough to 'lean on the air' & take the weight off your arms, plus the narrow bars make it harder to control at first. Cruisers don't cruise with a 125 in, you have to work it too hard to relax & cruise so I can't imagine they are that good but I've never ridden one. I had an offroad style 125, it was great a being bigger its more comfy, you can see over cars better to filter etc but they are the most nicked style...

[Guest Hooli]

Got it going and been out :D

 

Will edit with details when I have been and got dinner, but it was the carb as suggested

 

First ride is great isn't it?

 

Mine was january, about 10pm, in a gale with heavy rain for 20-25miles upwind (so 50 flat out) mostly along the A27 getting passed by trucks. that was 'interesting'.

[SiC]

It has landed Cheers Womble

 

Shitting myself about going out on it after work. Baptism of fire, I turn out of my car park, follow a short one way street then immediately onto the main road through Newbury   Should be fine....

 

IMG_20170612_152714.jpg

 

That looks just like what I possibly want! Actually looks like a proper bike too. Reading what I can see on the stickers, I assume its a Honda CG125. Do Honda make as good bikes as cars?

 

I don't know if I fancy some cheap Chinese shit. Doesn't look good at all having a machine break down and getting in really late to work!

[Dave_Q]

Not sure on the details of your commute SiC, but remember you are not allowed on motorways on L-plates.

 

Geared 125 will be fine, as Hooli said an auto non-scooter isn't really a thing. 

 

Costs:

 

Bike <£1000

CBT £100 or so? Varies around the country

Tax £17pa

Insurance £100+ depending on age/garaging/postcode risk

Fuel approx 100mpg

 

Kit you can spend as much as you like really, my helmet was £80 and my jacket and trousers were about £50 second hand.

[SiC]

Sic,

 

125 & gears I'd say. You're stuck with scooter things for autos as far as I know. Besides wazzing it through the box is part of the fun of thrashing them & you will be thrashing them to make them move like you want soon enough. You'll be lucky to get much over 60mph from most 125s, hence thrashing it. Oh,  clutches are really light on a 125, so no worries there around town either.

 

Go for gortex gear with removable linings, they are cooler with vents etc for summer & waterproof (unlike most leathers) in winter. Helmet wise, fit matters more than price, a good bike shop will help with that - but one that fits will feel too tight until it beds in. TBH at 125 speeds anything would do, you don't need the expensive stuff. But if you get good gear then in six months when your bored of 11bhp & do your DAS then you'll be go to go on a biggun.

 

Bikewise, you can't go wrong with a CG125. But most new chinese stuff will last till it needs a MOT & at the price they are worth throwing away after that long. The sporty ones will make your wrists ache & don't go fast enough to 'lean on the air' & take the weight off your arms, plus the narrow bars make it harder to control at first. Cruisers don't cruise with a 125 in, you have to work it too hard to relax & cruise so I can't imagine they are that good but I've never ridden one. I had an offroad style 125, it was great a being bigger its more comfy, you can see over cars better to filter etc but they are the most nicked style...

Cheers. Useful stuff to know.

 

In terms of theft, I know Bristol certainly isn't the best whatsoever. Is there a way of physically bolting it down on my drive?

 

At work in the centre is fine for security, as there is a gated, card access garage under the building. I just worry it disappearing while at home. Unfortantly my garage is full of other stuff to fit a motorbike in!

[Guest Hooli]

That looks just like what I possibly want! Actually looks like a proper bike too. Reading what I can see on the stickers, I assume its a Honda CG125. Do Honda make as good bikes as cars?

 

I don't know if I fancy some cheap Chinese shit. Doesn't look good at all having a machine break down and getting in really late to work!

You can't kill a CG125, there are millions of them around for a good reason.

 

A lot of chinese bikes are just cheap clones of CG125s or (Yamaha) YBR 125s, Hence when a friend's CG125 needed a new topend due to dead rings it cost £35 in chinese parts delivered off ebay! I didn't think that was bad for a piston, rings, barrel & gaskets. They all fitted too & it was still running fine when I last heard of it.

