hello, ive been looking into getting a dirtbike for along time!, ive ridden a few but they werent anything special ( PW 80). so i basiclly have NO experience, im 17, 6"1 and 180 pounds.. theres a track just opened near me.. theres a bike going cheap a 1986 honda CR 125. Now im looking at this bike because i want something im not gonna learn really quickly and get bored with!. so would this be the right bike? im very willing to learn how to ride a big MX bike... and i plan on taking my time with it... thanx look forward to some replys!
new/old bike, NEED HELP!! please
- Thread starter XXXR 100
- Start date
The biggest problem with a bike that old, especially if it is going cheap, is that it may be a complete roach in need of a ton of maintenance. If you're not familiar with bikes, you could end up dumping a lot of money into making it a decent bike to ride. If possible, an experienced friend who knows how to evaluate the condition of a bike, and who isn't emotionally attached to the purchase would be good to take with you. Be prepared to honestly evaluate the bike's condition, and walk if it is ratty and likely to be a money pit. If you can't do the work yourself, or don't want to learn, then any problems on the bike quickly make it much more expensive than the initial purchase price.
As far as being able to handle the bike, you are big enough to learn to ride on a bike of that size, but you will still have a somewhat steep learning curve getting used to the clutch and peaky, narrow high rpm powerband of an older 125 motocross bike. If you do get it, take it easy, get a feel for the bike, and don't try and ride beyond your abilities. Don't try and keep up with more experienced riders if you don't feel confident, as that is a very quick way to get hurt. Bikes can be a lot of fun, but they can hurt you badly if you try to ride beyond your abilities. Good luck with the purchase and have fun when you get a bike.
As far as being able to handle the bike, you are big enough to learn to ride on a bike of that size, but you will still have a somewhat steep learning curve getting used to the clutch and peaky, narrow high rpm powerband of an older 125 motocross bike. If you do get it, take it easy, get a feel for the bike, and don't try and ride beyond your abilities. Don't try and keep up with more experienced riders if you don't feel confident, as that is a very quick way to get hurt. Bikes can be a lot of fun, but they can hurt you badly if you try to ride beyond your abilities. Good luck with the purchase and have fun when you get a bike.
AssistSuper
Member
- Apr 4, 2005
- 287
- 0
Here's my suggestion, so take it what it's worth.
An 86 is pretty old bike. I would save pennies and pick up something much newer.
I'm a little bit bigger than you and I ride a 1998 KX 125, it's my first bike and I've been riding for 9-10 months. I like riding it just fine. In my area, I've seen 00-01 125s being listed for around $1500. I regret now not buying a newer one.
Be sure to put aside cash for riding gear. Helmet, boots, jersey and pants (regular clothes rip very easily when you go down!), gloves, goggles, chest protector, knee pads/braces. I also run a neck brace that does a nice job I think. You can't ride when you're hurt. Good safety gear is good insurance. I spent around $700 on riding gear alone.
I'd say that you wouldn't want anything more powerful than a 2 stroke 125 to learn on. And don't get the impression that they're underpowered or slow. They most definately can buck you off if you're not being careful. I'm still not even near bored with mine. If you're level headed, careful, and don't ride over your head you can learn to ride on one successfully. Sure there are better bikes to learn on, but they wouldn't be suited for MX
And you'd most definately want to spend a day riding a big wide open field to get used to the power, the hit of the powerband, turning, braking, and all the basic essentials you need to get around a MX track.
Do you have a good set of tools? Are you mechanically inclined? Do you plan on racing? Do you have medical insurance that will cover you if (actually when) you get injured? Do you have a garage to store it in? A truck or a trailer to tote it to the track/trails?
There are many aspects that you have to look at when getting into this sport, and sadly a lot of them cost money. But it's by far the most rewarding, most fun, and most relaxing sport I've ever been involved in, and it's worth the cash I've spent. I'm hooked.
I
An 86 is pretty old bike. I would save pennies and pick up something much newer.
