[LukeRochon]

Ok dont flame please... no i dont want a turbo busa...

I am looking for a first bike. I had it narrowed down to the Ninjette or the Aprilia RS125.

A little about me. I want to be able to MASTER my bike. I want to be the one passing noobs on b***** cc bikes because I can ride the shit out of it. Now that being said I have ZERO expeirence with bikes. Have never even driven a car with a clutch. Yes sad I know...

I had been looking at the 250R but really didnt want the same bike everyone else has. You see a ton of ninja's around. Was looking for something more rare and exotic. This led me to the RS125. Now I know its not street legal but I know how to get it plated. I know its got ZERO low end torque and you have to keep the throttle dimed for it to move. I know you would be shifting alot with it. All those things im prepaired to deal with and dont bother me.

So I went today to my only local Aprilia dealer to scope out an RS125 and maybe pick one up. When I get there the salesman started to talk me out of it saying it would be unsafe on the highway because it has no power and a few other things. I want to be safe.

What do you guys think? He was having me check out a 650R Ninja and the Aprilia Shiver. I dont like naked bikes. Told me the 650R had enough power to get things done but not enough to really get me into trouble. But I still really dont want a Ninja...

For the use I would probably just be riding around the city. Maybe go on a few leisure group rides around the DFW area. Probably wont be hitting the track but you never know.

Ok flame now and slap me I know... :bitchslap

 

[TheNewSquid]

The ninja is alright, and the 650R does have enough power to get you into trouble but if it rides like my SV or close its a good bike to start with, just don't go full throttle on the first time your on the bike because it might surprise you how fast those little things are. I know the first time I got her 3/4 of throttle it did surprise me just how quick the bike was and I had a good 400km done on the bike at the time.

 

[LukeRochon]

I know. Im not an idiot. Just basicly I know that the RS125 is not ideal for what I would be using it for. I know i would have to shift alot but im ok with that. I know it dosent have much power. Again im fine with that I have no intentions of going fast. I just dont want it to be unsafe like the guy said. He was saying I need more power so I can dodge traffic on the highway and things like that. I know what he means. But i really dont intend on taking it on the highways much at all.

Just wondering what people with more expeirence with these bikes think. He actually told me the Aprilia Shiver handled exactly like a souped up sv650.

 

[dsmgixxer]

i wouldnt go on the highway on anything less than 250 cc.

yes on a 125 u will have alot less power. its fine for just cruising around on the streets though.

id suggest a 250 or a 500.

 

[Stick N Move]

Your dealer was right and wrong. He was right about a 125cc bike sucking ass on the highway. Like dsmgixxer said, a 250cc bike is the bare minimum you should have when going on a freeway. He was wrong about the 650r not having enough power to get you into trouble. Next time ask him, "have you rode a 650r before? If so how many miles do you have on one?". Ive got about 8k of my own miles on mine and i can tell you that it has MORE than enough power to get you into trouble. People can run quater miles in the mid to high 11 second range with topping over 100mph. How the hell does this bike not have enough power to get you into trouble? For the most part dealers will lie to you to sell you something so you really have to be on your toes when going into a dealership.

Now if you dont want a 650r, then dont get one. It's probably too much for you to handle right now. Take the MSF course before you even buy a bike, that way you can better understand. I can understand how you want to be different because nobody wants to be the same. But this is a beginner motorcycle. Learn on it and be different later.

 

[LukeRochon]

True. And the guy i talked with rides a 1098 duc. was middle aged. I dont know...

I guess i might still get the RS125. I honestly dont plan on riding on the highway...

I think im going to sign up for MSF this week... but do you think i even have a chance in hell on passing considering ive never even sat on a bike nor operated a clutched vehicle? A guy was telling me i should find someone who would let me learn a bit on a bike before i try to take the MSF. Bad thing is I dont know anyone who rides...

 

[RayOSV]

The RS125 is a 2 stroke, 125cc class race bike, pure and simple. Riding one on the streets would get old fast. Look elsewhere.

 

[LukeRochon]

How would it "Get old fast"?

Please explain.

 

[FZR6Raven]

Honestly, I cant fathom why any 125 would ever be used on public roads in the USA. The point of 125 ccs are for introductions to racing, where teens/young 20-somethings can learn to climb the ladders and get recognition to get into higher brackets. 125 ccs are also helpful in European countries where teenagers start in "tiered" license systems (ie- you are only allowed a certain displacement for the first year, then you can move on up).

For american roads, and the american style of motoring, a 125 makes very little sense IMO. I get that you want something really unique, and you love Aprillias, but you're really in the wrong country/situation to be getting that bike.

 

[LukeRochon]

2006 gsxr 1000 stretched 16" over

hows that one then? lol

i kid i kid lol...

