Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

A friend of mine was in the same position a couple of years ago and I suggested something used, cheap and Japanese. We must of looked at 8+ bikes, all basket cases and not cheap either. Forgot how horrific 125 shopping is. In the end he bought a new CB125R brand new for £3,400 and the same dealership bought it back off him for £3,000 2(?) years later. The Honda seemed the best built of all the new bikes we looked at. Best of luck if you go down the used route.

What are you after in a general sense?

A bike to practice on while you do your full licence? Commuting (if so where)? Bit of fun?

all basket cases and not cheap either

Describe a 125 without saying 125

Talk to me about this CBR600

I chose a Van Van, and I loved it.
Second hand they are very cheap, totally reliable and so much fun.
I'm still on the fence as to the next bike though now.

How tall are you? After doing the CBT on a CG125, I was very pleased with the bigger size and proportions of a Varadero/XL125V, speaking as a lanky person.

I am 6'6/ 198cm and rode a CBF125 for 4 months without issues (Basildon to Dartford daily)

Glad I have a monstrous bike now, but almost anything is fine
(Grom might have killed me)

My CBR600F3 ‘96 rarer US import colours. Had loads of work done to it, headstock bearings, new tyres, bearings, new screen, new reg rec and spare under the seat, plus a fan fitted to reg rec too. Etc. Valves checked a couple thousand miles ago. Will sort a proper list. Mechanic told me to list it around £2.3k (because of the colour) but clean it up before selling. But I’m too busy riding. Roughly £2k is what I’d want for it I guess.

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Oh god I love 90's sport bike colours. I'm guessing it ain't automatically ULEZ compatible, but do you have any Nox info or certificate of conformity info for it? Not listed on the V5 perchance?

I’m in Swindon so hasn’t affected me. But that garage should be able to do it.

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I bet it would pass the test, especially if it had some additive.

What additive is this of which you speak?

You use stuff like Liqui Moly or one of the other additives. It helps run cleaner and reduces all the emissions very easily.

Stealth edit:

https://www.bikerandbike.co.uk/how-to-get-a-motorcycle-emissions-test-and-beat-the-ulez-charge/

Also:

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=329885

https://www.bikesure.co.uk/bikesureblog/2020/02/ulez-motorcycle-guide.html

https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1742-6596/2193/1/012023

Here's another additive https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/fuel-and-oil-additives/millers-petrol-power-ecomax-500ml-166788.html

It probably also pays not to use stale petrol, or supermarket petrol. Get some posh high octane stuff from a real oil company.

Dosage
Ratio 1 Part To 1000 Parts [1 ml/L]

Sooo… chuck half a bottle in.

It’s been half a year, I think you should just buy the CBR….

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Haha yeah I do really need to get my CBR kicks :)
I’m familiar with all the ULEZ ins and outs having run a variety of wonderful old things including this lovely exempt pair that did daily duty for a while. I was curious about the additive for emissions though, I’ve never seen any conclusive evidence that they work on NOX (the linked article seems studies the impact on CO & CO2 or have I misread that).

The last time I chatted with riverbank about getting my 2003 silverwing tested (over the NOx limit according to the free certificate from Honda but riverbank reckoned they could get it through) they recommended a fresh tank of plain old E10 petrol. Im guessing this is because, as some thank linked info will attest, that NOx is a result of high combustion temperatures which happen with a lean, clean burn. That’s why loads of dirty old two strokes pass cos all the fuel is basically still in droplets in the exhaust gases.

Anyway.. CBR is tasty

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I wish I understood petrol science. But I don't. My mechanic tells me the alcohol in E10 could dissolve parts of the fuel pump on my '94 K series BMW if I leave it in the tank for too long. But nobody knows how long. I started it up after leaving it for n months with E10 in it, and the stink from the exhaust was worse than anything I've smelt from any vehicle, ever. I felt deep shame.

Edit: Millers makes this claim about Ecomax: "Improved combustion and engine cleanliness drastically reduce emissions of hydrocarbon (HC), carbon dioxide (CO2 ) and nitrous oxide (NOx)." Wouldn't you get those benefits from having good fuelling and a newish cat and newish engine oil and all those other things you get from good maintenance? Does the additive only benefit knackered or badly maintained engines?

Yea I believe it should pass fine. It’s balanced well with the carbs so shouldn’t be running lean at all.

I’ve scrubbed the tyres to the sidewall so you will attain hero status upon purchase.

It has almost every MOT certificate, loads of old paperwork, and I am trying to find my invoices for the work I paid for. I’ve contacted my mechanics for copies if I can’t find them, as I have had a habit of putting things in the wrong pile this summer.

The train station in Swindon is easy to meet at, and it’s a quick few junctions of the M4, or a more enjoyable A4 back to the smoke.

This came up for sale locally. I'm sorely tempted despite the asking price.

Maybe I should just fit longer shocks and higher mudguards to my own.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIVW22nydhA

Bit of fun. The odd commute (but I’ll still cycle most days). Full license maybe in a few years if I enjoy the toy bike.

Don’t like the look of the CB125R. The F isn’t bad. Van van looks alright.

but I’ll still cycle most days

lol