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

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by JSH

A 100 kg weight limit is going to be a problem for a highway capable bike

The KTM 200 might be an option. KTM claims 99kg dry but ready for the road it is 150 kg. The KTM 390 is basically the same chassis with a more powerful but A2 legal engine. The problem will be the high seat more than weight. (At least it was for my brother who is about your height)

Something like a Honda Rebel 500 or 300 is A2 legal and freeway capable but heavier than you want. However, the low seat height will help a lot.

The Honda CB125R is lighter but has a high seat.

For an out of the ordinary suggestion there is the Piaggio MP3 300, 350, or 500. They are heavy but the tilt lock means you never have to put a foot down. My 2009 Piaggio 500 weighs almost as much as my 2011 BMW R1200RT but is SO easy to roll around with the suspension locked. I can roll it around the garage with one hand.

I would buy a 300 HPE in a heartbeat if it was offered in the USA

The KTM EXC 200 is not at all an option with 925 mm seat height, that's wayyyy too tall for me to comfortably ride.
The seat height of the Rebel is better, but with ~200 kg it's very heavy and it's also very wide since it's a parallel twin.
The CBR125R seems to be interesting, but the CB125F seems more suited for the job as it has a lower seat height as well as lower weight.
And a fuel consumption of only 1,5L/100km or 157 mpg makes it very interesting.
However it is pretty low powered.

[Bicycle Bob]

I'd be thinking of building something feet-forward and streamlined, not just shopping for power.

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I'd be thinking of building something feet-forward and streamlined, not just shopping for power.

I would like to do that, but good luck explaining that to the TÜV.
However one of my bicycles is a recumbent, meaning feet forward.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

The KTM EXC 200 is not at all an option with 925 mm seat height, that's wayyyy too tall for me to comfortably ride.
The seat height of the Rebel is better, but with ~200 kg it's very heavy and it's also very wide since it's a parallel twin.
The CBR125R seems to be interesting, but the CB125F seems more suited for the job as it has a lower seat height as well as lower weight.
And a fuel consumption of only 1,5L/100km or 157 mpg makes it very interesting.
However it is pretty low powered.

Yes, I thought the seat height would be a problem. Any standard style or naked bike is going to have a seat that is too high. Cruisers have a low seats buy higher weight. The Rebel 500 is a twin bu the 300 is a single. However, I see the 300 is not for sale in Germany.

The smallest and lightest motorcycle I know of is the Honda Grom (MSX125). 103 kg and 761mm seat height. They are really popular here in the USA - Honda's best selling motorcycle. The downside is that it is not really a highway capable bike with a top speed of only 95 km/hr

[Autobahnschleicher]

Originally Posted by JSH

The smallest and lightest motorcycle I know of is the Honda Grom (MSX125). 103 kg and 761mm seat height. They are really popular here in the USA - Honda's best selling motorcycle. The downside is that it is not really a highway capable bike with a top speed of only 95 km/hr

The CB125F is relatively simmilar, but has larger wheels, narrower tires and is a more "mature" kind of bike.
Although it has almost the exact same engine, wich is a little underpowered, but very fuel efficient.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

The CB125F is relatively simmilar, but has larger wheels, narrower tires and is a more "mature" kind of bike.
Although it has almost the exact same engine, wich is a little underpowered, but very fuel efficient.

The Super Cub 125 is the Grom in a more sensible package. Best selling motorcycle in the world. It is even lighter than the CB125F but heavier than the Grom.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Autobahnschleicher

I'm looking around a little for a bike that would suit me, is fuel efficient and practical.
However I have issues with a lot of bikes as they are too tall for me due to my lack of height, wich is 1,58 m or about 5'2".
Do you guys have any reccomendations for a motorcycle that is somewhat simmilar to a S51 in design, size, weights no more than about 100 kg and features a more powerfull engine that is not a 2-stroke?

Finding any motorcycle that would meet all your requirements might be quite challenging. But anyway, what about the Yamaha MT-125? Even though I'm taller than you, if I were living in Europe probably I would consider getting a Yamaha MT-125. AFAIK in some countries I would be able to ride it even with a car license.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Finding any motorcycle that would meet all your requirements might be quite challenging. But anyway, what about the Yamaha MT-125? Even though I'm taller than you, if I were living in Europe probably I would consider getting a Yamaha MT-125. AFAIK in some countries I would be able to ride it even with a car license.

The MT-125 has 810 mm seat height and weighs 140 kg. That is very similar to the CB125R (816mm / 126 kg) that was rejected as too tall and heavy.

[Joggernot]

With 29" (73 cm) leg inseam, I had to go with a small Yamaha. The 250 was excellent for short trips. Later I got a Yamaha 1100 for road trips.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

rejected as too tall and heavy

Then maybe some random 125cc cruiser-styled would be more suitable, due to a lower seat height, even though they're not so absolutely a featherweight.