I want to buy a street bike.

[GreenLantern]

So for a while now I have wanted to purchase a sport bike to rip around town on in the summer time and make my commute to work that much cheaper/more fun.

I am leaning towards purchasing it this summer because they have a sale on at Honda for brand new 2008 CBR 125 at $2800 taxes in.

I did some research on this bike and it would seem it is quite the newbie gutless bike for women and small children, perfect for a beginner rider like myself to learn on.

I have driven a lot of quads and sleds, and have limited time on dirt bikes, but never a street bike.

What do you pros think?

What are the best quality for cheapest price brand name helmet/gloves/jackets?

The bike I am looking at is located here:

http://www.honda.ca/MCPE/Motorcycle/...efault.htm?L=E

[Sliver]

Looks like fun, but don't you think you'll get bored with just a 125 in like one week? I bet you'll regret it.

[gargamel]

If you've never ridden before, seriously consider something with ABS. In a few years of riding, I've only had it kick in once, but being saved from even one motorcycle accident is easily worth the investment. A Suzuki sv650abs would be my recommendation for a bike that you could handle as a beginner but wouldn't outgrow, although it may not be easy to find a used one.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I would go with a CBR 600cc for a starter bike. Seriously...you will want more power after a few weeks on that thing...not sure if it fits your budget though.
One thing about bikes is that they don't hold their value. You may be surprised how cheap you can get a slightly used 600cc sport bike...just do the appropriate background checks of course..

[an_album_cover]

I usually advise starting off on a small bike, but the CBR 125 is too small IMO.

If you're looking for the sport bike look, go with the Ninja 250 instead. If you're just messing around town to start off, then this will be perfect. Gain confidence and really learn how to ride a bike. After that, sell it for about the same amount as you paid for it, then move up.

Yes, you can start off on something bigger and not kill yourself. Tons of people have, so you get no bragging rights for this. But push a smaller bike to the limits, and when you move up, you'll ride circles around them. As they say, better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.

[GrrlGoalie33]

My advice would be similar to that above - don't start with a 125cc. Safety would be my biggest concern. A 125 may not have the power you would need to escape an emergency situation.

I ride an 800cc cruiser, but a 600cc sport bike would be more than enough to satisfy for a few years, and shouldn't get you into too much trouble.

Since you are new to riding, you are doing a motorcycle safety course right? I just started riding last year and took my course through the Calgary Safety Council. Within 3 weeks of riding, the emergency swerve maneuver I learned there saved my life. http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...e+Search&meta==

[GrrlGoalie33]

Oh, and for gear, check out http://www.motodirect.com. They are the cheapest I have found anywhere for gear. Even with shipping, customs etc, they are cheaper by far than any shop in town.

[Fobulous]

I agree with everyone that has said go with a bigger bike than the 125.

Definitely spend the extra cash to get a 600cc bike as that will serve you well for years to come.

Check out the marketplace section on beyond.ca as they have several bikes for sale at a decent price.

[GreenLantern]

Hrmm... well the main reasons I was looking at the 125 is because first of all it is pretty cheap, there are some on kijiji in my area for under 2500 or I can own a brand new one for 2800-3000.. thats about half price of a 250 Ninja.

Second because I just plan to rip back and forth to work on it really, maybe cruise around town a bit but I am not planning to take it out on the highway or anything like that. I figured if I bought it and it lasted me two summers of fun that'd be worth it..

But mostly it is price..

[HotHotHeat]

I'll be the guy in the car cutting you off and not letting you swerve in and out of traffic.

[DownhillGoat]

+1 for going larger than the 125.

[GreenLantern]

You do a lot of driving in Saskatoon?

[HotHotHeat]

Space Sector 2814 is not located in Saskatoon.


Liar.

[Fozzie_DeBear]

You'll outgrow it pretty fast...but if you don't sink major dollar into it its no big deal.

Here is new one for sale in Edmonton for $2200...you could use the extra $$$ for more lessons.

You may want to get a old Virago or v30/v45 magna

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Seriuosly, if you're looking at getting the Honda 125 you might as well just bite the bullet and buy yourself a scooter.
I know a lot of people will say that scooters are gay, and they're for chicks, but I'd be willing to bet just about anyone who rides a bike (ie, the only people that should be judging people on scooters) would say the same thing about a CBR 125. Myself included.

Seriously, those things are good for three situations:
1) Bike schools looking for cheap bikes to teach on
2) Parents buying a bike for a 16 year old, who don't really trust him
3) Chicks

I'm usually an advocate of telling new riders to strat small (I started on a shadow 750, it's a cruiser, and only had about 45 hp), but grownups don't buy CBR 125s.
Seriously, if you must have a street bike, and don't want/can't afford a 600, a used Ninja 250 would be a much better choice.

[csnarpy]

Please do not get a 125. My first bike was a ZX-6 (600cc) and felt completely comfortable with it. If your a little rusty or think you need a notso powerful bike, then get a 500. If you can't ride that, then don't get a bike.

[burn_this_city]

Skip the 125, it will be revving too high on the highway. I'd get the NINJA 500 as a starter bike. Its quite a step down from the 600 and doesnt have get yourself killed power. Its really cheap compared to the sport bikes and will teach you everything you need to know before you step into something faster.

[pylon]

edit: too smug

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by pylon

I am on my second Hayabusa, and my draw to the bike isn't the power, and the fact that there isn't a non modded machine on the planet that is faster.

This bike says hi!



Of course if you consider price yours is definitely best bang for your buck. This puppy costs $90,000.

[pylon]

edit: too arrogant