Back in '89, I did a 4,500 mile solo tour of France, Germany and Switzerland on an MZ ETZ 125. What an adventure that was. The bike never missed a beat.
@@Jones-xx2gc It was an amazing 3 month trip, working on the maize, and grape picking. The best holiday of my life was all the reward I needed. I still have such vivid memories of the whole adventure, especially as it was my first time travelling abroad.
I rode a Honda CG125 twice a month from London to Cardiff and back for about two and a half years, once the seat (and my arse) was broke in it wasn't too bad. Longer journeys on a small bike always feel so much more epic than the same journey on a big bike.
The guy on the grom actually did buy a bike for the challenge, a Sym scooter which had been on fire. Sadly it was too far gone to save. Yes, great fun, thanks for watching 😎
It's really great to see experienced riders having fun doing long journeys on 125s. All the riders I've talked to think I'm mental for doing a trip from London to Nottingham and back in one day, but I enjoyed it! Definitely don't regret my decision to get a CB125F (the 2021-2023 version). I think I'll do my best to set it up for more long distance stuff even when I have my full license. I've already got a top box mounted where the pillion would sit. I want to make it more into a back rest, and reduce any wiggle it has at the moment. My thinking is to remove the pillion pegs and any other unnecessary weight, add pannier boxes to replace my saddlebags, get/make a more aerodynamic screen. I think adding a tooth on the front sprocket is a good idea for cruising too, and actually seems to make the speedo read bang on true according to GPS speed and the roadside speed traps that tell you how fast you're going. If I have the motivation to and I figure out a good way to do it, I might create my own side fenders, which attach to the tank, and create more of a touring style fender setup, again for better aero. I think it could work with incorporating the after market crash bars into the design.
I just stumbled across your channel and this video. As a Scottish biker myself, the weather can make things tough. You guys did a great job in those conditions. I have subscribed and I’m looking forward to browsing your other content. Best wishes
Up the A9 and then up the east coast from Inverness is not to be sniffed at but west is best guys! Were you all punishing yourselves for some untold collective sin??🤣 Great video/challenge.... but please come back to Scotland and do it properly soon! I think you all need to buy a 90's superbike/sports tourer (2K budget) and do it again, taking in the west coast of Scotland/Skye. This summer hasn't been kind to bikers up here. The last 3 years were great so I think you guys were just unlucky! My ZZR has has hardly turned a wheel since last October! Waiting for that elusive Indian summer......
Why can't they use the ridiculous parking fee to fix the road leading into John O'Groats.....good video, reinforced why I left Scotland and never regretted it.😅
In my end of the country £750 would get you nothing, maybe if you are lucky you'd get a non runner that's been pulled out of some weeds that grew over it. 😂 Awesome video, shame it wasn't a little longer.
Thanks. Believe me, £750 gets nothing here in the home counties either. I had to buy a 'spares or repairs' wreck and rebuild it - it was in a shocking state. Thanks for watching 😎
I bought myself a Yamaha XJ600S diversion for a £1000 it's reliable and its not bad on fuel either, only problem I've found is it's a heavy old bike so it tends to eat breaks especially cos I ride the North pennines and up towards the cheviots.
Honda CBR125R definitely a good first bike, handles great and has plenty of RPM's compared to the YBR, CBF, CG's etc which will make for some enjoyment ;)
I started riding back in the 80's, a time when all these cheap Chinese and Indian bikes weren't a thing so I don't have any personal experience of them. Am I right in saying that you'd still be better off buying a cheap Japanese built bike than a new Chinese one? I own a Yam RD350LC for the 3rd time now, it's 40 years old now, I love it, takes me back to being 19 again when they were all the the rage. I also have a modern 1200cc Triumph, I use that for long distance trips.
I'd say not. The difference in quality is very small, and one inexperienced owner has a far bigger detrimental effect than a new Chinese bike. It's also worth noting that none of the 'Japanese' 125's are made in Japan. Thanks for watching 😎
@@PhilOsGarage It's certainly true that not all Japanese bikes are built in Japan, they started doing this year's ago. The Honda Deauville for example was built outside of Japan and boy did it show, compared to the older VFR750 that I had owned years before.
The margins on small bikes make it non viable to build in Japan. The reality is that China is more than capable of building good vehicles. This is why the newer ones we get here are very good, the companies like lexmoto, wk and ajs specify a higher standard than the domestic models that are built to be as cheap as possible.
