A note on the no used helmets- 100% right you can pick up a HJC C10 for less than 100 quid in dealerships and even less if you're willing to risk wrong sizing and shipping damage from online shopping. Me and my partner haven't had an issue with them and they are nice looking and good quality helmets that don't cost a lot at all.
I always wondered where 125 scramblers went. When I was a teenager in the 80's you couldn't move for them all the big manufacturers had at least a couple in their range.
Wk Bikes recently released an updated 125cc scrambler (older version much more resembled a mutt mongrel). Not tried one off road but they look alright!
@zoeywyllie1411 Ive seen them they look nice. I don't understand why Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda don't produce 125 scramblers anymore. My first off road bike was a KX 125.
Also worth considering a Honda C90. There's a reason that people use these in countries that don't have decent road networks! I used to deliver pizzas on one about 30 odd years ago and it was an absolute blast to go off road on as a short cut to housing estates across fields! Generally speaking lots of really solid advice as usual.
I have a fantic XE125 ,essentially an Italian YZ125 thats road legal and spec’d for enduro from the factory. I mainly ride Greenlanes and enduro events all over the UK and with small setup tweaks it’s ideal for the Varied types of terrain I ride, Super light and peppy. These come from the dealer fully CBT compliant as well as the parts and a workshop manual in order to convert it into the “racing configuration” ….. that’s on you ….. I completely agree with the point you made around the HP output on 2 strokes and the CBT licence regulations ,although I think It’s a real shame for us younger (16-19) people that enjoy enduro/green laneing to be “legally stuck”on a 10*ish HP bike with poor suspension and overall build quality, I’ve had multiple 4 stroke 125’s and they are more capable then most riders, but as most know those bikes perfectly fine commuters simply don’t compare too a dedicated off-road bike ,both in performance and £££. Even most of the A2 legal bikes are abit Meh if you’re spending the majority of the time on dirt. Maintenance is key with any machine, especially off-road vehicles with relatively small components and displacement engines, It’s all part of the fun. 🫶 Whatever bike he hopefully buys it will bring him lots of smiles per miles 👍🏼 What type of riding are you actually going to be doing the majority of the time ? Commuting?byways ? Racing ? Just for Fun? How often are you planning on using it ? how much coin you’ve got too spend ? I think that’s what it really boils down too 🤷♂️ Fantic on the pipe in the middle of nowhere , FTW 🫶
recently got a new Aprilia RX125 and couldn't be happier, goes through green lanes like nothing and nice and tall. Plenty of power for a CBT and smokes a pcx (I'm 6'1)
Probably not the best choice but would be interesting to see how something like a CBF125 does off road with some off road focused tyres on it, see tons of videos from other countries of similar bikes doing good off road.
14:44 - I say Vara-dare-o. Most of the people I've heard pronouncing it with letters missing seem to have misheard people saying 'Virago' at some point, meaning the cruiser range from Yamaha. Great bikes though, getting very desirable among people wanting a 'full size' option with a 125 motor, for commuting or similar if they're maybe not teenager-sized any more.
Yep, I've got one. Awesome bike for a 125. Surprising how big it is when parked up next to a lot of bikes, it tower's over my dad's MT-03 660cc. Servicing is easy, incredible on fuel and it's ridiculously easy to ride at low speeds, I'd dare say easier to ride than a cb125f while having quicker acceleration up to 60mph. Needs good oil though, it doesn't have a forced-lubrication system, it's basically splash-lubricated with an oil pump to throw oil into the cylinder heads. Earlier ones liked to nuke their camshaft bearings and piston rings from being held at 70mph+ for too long. Later fuel-injected bikes are pretty good, so long as they're treated right. Up in t'Yorkshire..tend to call 'em Vara-deer-oh... 'cos it's heavy enough to kill an Oh-Deer when hit head-on lol!
I've got the 1000cc fi version of the Varadero, thing is an absolute tank! Well on its way to 300KG when loaded up with full luggage and other accessories, I don't think I wanna risk taking that thing off-road 🤣
I had the same problem, looking for a light green laning trail bike that I can use on the road. I looked at Honda XR125’s, most were very abused and demanding strong money. But I bought a Kawasaki KLX125 on a 66 reg, from a dealer with 2k miles on it. Thing is mint but gave strong money for it. Now if I’d got my full licence, there’s so many 250’s that are very reasonably priced. Crazy. I’m almost 50 and have a car.