[Guest Hooli]

Cheers. Useful stuff to know.

 

In terms of theft, I know Bristol certainly isn't the best whatsoever. Is there a way of physically bolting it down on my drive?

 

At work in the centre is fine for security, as there is a gated, card access garage under the building. I just worry it disappearing while at home. Unfortantly my garage is full of other stuff to fit a motorbike in!

 

No idea which ones are any good but ground anchors are the answer https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_cat/126

 

Plus a decent chain, like I said to Nyphur keep the lock off the floor as they are often broken by being smashed with a sledgehammer.

[SiC]

Not sure on the details of your commute SiC, but remember you are not allowed on motorways on L-plates.

 

Geared 125 will be fine, as Hooli said an auto non-scooter isn't really a thing. 

 

Costs:

 

Bike <£1000

CBT £100 or so? Varies around the country

Tax £17pa

Insurance £100+ depending on age/garaging/postcode risk

Fuel approx 100mpg

 

Kit you can spend as much as you like really, my helmet was £80 and my jacket and trousers were about £50 second hand.

Yeah the motorway thing is annoying, as that is the quickest and safest way in for me. I.e. less side roads and more predictable traffic.

 

Here is the rough area that I go from and to - top right is home area and bottom left is work. Plenty of possible routes to go. If I avoid the motorway, its a large proportion of 20mph, 30mph and 40mph limits.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.464661,-2.5590738,13.71z

[DodgeRover]

Don't leave a bike outside in plain view unless you have a widely know reputation as the neighbourhood nutter who might just stab somebody for walking on the drive.

If the shits can't steal it they'll kick it over and or set it on fire.

Keep it hidden, keep it safe.

 

Rev'it and Knox used to be excellent clothing brands.

[UltraWomble]

Breadvan is selling a CG125

 

Im not that wild about the Yam YB125's purely from build quality POV - the zorsts rot quickly and the frames go crusty quickly if not scrupulously looked after. Or at least the one I had did.

 

Yeah the motorway thing is annoying, as that is the quickest and safest way in for me. I.e. less side roads and more predictable traffic.

Here is the rough area that I go from and to - top right is home area and bottom left is work. Plenty of possible routes to go. If I avoid the motorway, its a large proportion of 20mph, 30mph and 40mph limits.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.464661,-2.5590738,13.71z
route_to_work.jpg

 

I used to commute to Flockweed on a YB125 from t'other side of Preston:

 

All the red X's are where I had clinics - all on a 125.

I did finish up on a 500, but really the commute wasnt a lot faster.

 

Remember  - Scamera Vans only have forward facing cameras

[Jerzy Woking]

Congratulations on joining the bike riding fraternity - you'll love it. Glad to see lots of good advice on here for you and SIC.

 

I commute 60 mile to work and 60 miles back home. Of the 120 miles all but 8 are done on dual carriage ways or motorways, right up to the door of my work. I quite often do this on my 125cc scooter. It only takes 10 to 15 minutes longer than doing it on a 1200cc bike, but still 30 minutes quicker than a car.

 

The advantages with scooters is they offer far better weather protection than a bike in filthy weather, and.........well, that's about it really. Nothing really beats knocking a bike (any size bike) down a couple of gears and winding it on.

[Guest Hooli]

 

 

Remember  - Scamera Vans only have forward facing cameras

 

Not any more. A lot now have CCTV to get your plate as you go past

 

Lock to the frame looks a lot better Nyphur.

[John F]

I would suspect on a Honda roadbike it should be a dry paper one - but if it's 'spongy' then it should be covered in a very sticky oil.

 

Oil soaked sponge air filters are often found on trials bikes and similar; but occasionally someone may try one in a road bike, because the  largest (and some would say best) motorbike company in the world doesn't know as much about air filtering as the bloke down the pub (see also 'spanny' pipes).