I'm a little bit bigger than you and I ride a 1998 KX 125, it's my first bike and I've been riding for 9-10 months. I like riding it just fine. In my area, I've seen 00-01 125s being listed for around $1500. I regret now not buying a newer one.
Be sure to put aside cash for riding gear. Helmet, boots, jersey and pants (regular clothes rip very easily when you go down!), gloves, goggles, chest protector, knee pads/braces. I also run a neck brace that does a nice job I think. You can't ride when you're hurt. Good safety gear is good insurance. I spent around $700 on riding gear alone.
I'd say that you wouldn't want anything more powerful than a 2 stroke 125 to learn on. And don't get the impression that they're underpowered or slow. They most definately can buck you off if you're not being careful. I'm still not even near bored with mine. If you're level headed, careful, and don't ride over your head you can learn to ride on one successfully. Sure there are better bikes to learn on, but they wouldn't be suited for MX
And you'd most definately want to spend a day riding a big wide open field to get used to the power, the hit of the powerband, turning, braking, and all the basic essentials you need to get around a MX track.
Do you have a good set of tools? Are you mechanically inclined? Do you plan on racing? Do you have medical insurance that will cover you if (actually when) you get injured? Do you have a garage to store it in? A truck or a trailer to tote it to the track/trails?
There are many aspects that you have to look at when getting into this sport, and sadly a lot of them cost money. But it's by far the most rewarding, most fun, and most relaxing sport I've ever been involved in, and it's worth the cash I've spent. I'm hooked.
I
- Thread starter
- #4
thanx guys, i really appreciate the replys... i kno what you guys mean tottaly in all the posts!, i dont plan on being stupid on it, my friends have them and ive seen them go i was like HOLY S**T... so maybe the bike is a little 2 advanced for a total begginer, theres a few other bikes in the area i can take a look at. i was actually going to fix it up, test it out a bit, then trade it for a smaller MX bike, like a CR 80 or something, but im thinking i might be a little big for that bike?... ive currently been fixing ( me and a friend) a 1987 XL 185 in the shop class at school, so im getting to kno bikes pretty well, we have ripped the motor all apart, replaced piston, the Cam. and hes very knowledgable... so if anybody has any other comments please say something! thank you.
You are way too big for a CR 80 for anything more than putting around.
So long as you don't get stupid with it, and allow yourself some time to get comfortable on the bike, a 125 will be fine to learn on.
It sounds like if the major components of the bike are sound, you have enough background to tackle the minor fix ups as needed. It still is an old bike, so don't be asking it to keep up with current machines and you will be fine. Price and condition are the key factors here, if it's trashed, or overpriced be ready to walk. If it is reasonably solid and can be fixed up, or is dirt cheap, then it sounds like it might be worth picking up to learn on.
So long as you don't get stupid with it, and allow yourself some time to get comfortable on the bike, a 125 will be fine to learn on.
It sounds like if the major components of the bike are sound, you have enough background to tackle the minor fix ups as needed. It still is an old bike, so don't be asking it to keep up with current machines and you will be fine. Price and condition are the key factors here, if it's trashed, or overpriced be ready to walk. If it is reasonably solid and can be fixed up, or is dirt cheap, then it sounds like it might be worth picking up to learn on.
ls1cameric
Member
- Feb 23, 2006
- 457
- 0
XXXR 100 said:
I think you'd do perfectly fine on a 125... anything smaller would be boring to you if your anything like me.
Just remember that it can hurt you just as easy as a 500cc 2-stroke if your not careful.
To have an idea, what is cheap? Simple things like sprockets, chain and a new top end will pretty much negate a good deal on an oldbike like that. I did pretty much the same thing a few years back when I was returning to the sport. I hadn't ridden for almost 20 years and just wanted something to chase my kid around with. With budget being an issue I bought a really nice shape 86 RM125. After using it for a season I decided to freshen it up with new bearings, sprockets, top end etc. I ended up with way more into the bike than I could ever sell it for and it now collects dust while I ride my 02 250. Bottom line I'd have been better off buying much newer for a few more bucks.