I love my Varadero (pronounced Vara dare o) and don't see myself ever parting with it no matter what other bikes I have at the same time. Ultra comfortable with about 270 mile tank range and a bat fastard like me doesn't look silly on a 125. If I ever found it's big brother, the Varadero 1000 in the right condition at the right price I would very seriously consider grabbing it.
Aye, exactly the same situation here mate. Both fantastic but understated bikes. I'd love the 1000, keeping my eye out for a good'un. Have you found the mythical Varadero 6th gear yet mate? Still keep trying to find mine lol!
Fantic EXF 125 honestly they are brilliant, they are pricey but they are the best if you have that money. On a cheap I would just get a Lexmoto Assault as 125's are crap all round unless we are talking 2 strokes but that's a different story. Can get an Assault very cheap, the sinnis terrain are a good bet but they aren't worth the extra money over the assault. But that's just my personal opinion. But if money and availability wasn't a problem I would get a KLX 125 all day long, and my second personal pick would be a grom or beneli tnt
The Kawasaki KMX125 should be learner legal.... unless it has been derestricted. Great bikes, I had the 200cc version in my yoof. Vaa Ra Dow I think 😀 The Van Van is a great bike for trail riding... Lavi and Olli took a couple of them around the UK TET
most Sinnis 125 road bikes use the Zongshen ZS125 (Hoodlum, Terrain, etc.,), same engine as used in the Zongshen RA-1, the Lexmoto Michigan, and others.
The confusion over the identity of the Chinese bike brands comes from the same manufacturing trend that makes them unreliable: A lot of Chinese brands literally just assemble bikes out of cheap, generic parts from unaffiliated factories with an emphasis on quantity over quality, and sometimes imitating established manufacturers like Honda. That's why you get both a lottery in terms of reliability and seeing the same part(s) on completely "different" bikes. What I learned when it came to various other products is that most of the different badge names are just shells for the same seemingly-anonymous company, like when I used to have an ebike, I bought it off a "company" called Ceaya, but got one with a logo that said "Burchda," a "rival brand" which at the time were selling the bike I got for £300 more. I sort of made it a rule of thumb that I avoid products with too much Brand X copy-and-paste, especially when it applies to major chunks or core components, as there's no way to be sure of their performance, reliability, or safety because there's no track record.
Whatever you do when buying a bike in this class, completely disregard Kurz bikes. I bought a Kurz RT1 125 enduro, £1800 new. Sold it 4 months later, almost completely knackered electrically
Spicy my boy i own the MGB ATX its brand new and AWFUL, ive had the bike since august 2024 and its been on the road about 6 times before the bike completely fucked itself and started chucking oil out, i wasnt even doing anything rash i was doing 40-50MPH and its just bogged out, top speed i got on it was 59MPH
@@spicy110 i mean i got the bike serviced and 40 miles later the head blew and hot burning oil was pouring out all to the point of it melting its own engine paint and the exhaust sensor wrap
I would honestly pick the chinese over and over again rather than the insanely expensive big brand japanese. The modern chinese brands are really high quality for the price. Cost of living crisis.
With free Choice and no shits given Varadero. 20k Miles is only a better run ins phase for the V Twin. Problem is only Euro 1 or Euro 3 compliant wich can screw you over in Enviromental Zones. VanVan and the 2016-2019 CB 125 F slap Tires with Profile on it and you are golden, Rieju Aventura and Rieju MRT both the Minarelli and Yamaha Engine one great little bikes not on a level with the Betas but same level as the Aprillia but Spare Parts can sometimes get a bit tricky, Fantic, Caballero, Scrambler and Rally same Minarelli because they build them as in the Rieju, Sym NHT 125 OK for it´s price new but not overwhelming with only 10.9 HP, Sinnis Terrain and all it´s clones the same and otherwise Aprillia RX and all it´s clones as long you put enough time and effort into maintenance, Beta RR, Malaguti Dune. Yamaha DT, KLX 125 and Honda XR but that is even worse than the Varadero and finding a good one is rare. Zontes G1 would also be on the List but not with the underflow exhaust and greenlaning in mind. What you for sure not want every KTM LC2 exept you want maintenance every 1000 miles and Engine revision every 5000 there are better ways to burn money . And before you ask the Aprillia and her clones are Rotax Engines not Minarellis like in the Fantec and Rieju
Please don't bite my head off, but what about one of the AJS 125cc retro scramblers using a ybr engine......I have had the cafe racer version and found it to be a good bike.....