 

Lots of Suzuki road bikes also had sponge air filters as standard, e.g. GT 125 /185, GS650...

[hairnet]

squire chains

 

buy a cover

 

find a lamp post

 

kit - go to fowlers or j and s

 

avoid frank thomas ixs and bks (used to be made here but they retired and chinese owned now)

 

rst weise and alpinestars textile stuff very good - had astars stuff lasted 7 years worn everyday on 2 second weise kit as first lot wore out

 

lid - as said fit is far more important than price but the brand names will fit better - unless youre mars attacks or tefal head (like me)

 

base model arai or shoei can be got for under 200 quid

[SiC]

I'm down a cul-de-sac, so I'm hoping that I should be ok and not too much foot fall or passing car traffic. I have the option of lamp post on the street or digging a hole in my tarmac drive to concrete in a ground anchor. I'm hoping one will suffice! Also it'll be partly hidden by one of the many cars on the drive...

[John F]

SiC, on 12 Jun 2017 - 10:01 PM, said:

I'm thinking of doing my CBT and possibly getting a bike to commute to work. My current commute from home to work involves either a 35 minute bus trip, 25 minute car drive with £13 per day parking or a 10 mile round trip cycle that has 3 quarters of the ride on a proper cycle track (old railway line).

 

I thoroughly enjoy the cycle in, however there are times when I could do with rest days and really CBA. E.g. throwing it down/really gusty/etc. Over the winter I drove in for a couple of months (with a permit for £130 p/m), but not only did I gain a lot of weight, I get fed up of sitting in traffic.

 

So I'm thinking that getting a 125cc bike of some sort would make a lot of sense, as well being a lot of fun. I have always been put off having motorbikes because the many ways of getting hurt - with a lot of the time not actually being your fault. However at the same time, being on a road bike is just as dangerous - admittedly less risky due to the large part of using a nice cycle route. Falling off any machine onto tarmac at 20-30 mph is going to hurt, but then at least on a motorbike you (should) be wearing full protective gear, unlike lycra when on a pushbike which offers sweet bugger all!

 

Anyway that's the man maths over. I have no idea if I'll like being on a motorbike, but then at least a CBT should give me some idea.

 

As someone who knows absolutely bugger all on bikes, I have a few questions!

1. What sort of machine should I look at?

   I don't think I want a scooter style bike as I don't know how confident I'd feel sitting legs together. Something more like a road bike I reckon I'd prefer much more.

2. Automatic or gears?

   I'm guessing around town, filtering in and out of traffic, automatic would make more sense?

3. Is 125cc sufficient for whizzing around town? 

   I've seen said that 50cc stuff is really shit and not worth the bother. It can be had very cheaply though!

4. Protective gear. What is there around?

   I want decent stuff, as I don't want to be torn to pieces if I fall off. However I also don't want to melt in the summer! 

5. Do you get really/overly hot in protective gear?

   Thinking again around town, sub 30mph.

6. How much should I budget all in for a decent bike/helment/jacket/trousers?

Cheers!

 

OK, I'll add my bit, although I agree with everything that's already been said by the others.

 

1. Bike is better, larger wheels = improved stability. The style of bike may depend on your size / length of leg... if you're particularly small you will be best off with a low-seated cruiser, if you're tall you'll best suit something with a high seat & long-travel suspension such as a trail bike. If you're somewhere in the middle then just pick a style you like.

Two-strokes are light and nippy but can be fragile, four-strokes are heavier and slower but more durable. Try to get a go on each type to see which you prefer (a four-stroke will better prepare you for a future 'big' bike as most larger bikes are four-strokes nowadays; but everyone should have a go on a proper* two-stroke bike at least once in their life, ideally before they're too old to enjoy it properly).

 

2. Almost all motorbikes are manual. Most scooters are autos or semi-autos (except classic scooters such as Vespas / Lambrettas, etc, which are manual).