 

[Stick N Move]

True. And the guy i talked with rides a 1098 duc. was middle aged. I dont know...

I guess i might still get the RS125. I honestly dont plan on riding on the highway...

I think im going to sign up for MSF this week... but do you think i even have a chance in hell on passing considering ive never even sat on a bike nor operated a clutched vehicle? A guy was telling me i should find someone who would let me learn a bit on a bike before i try to take the MSF. Bad thing is I dont know anyone who rides...

Go get your permit and learn what you can now. The MSF course is set up for people who have never ridden a motorcycle before. I had a very limited knowledge of clutch and manual transmission motors, but after i took the course i gained a lot of knowledge.

Clutch engages and dissengages the engine. when you let it out slowly it will start to catch and pull you. At that point you combine that with throttle until the clutch is all the way out. Just dont worry, take the MSF and you will do fine.

 

[RayOSV]

How would it "Get old fast"?

Please explain.

Riding a small displacement bike fast on the track (especially a 2 stroke) REQUIRES that one keeps the engine in the power band at high revs without hitting redline/rev limiter. Novice racers are learning how to wring every last ounce of power from a limited source.

Riding a bike like that on the streets means that you have to devote much of your attention to traffic and other worries. Exiting a corner in the wrong gear and needing to quickly downshift to have any power is un-nerving. Riding around at 12-15,000 rpms all the time on public roads is tedious.

 

[jcris]

Luke--

i was in the same boat as you when i first signed up for the msf course. i got my permit the first week of june, then signed up for the msf course the next week. i had only driven a manual transmission car when i first learned to drive (and only like 4 times at that) and had never sat on a motorcycle.

the msf course was a little daunting at first for me (the riding portion), i was pretty tired after the first day since i was not used to the posture and probably because i was tense/scared about messing up. the second day of the course, i was a little more relaxed and passed the course my first time through with ease.

just take your time, listen to the instructors, and if riding is something you enjoy you'll be fine.

by the end of the month (about two weeks after the msf course) i went out and bought my first bike ... a ninja 250r, yup everyone has a ninja but i really dig the styling so i wouldnt trade it for anything right now. as a beginner the 250 has treated me well, i have not taken it on the freeway/highway yet just local streets and a couple 45mph stretches. definitely a bike worth considering (plus you can always think about customizing the bike, but for me thats a little ways down the road).

best of luck in the msf course, enjoy!

 

[LukeRochon]

Allright thanks guys. Even though I love that bike to death its just not good for what I need right now.

Thanks for the help.

But RayOSV... wouldent you say riding a bike like that would teach me very good shifting and clutch control?

 

[DaleCaliente]

If you are interested in a 650, pm me with questions. Started (as a beginner, just like you) on one, put almost 20,000 miles on it before selling

And as far as it being underpowered? its not gonna hang with a 600ss above 50 MPH, but it would wheelie very easily, and would definitely haul ass at town speeds...

good first bike for a coordinated person, but def enough power to get into trouble if you are so inclined.


Luke - about the 125, you dont realize how godawfully slow they will be. YOu will have to be constantly revving the piss out of it, something that WILL get old quick.

 

[LukeRochon]

I decided just to take MSf and then test ride them all.

That way I can see for myself if the RS125 will be a pain in the ass or not.

Going to test ride the RS125, 250R and the 650R.

First bike will probably be one of those.

 

[arcticamt6]

I decided just to take MSf and then test ride them all.

That way I can see for myself if the RS125 will be a pain in the ass or not.

Going to test ride the RS125, 250R and the 650R.

First bike will probably be one of those.

I'd say try and make it the choice between the RS125, 250R, 500R, or GS500. I test rode my friends sv650 after I had already ridden about 2,000 miles on my 250, and that thing surprised the hell out of me. I only got into 2nd gear too. Trust me, a 250 will feel fast as hell when you first start riding.

 

[RayOSV]

...But RayOSV... wouldent you say riding a bike like that would teach me very good shifting and clutch control?

Yes, the RS125 will teach you shifting, gear selection, and clutch control, but at the expense of everything else. It's an entry-level race bike not an entry-level street bike. A 250, 500, or 650 would be a much better choice for learning throttle control, clutch control, shifting, braking, turning, lane selection, lane position, as well as traffic management.

 

[Stick N Move]

I think you love the 125 Aprilia too much man...

 

[Jim Moore]

Going to test ride the RS125, 250R and the 650R.

Here's how the internet works. No matter how bad your plan is, some other nitwit will always chime in with, "hell yeah, sounds good to me!"

Do you find it alarming that no one, not one person, has given you even the smallest amount of positive feedback about your RS125 plan? You should.