i got a varadero 125 with nobbly offroad tyres and ill be honest the bikes a fuckin laugh if your ever in welwyn garden city for some unforsaken reason reach out to me and we can work somethin out for a little mess about with it
125 for CBT should learn to ride a big bike should be at least a 500 not limited power when learning to drive a car you have a throttle and the power does kick in until you get the revs high even a super bike is a pussycat at low revs and have miles better drakes😊
A trail bike is for riding along trails (ie green laning is pretty close to this). A trials bike is for motorcycle trials - remember "Kickstart" on the BBC? That sort of thing. Always used to confuse the hell out of me too. 😂
A note on the no used helmets- 100% right you can pick up a HJC C10 for less than 100 quid in dealerships and even less if you're willing to risk wrong sizing and shipping damage from online shopping. Me and my partner haven't had an issue with them and they are nice looking and good quality helmets that don't cost a lot at all.
I always wondered where 125 scramblers went. When I was a teenager in the 80's you couldn't move for them all the big manufacturers had at least a couple in their range.
Wk Bikes recently released an updated 125cc scrambler (older version much more resembled a mutt mongrel). Not tried one off road but they look alright!
@zoeywyllie1411 Ive seen them they look nice. I don't understand why Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda don't produce 125 scramblers anymore. My first off road bike was a KX 125.
i had a dt 125 once .
Also worth considering a Honda C90. There's a reason that people use these in countries that don't have decent road networks!
I used to deliver pizzas on one about 30 odd years ago and it was an absolute blast to go off road on as a short cut to housing estates across fields!
Generally speaking lots of really solid advice as usual.
I have a fantic XE125 ,essentially an Italian YZ125 thats road legal and spec’d for enduro from the factory. I mainly ride Greenlanes and enduro events all over the UK and with small setup tweaks it’s ideal for the Varied types of terrain I ride, Super light and peppy. These come from the dealer fully CBT compliant as well as the parts and a workshop manual in order to convert it into the “racing configuration” ….. that’s on you ….. I completely agree with the point you made around the HP output on 2 strokes and the CBT licence regulations ,although I think It’s a real shame for us younger (16-19) people that enjoy enduro/green laneing to be “legally stuck”on a 10*ish HP bike with poor suspension and overall build quality, I’ve had multiple 4 stroke 125’s and they are more capable then most riders, but as most know those bikes perfectly fine commuters simply don’t compare too a dedicated off-road bike ,both in performance and £££. Even most of the A2 legal bikes are abit Meh if you’re spending the majority of the time on dirt.
Maintenance is key with any machine, especially off-road vehicles with relatively small components and displacement engines, It’s all part of the fun. 🫶
Whatever bike he hopefully buys it will bring him lots of smiles per miles 👍🏼
What type of riding are you actually going to be doing the majority of the time ? Commuting?byways ? Racing ? Just for Fun?
How often are you planning on using it ?
how much coin you’ve got too spend ?
I think that’s what it really boils down too 🤷♂️
Fantic on the pipe in the middle of nowhere , FTW 🫶
recently got a new Aprilia RX125 and couldn't be happier, goes through green lanes like nothing and nice and tall. Plenty of power for a CBT and smokes a pcx (I'm 6'1)
Probably not the best choice but would be interesting to see how something like a CBF125 does off road with some off road focused tyres on it, see tons of videos from other countries of similar bikes doing good off road.
