muldoon74

f**ked it. put foot down getting into position then bolloxed my emergency stop coz I’d put my foot down and knew it was done!! raging with myself.

Adding to this my 2023 CB125F was made in Thailand.. Not the hotbed of Engineering excellence people imagine but its absolutely awesome for reliability and build quality (at its price point of £3049 on the road)...

So my CBT is due end of April.. Through various misfortunes and life bollox I had to take it twice (20 years apart).. Same with hazard Perception and Theory.. Resat my Theory in Feb (I think) and got to thinking.. Had the money to DAS training for April however, again life gets in the way and had to spend it.. Not keen on paying £180 for CBT resit so booked my A1 MOD 1 AND 2 (£90 for both..) for this sunday and thursday next week respectively. Will give me a wee bit breathing space regarding repetitive tests (that, in my opinion are just money makers) and get rid of L plates. Pass these and only DAS training , MOD 1, 2 for bigger bike and I can get bigger bike. Anyone else done similar due to money/circumstances etc..? Not the path I wanted to follow but its how its worked out.

A fair few KTM and BMW engines are made in China... Just saying..

Good to know, cheers… I think I read the width for u turns etc is 7 meters… measured that with my tape measure. It’s ridiculously wide! just watch me fail on that now..

More worried about the MOD1 tbh.. first couple of months biking I’d go to an industrial estate near me and take 10/15 mins at beginning or end of ride to practice u turns etc but that’s slipped away a bit.. so I’ll be watching a few mod1 videos and taking note of requirements to practice in lead up to it.

Yeah can do it on own bike. just need all correct documents with you.

That's my thinking. Mainly thinking of saving money though. £180 for CBT again.. Bollox to that. Still won't be doing motorways on my wee CB125F though.. Too many w**kers.

Just booked MOD1 and MOD2 for end A1 (125cc) for end of March and early April. Couldn't get same test centre on same day. But they're within 4 days and test centres aren't too far. One is local, within 10 mins, the other is about 20/25 mins away. I was saving for DAS but won't be able to do it before CBT runs out end of April, work family and all that shite, (first was 2003, second was 2 years ago April,.. Bollox to doing it again when I have 1.5 years experience on my own bike and am capable of passing both MODS..) Assuming I pass MOD1/2 I won't need to do Hazard perception (Hazard perception passed again a couple of weeks ago..) or CBT again so saving myself over £130... Not the way I wanted to do things but best for my circumstances as they are.

https://www.amrmotorcyclesltd.com/product-page/royal-enfield-411-scram-premium 4k for a brand new Scram 411? Not to be sneezed at..... (I'm seriously considering this post-DAS..) AMR in Glasgow aswell..

Did the exact same when my Cb125f was about 6 months old (it's a 2023 registration and had about 800 miles on, mint condition, never dropped (even now) and they phoned me at least 12 times within 2 days. A dozen emails chasing the trade-in/sale. ) They offered me £1600. A drop of £1400 in 6 months for something barely run in and had just had it's first service 200 miles before. Ignored them and they stopped communication attempts after a couple of weeks. I'll be selling it privately when it comes to it and using cash to pay it off/deposit/new lid/towards insurance...

You're in a similar situation to me (except wife wont be getting my cb125f as she neither can nor wants to ride!).. I'm a heavier guy aswell (although that is going to change, health issues starting to appear..) I love the Honda and got an indicated 61mph out of it yesterday (even though Rever app says max 59mph).. Like you however I get frustrated (would be on any 125cc I feel) at lack of overtaking power as at 50 mph you've not much left to overtake and getaway so just have to hold back and hope the bugger in front turns off at some point soon.. I intend doing DAS this year and, like you, am looking at bigger bikes. Have you considered Royal Enfield or CF Moto? https://www.amrmotorcyclesltd.com/category/royal-enfield amr are in Hillington in Glasgow, maybe worth a wee day trip to have a look, get a test ride? There are some great deals on RE and CF at the moment. I have the "Chinese" doubts as well but an NK650 for £4000 brand new?.. Gotta be worth a look..(Basically the NK looks exactly like the z650... also, I may be wrong, but I'm sure the NK engines are derived from the Kawasaki units used in the z650 or its predecessor).... If your hell bent on a brand new honda you'll maybe have to travel and take a day out (as per royal enfield above.) You could have a bash on an RE at hillington then pop over to Victor Devine and co for a go on a couple of Hondas. Make a day of it. I'm luckier in a way as I'm Central Scotland and there are plenty within an hour for me to go to. Where you live might be a bit of pain when it comes to actually going to a dealer but on the plus side you've got some awesome roads down there for when you get the bigger bike.. (I used to deliver all round Dumfries, Stranraer etc.. Looking forward to some all dayers when I get my big bike aswell..)#

FTFY..