@@PhilOsGarage All I know is that a young guy who works in the parts department at KTM down the road went from an old Suzuki 125 to a Chinese 125 and regrets it. He said that the bike broke down on the way home on the day he bought it, OK let's put that down to bad luck, since he's owned it, he bought/replaced so many parts. He said that they are fairly cheap, chain and sprockets for example but they are poor quality metal so wear out faster. He's last sentence were, I wish that I had kept that old Suzuki.
My daly run hear in thailand is a 110cc suzuki gn i use it to go for bike parts here in sakon nokon north east thailand it will site at 80 kmph all day and the petrol used is very good and at 35 baht a leater fuck me forgot how to spell 😅😅i have a few big bikes xv750 3 honda 750 vt suzuki gs 850 in a kawasaki elimenator bsa a10 1961 with xs2yam motor 1972 xs2 yam l build modifide bikes in the uk as well 76 years young still building and rideing when sun shines so every day 😅😅32c today with light showers 😊im as happy as a pig in shit as my old dad would say
Back in '89, I did a 4,500 mile solo tour of France, Germany and Switzerland on an MZ ETZ 125. What an adventure that was. The bike never missed a beat.
Those MZ's were really under rated, and have a strong following today. Sounds like a great trip. Thanks for watching 😎
You should get some kind of medal for that mate.
@@Jones-xx2gc
It was an amazing 3 month trip, working on the maize, and grape picking. The best holiday of my life was all the reward I needed. I still have such vivid memories of the whole adventure, especially as it was my first time travelling abroad.
I rode a Honda CG125 twice a month from London to Cardiff and back for about two and a half years, once the seat (and my arse) was broke in it wasn't too bad. Longer journeys on a small bike always feel so much more epic than the same journey on a big bike.
Absolutely, and top job adding the miles to the CG, they are just about unbreakable. Thanks for watching 😎
what was in Cardiff a girl?
@@vasili1207 She must have been very beautiful.😀
@@vasili1207 She's now my wife 🥰🥰
@@steveclark.. She still is 😍
New Grom for £750 is a bit of a bargain! 😂
Shame the weather was so wet, but looks a great adventure.
The guy on the grom actually did buy a bike for the challenge, a Sym scooter which had been on fire. Sadly it was too far gone to save. Yes, great fun, thanks for watching 😎
It's really great to see experienced riders having fun doing long journeys on 125s. All the riders I've talked to think I'm mental for doing a trip from London to Nottingham and back in one day, but I enjoyed it! Definitely don't regret my decision to get a CB125F (the 2021-2023 version). I think I'll do my best to set it up for more long distance stuff even when I have my full license.
I've already got a top box mounted where the pillion would sit. I want to make it more into a back rest, and reduce any wiggle it has at the moment. My thinking is to remove the pillion pegs and any other unnecessary weight, add pannier boxes to replace my saddlebags, get/make a more aerodynamic screen. I think adding a tooth on the front sprocket is a good idea for cruising too, and actually seems to make the speedo read bang on true according to GPS speed and the roadside speed traps that tell you how fast you're going. If I have the motivation to and I figure out a good way to do it, I might create my own side fenders, which attach to the tank, and create more of a touring style fender setup, again for better aero. I think it could work with incorporating the after market crash bars into the design.
Thanks, yes, it was an absolute hoot.
I just stumbled across your channel and this video. As a Scottish biker myself, the weather can make things tough. You guys did a great job in those conditions. I have subscribed and I’m looking forward to browsing your other content. Best wishes
Up the A9 and then up the east coast from Inverness is not to be sniffed at but west is best guys! Were you all punishing yourselves for some untold collective sin??🤣 Great video/challenge.... but please come back to Scotland and do it properly soon! I think you all need to buy a 90's superbike/sports tourer (2K budget) and do it again, taking in the west coast of Scotland/Skye. This summer hasn't been kind to bikers up here. The last 3 years were great so I think you guys were just unlucky! My ZZR has has hardly turned a wheel since last October! Waiting for that elusive Indian summer......
😂 😂 Quite possibly! I've done the west coast route as well, and it truly is stunning. Thanks for watching 😎
Why can't they use the ridiculous parking fee to fix the road leading into John O'Groats.....good video, reinforced why I left Scotland and never regretted it.😅
Yeah, that road is pretty terrible. Thanks for watching 😎
In my end of the country £750 would get you nothing, maybe if you are lucky you'd get a non runner that's been pulled out of some weeds that grew over it. 😂
Awesome video, shame it wasn't a little longer.
