MOTORBIKES: Many are discovering the joys of small bikes - the 125s - thanks to a combination of traffic gridlock, insurance costs and age. restrictionswrites John Wheeler
Smaller motorcycles owe their popularity to four factors. They are the only machines riders from 16 to 18 years are permitted to ride. Insurance costs are, relatively speaking, modest. Many consider them less intimidating.
Finally, they are less expensive than their larger brethren.
Such machines are an important sector of the motorcycle market with virtually all manufacturers offering at least one model. Huge improvements in recent years - both in design and performance - have done much to remove the "poor relation" image.
Those who may have had a 125 cc machine in a now distant youth would be surprised to see how much such machines have developed and how much performance has improved. What once were considered luxuries - electric starting, disk brakes and electronic ignition - are commonplace.
In some cases only a well-trained eye can distinguish 125s from their larger namesakes. Yamaha's 125 cc Dragstar, priced around €5,370 can easily be mistaken for something much more powerful. ... For those wanting more conventional looks, Yamaha's TDR 125, priced at €5,798 has proved popular.
If you like a tall "see-over-the cars" mount, coupled with the ability to laugh at Irish potholes, the Kawasaki KMX 125, recently re-classified as a Group 3 for insurance purposes (down from Group 7) makes a good choice. It currently sells at around €4,000. Younger riders in particular appreciate its "street cred".
One of the least expensive 125 cc choices and one which, thanks to its low, cruiser-style seat height, is also much appreciated by the vertically challenged is the Kawasaki Eliminator 125. This machine has proved deservedly popular with rider training schools in the UK. Here we are still waiting for the insurers to provide training bike cover. It is also, at €3,900, one of the cheapest in the 125 cc category.
If you are under 18, 125s are your only option. They are essentially commuter, or first bike machines but can be used for touring provided your horizons are not far distant. Most modern 125s can achieve the legal maximum speed, given time and a not too strong headwind but protracted motorway speeds are not their forte.
IF you are thinking in terms of continental touring a 125 is probably not the best choice. But if all you need is affordable, frugal reliability with freedom from public transport within the city and suburbs a 125 would do the job in much the same time as the most powerful machines.
Those over 18 thinking of taking up motorcycling are often attracted to 125s because, being smaller and lighter, they seem a good place to start. If you can afford the higher outlay and insurance cost the somewhat larger machines are every bit as easy to learn to ride.
A testament to the robustness and reliability of modern 125s is the fact that they are also a popular choice with couriers, where low running costs, robustness and reliability are paramount.