14:44 - I say Vara-dare-o. Most of the people I've heard pronouncing it with letters missing seem to have misheard people saying 'Virago' at some point, meaning the cruiser range from Yamaha. Great bikes though, getting very desirable among people wanting a 'full size' option with a 125 motor, for commuting or similar if they're maybe not teenager-sized any more.
Yep, I've got one. Awesome bike for a 125. Surprising how big it is when parked up next to a lot of bikes, it tower's over my dad's MT-03 660cc.
Servicing is easy, incredible on fuel and it's ridiculously easy to ride at low speeds, I'd dare say easier to ride than a cb125f while having quicker acceleration up to 60mph.
Needs good oil though, it doesn't have a forced-lubrication system, it's basically splash-lubricated with an oil pump to throw oil into the cylinder heads. Earlier ones liked to nuke their camshaft bearings and piston rings from being held at 70mph+ for too long. Later fuel-injected bikes are pretty good, so long as they're treated right.
Up in t'Yorkshire..tend to call 'em Vara-deer-oh... 'cos it's heavy enough to kill an Oh-Deer when hit head-on lol!
I've got the 1000cc fi version of the Varadero, thing is an absolute tank! Well on its way to 300KG when loaded up with full luggage and other accessories, I don't think I wanna risk taking that thing off-road 🤣
I had the same problem, looking for a light green laning trail bike that I can use on the road. I looked at Honda XR125’s, most were very abused and demanding strong money. But I bought a Kawasaki KLX125 on a 66 reg, from a dealer with 2k miles on it. Thing is mint but gave strong money for it. Now if I’d got my full licence, there’s so many 250’s that are very reasonably priced. Crazy. I’m almost 50 and have a car.
I love my Varadero (pronounced Vara dare o) and don't see myself ever parting with it no matter what other bikes I have at the same time. Ultra comfortable with about 270 mile tank range and a bat fastard like me doesn't look silly on a 125. If I ever found it's big brother, the Varadero 1000 in the right condition at the right price I would very seriously consider grabbing it.
Aye, exactly the same situation here mate. Both fantastic but understated bikes. I'd love the 1000, keeping my eye out for a good'un.
Have you found the mythical Varadero 6th gear yet mate? Still keep trying to find mine lol!
Fantic EXF 125 honestly they are brilliant, they are pricey but they are the best if you have that money. On a cheap I would just get a Lexmoto Assault as 125's are crap all round unless we are talking 2 strokes but that's a different story. Can get an Assault very cheap, the sinnis terrain are a good bet but they aren't worth the extra money over the assault. But that's just my personal opinion. But if money and availability wasn't a problem I would get a KLX 125 all day long, and my second personal pick would be a grom or beneli tnt
+1 I have a XE125 and it’s ideal 👍🏼
The Kawasaki KMX125 should be learner legal.... unless it has been derestricted. Great bikes, I had the 200cc version in my yoof.
Vaa Ra Dow I think 😀
The Van Van is a great bike for trail riding... Lavi and Olli took a couple of them around the UK TET
I had the Aprilia SX 125 (supermoto version) and it was brilliant and great fun and had no issues with it, it was quite tall though.
most Sinnis 125 road bikes use the Zongshen ZS125 (Hoodlum, Terrain, etc.,), same engine as used in the Zongshen RA-1, the Lexmoto Michigan, and others.
The confusion over the identity of the Chinese bike brands comes from the same manufacturing trend that makes them unreliable: A lot of Chinese brands literally just assemble bikes out of cheap, generic parts from unaffiliated factories with an emphasis on quantity over quality, and sometimes imitating established manufacturers like Honda. That's why you get both a lottery in terms of reliability and seeing the same part(s) on completely "different" bikes. What I learned when it came to various other products is that most of the different badge names are just shells for the same seemingly-anonymous company, like when I used to have an ebike, I bought it off a "company" called Ceaya, but got one with a logo that said "Burchda," a "rival brand" which at the time were selling the bike I got for £300 more.
I sort of made it a rule of thumb that I avoid products with too much Brand X copy-and-paste, especially when it applies to major chunks or core components, as there's no way to be sure of their performance, reliability, or safety because there's no track record.
Most modern chinese are really high quality, the people that say they arnt reliable are the ones that didnt look after them like spicy said.
