Motorcycle and Scooter appreciation

Pretty sure you have been misinformed unless I am missing something.

Displacement has always been up to up to 125cc (age dependant)
Power up to 11KW or 14.75 BHP

I know DT and RS125s can go over this for example but you can still restrict them. Nothing stopping you doing a CBT on their restricted 125 and then buying a derestricted bike.

Even more perfect is that an MZ TS125 is only 11BHP with options of tuning plus 'cough' the 150cc will go straight in 'cough'

Then with over 11kW, you’ve invalidated your insurance and license.

We have all done it.

Talking of 125 2t’s (most definitely leaner legal) I’m gonna be selling my LML Star (Vespa PX in all but name). It has tasty bits like 3 x SIP tubeless rims, polini exhaust, ram mount, USB socket and racks front and rear. I’d be after £1500

I actually did a 125 test on this years ago to ditch the L-plates. Watched a few YouTube videos, turned up and passed! I’ve had it about 7 years, during which time I went all over the place, Cornwall being the furthest. Love it dearly, but I have an incoming and need funds/garage space

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Two year anniversary of passing my bike test, today. And thanks to clerical errors on TVP, I managed two years without any points on my license yet!

Clerical errors are the best kind of errors

I expect they will sort the technical issues and produce me specific instructions for the three points. But I am so far enjoying the payment holiday.

Congratulations!
Now you can get twice as many points before losing your license

That’s the aim!

Bikerpics guy finally got the photos up. It’s a painfully slow corner when you slow down for him to maybe get the shot.

All the same, complementary photos are like a buffet. You take more than you need and you still aren’t satisfied.

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That jacket goes so well with that bike.

Retro chic, yo

Naughty learner bikes I had:

Honda C50.
Kawasaki AR50 (80cc barrel)
Yamaha RD125LC, Nikon pipe.
Aprilia AF1 with stage 3 ported, 180cc big bore.

Not sure which was the most egregious but the RD was definitely the loudest.

My learner bike RGV250M - looked great with the L plate 😂

Quality. Were you still allowed 250s in NI? Nice.
I had a 350LC when I was 16 for a bit - swapped it for the Aprilia as I was getting up to no good.

250 was legal at the time. Things have moved on I believe. The LCs are fetching good money now - another one of my ‘lottery win list’ bikes.

One man’s “bikes I crashed” is another man’s “wishlist”

My 350 was a right shed, although it was quick - ported and very loud. Naturally, I rattle canned it bright orange, as you did in the 90s. I had a YPVS for a bit when I was 17, after I passed my test which was a much better bike but you can't beat the non-powervalve motors for character. I remember riding around on it thinking it was all torquey and fast, without having breached the powerband. The first time over 6k, WOT was absolutely priceless. Hooked for life.

You always remember your first hit I guess but it's one of a tiny number of bikes that completely rewired my sense of speed. The list being:

A Kawasaki Z200 - the first actual motorbike I ever went on.
RD350LC
A pillion ride on a mates FZR1000
TL1000s
and GSXR1000K3

Honorable mention to my CR250 which was an eye opener the first time I took it out. I've ridden plenty of other fast bikes, but these are the ones I remember with total clarity. Game changers.

Thinking about it...The CR really should be in the proper list - all the first lot are in the 16-23 age bracket where you remember stuff. I was already an old fart when I got the CR and it still scares me the most of all ... :)

Mine was a CD200 Benly. I wasn't rich or brave enough for a 250. I got the Benly over 80 on a downhill stretch of the M6 and bent the valves.

There was a rich kid at school who had something sophisticated and Italian. I remember it costing two or three times as much as an air cooled RD250. I think it must have been a Benelli 254.

That's impressive! I had a 125 Benly for a bit.....utter dog, not helped by a hamfisted top end rebuild by moi. 50 tops and smoked like a beagle. Easiest bike ever to get the pegs down on though.

I had a screen, which probably helped. I used to do 270 mile trips to and from university in the winter. Difficult to believe I was ever that hardy. No leathers. A milkman's coat and jeans and plastic Derri boots. I was very proud of my AGV helmet, which almost matched the maroon bike. Anytime I met people with a proper motorbike, like a GS 550 or Z500 or even a Trident, I was too awestruck to speak.

Actually thinking of buying a CB175 tomorrow to do up over the Winter.

I still have a magazine pull out of an LC - blue and white. Class bike. Must have a look for it.

Edit. That didn’t take long to find 😂

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Did 900 miles on this one earlier this year. Not sure I recommend….the sloper motors really do sound good though.

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This might be too modern for your tastes, but I always felt intimidated by the police version of the CB200 https://www.flickr.com/photos/kenjonbro/9234385308 It would be such fun to have a complete one, with the huge phone on the back.