125cc or das?

[DomP]

I'm feeling like I should get out and use my CBT after all the good comments on here. Have to admit my motorcycle training place did say in an ideal world all learners would ride about on a125 if only for a few months.

I'm really drawn to a yamaha yzf r125, and thoughts?

[ChrisCurvyS]

They look like a big bike which may help you get a little respect from other road users.
I can see this argument from both sides - when I had my125 I had lots of scares going into corners but that was more because I didn't understand how bikes corner and that wasn't explained in my DAS - I learned it afterwards.
You can get yourself into trouble on an SV but unlike my current bike (SV1000) in the dry at least you don't need to worry about spinning up the rear simply by too much throttle exiting a corner.

[TheRamJam]

Originally Posted by DomP

I'm feeling like I should get out and use my CBT after all the good comments on here. Have to admit my motorcycle training place did say in an ideal world all learners would ride about on a125 if only for a few months.

I'm really drawn to a yamaha yzf r125, and thoughts?

Why spend 4k+ on a new YZF when you can buy a brand new SV for 4k.

I say go for the DAS course, you wont regret it. I did the DAS straight after my CBT. I went from a CG125 to a CB500. In my opinion the bigger bike was easier to ride and handled so much better. Also a bigger bike has more presence on the road. I tend to see a lot of cage drivers cutting people up on their little learner bike as they think they can just bully them out the way.

Save your money, do the DAS and buy a bigger bike. If your still nervous on the road then maybe enroll in your local bike safe scheme or some IAM training to improve your riding.

yzf 125 is a waste of money mate, get yourself a ybr 125 instead, smooth, reliable and fun had one for a few months as a rental while my lexmoto was written off.

You dont wanna spend more than a grand if you are only keeping it for a few months, its just a stepping stone.

[DomP]

Oh I wouldn't be buying new. My idea is that I can get out now and really master junctions and observations and get them to become second nature along with other things without the weight and power to cause problems.

[Biker Biggles]

Originally Posted by TheRamJam

Why spend 4k+ on a new YZF when you can buy a brand new SV for 4k.

I say go for the DAS course, you wont regret it. I did the DAS straight after my CBT. I went from a CG125 to a CB500. In my opinion the bigger bike was easier to ride and handled so much better. Also a bigger bike has more presence on the road. I tend to see a lot of cage drivers cutting people up on their little learner bike as they think they can just bully them out the way.

Save your money, do the DAS and buy a bigger bike. If your still nervous on the road then maybe enroll in your local bike safe scheme or some IAM training to improve your riding.

Absolutely.Its a no brainer,get the test done first,then you have options.You are already experienced on the roads generally so what you need is bike specific training and DAS will put you on the way to that.Bikesafe and or further training can follow but you really need a "proper" bike to benefit from it.Also much cheaper in the long run to just buy the one bike and keep it.

[DomP]

There was me thinking I was doing the sensible thing by working my way up. It surely can be a bad idea though? The slow route for sure but I feel it would be safer

[timwilky]

Riding a 125 on L plates will only lead to you developing bad habits that need to be corrected before your test.

Test is the goal, only after passing do you learn to ride. So aim high. Do the DAS, and then buy a bike without any pressure whilst you wait to find the right one.

you have to remember riding schools are set up to take you from never having ridden to having a licence over a couple of days. Their courses are structured. riding on your own or with friends is only going to make their and your lives more difficult.

[SIII]

Originally Posted by DomP

Oh I wouldn't be buying new. My idea is that I can get out now and really master junctions and observations and get them to become second nature along with other things without the weight and power to cause problems.

Sounds very sensible to me. There are two sides to this coin, and whichever you choose, take your time and enjoy it.


If you are feeling a bit hesitant and by asking this question, I think you are, maybe best to go 125 and make sure this is what you want to do.


Go with your heart and get a 125. Maybe after a few months on a cheap 125 you decide its not for you, you haven't got time, etc. You can sell the 125 and get most of your money back. No refunds from DAS training, which ain't cheap.


Or you love it and have a 125 to chop in for an SV650 once DAS is completed. I made money on my 125 !!! Bought cheap and traded in for a brand new SV.

It sounds like you've made up your mind already. I learned an awful lot on my cbr125 and I really think it helped me.

It does feel bloody weird going from one to the other though!