AMERICANS: Would you buy a 125cc motorcycle for the street?

[Grant-53]

Troubleshooting is a discipline that tests one's patience. After 10 years selling auto parts and answering every question imaginable, I went to the community college and got a degree in computer integrated manufacturing ie robotics. I have had to fix some expensive systems not to mention my father's roto-tiller. Keep your tools in calibration, test the sensors, and then the control module. You are smarter than the machine.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

I first swapped my stripper Gold Wing for a new '86 Honda XL-600R dually bike and rode various other single cylinder duallies until around five years ago when they got parked permanently in favor of the true lightweights that now grace my stable.

Gotta love the good old big-singles, such as the XL-600/650 and the Suzuki DR 800. BTW was the dual-carb XL-250 also available there in the U.S.? It's been troublesome enough in Brazil that most owners had that "progressive" dual-carb setup replaced by a single carburettor.

[sendler]

I got rid of all my carbureted motorcycles. ICE engines need catalysts so they don't stink up the place. And carbureted bikes with a cat never run right when it's cold and rainy out. On the other hand, my Honda CBR250R and PCX start on the first crank in 20F weather and can be ridden away into traffic running perfectly with no warm up. I would never choose to own another carbureted bike.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Gotta love the good old big-singles, such as the XL-600/650 and the Suzuki DR 800. BTW was the dual-carb XL-250 also available there in the U.S.? It's been troublesome enough in Brazil that most owners had that "progressive" dual-carb setup replaced by a single carburettor.

I don't know about the Honda but my wife's 1997 Yamaha SRX250 (single cylinder) had two carbs. One mechanical and one vacuum activated. It was horrible to keep in tune and running right. When it did work it worked well with low consumption at low RPM and good power at high RPM.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

(Little brother) I suggested the idea of getting the Hyosung GT250R as a V-twin beginner bike for him, but he wanted the SV650 instead.

And an SV650S he got!


A 2007 model, the first year of dual plugs with only 6000 miles on it!

It arrived late, so no one except my dad has gotten to ride it yet, and the fork seals decided to pour oil everywhere, especially on the front tire...Told my dad if he brought in the wheel and a new tire(old was worn!) I will change it at work. I told him to buy a michelin road 5 and I will pay for it. PO just put a new rear on, some Shinko something or other. A replacement road 5 rear will accompany the front when the Shinko wears out, or ASAP if the Shinko sucks.


Hoping to pull down some impressive numbers with it! Both brothers and me wanted an SV650, so there might be some fighting over it.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Overspeeding is not so uncommon here too, but my main concern would be the big rigs due to their poor braking performance.

Braking performance depends on weight.
My experience, anything below 350LBS can brake very well!
Anything above 400LBS, is prone to a low side.

Originally Posted by JSH

I'm very seriously considering buying a 2019 Honda Super Cub next spring.

125cc / EFI / ABS / $3600

Very nice! With some saddlebags, you can actually do groceries with it, and I like the leg flaps that protect you from the rain.
Only thing missing is a windshield; big enough to hide behind, during a downpour.

The real older models had a manual 3 or 4 speed transmission. But for these kind of bikes, a CVT makes more sense.
City bikes are ok with a CVT. No shifting, better low end torque; faster off the line.

CVTs are good for cities, but they're lousy for highways (more friction losses and wear, lower MPG).
For highways, nothing beats a standard manual. If final gear is high enough (revs at 2-3k RPM at 45-60 MPH), they're also best for suburbs (~45MPH). Great gas mileage.
I think 100cc-125cc with a CVT is the sweet spot for city riding.

I would also never go for electric.
I do am hoping for hybrid bikes using super capacitors, rather than batteries.
Having a regular bike, with a 1000-3000W electric motor (or HUB) at the front wheel, would make it not only accelerate faster, but more stable in snow, and less prone to slippage. The motor just for regenerative braking and acceleration. It could also use some of the remaining power of the stator, that's just going to the ground on most scooters.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by ProDigit

The real older models had a manual 3 or 4 speed transmission.

They always had an automatic clutch.

[ProDigit]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

They always had an automatic clutch.

The Honda Superclubs have a clutchless manual; often mistaken as an automatic, due to the absence of a clutch lever.

It's basically a clutchless 3 step through manual gearbox.
1st, 2nd, 3rd gear, and it should go back to Neutral after 3rd, or before 1st.
Is so for the older Yamaha's, and Hondas.
The Yamaha V50-V90,
Honda Super Club (C65-C110), as well as the newer model (C125).

It's funny, because Roketa got into trouble in the past, for selling their step through motorcycles. Their gearbox system wasn't in line with standard gearboxes.
I guess they got their issues solved, because they're still selling those bikes, and Honda is still going for the C125 in the US market.
It is easier, however, downshifting, or coming to a stop at a light, isn't easy.
You'd sometimes have to flick through a few gears before you can hit neutral.
But I like their centrifugal clutches (when the engine is idling, it doesn't shoot forward, like on any scooter).
It also doesn't suffer from CVT losses, so gets better gas mileage

[roosterk0031]

Originally Posted by JSH

I don't know about the Honda but my wife's 1997 Yamaha SRX250 (single cylinder) had two carbs. One mechanical and one vacuum activated. It was horrible to keep in tune and running right. When it did work it worked well with low consumption at low RPM and good power at high RPM.

1984-85 xr250r had dual carbs, just sold a 84 a few weeks ago, ran great after being parked for 4-5 years. Had a 87? xr600r and it was also dual carb. Only had the 250 a few months, the 600 a few years and never had to touch the carbs.

[woodsrat]

Originally Posted by JSH

...The problem here is that junkers don't come with titles and a bike without a title is just a pile of parts. The only way to get a new title is for the person on record as the owner to file for a replacement title...

Although I was able to get a title for the .99 Passport via Indiana's small claims court system (you sue the BMV, they send a letter saying they won't attend the hearing and then the judge looks at your paperwork and then orders the BMV to issue you a title). Cost me $90.

For older small bores the non-resident Vermont licensing scheme is the deal as in that state under 250cc bikes over a certain age don't require titles. My CT-200 was plated this way and then I took the plate and my paperwork to the local BMV branch and asked them to issue a title and Indiana plates. They balked and I told them to make a phone call to the main office. They gave me a title as well as plates.

It's a great way to license older small bores. Some of my buddies left their bikes with Vermont (they mail a renewal form annually) and others did as I did and got an Indiana title using their Vermont paperwork.