Would I out grow a CBR 125 too fast?

[steinbachphoto]

Hi there, my name is Dustin and I'm just getting into bikes now. I'm selling my car and once that sells I'm going strictly 2 wheels.

I live in Victoria, so not much highway and the bike will be used for commuting to school and around town.

I've noticed some good deals on the 08 Honda CBR125's in town. I figured since there isn't too much highway in Victoria I may be able to get away with such a low CC bike.

But I know it's not fast and do you think I'd be kicking myself if I didn't opt for something a little bigger like a ninja 250r?

For price comparisons there's an 08' CBR125 for $1500, and 05' Ninja 250r for $2900, or an 08' Ninja 250r for $3800.

Any feedback on the pros/cons of the 125 are appreciated!

[CanaganD]

Yes



But it's all good. They're disposable bikes.

[steinbachphoto]

I guess I could buy it now. Get my confidence up. Sell it in the summer for the same price I paid or more and get myself a ninja. Would I still enjoy myself on the 125?

[CHIA]

I guess I could buy it now. Get my confidence up. Sell it in the summer for the same price I paid or more and get myself a ninja. Would I still enjoy myself on the 125?

Yes, this would be, IMO, a great idea.....you probably will not lose, outside of taxes.

But, if it were my money, I'd splurge for the Ninja 250, as I think it's much more of a real
bike, and will reduce your buying and selling hassle, by eliminating a step in the process.

Honda 125 - Great bike to learn on, and as a brand new rider, YES, you absolutely will have fun on it.

You will have fun on any bike when you first start.

[CanaganD]

Well I test rode one.

0-100 kph (if the wind isn't blowing against you too hard) is about 18 seconds. Go ahead, try that in your car.




But if it's a choice between 125 vs 600 bike for you. Absolutely get the 125 to start with, then learn to maintain speed through the corners (the 125 will teach you awesome entry speed technique most ppl never learn about) and holding the line through it.

[steinbachphoto]

Is the acceleration linear? Or did it get to 60 and then start to slow and creep to 100?

[GizGaz]

Here are some informative links you can go over, and then make an informed decision...

http://cmgonline.com/2007/12/honda-c...e-the-cmg-six/

http://cmgonline.com/2011/06/honda-c...term-update-1/

http://cmgonline.com/2011/04/honda-c...k-impressions/

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/9134...inja-250r.aspx

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...50r-75782.html

I ride a 2011 CBR 250R, I'm 5'11" weigh 185 lbs and have had my bike up to 135 kph on the Sea to Sky... I don't care what anybody says, on a small bike like the Ninja or CBR thats damned fast! Either bike is a great choice for a beginner. Still read the reviews and then make your choice.

Good luck and good bargain hunting, and remember 'Keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down!'

Cheers! -=*L*=-

[PoCoRider]

I ride a 2011 CBR 250R, I'm 5'11" weigh 185 lbs and have had my bike up to 135 kph on the Sea to Sky... I don't care what anybody says, on a small bike like the Ninja or CBR thats damned fast! Either bike is a great choice for a beginner. Still read the reviews and then make your choice.

Agreed. I ride a ninja 250 and on a road long enough it can get up to the 135-55 range given enough time. I can't imagine a 125 on highway roads. A 250 bike can still easily get you in trouble with the law, and I'm glad I've started on it vs buying a 600 right off the bat.

[bigdyno]

I bought a CBR 125 because they were pretty much giving them away. It was less than half the price of a 250 and is great for riding here in town. Because it was so cheap I won't be upset if anything happens to it. It is too small for the hiway, riding it to Banff was almost painful. If you are planning on keeping it for anything more than a season or two I would suggest going for the 250, but if money is an issue pick up the 125 and ride the tires off it.

The valve check only involves removing the tank and rad bolts and it only took me about an hour start to finish. I don't know how much you plan on riding but the interval is 6000km, I'm guessing most people won't do enough to have to do it more than twice a season.

[kivyee]

Likelihood it won't be linear. Higher the speed, the larger to power requirement to maintain the same acceleration...and it is a pretty power limited bike. To your original question, it all depends on what you want it for. Just to commute, probably isn't so bad. For "thrills" and for carving the Island's nice winding roads, it's great to learn on, but you probably would move on to a larger bike.

[gwilo]

Take a look at the CBR 250 there are not may used ones out there they are a step up from the Ninja 250.

[FZrrr]

Get the 250 Ninja, a great all around smaller bike that you can keep-up with traffic and go up hills without cars treating you like a pylon.
New riders if they get a reasonable deal can sell 1-2 years later for 500 bucks less than they purchased for.
Great reputation for being bullet proof, there was talk of a 250 cc' class at mission for that bike.
Go on ADVrider.com and search 250 ninja for the American guy that took his girlfriend from the US through Mexico and down into South America on a 250 ninja without mechanical breakdown, astounding 2-up on a 250 and he bought it used to start with and still running fine when he sold it.
The 125 Honda is like a scooter disguised as a motorcycle

[Pee Wee]

I agree with the 250 NINJA option, not the CBR. CBR requires a valve inspection every service (waste of time) and the body work is a pain in the ass to remove (see $100 labour to do that alone). Too expensive for a new rider.

125 is like a bic lighter, when it runs out of gas, toss it. Great for a new riders under 85lbs, but if you've got some legs on ya, a 250 for sure. Just easy to ride, easy to sell, easier to service.

Nothing wrong mechanically with a CBR 250 thumper, I'd just rather own and service the Kawi and save some money. Used 250's are worth every penny. CBR's depreciate about 75% in a year. $4000 new, $1000 once tipped over and they all get tipped over.

[Francis]

I started with a 250r. I commute on it on a regular basis (friends, school, work, and even groceries). A lot of people say I would out-grow or get bored of it in a few months, but that was never the case for me. I think it may be due to the fact that I commute with it and it's perfect for commuting. I have the power that I need (even on the highways), cheap on gas, cheap on insurance.

However, there are times now, after 20,000+ km of commuting and occasional 'joyride' that I wish I had a 600cc, but that feeling goes away since I the 250r IS perfect for my purpose (commute). I still have fun with it outside of commuting. To be honest, the only times (as of now) that I feel like the 250r is limited is the really weak acceleration for when I get that impulse of wanting to go 0-60 asap.

Since I've been riding lately, I wish I had ABS though. The CBR250 isn't a looker imo, but I might have gone with it if I knew I was going to want ABS.

[made Man]

I agree with the 250 NINJA option, not the CBR. CBR requires a valve inspection every service (waste of time) and the body work is a pain in the ass to remove (see $100 labour to do that alone). Too expensive for a new rider.

125 is like a bic lighter, when it runs out of gas, toss it. Great for a new riders under 85lbs, but if you've got some legs on ya, a 250 for sure. Just easy to ride, easy to sell, easier to service.

Nothing wrong mechanically with a CBR 250 thumper, I'd just rather own and service the Kawi and save some money. Used 250's are worth every penny. CBR's depreciate about 75% in a year. $4000 new, $1000 once tipped over and they all get tipped over.

my buddy is thinking of selling his 2010 ABS version to get something bigger this year. Not tipped over either. Recon it'd go for a bit more than $1000.