honda cbr 125r and/or honda varadero xl 125 - starter bike

Ludwig van Beethoven · #1 11th June 2009, 03:46 PM

getting my first bike, looking into
honda cbr 125r and
honda varadero xl 125

pros? cons?
in general?
for a biker newbie?

I feel more comfortable when overinformed
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~~magnificentduke~~ · #2 11th June 2009, 03:49 PM

I'd take the varader myself, alot nicer looking. 4 stroke too, might be a little easier to maintain in the long run.

klu · #3 11th June 2009, 04:05 PM

Size-wise I'd go with the Varadero if you're over 5"10, thats what I am and I'm still a bit cramped on my Super4 - can't imagine myself fitting on a cbr125

Ludwig van Beethoven · #4 11th June 2009, 04:08 PM

magnificientduke: they are both 4 stroke

klu: I'm also 5'10

thanks for the advice
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any more thoughts/opinions?

klu · #5 11th June 2009, 04:11 PM

Cbr is probably faster, but IMO 125 "sports" bikes look shit as they are way to skinny and light :P get a varadero if you want a 125 bike, especially if you'll be driving long distances

JakFM · #6 11th June 2009, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by magnificentduke

I'd take the varader myself, alot nicer looking. 4 stroke too, might be a little easier to maintain in the long run.

Think there both 4 stroke, my mate had a vara and never complained bout it
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carbon · #7 11th June 2009, 06:07 PM

id go for this if i was you
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Ludwig van Beethoven · #8 11th June 2009, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by carbon

id go for this if i was you
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Awesome bike, but way over my budget. Thanks though
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Slaon · #9 11th June 2009, 07:20 PM

I had a CBR125, lasted about 6 months before I traded up. If you are old enough and get insurance i would go for 33hp

Ludwig van Beethoven · #10 11th June 2009, 07:43 PM

Originally Posted by Slaon

I had a CBR125, lasted about 6 months before I traded up. If you are old enough and get insurance i would go for 33hp

How much is old enough? Did the CBR125 had any issues worth mentioning. Any services you needed to do besides regular maintainance?

Slaon · #11 11th June 2009, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Beethoven

How much is old enough? Did the CBR125 had any issues worth mentioning. Any services you needed to do besides regular maintainance?

Need to be over 18 for the class A provisional.

Had no issues with the CBR125, but she was bought new and only had 1,200km on the clock when i traded her in. standard first service at 1000km was the only work done

Ludwig van Beethoven · #12 11th June 2009, 09:07 PM

Originally Posted by Slaon

Need to be over 18 for the class A provisional.

Had no issues with the CBR125, but she was bought new and only had 1,200km on the clock when i traded her in. standard first service at 1000km was the only work done

I'm 25 so age should be no problem. I prefer my first proper bike to be a 125cc (I used to drive a 50cc scooter when I was a teenager).

33bhp normally means more than 25kW. Isn't 25kW the limit for the first two years of A1? I've had a car driving license for over 5 years, this restrictions feel retarded to me
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but oh well, I can cope with them.

Slaon · #13 11th June 2009, 09:14 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Beethoven

I'm 25 so age should be no problem. I prefer my first proper bike to be a 125cc (I used to drive a 50cc scooter when I was a teenager).

33bhp normally means more than 25kW. Isn't 25kW the limit for the first two years of A1? I've had a car driving license for over 5 years, this restrictions feel stupid to me
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but oh well, I can cope with them.

No 33hp/25kw is the restriction for a class A learners permit and for the first 2 years of your full license

the A1 is restricted to 11kw, but aslong as you are over 18 you qualify for the class A learners

Ludwig van Beethoven · #14 11th June 2009, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Slaon

No 33hp/25kw is the restriction for a class A learners permit and for the first 2 years of your full license

the A1 is restricted to 11kw, but aslong as you are over 18 you qualify for the class A learners

Oh yeah sorry, I meant A. So with the A you have a 2 year limitation of 25kW, which most 250cc exceed.

Slaon · #15 11th June 2009, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Beethoven

Oh yeah sorry, I meant A. So with the A you have a 2 year limitation of 25kW, which most 250cc exceed.

I would say if you are after a cruiser style, then any of the 250 cruisers would be legal, but just about anything else of any style can be restricted cheap enough, If you want a sports rep, then the Ninja 250 and Hyosung gt250r are both legal not sure about others.

Keep in mind that if you get an A1 license and get a full A1, then to upgrade later you will have to start from scratch with a learner A and still have to face the restrictions, so no matter what bike you get make sure you get the A license NOT the A1
Also if you do get a 125cc machine you will need to hire something bigger (up to 33hp) to do your test on
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Interceptor · #16 11th June 2009, 11:21 PM

Its really down to which one you prefer. The Varadero is a v-twin and sounds like a lawn mower, the CBR is a single and sounds like a CG125 on crack. Both are fine for spinning around and will keep up with urban traffic. Both will hold their value well if looked after. The Varadero is more plentiful and likely to be slightly cheaper to buy (and they've been around since 01 - the CBR is more recent)

The Varadero is quite comfy (much more so that the 'equivalent' TDR125) and very solidly built in their Spanish factory. The CBR is made in Thailand and even though it has a Honda badge I'm not so sure I'd want one.

Its down to looks I guess...

'cptr

Ludwig van Beethoven · #17 11th June 2009, 11:43 PM

I didn't knew you couldn't do the driving test with a 125cc
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Weird since that promotes people learning/starting with bigger 250's.

Thanks for the info interceptor.

Interceptor · #18 11th June 2009, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Beethoven

I didn't knew you couldn't do the driving test with a 125cc.

Yeah but there are instructors in every area who will rent a bike to you for small money - don't sweat it.

'c

Ludwig van Beethoven · #19 11th June 2009, 11:51 PM

OK.

am I the only one who thinks a 125cc is a nice first bike?

Slaon · #20 12th June 2009, 12:00 AM

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Beethoven

OK.

am I the only one who thinks a 125cc is a nice first bike?

they are not a bad first bike, but you already have "some" two wheeled experiance I doubt you would be out of your depth or uncomfortable on something a little bigger either. Especially if you get some training

Shop around, sit up on a few bikes and buy whatever you feel comfortable with, Dont limit your options to 125 when you are in the buying stage, you have a whole host of options so explore them all.

If you plan to move up the bikeing ladder, then every step you take on that ladder is going to cost you money in lost value. If you can comfortably cut out one of those steps then dont rule the option out