First ride since November. cleaned and lubed chain and check for oil leaks. Also done tyre pressures. went a familiar route but with a couple of be offshoots down a wee lane or two.. pulled into garage about 30 mins in to check for oil. Clean as a whistle. Bike never missed a beat. Only problem was user error, I stalled on my only hill start on the route.

Thanks for all the replies. I've seen a few dealers around my area (ish..) that are doing pre-registration models of a couple of bikes I'm interested in for over £1500 off new.. I tend to keep my cars until they're not only paid off but just too expensive to repair so will likely follow this route with bikes.. Although ideally I'll find the right bike straight away.. (not likely but possible ) If I can get test rides (dealers don't like to give test rides to new passes, even though I've been driving for 30 years and have class 2 license so have a fair bit of road sense..) I'll certainly be looking to try a few and get a feel for different bikes..

I'm looking at doing my DAS round about April/May.. Obviously what bike to get has gone round and round my head a million times. I've been considering my options from an older CBF600 to VStrom 650 and CB500X.. Vstrom650 plenty examples (although some higher mileage) around the £3000 mark. CB500X seems to hold its value as high mileage 2015/16 models I've seen for not a kick in thew arse off of 5k. Here's where my thread title comes in.. Where can I get and how do I go about getting, a bike that is "Old/New" stock.. i.e. a new bike but wasn't sold by the dealer and has been usurped by a new model (mainly thinking CB500X by NX500 here. Same bike bar a few bells and whistles and styling changes..). New NX500 is £6829 (ish) so if I can a new CB500X for a fair few quid less that'll fit the brief nicely.

Started it up after 9 weeks idle… fired up first time. No issues. 2023 honda cb125f. honda fanboy for life now….

Yet we have left the EU now but because these directives generate income they are kept in place... You can not trust politicians. Greed before need. Someone, somewhere is making money off of this..

So last week I contacted the place I done my CBT with to ask about training costs for DAS.. Previously quoted £575 for DAS with MOD1 and MOD2 as was entitled to a discount on account of doing CBT with them. Received reply this week saying training school now closed indefinitely so any discount etc invalid as they have no school.. Been scouring online and anywhere even remotely local is minimum £900... I am now facing a 50% increase (near enough) to get my full license. It's so disheartening. I've still got my wee Honda CB125F to pootle about on (when weather is better as ice, grit and cold are good for riding in particularly when you don't have proper kit) and I love it, I really do. However due to life stuff my Theory/hazard perception ran out last August (booked it for February now) CBT runs out May... Cheapest renewal in my area is circa £200.. Still won't have full license after it though and it's all money money money. I'll have done my hazard perception 3 times after this one. Twice for bikes and once for HGV class 2. No word of a lie the questions for my bike test 2 years ago were 70 odd % the same ones as for my Class 2. It's ridiculous we have to go through this just because its a different class of license. Same test (near enough) 3 times for a different license.?? I've held a car license for 28 years. Robbing bast*rds. Time consuming and completely pointless, except for more money in the coffers of the ***** who make these ridiculous rules up. Small wonder that fewer and fewer young people are taking up motorcycling. So many hoops to jump through and I'm 50 years old! Imagine being 17 wanting your license and you have to either stay on a 125 (paying through the nose for insurance, renewing CBT, renewing hazard perception and theory every two years) or step up through the levels when age/experience dictates you can but still having to complete the same tests again and again. What other countries have such constrictive regulations? Supposed to be a civilised country yet screws it's populous over everything (not a political rant, referring to motorcycle training/ownership mainly...)..

