Good 125's

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Le_Fromage_Grande
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Early RD125LC makes a lot of sense, they're pretty reliable, have no power valve to wear out, and can be reasonably quick with a mild tune and a decent expansion chamber, but they're fetching good money for what they are.

My mate has got one that both of his sons used and now he uses it, it's a good little bike, but it's had to have the frame repaired, a new swing arm (both due to rust), so if you buy one really check it over.
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The Spin Doctor
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Re: Good 125's

Post by The Spin Doctor »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:48 pm Prompted by this I've just looked up what bikes you can ride when - no wonder motorcycling is dying in the UK, what a pile of cack
Had a lot to do with the motorcycle industry refusing to take any responsibility for accident rates. I'm sure you know riders are 30-40 times more likely to be killed than a car driver, young riders are particularly at risk and speed is often a factor in fatal crashes.

Restricting young riders to less powerful machines by age, then making them jump through hoops (which are largely the result of the DfT / DVSA making the most of the EU licence directive) to get to the bigger machines has almost certainly done what the government wanted - fewer riders on the roads = fewer dead bodies.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Rockburner »

Potter wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:05 pm
The Spin Doctor wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 12:28 pm
Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:48 pm Prompted by this I've just looked up what bikes you can ride when - no wonder motorcycling is dying in the UK, what a pile of cack
Had a lot to do with the motorcycle industry refusing to take any responsibility for accident rates. I'm sure you know riders are 30-40 times more likely to be killed than a car driver, young riders are particularly at risk and speed is often a factor in fatal crashes.

Restricting young riders to less powerful machines by age, then making them jump through hoops (which are largely the result of the DfT / DVSA making the most of the EU licence directive) to get to the bigger machines has almost certainly done what the government wanted - fewer riders on the roads = fewer dead bodies.
If they actually want to save lives they could ban cigarettes, alcohol and junk food and save millions.
But no-one would vote for them again.

Let's face it - Motorcyclists are a blip on the political radar electorally speaking. For a Roads Minister who wants 'to be seen doing something' then we're a very easy target and he's not going to care what we think of his proposals because we're too small to affect his re-election chances.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Count Steer »

Rockburner wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 2:18 pm
But no-one would vote for them again.

Let's face it - Motorcyclists are a blip on the political radar electorally speaking. For a Roads Minister who wants 'to be seen doing something' then we're a very easy target and he's not going to care what we think of his proposals because we're too small to affect his re-election chances.
They're taking a balanced view politically. Annoy the yoof because they don't vote etc. But don't upset the pensioners by eg BHP limits, mandatory retests, eyesight tests and Incontinence pads for BMW riders. :mrgreen:
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Asian Boss »

I'd be tempted by DT125Rs - mainly cos I like them. I'm not sure about RDs, I do like the later model TZR125 with the upside down forks.

I had an Aprilia 125 when I was 17 and I fucking loved it. It was full power but then again I was pretty street and hard and cool.

Some of the new / nearly new four stroke Honda and Yamaha 125s look nice but I know nothing about them
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Re: Good 125's

Post by KungFooBob »

Let him pick his own.

He might not want to live your RD fantasy :P
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Re: Good 125's

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Re: Good 125's

Post by The Spin Doctor »

Potter wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:05 pm If they actually want to save lives they could ban cigarettes, alcohol and junk food and save millions.
They have added significant amounts of tax to ciggies and booze as you know from every budget. Boris just dodged a junk food tax. Smokers have gone from 50% in the 70s to around 20%.

And they could ban water too. As many people drown as die on bikes.

But bikes are an easy target for the road safety lobby.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Yorick »

The Spin Doctor wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:46 pm
Potter wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 1:05 pm If they actually want to save lives they could ban cigarettes, alcohol and junk food and save millions.
They have added significant amounts of tax to ciggies and booze as you know from every budget. Boris just dodged a junk food tax. Smokers have gone from 50% in the 70s to around 20%.

And they could ban water too. As many people drown as die on bikes.

But bikes are an easy target for the road safety lobby.
If bikes weren't dangerous beasties, you'd be out of a job ;)
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Re: Good 125's

Post by The Spin Doctor »

The only thing is, with only 9.6 hp on tap (more like a dribble) they WILL be slow! The old CG made 11 and that would just about puff its way to 60mph with me on board.

14.6 is yer lot on an A1 bike. But 9.6 is missing half the pudding!
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Re: Good 125's

Post by The Spin Doctor »

Yorick wrote: Wed Jul 28, 2021 3:53 pm And they could ban water too. As many people drown as die on bikes.
Spin wrote: But bikes are an easy target for the road safety lobby.
If bikes weren't dangerous beasties, you'd be out of a job ;)
As would swimming instructors ;)
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Bigyin »

Ironically aside from new riders on low power bikes the insurance premiums are also now being loaded for the older riders with blank no claims as thats the "born again" lot returning to biking but the last thing they rode was a GPz750/CB1000 in the late 80's and now getting on S1000RR's or R1's , Blades etc.

For @Potter yeah the license system here now is heavily set against younger riders and the A1 for 17 year olds is fairly pointless apart from allowing a 17 year old to ride a 125 without L plates and carry passengers ....... requires a theory test, Mod 1 and Mod 2 pass. Might as well ride on L plates till 19 on CBT and then go for A2 license thus not paying for the whole thing twice
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Re: Good 125's

Post by GuzziPaul »

I'd also vote for an 80s RD125LC. Rode one once it hit an indicated 80 and kept up with us on our 250s.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Felix »

Surely a lot will depend on the lads height. Old RD may be great but the DT better.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Bigyin »

Felix wrote: Fri Jul 30, 2021 10:44 pm Surely a lot will depend on the lads height. Old RD may be great but the DT better.
If he has his fathers genes then height wont be a big issue ;)
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

I wouldn't trust the frame on an RG, Suzuki alloy frames of that age get fatigue, the later beam framed bike is better.

You could look for an AR125 but I haven't seen one for 30 years.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by Whysub »

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Re: Good 125's

Post by Le_Fromage_Grande »

Potter wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 10:08 am They look great, I've had a look at them and when I was 17 I'd have loved one.
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Re: Good 125's

Post by KungFooBob »

KFB's top Mito Facts!

1. They've got 7 gears.

2. Alberto Tomba used to have one (well it said he did in the adverts anyway).

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Re: Good 125's

Post by Tricky »

Le_Fromage_Grande wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 10:45 am
Potter wrote: Mon Aug 02, 2021 10:08 am They look great, I've had a look at them and when I was 17 I'd have loved one.
YPVS 350 engine goes in
It does - I saw @Screwdriver 's half-finished one yonks ago, although I think they're far nicer as original 125s.

-Screwd- is it finished yet, and how's the RG/MV coming on?