Whenever you're fixing up an old bike, anything you spend on it has to be weighed versus the returns if you are looking to sell the bike. Unless you get the bike very cheaply, it doesn't take long to have way more invested in the bike thanwhat it will bring you on sale. The only way you get your money back out of an old bike is by riding it. trying to rebuild a 20 year old bike for sale with new parts is unlikely to ever make you much money unless the investment in it is very small.
If you can get the bike cheap enough, don't have to put too much into it, and plan to ride it for a year or two, you can do alright, otherwise you will take a big hit because you will not get what you have invested into it back out. As Chii says, a newer bike might cost more to buy, but if you take the money you spent on the old bike, plus what you put into it in parts, you could have a newer bike that still has some resale value. It all depends upon your finances, needs and what you plan to do with it.
If you can get the bike cheap enough, don't have to put too much into it, and plan to ride it for a year or two, you can do alright, otherwise you will take a big hit because you will not get what you have invested into it back out. As Chii says, a newer bike might cost more to buy, but if you take the money you spent on the old bike, plus what you put into it in parts, you could have a newer bike that still has some resale value. It all depends upon your finances, needs and what you plan to do with it.
- Thread starter
- #10
hey, i understand what you guys mean BUT then you got to see it from my end, im a teen with NO job, so i got to look cheap lol, the bike doesnt need much im guessing maybe around $100 of odds and sod's... this is something else to do with my time, im Very involved with nitro offroad RC racing, i currently hold a few local sponsers also, so im into that most of the time, and its extremely pricey, i could have boght a 2000-2004 125 with all the money i spent of RC. so im just looking for something to learn how to ride, then i will move up!
ls1cameric
Member
- Feb 23, 2006
- 457
- 0
XXXR 100 said:
Orrr... you could do what i did when i was your age... I sold my super nitro rs4 that was all tricked out for like 1500.00 and turned around and bought a slightly used CR125.. ;)
XXXR 100 said:
We're just trying to make sure you don't buy some POS bike that needs twice its value in repairs. Most of us have been broke teenagers with minimal income trying to afford a bike. In order to do so, it normally means something older because that is all we can afford at that age. There is nothing wrong with an older bike if it is in good shape and you choose wisely, but there is nothing worse than an old bike that is in need of many repairs. This type of bike will drain the money you had allocated to buy gas, spark plugs, oil, and any other normal expenses related to actually being able to ride the bike. Before you know it, you have an old bike, that you've got $2000 or $3000 into making it a decent bike, but no money to put gas in it to ride it, and to sell the bike you'll only get $1000 if you're lucky. An often overlooked fact as well is riding gear. The absolute minimum is a helmet, some boots, a long sleeved shirt, some jeans, and pair of gloves. Now this doesn't all have to be purpose built riding gear, hiking boots, jeans an old sweatshirt will all do ok for casual riding, but as soon as you start riding more aggressively, proper riding gear is a must. A decent set of gear will run a few hundred bucks, even if you can find used gear and closeouts.
Now I'm not trying to scare you off, I'm just trying to make sure you know that bikes can be expensive to repair, own, rebuild and ride. If you're serious about wanting to ride, you'll make it work, but you have to be smart about your money. If you buy a bike in excellent condition for slightly more money than a roach needing repairs, you may come out ahead because as soon as a bike starts needing a set of tires, a chain and sprockets and a top end job, you can be into it for $400 or $500 bucks. So unless the bike was really cheap to begin with, adding this to the cost of it may take you higher than the initial cost of a newer bike in better shape. It's all about making the most of what money you have. The bike you're looking at may be a good deal and in decnet shape, but make sure it is before you hand over your cash. There isn't much worse than forking out your hard earned cash, just to have something break, and you have no money to fix it, so instead you have an expensive garage ornament that you can't even sell for what you have into it.