 

3. 125 cc motorbikes are fine for town use, they'll easily stay with urban traffic up to 50 mph.

 

4. Lots of people are using fabric bike gear nowadays, it's reasonably priced & apparently does the job very well (and is waterproof, which leather tends not to be). If you'd prefer a leather jacket they can be bought 2nd hand quite cheaply. But whatever jacket you buy, make sure it has tight cuffs because if you end up going down the road your sleeves will try to slide up your arms. Bike jeans with kevlar padding are also available nowadays, and don't make you look so much like Robocop as leather trousers when you're not on the bike. You'll also need waterproofs unless you get fabric gear, a one-piece suit is best at keeping the water out but is not as versatile as separate jacket & trousers. In my experience all gloves let rainwater in eventually, no matter what the manufacturers claim... but I haven't bought any new ones within about the last decade so perhaps there's hope yet. Mountaineering overmitts (or even fitted bar mitts) are ace if you intend to ride through winter.

 

5. No, you get used to wearing what's required for the conditions. Unlined gloves are more pleasant on really hot days, windproof overtrousers keep your legs warmer on cold days, etc.

 

6. Bike £600-£1000, helmet £30 upwards, jacket / trousers / gloves / waterproofs / boots, etc. £150-£350 (can be much cheaper if 2nd hand).

[Jazoli]

Ebay is good for service parts, or www.wemoto.com, for spare parts use www.fowlersparts.co.uk

 

Or if you are desperate Halfords should stock pretty much everything you need also.

[John F]

I used to use M&P (http://www.mandp.co.uk/) a lot, but nowadays just look on ebay or amazon.

[SiC]

Thanks for all the advice so far, mucho appreciated.

 

I don't want too look at bikes too much until I've done my CBT and see if I actually like it (I suspect I will, consider I have a lot of fun on my road bike). However I've had a bit of a look around. One thing I've noticed is that there doesn't appear to be many bikes under £1k - which I'm assuming because around here they get bought pretty quickly for commuting. Also I've noticed that Honda CBF125 can be had quite reasonably. Around the 1k-2k mark for a 3-4 year old example. That seems reasonable value, even compared to Chinese bikes. Are they any good?

 

I'd like to spend under 1k, but I'm thinking that could be unwise and poor value.

 

On the CBT, my local centre provides the gloves, boots and helmet but nothing else. Should I wear/buy some proper gear, or is the CBT sedate enough that wearing normal clothes is sufficent?

[John F]

One thing I've noticed is that there doesn't appear to be many bikes under £1k

 

Because summer. There'll be plenty in autumn

[Dave_Q]

I think for CBT as long as you turn up in long trousers and sleeves, and wear shoes that aren't sandals, you'll be fine.

 

They do do a bit on clothing now but the minimum requirement is this:

 

 

 

What should you wear for CBT?

Your trainer will talk about clothing as part of element A, so you might consider waiting until after the course before you buy your full motorbike gear, but you will need to wear appropriate clothing on the day.

You’ll need a decent jacket, gloves and boots – not shorts and trainers. Your ATB will provide you with a visibility aid which you must wear.

Many ATBs can provide basic equipment, including a helmet and bike, for the course – remember to ask when you book your training

https://www.safedrivingforlife.info/compulsory-basic-training-cbt

[Jazoli]

Because summer. There'll be plenty in autumn

 

Don't bet on it, a decent used 125 will not lose a penny as long as its looked after

 

You'll be alright just with decent jeans so long as they aren't baggy round the ankles.

Are you sure they provide boots? I would have thought they would provide a jacket, but not boots.

 

You will be doing at least 30mph on your cbt, maybe even 50 on the open road, would you like to jump off a bike in just jeans? I know I wouldn't.

[SiC]

This is the place I'm thinking of going with: http://www.bristolmotorcycletraining.co.uk/courses_cbt.html

 

Only a 5-10 minute drive from home and I know the roads around that area well already. Now I re-read it, I'm not totally sure that they provide boots. Their course is £125, which seems the going rate around here.