Am I only the only fossil waiting for Kawasaki to relaunch the KMX?
Avoid the MGB ATX like the plague, the granade sticker on the swingarm should say it all 😂
Do Suzuki do a 125 v strom? I think the 250 v strom looks amazing for what he wants, just needs his license sorted!
Only just started watching but noticed postcode is visible. Not sure if you need to sensor that?
he dosent use his actual post code in vids i think its his PO box or just a random code
Whatever you do when buying a bike in this class, completely disregard Kurz bikes. I bought a Kurz RT1 125 enduro, £1800 new. Sold it 4 months later, almost completely knackered electrically
Spicy my boy i own the MGB ATX its brand new and AWFUL, ive had the bike since august 2024 and its been on the road about 6 times before the bike completely fucked itself and started chucking oil out, i wasnt even doing anything rash i was doing 40-50MPH and its just bogged out, top speed i got on it was 59MPH
Ouch, when you say oil is coming out do you mean like a dripping leak or its burning oil?
@@spicy110 i mean i got the bike serviced and 40 miles later the head blew and hot burning oil was pouring out all to the point of it melting its own engine paint and the exhaust sensor wrap
@@spicy110 funnily enough i brought it from the place that was selling the SYM NHT 125 XD
Honda xr125 if you can find one
I would honestly pick the chinese over and over again rather than the insanely expensive big brand japanese. The modern chinese brands are really high quality for the price. Cost of living crisis.
With free Choice and no shits given Varadero. 20k Miles is only a better run ins phase for the V Twin. Problem is only Euro 1 or Euro 3 compliant wich can screw you over in Enviromental Zones. VanVan and the 2016-2019 CB 125 F slap Tires with Profile on it and you are golden, Rieju Aventura and Rieju MRT both the Minarelli and Yamaha Engine one great little bikes not on a level with the Betas but same level as the Aprillia but Spare Parts can sometimes get a bit tricky, Fantic, Caballero, Scrambler and Rally same Minarelli because they build them as in the Rieju, Sym NHT 125 OK for it´s price new but not overwhelming with only 10.9 HP, Sinnis Terrain and all it´s clones the same and otherwise Aprillia RX and all it´s clones as long you put enough time and effort into maintenance, Beta RR, Malaguti Dune. Yamaha DT, KLX 125 and Honda XR but that is even worse than the Varadero and finding a good one is rare. Zontes G1 would also be on the List but not with the underflow exhaust and greenlaning in mind. What you for sure not want every KTM LC2 exept you want maintenance every 1000 miles and Engine revision every 5000 there are better ways to burn money . And before you ask the Aprillia and her clones are Rotax Engines not Minarellis like in the Fantec and Rieju
Beta do a 4T 125cc enduro bike that is learner legal.
Please don't bite my head off, but what about one of the AJS 125cc retro scramblers using a ybr engine......I have had the cafe racer version and found it to be a good bike.....
That is a good call, I have not ridden one but it looks the part at least! 👍
i got a varadero 125 with nobbly offroad tyres and ill be honest the bikes a fuckin laugh if your ever in welwyn garden city for some unforsaken reason reach out to me and we can work somethin out for a little mess about with it
125 for CBT should learn to ride a big bike should be at least a 500 not limited power when learning to drive a car you have a throttle and the power does kick in until you get the revs high even a super bike is a pussycat at low revs and have miles better drakes😊
The reason why there is 'trail bikes' and 'trials bike' and variations thereof is because peeps can't type.
A trail bike is for riding along trails (ie green laning is pretty close to this).
A trials bike is for motorcycle trials - remember "Kickstart" on the BBC? That sort of thing.
Always used to confuse the hell out of me too. 😂
if you are lookiing a a van van. SOOP! Look a a yyamaha railWay (DuB). it don have an ugly round headligh . same wheels bu jus a beer bike
yamaha xt 125
Honda Monkey bike, stick some off road tyres on it, sorted.
th-cam.com/video/WKXx7sMYi-M/w-d-xo.htmlsi=W4rX_o7Ijx-XP8hz
If you don't believe me 🙂
Dt125