Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

I need to get a road bike again. I miss it.

Bikes are just as expensive as cars 2nd hand here though. Edit: look as expensive in UK now!

After having a blackbird I don't think a sports bike is for me, but maybe a tuono 1000. Now to just find some cash!

Now we're talking.

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Yeah got to be the factory huh.

Stupid prices though for them.

It's worse, this is the Racing edition which is probably even more wedge. I say more, but expensive for an Aprilia.

Ooh, didn’t see you coming back to the tarmac!

What about a Yamaha MT10 Proper rowdy engines, even if the bouncy bits are a bit shite.

Ha i was thinking 3k not 10!
I the UK I wouldn't but where I live it's empty mountain curves.

Will head back to the Sahara and spend 3 or 4 days in the sand crossing between Merzouga and Tata.

Latest ‘season’ of Itchy Boots on youtube might be worth a watch.

I'd never own a Blackbird again. Incredibly big, heavy, and just too smooth for its own good.

The little CBR is everything the Blackbird isn't - light, nippy, easy in traffic, and infinitely more fun at sub-100mph speeds with a lot of feedback.

The ART can has really improved torque and ride quality. No more obnoxious scream from the exhaust, and it will lift in second (and probably third) before you realise.

The late model V2 Tuonos are fucking excellent. Swedish racing gold bling aside, the front Showas are really good on the regular one.

I like the V2 better than the V4 as a road bike, especially for Mountain action.

Yoo smooth for its own good is a great summary. Just wafts you from 30 to 130 without even batting an eye, and then onto 170 where it starts to get fun.

It was nice to own it, chalk and cheese of the LC8 motor and blackbird. Something between as a twin would be sweet spot.

I just remember reading lots of issues on the v4 with something in the engine.

Exactly. Just no fun under 100, barely interesting until 120.

It ate the miles (and drank the fuel) so easily, but the 600 is the better bike.

You want a speed triple you say?

I'm thinking of taking my CBT and buying a 125 scooter for general commuting and run about duties.

I'd like some advice on what bike and kit I'd need, What should I be looking for ?

I'd like a decent amount of storage , reasonable power (so far as possible for a 125).

I'll be commuting 7 miles each way, and will also use it as an around town run about. I'd do the occasional longer trip, and anticipate I'll end up on a dual carriageway once in a while. Vast majority of time will be on city streets though. I'm 6ft, long ish legs and heavy at 95kg.

Would like something cheap to run, reliable etc.

Scooter will be garaged when at home , so no need for covers/ ground anchors

PCX125 is cheap to buy & run and is basically indestructible.

It has space for a helmet under the seat and it's super easy to fit a large top box.

I wouldn't recommend taking anything 125 on a dual carriageway for more than a mile.

Thanks, can imagine it's less than pleasant on a dual carriageway . What kind of power do you see as being needed for busy and fast roads out of interest ?

Have looked at the PCX, though 2nd had models near m are in short supply, with many being ex delivery vehicles that look worse for wear . Also looked at the Yamaha N max , can't find much info on its reliability though

PCX outsells rivals by a long margin and was the best selling bike last year. For some reason Yamaha outsold it the year before but in previous years the PCX has been the biggest seller. Doesn’t mean it’s the best but does mean lots of people think it’s a good bike (or just really good pcp deals), there are loads of second hand ones about and a healthy resale market when you decide to move it on.

Top selling bike list here:
https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/news/2023/january/best-selling-bikes-2022

For all 125s I’d expect to top out at 55mph, despite claimed top speeds so I’d avoid dual carriageway roads above 50.

Kit: helmet is compulsory and depends on your budget, get a flip lid at your price point.
Gloves, don’t skimp here either, they take the brunt of the weather
Jacket, anything AA or above. If you have loads of cycling kit consider Knox urbane 2, it’s a mid layer so you wear whatever you want on top. I’m commuting in one at the moment with a gore windstopper soft shell that was too warm when I wore it as a cycling jacket. In the summer I’ll have the same Knox armour with just a mtb top over it.
Jeans: you can get decent jeans from bull-it for less than £100. Single layer with a cool mesh lining.
Boots: watch out for bargains (we all got £50 boots last year) but for what you’ll be doing any decent leather boot will do at first.

Reckon that's the ticket?

Yes I bought it to do 90mi from Chelmsford to Uxbridge every day for 2 years. It ate that up and never missed a beat. Such a phenominal bike

Yea for those daily miles I doubt I’d choose much else, for comfort alone.

Will head back to the Sahara and spend 3 or 4 days in the sand crossing between Merzouga and Tata.

I'm heading there in a month to ride from Merzouga to Marrakech on Monkey bikes! Going to try a bit of sand but expectations are low on a 50cc Monkey with luggage ;)

Thanks , good shout on the jacket . Definitely appreciate the need for good gloves and kit. Winter cycling in the northern UK is not nice without proper clothing .

Ideally I'd like to rent a scooter for the CBT , then test ride a couple once I've passed , rather than biy something without trying it first

You don't need to sit on redline like a four, and you don't have the blinding torque but lumpiness of a twin.
The triples really are capable engines with great character. Aside from 1 or two gremlins (Starter location and loose engine bolts) Triples are mechanically great.
It's been about long enough that they've perfected it. It was the original hyper naked for a reason.

Not as compact as a street triple, so would be great for your height. I only had a go on one, and owned a Street. I'd do it again.

Scooter rider here (250cc yam and a couple of c90s).
Jacket and trousers- Oxford Montreal. Good waterproofing, detachable liners and plenty of vents for summer. Having a jacket and trousers that zip together is better in winter. Boots - dewalt safety boots work for me.
I have a Frank Thomas helmet, amongst others, the flip down supplementary dark visor is handy.

Even on a scooter always wear earplugs.
Honda sh125 might be worth a look.

Thanks , had looked at the sh125 and Piaggio Medley too. Seems to be the case they would cope with potholes and rough roads a little better .

Do you notice a big difference between a bigger 250 scooter and a 125? I have no frame of reference