Recommendations for a geared 125 motorcycle that would suit a beginner and be cheap to run and keep?

Question

I'll be riding it on a CBT along with my girlfriend who would benefit from a smaller-framed motorcycle but we definitely don't want to get a scooter.

Just a no-frills motorcycle that is suited to commuting around town but also the occassional 1/2 hour trip home at weekends.

We have £800 to spend but could stretch to £1000; obviously the more reliable the better as we're both novices, so to get a bike for this price that has a shop's guarantee would be excellent- thanks!

Answer 1

i would suggest a 4 stroke rather than a two. Second hand Honda. They are easy to work on and reliable. Get a friend that really knows bikes to check it out with you as this can 1. save you money on repairs that might be needed and can be a negotiating ploy when coming to pay for it ( The vendor might knock a bit off for minor repairs that are needed) I have never come across a bad 125 Honda and as Jeremy Clarkson says "If Honda made people nobody would ever die"  I am an original "rocker" so i have been around bikes for a looong looong time. All the best Alan

Answer 2

As mentioned, the Honda CG-125 is a fine commuter.

Top speed is only about 70mph on a good day, but it's fuel consumption is excellent - up to 100mpg.

Insurance costs are low, spares are plentiful (Honda have been making the CG for nigh on 30 years) and you can easily carry out the basic maintenance yourself.

Answer 3

Me and my fella had a CG125 last year before we did our full test...they are great little commuting bikes and I was almost sad to see it go.

They are really cheap to run and to insure and they can take a fair amount of battering but be careful as many of them are likely to have been dropped in the past. They hold their value really well though we sold ours for the same amount we bought it for 1 yr on.

Answer 4

honda cg 125 http://www.cusworths.co.uk/content/pages...

http://www.suzuki-gb.co.uk/bikes/index.p...

other manufactureres are available.........................

Answer 5

Honda cg 125, cheap to buy and pretty much bullet proof but a lot of beginners start off on them so be careful and make sure you check for damage most beginner 125's have been dropped more times than the worlds biggest loser