Chineese 125s, opinions please

[timwilky]

I am looking out for a cheap 125 for my daughter to play about on. She most definately does not want a twist & go. I am trying to perrsuade her to do her DAS but she is scared a 500 is too big/heavy.

Her only experience of bikes is the little SR125 she did her CBT on last year.

I have been looking at flea bay and you seem to be able to pick up cheap imports for a lot less than a second hand known make.

As her ownership of such a thing would be for as long as it takes her to pass her test, I see little point in paying over the odds for a 125.

Has anyone any experience of these Chineese 125s or am I better just trying to get hold of a honda/yamaha/suzuki 125.

I have a neighbours lad selling a desrestricted Aprilla 125. would this be suitable for a learner, restriction back in place of course.

Sorry for asking what may be silly questions but the last 125 I owned was a BSA Bantam 30 years ago. Now thas an idea

[fizzwheel]

Hi Tim

I dont know about the chinese stuff. However IMHO this

I have a neighbours lad selling a desrestricted Aprilla 125. would this be suitable for a learner, restriction back in place of course.


Probably isnt a brilliant idea. They're ace. However 1st gear is tall and they need a proper caning to get them to make their power. They need to be run on decent i.e expensive synthetic two stroke oil and need plenty of TLC. They are also prone ot seizing. My brothers seized on him and highsided him off the bike doing a solid 80mph and they are expensive to get parts for if they break down. However if its a good one they certainly seem to hold their 2nd hand value so you wouldnt loose much money when she's ready to sell it on to get a bigger bike. I know learners that have had RS' and got on fine with them though so maybe get her to sit on it and see what she thinks ?

I think that theres a 125 forum that you can go on. I reckon a PM to JakeRS or Saint Matt, might point you in the right direction as IIRC either of them was into that kind of thing. I'm not sure though.

I think something dull and boring like a Honda CG125 might be worth looking at they are certainly cheap and robust enough.

If you have a bit more money to spend then what about a CBR125 they look like a proper bike and also have the advantage that they seem to hold their price well so again when time to sell comes you wont loose much I wouldnt have thought on your original purchase.

HTH

[GSXR Carlos]

chinese ones should be ok, mcn did a column on them a while back

if you aint arsed about it you can keep it after she's done and we can have a play :twisted:

why doesn't she do a 125 DAS like i did and ride a big bike (sv) restricted for two years?

PS. how old is she? ... are you gonna bring her to st annes and knott end? :lol:

[goonrider]

Wouldn't risk a Chinese to be honest, not sure what the parts/warranty back up would be like, also steer clear of the Aprillia too, most have ended up on their sides out side of local McDonalds! or school yard.

A CBR, DT or XT (should probably do the trick), they will no doubt have better chassis n'brakes too!, the trialies have a height advantage also (would be a doddle for the test). :wink:

I can't believe they still make the DT125, I had one as a teenager, they're great (and can be derestricted after the test if needed too :? )

[Jelster]

Guy on Londonbikers.com got one for his Mrs, seems it's fine, about £900 OTR I think... There's a company on Ebay that sells them.

.

[Saint Matt]

Guy I know has one, rusted to ****, on a 55 plate. Chain came off the sprockets the other day too, and it was well adjusted and lubed as it should be. I would steer clear and get a cg or similar if it's going to be used regularly.

[stewboy]

i think the RS would be fine mate bit sporty .....and yet handles great for a 125

[Quiff Wichard]

didnt Richie have a chinese 125 delivered in the box?

[amarko5]

didnt Richie have a chinese 125 delivered in the box?

nope that would be me :lol: :lol: :lol: and it was 200cc

[vsumouse]

i would stck with a decent modle from here, if she keeps the bike for a year then sels it the 2nd hand value of the english bikes meen you will be paying more for them but gettig more once sold again.
try finding a 2nd hand chineese bike. it will of fell apart and there will be harld any 2nd hand value to it.
you may only lose £300 if you buy a 2nd hand english bike but if you buy a £800 chineese bike you will lose a lot more.

