WinBase

due to my extra wide feet i always have trouble finding comfy footwear of any description, and it was no different for the bike, so i used a pair of my walking boots - if you have some then maybe a good option till you find something you really like. GL

I dont want to sound like a bit of a buzzkill, but having had a full driving licence for 42 years and cycled at all levels since i was 11, got my first bike last year, and took my theory at the same time as my CBT. my initial thought was to do a DAS immediately after my CBT, however it soon became apparent how much i had to learn about riding a motorbiker and feeling in control and safe especially with so many dimwits on the road lol, so have ridden my 125 since then doing 6000 miles or so, and TBH i'm glad i did, as i think jumping on a powerfull 100+mph bike with so little experience would'nt have been a smart move, at least for me, and the main thing i found out is that as a beginner you don't know what you dont know. I had a bit of a laugh when i read you wanted to ride for no more than an hour at a time, coz when i started i just didnt want to get off, in fact i think the shortest ride i've ever done has been about 3 hours, it's too addictive !!. anyhoo GL with whatever you decide, just get good protective gear and stay safe

I faced the same dilemma and did mucho looking around. Eventually i came to the conclusion that the cost of 2nd hand 125's didnt make any kind of sense, based on what you can buy a new bike for, and with the 2nd hand 125 market being so buoyant you wont have a problem getting a big chunk of what you paid back, with the addition of 2 years warranty, breakdown cover and peace of mind knowing it hasnt been abused. Myself i was going to buy a new Honda CB125F for £3k, but managed to get a total minter out of the trader from a local guy that was a year old, had only done 350miles, plus had the first years main dealer servicing done for a total of £2400. I looked at lexmoto, sinnis and others and my conclusion was that they all seem to get good reviews for reliability, and the lexmoto has a good dealer network, but the legend of honda's experience and long term proven reliability with small bikes, plus every bike shop knows how to fix one, plus parts cost/availability/knowledge swung my own decision, but you will put dings on whatever you get so better not to lose loads like paying £5.5k for a posher 125 that doesnt give much better performance. While nothing like an expert i would say any extra money is far better spent on quality protective gear, i.e jacket/trousers/boots/gloves/helmet, and although the cost of decent stuff made my eyes water, i'm really glad i did, and many will agree. GL

Hi sorry if this is a bit of a necro post, but i have a 2021 Honda CB125F with standard cheapo tyres of 80/100-18 front & 90/90-18 rear. although i know it's a small bike and don't expect it to be too planted anyway, but i find that especially in wetter conditions the front tyre grip just feels a tad too squirelly for my liking on bends, as it does on cobbles, so i take it much slower than i probably need to. i replaced the rear tyre a few months ago coz of a puncture with the same tyre it came with as standard, and upped the rear preload which helped, but my questions are these: if i'm reading the above comments correctly, can i use contiGo's 90/90-18 on both front & rear - i think theres well enough space to fit would i be safe just replacing just the front with a 90/90 for now as it's going to need replacing soon, and then the real one later with a 90/90 when due? seeing as it's only about 500 miles old. would 'mixing' cause any possible issues any help or comments would be appreciated. Thanks

I'm pretty much a newbie to motorbiking, buying my first bike at 60yo last august (Honda cb125f of course !!), and although always been a cyclist in the main, always loved motorbike holiday rentals now and again, so after years of thinking about it thought why not give it a go, to the amazement of my wife, family and m8's who gave me the expected 'mid life crisis' comments, to which i answered that 'i'm too old for one of those', (whatever they are), and i really love it, having always been a bit of an adventurous sort, so much so i'm doing the NC500 next week as part of a 1400 mile tour or scotland starting and finishing just outside bradford. I hope to do my DAS when i get back, but aint a speedster and love pootling around on my 125 in the lanes and tracks of north yorkshire and the dales mainly, doing 100-200 miles on day's out in no rush (i dont commute), and even when i get a full licence will probably keep to my little bike, at least for a while. On the whole i've found other motorbikers i've come across as friendly and good company, a tad different from what i sort of expected, and the fact i ride a little bike with L plates does'nt seem to make any difference, and the saying i keep hearing about that 'it doesnt matter what you ride' is so true, and not just a soundbite, so GL and i'll nod when i see ya out on the road