CBR125 or a beater

[BuellThumper]

So my girlfriend is on me about learning to ride this summer and that means I have to find her a bike.

I've been watching Kijiji and various other sources and have come to the conclusion that spanked 25 year old 400cc beaters that need some TLC and a few bucks to revive seem to go for about $1500 - $1800. I've also noticed that the market will soon be flooded with 2 year old CBR125's that have dropped in price to what will be around $2000.

So my question to the masses is.......

Do I go with a beater

Pros:
Larger displacement may keep her happier for longer
Fixing it up to ensure it's not a death trap could be fun
Price has probably bottomed out

Cons:
Could be pricey and a lot of work to ensure it's not a death trap
Parts could be a pain in the @ss to source.
Could end up being a money pit
Heavier larger bike may not be right for her

Do I get the CBR125

Pros:
Almost New
Light weight
Low seat height
Shiny
Mechanically sound and should stay that way for quite some time

Cons:
Low displacement means she will out grow it fast
Price will drop further in the next year
Market is flooded which could make it hard to sell


Opinions?

[bryan]

As usual, i have nothing worthwhile to contribute but I thought this line sounded funny.

Larger displacement may keep her happier for longer

[BuellThumper]

As usual, i have nothing worthwhile to contribute but I thought this line sounded funny.

I knew that was going to happen

[Halfbakedbat]

Well women love shiny!! Light is great for her. All ways can convert it in a racing bike or something fun.

[Drago]

Go with the used CBR125 they are great starter gike. When she is done with you will have a great track bike.
and hey it's a HONDA how much can the price go down.

[claffix]

Yup get the honda, ride it on the street for a year or two then take it to the track.

[rhinotheking]

125!
Most of them out there have less than 3000km! You'd be getting a practically brand new bike for 2G.
I can't see the price of those dropping below $1500 for at least a few years. There will always be demand for cheap transportation.

[T-bar]

the hondas are great, and the death trap consideration is important. But MAKE SURE SHE KNOWS HOW POWERFUL THE FRONT BRAKE IS.  New riders have a famous tendency to grab a handful of it when they get surprised, and those things will endo faster than a bull with a cattle prod up his arse... an older bike won't do that.

[cowboyrt]

easy choice - CBR all the way.   She'll out grow that 125 just as fast as the 400.    Confidence is really important - she'll get that and better riding skills on the 125.  Throw in cheaper maintence / fuel and plates and its an easy call.   

[antichrysler]

125!  It worked for me.  I'll see how it works for my sister this summer since she has my 125

[Denomic_Phen]

Personally I'd go with the larger displacement.  I'm guessing she wants to a bike so she can ride with you, but that's not going to happen unless she can keep up.  Even if you ride 'accordingly' you're going to find you get bored yourself real fast riding around with a 125 simply because they are a much smaller bike and won't stay with you as well when you open the throttle a bit on the highway.  And I'm guessing the last thing you want to hear is 'wah wah why don't you wait for me?'  

On the other hand, the 125s are a great starter bike and you could easily take it mini road racing (where's Emil to give a shameless plug!) which might interest the both of you.  

[BuellThumper]

Come on guys.......

Is there no love out there for the '81 CM400T's of the world with weather checked tires and no left controls?

Oh and the carbs need to be rebuilt,  it could use brake pads on the front and the chain has seen better days. It has also had the idle set to 3000 rpm to keep it from stalling at lights, but that could just be rust in the fuel filter from the gas tank.

All for $1600

[Cloud]

I will have a brand New 2008 Honda CBR125R Coming up for sale soon. No taxes and full warranty. I won the bike and won't have any use for it.

[FanaticalKilla]

Come on guys.......

Is there no love out there for the '81 CM400T's of the world with weather checked tires and no left controls?

Oh and the carbs need to be rebuilt,  it could use brake pads on the front and the chain has seen better days. It has also had the idle set to 3000 rpm to keep it from stalling at lights, but that could just be rust in the fuel filter from the gas tank.

All for $1600

No, no love. Buy the CBR when your girlfriend is out riding on her own and she can't start that old lump of ****. You'll women and efi go together!

[MerchMarine]

If she's learning to ride this summer, is she taking the MTC course? She'll have a chance to test-drive CBR125s there; make the call *after* she's decided whether she loves 'em or hates 'em.