Very recently got a 2020 model with 500 miles on the clock, the exhaust paint was gone, drill wire brushed and 6 coats of VHT gloss black. looks mint again. Spent around 25 hours pulling it to bits, checking, sorting and cleaning everything, dirty inlet sensor and lambda soaked in circuit cleaner sorted out the engine light being on. Retuned the spokes, about half were sounding dull. Oil changed with Castrol Edge. Nothing major wrong with it, looks very nice now all the years of grime and dirt have been removed. 😄
@@davemetcalf8431 Your vid's helpped me choose a WK, it's even a titanium silver one. Should have the last bit of new pipe turn up tomorrow (30' bend) so i can put together a late 50's style upswept exhaust on it with a slash cut tip. Got some chrome 5" rise trails bars on. It reminds me somewhat of an old CB250 i used to have years back. Great for plodding around the B-roads on. 😊
I have the Spanish version of this bike, known as the MH Bogga Rocker 125 and the oil changes are every 4,000 km or once a year. It does not have a cartridge oil filter, every 12,000 km you have to remove the right half-crankcase cover and clean the metal mesh filter and the centrifugal filter.
I used some Frank Thomas Leather Panniers but I had to alter them to make them fit, I have a large leather sewing machine so this wasn't a problem for me but you may struggle to find small / low enough panniers.
I’m not sure the spec sheet for the servicing is accurate. I believe the engine is EFI so no carburettor. The engine oil and gearbox oil are one and the same. And I’m not sure there is a oil filter on this engine. It is probably worth checking. (My wife has this bike and I quite like it) 🙂
hahaha I need a wee. Relatable. Im thinking of getting a WK 125 second hand off a pal of mine only has 100 miles on shes had it for years just never used it. What do you think of it looking back? I'm going to be sitting my CBT shortly and probably my full test soon after. Always planned on getting a KTM 125 since I was 16 but I'm thinking why fork out when I'll likely upgrade to a 650 by next year? Whats your opinions? I'm also local so I notice your footage about whitley and simonside, places I'll be taking mine too
One of the reasons I got the WK bike was cost... it's a cheap bike, so don't expect too much from it. I had great fun with it, and as a first bike, I don't think you'd be too disappointed, especially if you're getting a bargain.... I think your logic is spot on... you'll outgrow it quickly and probably want to level up. So get something you'll make your money back on.... It's never just about the bike for me. It's the freedom and adventure that the bike gives you.
ive had mine less than 4 months and around the 3rd service 2500 miles/ just under 3000 miles started having problems. first the front wheel spokes broke, paint wearing off the fuel tank where knees are, in the garage for the 4th time and currently still min for fuel filter/injector problems. bike cutting out constantly! consider it a non runner now and have just bought another bike, Yamaha xsr125 legacy it was run in as per manual guidelines and has past its third service and now sitting at 3000 miles
I had to adjust a set of panniers from Frank Thomas.... sewing them closer together on the overlap... and even then, one still managed to get burned on the exhaust.
The bags were obtained from J&S next to the Metro Centre in Gateshead.. I'm not Sure if they would still do the same design but I believe the make was Frank Thomas... The service interval was so bad at times to keep it within the warranty. It's determined on milage intervals which, if you enjoy getting out on the road, fly by. So it felt like a false economy.. a bigger bike would save you money in this respect.
Dealers special money-maker service intervals. Seriously, no oil needs changing at every 500 miles once the break-in period is over, and the valve clearance specs are definitely iffy because the exhaust tappet clearance is always greater than the inlet clearance. Either a very-very poor translation from Chinese, or deliberately jacked-up interval frequency.
@@davemetcalf8431 Indeed, so it seems, but a new bike usually will only need a 500ml service, then at 3000ml or more thereafter, with an assiduous owner giving it another extra curricular 1000 mile oil change just for peace of mind just after the running in (that is with say Yami, Honda, Suzi, Kawa etc... maybe even Triumph, though I wouldn't know about the latter one).
It looks exactly like the 125 I bought in France this summer but sold under the brand Archive. I got what was called the "SP" version for "special," inverted fork up front and nicer display- I LOVE it, but there is the problem of a lot of vibration in the handlebar at highter speeds, which after a lot of research seems to be caused by its inferior quality chinese tires. Also, in attempting to top up air in the stock tires, the outer part of the valve with the threads actually broke !! Like it was made of the thinnest material possible. I've bought Michelin tubes ready to swap them out, but guarantee-wise, since the dealer was a bit further away and were extremely unfriendly , arrogant and grossly disinterested, I've decided to take my time and not go to them, better than having it out of commission for God knows how long and with people you're not sure you can trust.
I'd love to but I've been told that this will invalidate any warranty claim... and not only that but you have to go to the recommended dealer. Which in my case there is only one dealer.
@@davemetcalf8431 Hi mate, same thing happened to me..I was going to skip the main dealer first 600 miles on my CB500f just last week and change the oil and filter myself using genuine parts but when I spoke with Honda I was told if I don't care much about the warranty then go ahead do it yourself, so had to take it them for a fee of 125 quid which I think is ridiculous for just oil and filter change, nothing else has been done no adjustments whatsoever to any part of the bike. However on its next periodic service I can take it anywhere so not too bad I guess. Ride safe and sound 👍
Thanks for your honest and in depth review Dave. Glad to hear you enjoy riding it!
I really do enjoy the bike and the 3rd review shouldn't be far away.... when I get a moment to edit the footage.
Very recently got a 2020 model with 500 miles on the clock, the exhaust paint was gone, drill wire brushed and 6 coats of VHT gloss black. looks mint again. Spent around 25 hours pulling it to bits, checking, sorting and cleaning everything, dirty inlet sensor and lambda soaked in circuit cleaner sorted out the engine light being on. Retuned the spokes, about half were sounding dull. Oil changed with Castrol Edge. Nothing major wrong with it, looks very nice now all the years of grime and dirt have been removed. 😄
@@mobi1etone you need to come and sort my bikes out! 🤣
@@davemetcalf8431 Your vid's helpped me choose a WK, it's even a titanium silver one. Should have the last bit of new pipe turn up tomorrow (30' bend) so i can put together a late 50's style upswept exhaust on it with a slash cut tip. Got some chrome 5" rise trails bars on. It reminds me somewhat of an old CB250 i used to have years back. Great for plodding around the B-roads on. 😊
@@mobi1etone I enjoy all the smaller bikes, especially off road... it's like having a bmx with an engine on it. :)
I have the Spanish version of this bike, known as the MH Bogga Rocker 125 and the oil changes are every 4,000 km or once a year. It does not have a cartridge oil filter, every 12,000 km you have to remove the right half-crankcase cover and clean the metal mesh filter and the centrifugal filter.
not a fuckin mask in sight.ahhhh the good old days
Quickie for you Dave. I'm getting a WK scrambler and I'd like to know what type of soft luggage saddle bags you use on yours
I used some Frank Thomas Leather Panniers but I had to alter them to make them fit, I have a large leather sewing machine so this wasn't a problem for me but you may struggle to find small / low enough panniers.
@@davemetcalf8431 Thanks for that Dave, it might well be a 'Heath Robinson' fix I need to do !
I’ve got a Herald Cafe 125cc.Its been very reliable.
Always wanted to try a Herald :)
I’m not sure the spec sheet for the servicing is accurate. I believe the engine is EFI so no carburettor. The engine oil and gearbox oil are one and the same. And I’m not sure there is a oil filter on this engine. It is probably worth checking. (My wife has this bike and I quite like it) 🙂
hahaha I need a wee. Relatable.
Im thinking of getting a WK 125 second hand off a pal of mine only has 100 miles on shes had it for years just never used it. What do you think of it looking back? I'm going to be sitting my CBT shortly and probably my full test soon after. Always planned on getting a KTM 125 since I was 16 but I'm thinking why fork out when I'll likely upgrade to a 650 by next year?
Whats your opinions? I'm also local so I notice your footage about whitley and simonside, places I'll be taking mine too
One of the reasons I got the WK bike was cost... it's a cheap bike, so don't expect too much from it. I had great fun with it, and as a first bike, I don't think you'd be too disappointed, especially if you're getting a bargain.... I think your logic is spot on... you'll outgrow it quickly and probably want to level up. So get something you'll make your money back on.... It's never just about the bike for me. It's the freedom and adventure that the bike gives you.
Come along on the Easter egg run... end of march... starts off at Ashington.
ive had mine less than 4 months and around the 3rd service 2500 miles/ just under 3000 miles started having problems.
first the front wheel spokes broke, paint wearing off the fuel tank where knees are, in the garage for the 4th time and currently still min for fuel filter/injector problems.
bike cutting out constantly!
consider it a non runner now and have just bought another bike, Yamaha xsr125 legacy
it was run in as per manual guidelines and has past its third service and now sitting at 3000 miles
Sounds like the garage didn't put it together very well!.. how's the Yamaha working out for you?
Where did you get the pannier? And are the panniers attached to the original rack?
I have bought the same bike and am looking for a pannier
I had to adjust a set of panniers from Frank Thomas.... sewing them closer together on the overlap... and even then, one still managed to get burned on the exhaust.
Where did you get the little bag for above the brake light? Also it needs serviced once a month? lol
The bags were obtained from J&S next to the Metro Centre in Gateshead.. I'm not Sure if they would still do the same design but I believe the make was Frank Thomas... The service interval was so bad at times to keep it within the warranty. It's determined on milage intervals which, if you enjoy getting out on the road, fly by. So it felt like a false economy.. a bigger bike would save you money in this respect.
Dealers special money-maker service intervals. Seriously, no oil needs changing at every 500 miles once the break-in period is over, and the valve clearance specs are definitely iffy because the exhaust tappet clearance is always greater than the inlet clearance. Either a very-very poor translation from Chinese, or deliberately jacked-up interval frequency.
Its all about squeezing you dry! The con is that you're held over a barrel with invalidating your warranty. I much prefer the second hand bike market.
@@davemetcalf8431 Indeed, so it seems, but a new bike usually will only need a 500ml service, then at 3000ml or more thereafter, with an assiduous owner giving it another extra curricular 1000 mile oil change just for peace of mind just after the running in (that is with say Yami, Honda, Suzi, Kawa etc... maybe even Triumph, though I wouldn't know about the latter one).
Can 2 people sit in it
It looks exactly like the 125 I bought in France this summer but sold under the brand Archive. I got what was called the "SP" version for "special," inverted fork up front and nicer display- I LOVE it, but there is the problem of a lot of vibration in the handlebar at highter speeds, which after a lot of research seems to be caused by its inferior quality chinese tires. Also, in attempting to top up air in the stock tires, the outer part of the valve with the threads actually broke !! Like it was made of the thinnest material possible. I've bought Michelin tubes ready to swap them out, but guarantee-wise, since the dealer was a bit further away and were extremely unfriendly , arrogant and grossly disinterested, I've decided to take my time and not go to them, better than having it out of commission for God knows how long and with people you're not sure you can trust.
How tall are you Dave? Looking to get this sort of bike but I’m 6’5, not sure if I’ll be too tall
I'm 5'8" without my heels :)
Why not just change the oil and filter yourself? The service is all about that anyway.
I'd love to but I've been told that this will invalidate any warranty claim... and not only that but you have to go to the recommended dealer. Which in my case there is only one dealer.
@@davemetcalf8431 Hi mate, same thing happened to me..I was going to skip the main dealer first 600 miles on my CB500f just last week and change the oil and filter myself using genuine parts but when I spoke with Honda I was told if I don't care much about the warranty then go ahead do it yourself, so had to take it them for a fee of 125 quid which I think is ridiculous for just oil and filter change, nothing else has been done no adjustments whatsoever to any part of the bike. However on its next periodic service I can take it anywhere so not too bad I guess. Ride safe and sound 👍
@@jeremycubs8331 ye iv done all my servicing my self, i go to the garadge for shims and mot,s onley
buy seconhand,no warrenty problems and you get a cheaperbike
my scrambler is perfect at everything except going up hills at a reasonable speed
and god forbid am up hill start