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I need a vehicle to commute 30 mins each way, in mainly country roads. I would much rather a bike but only have uk car license for a 125. I have ridden bigger in other countries.
anyway, can I have some recommendations for a fun 125cc which could manage such a commute. Reliable but fun. Nothing fancy, just does the job and copes with the distance an uk winters.
ta.
check what your entitlement is. 125 cc you need cbt before you can go on the road. Yo9u can do a direct acess test for larger bikes.
Personally I would not look beyond a scoooter for commuting. Weather protection and easy clean / mai9ntain and no exposed chain drive to wear. I'd get an europan one
While your licence will cover you up to 125cc on L Plates, you'll need the CBT to be legal.
If you got your car license before a certain date, then you may be automatically licensed to ride up to 50cc .....just don't ask me the date, but I am and I passed my test in 1994.
If you want reliable, then Honda. Varadero if you can. Big bike feel with a 125 v twin
I know nothing about bikes except that I admire them. And in terms of 125s, I admire Mutt Bikes very much indeed.
So my advice would be, go on looks, and get one because I can't. 😉
I received my driving license sometime last century. It entitles me to drive a car mini bus and bike. I thought I read up to a 125 but didn`t realise I needed a cbt.
Will look into that. Thanks for the help.
What they said, you probably need a CBT.
CBT's only last 2 years too, so you either need to renew it periodically or take the next test.
I would look into taking the full test as
A) its expensive, but not too bad when considered alongside the cost of the bike and protective gear.
B)125's are fine if you're short and lightweight, but as an average (overweight) 6ft bloke on one I would struggle to pull the skin off custard.
On the other hand they're great to learn on as you have to really try to get the tyres to let go and they're light enough to be ridden like a push bike so can focus on everything else rather than bike handling. So spending 6 months on one before taking the test would be time well spent.
Yamaha Xmax. The new 125 is scarcely any less powerful than the old 250 (which I have), and it's big enough to have a bit of road presence.
I passed my driving test in 1990 but needed to complete a CBT before I could ride anything else.
A Honda CBF125 would be a good choice, pretty much bulletproof and lots out there.
If it's a long-term thing, go for your full licence (I'm just in the process of doing this myself).
You can prob get a 50cc without a CBT, but it'll be painfully slow
Late model Yamaha dt125r or Honda xlr125r are good little trial bikes that can take a bit of the rough stuff. Obviously buy a good one not a thrashed teenagers one. Xlr125r probably harder to destroy!
I’ve had 50 plus motorbikes in last 20 years and always end up going back to 125 trail bikes
You can prob get a 50cc without a CBT, but it’ll be painfully slow
Actually, I think you're correct - I think my license allows me to ride a 50cc without L plates, no need for CBT etc. But like you say, it will be painfully slow...
No harm in doing a CBT again just to refresh things...
What style of bike would you call that mutt bike linked too? Really like that style.
You will need a CBT for a 125. How many miles is it ? and how much of that 30mins is national speed limit?
If its 30miles of 60mph roads its not going to be much fun on a 125 (though arguably more fun than a car 🙂 )
Someone above mentioned a superscoot like an XMax, not a bad idea simply because it will have better weather protection than your average 125.
I am biased so would say take your test and get something bigger and have some fun 🙂
PS One thing to have in mind is what is security like at work? Unfortunately in certain places in the UK bike theft is rife.
What style of bike would you call that mutt bike linked too? Really like that style.
Retro. I suspect thet are utter rubbish tho. cheap chinese made
Yep, lad at work got the mutt for his first bike. Looked great until it went through a Brit winter. Slow as anything mind with 12 hp max and a well built chap aboard.
Definitely correct on the CBT, for my license. Local bike school suggests its £750 for a cat A bike license. Is this the average, or is there a cheaper way of doing it? Also what type of budget should I include for clothing, bike security etcetera?
Honda CG125, much as it pains me to recommend a Honda*. I think the one Moses did his CBT on is still in use somewhere.
* death of the 500 GP class, etc...