Thanks. Believe me, £750 gets nothing here in the home counties either. I had to buy a 'spares or repairs' wreck and rebuild it - it was in a shocking state. Thanks for watching 😎
I bought myself a Yamaha XJ600S diversion for a £1000 it's reliable and its not bad on fuel either, only problem I've found is it's a heavy old bike so it tends to eat breaks especially cos I ride the North pennines and up towards the cheviots.
Liked and subscribed my friend ..got a bike .got some leathers ..tank up .load up LETS GOOO 😎💯🙏
Thanks, appreciate it. New content coming up this year
125's are great. A lot of bikers first decent machine before moving onto greater things. Would love a Honda Grom again.
Absolutely, you are never too experienced to enjoy one. Thanks for watching 😀
I seen a video from you in a looking time. Very nice video.
Thanks, yes, it's been a while. Hoping to be uploading something else quite soon.
Great video. Subscribed
Thanks, really appreciate it
Awesome. Simply awesome.
Thanks, yes, it was a challenge, but great fun. Thanks for watching 😎
Honda CBR125R definitely a good first bike, handles great and has plenty of RPM's compared to the YBR, CBF, CG's etc which will make for some enjoyment ;)
Absolutely, they are surprisingly competent. Thanks for watching 😎
I see you used the Queensferry Crossing, I believe being a 125 entitles you to use the Forth road Bridge.
We want chilly Willy
😂 😂 Willy was indeed chilly! Thanks for watching 😎
Chilly willy 🙈🤣
I started riding back in the 80's, a time when all these cheap Chinese and Indian bikes weren't a thing so I don't have any personal experience of them. Am I right in saying that you'd still be better off buying a cheap Japanese built bike than a new Chinese one?
I own a Yam RD350LC for the 3rd time now, it's 40 years old now, I love it, takes me back to being 19 again when they were all the the rage. I also have a modern 1200cc Triumph, I use that for long distance trips.
I'd say not. The difference in quality is very small, and one inexperienced owner has a far bigger detrimental effect than a new Chinese bike. It's also worth noting that none of the 'Japanese' 125's are made in Japan. Thanks for watching 😎
@@PhilOsGarage It's certainly true that not all Japanese bikes are built in Japan, they started doing this year's ago. The Honda Deauville for example was built outside of Japan and boy did it show, compared to the older VFR750 that I had owned years before.
The margins on small bikes make it non viable to build in Japan. The reality is that China is more than capable of building good vehicles. This is why the newer ones we get here are very good, the companies like lexmoto, wk and ajs specify a higher standard than the domestic models that are built to be as cheap as possible.
@@PhilOsGarage All I know is that a young guy who works in the parts department at KTM down the road went from an old Suzuki 125 to a Chinese 125 and regrets it. He said that the bike broke down on the way home on the day he bought it, OK let's put that down to bad luck, since he's owned it, he bought/replaced so many parts. He said that they are fairly cheap, chain and sprockets for example but they are poor quality metal so wear out faster. He's last sentence were, I wish that I had kept that old Suzuki.
i hated working on my mates sachs xtc it had nothing but problems. wed go out riding and it would die 2 minutes into the ride
Much prefer the East coast roads the West coast is pretty but the roads are pretty awful weather is always wet it is Scotland 😗
Masochism on two wheels!
Indeed, but enjoyable. Thanks for watching 😎
The guy on the grom actually did buy a bike for the challenge, a Sym scooter, but it had been on fire and was beyond saving. Thanks for watching 😎
Awesome video. But get back to drag racing. The racers miss you
Thanks. That is the intention., miss the racers too. Thanks for watching 😎
My daly run hear in thailand is a 110cc suzuki gn i use it to go for bike parts here in sakon nokon north east thailand it will site at 80 kmph all day and the petrol used is very good and at 35 baht a leater fuck me forgot how to spell 😅😅i have a few big bikes xv750 3 honda 750 vt suzuki gs 850 in a kawasaki elimenator bsa a10 1961 with xs2yam motor 1972 xs2 yam l build modifide bikes in the uk as well 76 years young still building and rideing when sun shines so every day 😅😅32c today with light showers 😊im as happy as a pig in shit as my old dad would say
Some great lightweight bikes in Thailand, thanks for watching 😎
Should that not be Five? What happened to Timmy? Enid Blyton would be horrified.
Washington your lucky ya bikes were still there lol
We did lock them up carefully and park under the cameras! 😂 Thanks for watching 😎