125cc motorcycle running costs

Richard53

Good advice above. I think you have the costs worked out OK, but like others I would highly recommend proper waterproof bike boots (budget around £100) which will let you change gear properly and keep your feet dry. I occasionally wear steel cap boots, but I always regret it when I do. It takes a lot of the fun out of it.

With a 125 you should be OK for almost any weather conditions with the right gear on. As other have said, you will get through snow that will stop a 4x4. Greasy/damp roads and ice will need care. Ice and fog are the only conditions that will stop me taking the bike to work. Ice, because you cannot predict where it will be and I don't like falling off, and fog because you are very vulnerable to other idiots.

I would recommend a second-hand Jap bike (all the big four make excellent bikes) over a new Chinese import any day. Servicing is simple, and with a Haynes manual you will be able to do anything routine and plenty else. A new bike is very tempting, but Chinese design and quality of build is still a way behind the Japs, and spares availability is questionable. Unless you are very unlucky, a second-hand Jap bike will be very reliable.

Fuel will be 100 mpg+, insurance and tax dead cheap. Keep the chain lubed and the tyres pumped up and you've got pocket-money motoring.

westwood68

I have seen Chinese 125's at two years old..they were not a pretty site and looked like a 25 year old Jap

vassa

forgotmyname wrote: »

How many more MPG will the bike get over the car?

35mpg average for the car would be 18p a mile in fuel. Over 15,000 miles £1350 worth of fuel saved if the bike does double the MPG.

Tale off the tax, insurance, MOT, Servicing and your probably better off sticking to the car.

Servicing on the Honda seems to be between 2500 miles and 4000 miles? £100 a time?

So thats £300 off your savings. And with 15,000 miles a year how long do you plan on keeping it?

You will be turning a £1700 bike into a few hundred £ worth within the year.

No.

Insurance will be less than £100. Tax can be as low as nothing. MOT and servicing are usually cheaper, and bikes hold their value depending on what type, they're not cars.

RichardD1970

vassa wrote: »

No.

Insurance will be less than £100. Tax can be as low as nothing. MOT and servicing are usually cheaper, and bikes hold their value depending on what type, they're not cars.

Not necessarily, if it is his first bike on a CBT no full licence. I paid £200 fully comp for my first year insurance with only a CBT.

The rest I agree with . Mine costs 5 pence a mile in fuel :cool:

vassa

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Not necessarily, if it is his first bike on a CBT no full licence. I paid £200 fully comp for my first year insurance with only a CBT.

The rest I agree with . Mine costs 5 pence a mile in fuel :cool:

Hm...my first bike, the day I got my CBT, cost £77. Maybe it's gone up.

adouglasmhor

I never did a CBT and rode a 250 superdream until I passsed my test. Sometimes it's cool being old.

RichardD1970

vassa wrote: »

Hm...my first bike, the day I got my CBT, cost £77. Maybe it's gone up.

Maybe because mine was a brand new scooter (Honda PCX), hence the fully comp. And a less that salubrious area?

happybiker

Been a biker for 45 years and had one as my only form of transport for 18 years Still ride all year round in all weathers.

My thoughts.... Forget 125's, get yourself a Honda c70 or c90 with a screen on it
Very cheap all rounder to run, easy to maintain, high MPG, good weather protection and light to haul about. Can't be bettered as a commuter. Good ones are not cheap, but well worth it.

Trebor16

happybiker wrote: »

Been a biker for 45 years and had one as my only form of transport for 18 years Still ride all year round in all weathers.

My thoughts.... Forget 125's, get yourself a Honda c70 or c90 with a screen on it
Very cheap all rounder to run, easy to maintain, high MPG, good weather protection and light to haul about. Can't be bettered as a commuter. Good ones are not cheap, but well worth it.

Finding them will be the problem as they stopped selling the C90 about 11 or 12 years ago. They stopped selling the C70 in the UK several years before that. They may be cheap to run but the brakes and suspension are very poor. If the OP is physically big then he will find the C90 not as comfortable as other bikes as they are a small motorcycle.

The C90 will also show its limitations on a 60 mile commute given it only produces 7bhp and tops out at about 50mph.

happybiker

Trebor16 wrote: »

Finding them will be the problem as they stopped selling the C90 about 11 or 12 years ago. They stopped selling the C70 in the UK several years before that. They may be cheap to run but the brakes and suspension are very poor. If the OP is physically big then he will find the C90 not as comfortable as other bikes as they are a small motorcycle.

The C90 will also show its limitations on a 60 mile commute given it only produces 7bhp and tops out at about 50mph.

The c90 supercub actually tops out at about 65 and many millions have been sold as commuter bikes. They are still in production, albeit not imported to the Uk due to euro emission regulations. It's replacement is the honda Wave 110i which is still a good commuter but harder for the diy owner to maintain.

The c90 has a very good reputation as a ride to work machine and good low mileage ones are still available at reasonable prices but they are climbing due to the bikes seemingly aquiring cult status. The Op could well buy one, maintain it, use it for a couple of years then sell it for what he paid. Brakes certainly can be improved by relining the shoes with better materials ( Saftek, Cleckheaton) . Parts are dirt cheap, easily available, maintenance is simple and these bikes will achieve very high mileages reliably provided they are looked after.
I would rather ride one of them in winter than an unprotected cruiser or an uncomfortable sports bike