- Thread starter
- #13
yeah thats true, i will have to take a GOOD look at this bike, if its junk im going to take your adivse and walk away!... wow this sounds exaclly what my parents are going to say, maybe i shouldnt even ask them and wait until i acutally have some money so i can afford something decent and learn and have fun on!, im still waiting ot hear back anyways so i will bring my friend who is knowledgable and see what he thinks!... i appreciate your help ALOT, this forum is great i have talked on here before about pros and cons of a old bike... some people say different so im going to take your advise thanx!
$700 Cdn isn't a bad price for that bike if it is decent shape, needing only minor repairs at worst. It is tough to find anything decent for less than $1000 Cdn. I'd have to check the bike out in person to say for sure if it is worth the money or not, but a picture would give a good idea one way or the other.
If you can buy the bike, and get some gear, do the minor repairs and still have some money left to ride it, you might be doing ok if it's not a junker. Just don't try and keep up to your buddies who are on new iron, that bike is 20 years old and technology has advanced significantly in that time.
If you can buy the bike, and get some gear, do the minor repairs and still have some money left to ride it, you might be doing ok if it's not a junker. Just don't try and keep up to your buddies who are on new iron, that bike is 20 years old and technology has advanced significantly in that time.
i say wait and get something newer like a 98 or newer. i have an 82 KDX 175 2 stroke that is a mofo to find parts for. DONT.... i repeat DONT get anything old, unless A( you have a good line on parts or B) you can find a parts bike. my KDX snapped a kickstart shaft and we called BC(live in BC) alberta mostly big junkyards and crap and could not find one. we found a brand new one at bikebandit.com and it was pricey like at least 138.00 US pricey it came in a fed-ex box from san diego california. so i say wait till you can afford something half decent. hey im 18 and have no part time job, i do shovel horse crap for a lady down the road but thats only 20.00 Can a month. and thats really the only income i have right now.... till this summer.... going to live in red deer Alberta and work on oil rigs in Bowden Alberta. hehe.. then i'll soo much money i wont know what to do iwth it.
robwbright
Member
- Apr 8, 2005
- 2,283
- 0
As I recall, 1986 was a pretty good year for the CR125. I had a new '86 CR80 . . . :laugh: My buddy had a new 1988 CR125. It was pretty fast.
If you look long enough, you can find some REALLY good deals. I've mentioned this here before, but my 2002 RM 125 was $1500 in April/May 2005 and my bros 2000 KX250 was $1500 about the same date.
Both were in very good condition.
When you're ready you should be able to get a late 90's 125 for $1200 or so . . . if you shop long enough.
If you look long enough, you can find some REALLY good deals. I've mentioned this here before, but my 2002 RM 125 was $1500 in April/May 2005 and my bros 2000 KX250 was $1500 about the same date.
Both were in very good condition.
When you're ready you should be able to get a late 90's 125 for $1200 or so . . . if you shop long enough.
Bike prices in Canada are way higher than in the US. Mostly due to fewer bikes for sale, so they can price them higher. There is no way he is getting a late 90's 125 for less than $2500 Cdn, at least one that is worth buying. Very rarely you come upon a steal, such as when a guy needs to dump a bike before his wife takes it in the divorce, but otherwise, you can pretty much double the price in US dollars to get what it sells for in Cdn dollars up here. It sucks if you're looking to buy, because it costs more to get a decent bike, but thats the way it goes.
i agree 100 percent with timber pig. i also live in BC and i was just talking to my local bike shop(he's part owner and half runs the joint and he was riding this past saturday at a gravel pit near my house) and he was saying that his neighbour brought in a bike i think it was a 2001 KX125 that wasnt beat on and in good condition and bought an RM450 in the same joint and the dealer said he sold it for 2500.00 canadian. the dealer wasnt trying to make money off of it, they were just "advertising" or helping to sell the bike for the guy. there are few bikes that are in mint cond but if you want it you gotta be willing to fork out a pretty penny for it.
Similar Topics