I can sympathise with your desire to get going as quickly as possible as quickly as possible... Unfortunately the world has changed from 30/35/40 years ago. Particularly when it comes to bikes. (and cars for that matter) Insurance will be your biggest outlay (and butt ache). Modifying and f**king about with stuff may (as mentioned previously) invalidate your insurance. I done a bit of research and actually the Benelli you're looking at is a group 4 whereas my CB125F is a group 5. I was going to suggest a CB125F and learn your road craft/highway code etc but the Benneli may be a better option price wise. (although not by much and looking at them side by side a wee scrote with theft on his/her/their/ze etc mind may choose the Benneli as it look s quit cool.).. Unfortunately you're at a shit age for the current motorcycle regulations (which seem only to be getting more stringent and therefore expensive.. ) Get your Benneli or any cheap as you can find 125, do your test when ready and start building no claims up. You're restricted to 14bhp until 19 when you can move up to A2 and max 47bhp anyway so maybe just have to suck it up and get on with it. As far as mods for loudness etc, why not find a motorcycle maintenance course at local college and do that? Learn how to actually sort your bike without resorting to drilling holes in exhausts or f**king about with essential components. As my brother and cousin said to me.. "learn to ride properly and you can ride fast on anything".... From experience loud cars are very tiring to drive. I guarantee if you were to go from Edinburgh to Blackpool in a massive exhausted modified Corsa or a Normally exhausted Corsa you'd choose the normal one for the return. So much more relaxed and physically less tiring. (noise is stressful, and makes you clench so physically more demanding.) Bikes are no different with added disadvantage of vibration through the handlebars. I know you're looking a the BN125 but is there anything to be said for the Leoncino? https://www.benelli.co.uk/model/2024-benelli-leoncino-125cc-1776 Cracking looking bike. One parked up next to me at South Queensferry one day and it looked absolutely lovely. If you're going to be on a 125 for at least 2 years, might as-well be on a good looking bike.

I bought a HJC Dennis the Menace Beano Helmet in 2003, £180 (also a Hein Geriche Leather jacket) just after my 1st CBT. Thought it would look cool (and it does) Car packed in so had to fix that which used DAS and deposit money.. HJC is still in box but I wouldn't use it as glue degrades etc making it not as safe. I now use an LS2 Scope in white. (very boring) Flip front, built in sun visor, removable cushioning for washing, closable air vents, quick release fastener, pin lock, top euro safety rating... £120. If I was to have bought a similar specked lid when I bought my HJC it would have been over £500 (Probably Caberg or similar) easy. That's 2003 prices. My point is a helmet is first and foremost your primary life saving bit of equipment. Make sure it fits. Looks come secondary.

I was intent on doing DAS after my CBT however... On my CBT it became clear I needed (and would value more) getting a 125 and sticking on L plates for a while.. Got my Cb125F in Sept 2023 and still have it. Haven't been able to get out as much over the spring/summer as I wanted to (Bought it brand new and have put 2300 miles on it.) I don't regret going the 125 route at all. Only 10.6 hp but such fun on the right roads. I've commuted a few times (10miles each way, even coming home in the dark occasionally) so found out early that a top box is a must for commuting. I haven't got one yet but have bought a bigger rucksack (RST from infinity motorcycles). Insurance renewal was £20 cheaper for 2nd year which has never happened for my cars. It's easy to get hung up as a new rider (as I still am even after just over a year) on nice shiny 500/650s etc but really, get yourself on a 125 for a year or so. Learn to ride then go for DAS. I hope to do mine March/April funds permitting. I've had enormous fun on wee backroads at 30/40mph ( better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow) just as much as trying to ring the neck off it on dual carriageway feeling very vulnerable as w**kers in Q7s etc blast past without a sideways glance or indicator. As for kit, I'd suggest just to buy the best you can afford. Helmet gloves and boots new. everything look for a bargain or just go new.

Just started playing the "Go compare or (insert preferred comparison site name here)" game.. Popped in a 24 plate NX500 details (got registration plate number from an Autotrader search).. Can't believe the results. Fully comp best result £400 per annum. TPFT - £200. Details were full license less than a month, 7 years no claims on car insurance, 1 year on bike insurance (L plates 125) and been driving for 29 years. Main reason I did this was I watched a YouTube video by "Biker of Atlantis" trying to find quotes for bikes he's been looking at at the Superbike factory and (obviously personal details and area you live etc are factors in insurance quotes) but he's finding it very hard to get a reasonable quote for a bigger bike. Personally I'm chuffed to f**k with the results I've got.. Must be lucky. Incidentally the NX500 quote is cheaper than for my current 73 plate CB125F..

Wasn't expecting a resurrection of the thread a few months on but.... Bought a "bar" style torque wrench from amazon and correct sized socket however.. Socket didn't have correct fitting (3/8th etc) so had to buy an adjuster bolt/socket thingy.. So having to then fiddle with the exhaust to move it out the way so I could use said tools I eventually got chain tightened as per specs (as far as manual adjustment goes..) nearly 300 miles on (weathers been utter crap here, not been out as much as would have hoped) it's probably time to do it again. At least this time I know the fidgety previously unknown bits.. I guess its all about learning.

Don’t know where you are but I’d imagine your local dealer will be doing similar to this at Edinburgh Harley Davidson… pretty good for a brand new bike…