[wtdafk]

how about a nsr? i had a o2 one handles great v relible and easyer to look after than a rs, they look great aswell, when i had mine most people thught it was a 400 untill they saw the zaust

[Moo]

My mates daughters got one and there is some sort of owners forum for them I'll try and find out what its name is.

[Viney]

IIRC, your daughter is a bit tall, so a CG may be a bit diddly. Hows about a Varadero??

As for the chinese bikes, as long as its a copy of something, then the parts should be ok.

[Professor]

As for the chinese bikes, as long as its a copy of something, then the parts should be ok.

This one http://www.hongdou.co.uk/4724.html is clearly a clone
of the Honda CG125. I would expect most parts to fit.

[SVeeedy Gonzales]

I bought an SR125 for £700, had it for a few months and did my test then sold it for £900 :D The chinese bikes don't sell well second hand and some dealers won't take them in part ex.
People are always after 2nd hand brand name 125's for commuting and learning so selling on a well known brand of bike should be easy.

[The Basket]

RiDE did something comparing a CG125 and A chinese 125. The chinese one was cheap but it was also cheap build. Not for the long lasting.

I remember one chap who had a chinese 125. When he went back to the importer he was told to sod off and take him to court if he don't like it! Charming.

The Aprilia 125...not good, not for the average commuter...too sporty. Get a older, clean Jap 125.

[K]

We occasionally used to get people coming in the dealership for parts for those Hungdung bits o crap cos they said "but it's just a cheap Honda!".

Yeah right. :roll:

If you want a Honda, buy a Honda!

They maybe a 'replica' but the build quality is sporadic throughout the same bike. So some parts may fit, but others won't, and until you try it you won't know which as they all seem to be different.

They also seem to have the knock-on effect that with Honda parts being so superior in quality - everything else connected to it seemed to then fall apart even quicker. Possibly through sheer embarassment! :wink:

We ended up very quickly having a company policy put in place stating that we don't deal with them - at all.

I would steer well clear of them unless you intend to totally bin it after she's through with it - maybe even before then.

If she'd go for a more upright style of bike, a Varadero would be a good solid option. Holds its value well, Honda build quality and reliability - so a bit more forgiving opf a juvenile attitude to 'care', and whilst it may have been offroaded a bit (if you're buying second hand) its not really the style of bike to have been ragged to death by its previous owner.

It will also look and feel that bit bigger, whilst still being relatively light and easy handling - so perhaps better preparing her for the hopeful days in the future with a bigger bike.

[Cloggsy]

didnt Richie have a chinese 125 delivered in the box?

nope that would be me :lol: :lol: :lol: and it was 200cc

Those 75cc's make all the difference :!: 8)

[I'm_a_Newbie]

Hi

I bought a Baimo RSR125 from J & S Accessories and rode it for about 18 months and did about 6000 miles on it. J & S didn't get it ready for the road properly so had to go back a couple of times. (Like no headlight bulb or wiring)!

Apart from that the bike has been really reliable and returns over 150mpg. Still have problems getting indicator bulbs as they are not UK spec. Speedo drive packed up in February. In 2 days J & S had supplied a replacement.

They are OK if you want a cheap bike. I paid £1299 when the Honda GS125 was about £1900 to £2000. I think they are now about £1100. They have revised them and have improved lights.

Kind regards
Tim

[timwilky]

chinese ones should be ok, mcn did a column on them a while back

if you aint arsed about it you can keep it after she's done and we can have a play :twisted:

why doesn't she do a 125 DAS like i did and ride a big bike (sv) restricted for two years?

PS. how old is she? ... are you gonna bring her to st annes and knott end? :lol:


Carl mate she is very high maintenance and well out of your league. She is 22 years old with very definate and expensive views. Currently has LLB law and at the end of her LLM, like you just the little matter of a dissatation, starts her Bar Vocational in September. Therefore very focused. If weather fine on wednesday she will be at Knott End and you can letch to your hearts/wallets content.

[GSXR Carlos]

let the letching begin, student loan will be in next week so we're on :lol:

only joking :wink: