We have to get more people riding motorcycles -could this be the ultimate first bike AJS Bilston 125
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ต.ค. 2024
- With a declining motorcycle population, it’s time to try and get more people feeling empowered to get their leg over a motorcycle. Egos across the market seem to think a huge powerful bike is the only way, but I argue that it doesn’t matter what we ride! A bike is a bike, it’s the facilitator of fun, adventure, improved mental health and an open road ahead. In this video I will talk you through the AJS Bilston 125 motorcycle. It’s a small learner bike that looks incredible and has an insanely affordable price tag! Starting at £2,349!
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01:03 - AJS Bilston Technical Details (Euro 5) - is this the ultimate first motorcycle?
04:50 - Engine type: 4-stroke, OHC, air cooled, single cylinder
06:01 - Max load: 150kg
06:09 - Starter: electric and kick
08:18 - Seat height: 780mm
08:51 - Max Speed: (approx.): 60mph
Displacement: 124cm³ Bore x Stroke: 56.5mm x 49.6mm
Max. power: 8.5Kw @ 9000 rpm
Fuel system: Electronic Fuel Injection
Fuel tank capacity: 19L
Fuel type: Unleaded or E5 petrol
Transmission: five speed, chain drive
Mass in running order: 132kg
Max laden mass: 282kg
Brakes: (Combined Braking System)
Wheels: Front: 90/90-17Rear: 130/80-17
Length: 2050mm
Width: 785mm
Height: 1080mm
Wheelbase: 1340mm
Odometer: km
Speedometer: Dual marked
Fuel consumption: (as recorded on the COC) 128mpg
Co2 Emissions: 52 g/km
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#AJSBilston125, #learnermotorcycle, #firstbike, #motorcyclereview, #affordablebike
78 y.o. here. Passed my test in 1963 (I think!). I did have a long time with no bike but came back via a cheap Chinese 125cc bike, similar to this so-called “AJS”. Not a bad little bike either.
Totally agree with the message that you don’t need to have a big bike. I have two machines, a 225 Yamaha and a highly modified (by me) 125 Honda, and they’re both great fun and both allow me to bimble round the English and Welsh lanes, as well as take on very occasional longer journeys, with camping gear and all that stuff. If you’re dreaming about a bike, go for small and cheap, do your own servicing (or learn how to..) and have a great time on powered two-wheelers. Les
A kick start is a good idea!
I’ve got a coat on. Nice to see someone NOT covered in tattoos👍
I thought exactly the same think.
I never had a 125 but I will say this: My first bike was a Honda XL185S. I loved that bike! It brought me great enjoyment on the trails and on the road. Years later I got my second bike - a Honda 250 Rebel. Again, pure joy for years. Then for nearly 30 years I was bikeless. 😪 Finally, I bought the bike I'd dreamed of since was was a teen - a black Harley Davidson with red logo on the tank (a neighbor had one when I was a kid). It's an FXDL (Dyna Low Rider). I have to admit, the power, torque and acceleration are intoxicating. But that said, if I wasn't older and now able to afford my Harley, I would achieve 99.999% of the enjoyment I currently get from my big-engined Harley riding a 125 cc bike . Just get a bike you can afford and RIDE.
I am a 60yr old Motorcycle Instructor and the biggest problem in our business is a lack of youngsters. When I started teaching 17 years ago approximately 25% of the CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) customers were 16 and now that figure is less than 9%. And the biggest reason is Electric Scooters (Illegal)and Electric Pushbikes (Illegal above a certain speed). Untrained, uninsured kids as young as 11 or 12 are hopping from pavement to road in front of me as I teach and its becoming highly dangerous. They have no road awareness at all and of course with no training (as there is no regulation) never will. At a few 100 quid for these mobile hazards they are an obvious choice for some.
As for your little AJS125 unfortunately the Insurance companies do not look kindly on these "cheap" imports compared to the big 4 Japanese makes and therefore the costs (like one of the previous comments) can be prohibitively expensive!!
Yea the extra steps to get a licence of the A1, A2 mod 1 puts them off and most biker meets are old men. CBT to A licence with mod 2 is all thats needed to get young ppl in.
Love your video ❤
However, the simple truth about the lack of interest in motorcycles is Spiralling Insurance Costs, Motorcycles that are simply too expensive to Run and Maintain, Appalling Road Surface, Successive Summers that have been a total washout and the fact that people have no confidence in the Economy Moving Forward!!
Low Wages, High Mortgage Rates, Utility Bills that are 4 times higher than they were Three Years ago, Food Prices a Third Higher - all these things have conspired to the Downturn in Motorcycle Sales, Closure of Dealerships etc and nothing is going to change for the better under the present Government!!
Here in the USA we call that Bidenomics.
Tump economics is tax cuts for millionaires. Nada for working people. Just look at his record in office. Trump cant run a business never mind a country .@mikeskidmore6754
Europeans and democrats just can't comprehend basic economics. It's all hocus pocus to these people and it pisses me off.
It was the last government that got us here!
Must be a global thing. You've just described New Zealand.
Getting a bike saves money on petrol. My commute to work is one-tenth the cost of taking the bus and 1/35 the cost of driving a car (car park fees and petrol).
More people should be riding motorbikes!!
In the US bicycles were the gateway to motorcycles. Less bicycle riding today leads to fewer motorcycle riders. Plus you can't play with your phone while riding which keep many young people relying on Uber to get around.
you´re absolutely right, that fun on a motorcycle does not depend on size, speed and performance. i drive a bonneville T120 and also own a nmax 125 scooter for the city and i love to drive both of them. very glad to hear, that ajs is on the road again with these vintage-look-beauties - this one looks very nice. i would prefer the scrambler models.
greetings from vienna.
OK I confess that I'm an old timer by todays views on bikers but I love that AJS have added (or not deleted depending on your age) the kick start. Back in the day I had big bikes but later also had a small bike for commuting and I can say without any doubt that the commute hoon was the most fun . I loved my old 1990's CG125 that I had along side my CBR600 but although the CBR was a better bike in almost any circumstance my old CG commuter was brilliant. Many thanks for sharing.
Friend if mine got his bike at age 50. Its quite expensive hobby, even its just second hand basic Japanese bike. And summer is short, snow comes again soon .
Kick starts improve the longevity AND every off road bike should have a kick start [try bump starting a loaded bike on a dirt track or sanddune!]!
I had a Herald Cafe as my first bike.I loved it.I used to get lots of compliments about how it looked.
Thanks for a great video on the new AJS 125 its nice the see that name again 😎 I hope it inspires young and older people to get on two wheels and to experience the freedom feeling it brings with it 👍
At 62 and having riden many big bikes over the years since 1979, this would be the perfect bike for me now. However, even at such a low price, I can't afford it sadly.
Looks nice and beefy for a 125. I like the old style looks on a bike .
I’ll tell you what will get me riding more - sunshine and warmth….
R1250GS in the garage and all it does is rain and wind all summer. I live in the south! Not even the frozen wastelands of t’north.
I had my fill of wind and rain on a Japanese 250 in the 70’s I just want it warm and dry like New Mexico and Arizona…
Bennets just quoted me on this bike. 19 years old. 1st bike.
Insurance start date, - 19th November
Oxford lock and chain
Oxford disk lock
Datatag
Garaged
Rural location
Social domestic and pleasure
5000 miles
500 voluntary excess
The quote is £6374.59
That's crazy. Don't give up, though. Sometimes pricing can differ widely for more obscure brands such as this one. Try other brokers etc.
Insurance.... Huge issue and feels like a randomised lottery 😮
That's insane, it's more than twice the cost of the bike!
I guess age and experience must be a factor. I know insurance for new car drivers is crazy expensive too. I don't know how young people manage! Sure, insurance for new drivers/riders has always been more expensive, but thinking back to when I started out ("when I were a lad", "back in my day" 😄) and allowing for inflation, it wasn't as much as you've been quoted.
See if you can get a better quote elsewhere and hang in there, it will get better as you get older, have more years of experience, and get some no-claims discount too. For reference, I'm in my 50s now and insurance on a (more expensive) Honda is £260, city location, garaged, £100 voluntary excess.
One of the big reasons motorcycling looks to be in danger of dying in the future. Younger generations arent taking it up.
@@thepub245 at the cost it's not surprising, and compared to the 70s bikes today aren't seen in the most part as every day transport
Wow. A girl that isn't absolutely covered in tattoos. Amazing. And wonderful. That deserves a serious compliment. As for the bike, there is just too much black on it. Black engine, black wheels, and black in a lot of other places that should be bright aluminum, chrome, or painted with shiny paint.
Just a couple of very very minor points:- (a) the bike has a Centre Stand (necessary for good chain maintenance) and (b) unfortunately, that is not a rear rack on the back - its a pillion grab handle . Overall though, a great initial review and I am very glad you said that a new rider could stick with that bike, there is absolutely no 'need' to go with the lemmings up the cc trail. In fact, people do tour (at their pace) on 125's. Actually, it's a good bike for downsizing too.
The definition of a 'Small Bike' or even, ridiculously, 'Starter Bike' with most reviewers now is 400cc+, with all the associated purchase costs . The latter silliness sort of explains why potential riders are put off even thinking about starting to ride a motorcycle. Bluntly, the industry has turned into a bloated Ego Fest - enjoy while you can, because it wont last long.
It seems to be American and sometimes Australian motorcycle vloggers who tout 400cc as a "starter bike". In parts of Australia bikes like the Honda NX500 are learner legal!
400cc is a starter bike for adults. In the US, EVERYTHING is down the highway.
I’m 6’3” I don’t do small.
Just for info bigger bikes (more power) gives you the opportunity to be more relaxed. You don’t need to ring the guts out of it to stay ahead oh mumsie in her Range Rover Sport.
And two up on a powerful bike, it’s so easy.
Absolutely ive got a Himalayan as well as my Tigers and Thunderbird its nice to see everything normal and not a blur all the time 😂
Great video, love seeing more people get into riding so the more we can do to help the better!
There's a lot to like about this bike and I'd definitely be interested if I was looking for a first bike. Hopefully, it will tempt some people onto two wheels. I got rid of my car a few years ago and now just have bikes.
I was really interested in this video as AJS did play a part in getting me into riding a few years ago. Although I never bought one (as after my CBT, my age meant I could progress straight to direct access and I did not buy a 125) I really liked the look of AJS 125s and this formed part of my decision to learn to rider. I agree that this is another nice looking bike from AJS. Thank you for the review!
"It didn't blow up or anything." So I've got that going for me. Which is nice. :)
It truly would be a pleasure to ride that.
Dirty dog😉
Beautiful bike! My gf is getting her license soon. This might to worth a try!
We need more small bike reviews and how good they are. And tests of mid sized bikes too
In America, my first bike was recently a scrambler 1200. I will say that a bike has to do what you want it to do.
Great value, front fender is a little high off the tire, other than that it is lovely.
Your comments about really nice paninie's and coffee's underline the level the industry is at these days, and that's before we get on to expensive bikes and insurance.. The staggered learning and licensing costs to go up levels is also an issue. My first 125 was £2200. It was a Yamaha TZR 125 with optional fairing and power valve kit (the later for after passing test). That was 1992, and the Bank of England inflation calculator shows that the current sporty Yamaha 125, the R125 is more than double that 1992 price by around £1000. So using this example the bike is more expensive (and slower 😁) than the TZR. Alas I can't remember what my insurance cost back then. P.S. The AJS company now is not the original would be 100 odd year old company.
Very tasty, the bikes arent bad either! 😄
From bike i need 2 wheels, engine and ... Its all;) than more cheap and light the bike, than more wonderful places with him can be destinationed
Love the video, love the bike. I rode a cb125 back in the day, not as beautiful as the AJS.
So have a go on a triumph 995i sprint it will be a bit of a challenge at first but once you get the hang of it its just the ticket. Ajs old classics are nice as well. the flywheel is so much heavier but rigid suspension is surprisingly comfortable 8bhp. so all comparisons are subjective.
When I first start riding, back in 1970, bikes were out. Not many people rode a motorbike. Never seen that as a problem and I still do not. And, sorry, it does make a difference what kind of bike you ride. Even at my slightly mature age it matters to me what I ride...
I had an AJS Tempest as my learner bike. It was okay, rather underpowered if like me you are on the heavy side. The good thing is that physically they are fairly big and robust. They do look good, but you need to keep on top of the maintenance otherwise they start to look scruffy (rusty) pretty quickly.
I absolutely love the styling but then I’m 46. Will the young go for it ?
Dear Vanessa, I apologize, I did not notice at first that this motorcycle is a small 125 cc. I asked for such a review. At first I thought that you would just talk about proper motorcycle riding. Definitely, this motorcycle is a very interesting machine. I would not refuse to buy one of these motorcycles, even instead of some sportbike or super enduro.
My first motorcycle (that I purchased in my adult years) was a Chinese MP 250 scooter. For many reasons, including an unknown medical condition, I wasn't much interested in riding. Four years after I got my first CPAP, I felt confident enough to exercise the 'ol ego. Got the scooter repaired. Now I ride a Ninja 1000 sx, and Versys 300x. Each bike I own scratches a different itch. I expect to ride the Ninja 1000 cross country in a year or two. And I still love the scooter, although it needs and overhaul. As far as riding goes, I think riding skipped a generation. Now the enthusiast seem to be the guys and girls that enjoy the squid bikes (motard-bikes). I call them squid bikes because they accelerate very quickly like a squid. Then they decelerate quickly when off throttle.
I got two triumph 1200 twins. Scrambler and bobber. Very different bikes. It's easy to start on a crap bike and move up or I. Our circumstances move sideways to other styles.
I am surprised you didn't comment on tank size and its (supposed) economy. Look it up peeps. It can go a long long way........
Hi Vanessa, Where can I get those pants? They look fantastic on you.
AJS haven't been making bikes since 1909; they existed as an independent business from 1909 to 1931 when they were taken over by Matchless. The name was then used by Matchless and its successors until the 1960s. The company trading as AJS today has the bikes made in China.
There's no excuse for any insurer to be charging anyone £6,000 to insure a motorcycle worth less than £3,000. The biggest risk by far is theft, and that varies by location (in inner London, the risk is huge; in the countryside much less so). With cars, the biggest element is third-party damage and this is where young people present the most risk, but with a motorcycle the biggest risk is to the rider. Either way, it doesn't cost £6,000 to replace a bike worth £2,349.
Here in the USA there is a small CO making Vintage looking bikes with Honda Clone air cooled Motors. The price is about Double what you quoted the AJS for. I supposed much of that difference might be made in China vs made in the USA mfg costs labor costs high taxes ect.
have you had a look at the Mutt Stravaig 401. Cheap ADV bike which looks great. I'd love to know your thoughts on it. Cheers
i'm glad AJS still survive considering they produced great bikes in those times.....
They did not survive, this is a Chinese Bike, they bought the name.
@@shardlake I thought AJS was still headquartered in Andover, Hants (whereit has been since the days of NVT). My understanding was that the UK company got Chinese factories to build bikes using unique 'classic British style' tanks and seats on their usual platforms with engines derived from Suzuki/Yamaha etc.
A bit like Mash in France.
@@richardsimpson3792 The AJS name is only a piece of paper in a filing cabinet in an office that is probably nowhere near Britain sadly.
@@shardlake not Indian?
Insurance is the problem.
17 year old lad I know in outer London has been quoted £2k to insure a bike worth £2k for a year.
That's him put off for good probably.
And as for Bikesure, after decades with Carol Nash, I switched because they quoted me a more competitive price.
When the documentation arrived, there was a mistake in it.
I pointed this out, and was charged £125 for 'making changes to the policy' (the 'change;' was that they had forgotten to include the aftermarket pannier racks on my old KTM950...said racks only cost £90 to purchase!)
So Bikesure can sod right off. I wouldn't insure with them again, and I suggest that no one else does either. My experience suggest that they are a bunch of sharks.
AVOID AVOID AVOID.
I just read the Wikipedia article on AJS motorcycles. "Fluff Brown". 🤔🧐
Fluff. And Brown. 🤨 Come on, admit it: That's Sky! 🤗
The sheer cost of getting to the A license if you're a teenager is absolutely ridiculous and certainly puts off a lot of young people these days, the government never liked bikes and never will, so as there are over 1.3 million riders they can't ban it outright, but they can strangle it at source 😮
If it can save your life training is essential though . I paid £120 for CBT and £600 for training and A test in 2018. Is it much more now ?
@@nickclarkuk well my son paid £1100 in total at 37 to get his A license, so I'd say at least £800 to £1000 but that's just if you are old enough to go straight to A
@@kevindarkstar A lot of schools use restricted A-class bikes to train people for A2, so if you are old enough there's no point getting an A2 anyway unless you want to ride something like a 400cc scooter (I guess some will have those available).
I paid $100 for an MSF course in the US, which covered by riding test, which I also had would have had to pay for.
Once you learn basic slow handling, turning, breaking, and looking into turns, the REST is basic driving skills.
The number one issue i find in young people .is that its so long and drawn out to gain a motorbike full license .
Isn't that oil cooler a bit large for a small engine, it looks like a liquid cooled bike due to the rad 🤔
Sorry to disagree, but I don't see affordable 125's having much, if any, effect on motorcyclist numbers. Being slow, and safe isn't a good selling point when it comes to young riders, and it could be argued that it leaves them vulnerable in traffic with very little power to maintain higher cruising speed meaning everything other than another 125 will be overtaking them, anyone remember the terror of being overtaken by HGV's.
Nice looking little bike, but probably more suited to being used as a trendy city commuter than out on the open road.
Hi Could you please review Royal enfield shot gun 650
Thank you
I used to ride RE classic 500, thunderbird etc back home India. Now I am in UK and getting my full licence by December. I was looking for used Triumph speed triple 1050 but found Shot gun 650 and 80 year old a motorbike legend( he has 21 vintage motor cycles in his collection) took me for a ride and told me think about RE shot gun 650.
Hope you will add a comment on shot gun 650
Thank you
Ebin
one thing I find a bit off putting about geared motorcycles is the fact that most in the 125cc bracket do not have a gear display ... I have a 2020 honda supercub , semi automatic , many times I forget what gear I'm in and thankfully the cub displays the gear ... I'm looking at the ajs cadwell and must confess that as a new comer to the world of full manual , I'm daunted by the fact that I'll forget what gear I'm in and trying to remember that on top of all the trappings that come with manual .. could be an issue ...
it comes naturally after a bit. Forget lights and displays, concentrate on what's around you and let the riding flooooowwwww. .
It's not an issue. Just change up or down as required.
Once Mike Hailwood was asked what his 900 cc Ducati was revving to in top gear he looked genuinely baffled and said: "I dunno, how many gears has it got?"
He'd just won the Isle of Man TT on it!
I've got an AJS Cadwell. In the headlight shell. There's an unused socket. It's for a digital gear indicator. I've fitted one to mine. Under the seat. There's another unused socket. That's for a bike alarm. I've fitted one as well.
We need more nice people on bikes and less aholes on bikes ruining the image of motorcycling for the masses.
Its got 2 wheels and an engine so it must be fun
👍👍👍
Who manufacturers the engine, I'm assuming it's a Chinese made bike?
I can't get over the name...Bilston. Does it come with a meat van (TH-cam search Bilston meat van driver when you need a giggle)
I drive a Royal Enfield 650, who needs 150bhp.
An engine capacity of 500 - 800 cubic centimeters means a power of 30 to 60 horsepower. 150 horsepower at best is 1200 or 1600 cubic centimeters.
Well said! I totally agree!!
@@warvaralynx7955huh? Dunno where your “knowledge” is coming from?
@@motolab.EuropeanMotorcycles
My eyes and ears told me so.
I agree from a certain perspective. Same reason i still ride a BSA B31 thumper quite regularly. But the occasional ride on a more powerful bike in my collection still does trigger a can of adrenaline i also need sometimes.
❤❤❤🥰🥰
The average rider age is 54. Thats why the industry is in real danger, the bike industry has built its money on older riders thats unsustainable. We need more young people and scrap the bike licence of A1, A2 scrap age restriction and only have the CBT to A licence mod 2 thats it. To make it cheaper striaght forward for young riders.
😮hvorfor hørte vi ik lyden 😊
Tell me, this is chinese motorcycle ?
The ultimate first bike is a USED bike.
Riding a motorbike in south Africa equates to suicide.
Try west africa. Itchy Boots can attest to that as it really tested her resolve.
Made in China!
"A.J.S is one of the longest surviving British motorcycle companies. It has a glorious past and exciting future".
"It was the dream of the Stevens brothers Harry George Jack and Joe to manufacture motorcycles of excellence and to race and win at the famous Isle of Man TT races. They pursued their dreams and fulfilled their goals.
The initials A.J.S were chosen after “Jack”, the only brother to have two first names, Albert John (Jack) Stevens.
A.J.S was acquired by Matchless Motorcycles in 1931 and produced famous models such as 16MS, 18MS, Model 20,30,31, CSRs and the “Boy Racer” 7R.
In 1966 A.J.S was absorbed into the Norton Villiers group. In 1968 Malcolm Davis won the British 250 Championship on an A.J.S Y4 250.In September 1974 A.J.S Competition Manager Fluff Brown, bought out all the A.J.S Stormer spares from Norton Villiers and started production of A.J.S Stormer based machines in Andover, Hampshire. Fluff’s legacy thrives in the hands of his close family successors. Now A.J.S brings to market exciting and unique Powered Light Vehicles that offer exceptional value, are of great quality, and reflect the A.J.S rich history and heritage".
Triumph are made in Thailand and Brazil... what's your point?
And? Many brand manufacturers produce in China, where the quality is right. The BMW F-Line engines are built in China. “Made in China” doesn’t have to be a bad thing.
Indeed. It is important that the AJS brand is part of the UK. And how to save on taxes and electricity is the manufacturer's business.
Nothing wrong with Chinese stuff
All Junk and Spares. Ajs
❤👍