[SiC]

Oh it does say on here: http://www.bristolmotorcycletraining.co.uk/facilities.html

 

Loan of helmet, gloves and waterproofs is free of charge

[PiperCub]

Because summer. There'll be plenty in autumn

 

Not if the last few years is anything to go by! As Jazoli rightly said, good/clean/half well maintained 125's hold their value as aside from Chinese stuff, the japs don't really do much in the way of small bikes (ie: non-scooters) these days.

 

As pretty well everyone says, a CG125 is a can't-go-wrong option, as is a Suzi GS125 if you can find one as a learner bike, Can't really recommend the current crop of Chinese gear as while they very, very closely resemble CG's & GS's (but of course, they aren't copies.........  ), their quality if incredibly variable, ranging from good for the money to appalling PoS. Had a chat with my local bike place that I've used for years for MoT's & some parts bore this out, they avoid them because of this as they can turn bad real quick and even they often have bother getting parts. I'm experienced with bikes but even I'd only risk buying one if it was really, really cheap so I could treat it as a total-loss affair - fix it up a bit, use it form as long as it lasts, if it breaks expensively/bigtime - bin it, but for a beginner, this isn't the way to go. 

 

Kit-wise, buy a decent lid- don't use a secondhand one however tempting it may be. £50 upwards will be fine, I've used Arai's for the past 25+ years but they start at well over £200 but to me are worth it. Choose one that fits properly and is comfortable, a duff fitting lid is bloody horrible and will distract you (not a good idea on a bike!) so buy one that fits your budget and fits you well, don't get overly hung up on colour/design/gimmicks etc. at this stage. 

 

Can't recommend any current kit as mine is rather old (but good) but keep an eye on your local free-ad paper as well as Gumtree for folks packing up riding and flogging their kit off, you never know and it'll be cheap as decent kit is pricey. Some bike shops have a free-ads board as do some newsagents, worth a trawl round to see if anythings about. Also, ask around at work, let people know you are in the market and someone may know someone who's packed up riding and wants rid. 

[LostnotFound]

IMO (and don't sue me if you lose all your skin) jeans and Dr Martins are fine for a CBT if you are just dipping your toe in the water. 99% of the riding will be 30mph or under and you're under instruction at all times etc....

 

At least one online shop will be doing a sale of something glove / boot / jacket wise atm, I paid 30 quid more for my helmet than I would have online, but got to try a load on and in different sizes then get a brand new one that hasn't had an extra trip through DPD as well as supporting a local business, it is the bit worth splashing out a little on imo.

 

125's aren't as cheap as they should be, considering how cheap they are new. That is what drove me to getting my TDR for less than a CG125 I got something that was physically a lot bigger (I'm a tall and large bloke), disc brakes both ends etc... and now I've managed to finally get it running properly it is much faster as well and will do a genuine gps 70 if you have a reasonable length dual carriageway but if you don't have mechanical sympathy and cruise at 60 with no arguments.  So just as an alternative view point, given you are looking to go in on it every now and then, the bullet proof reliability of a 4 stroke isn't the be all and end all imo, 2 stroke for the win!

 

Great news on getting it sorted and enjoying yourself Nyphur, we really should have a 125 meet up somewhere in the middle of the country for all those tiddler appreciators on here.

[PiperCub]

^^ Price-wise, yes it's weird isn't it? 125's tend to be more expensive than much bigger bikes, I'm contemplating a 600 Hornet that's up for £900 (but reckon could get it for 750-800), a half decent 125 will be similar money. 

 

That's my point about supply and demand, 125's haven't been built/imported to UK in big numbers for many years so there's few about, therefore the price is high, whereas say, 600's have been, keeping prices down. 

[martc]

 Do Honda make as good bikes as cars?

Yes. May be even better than the cars.