First 125

"markw_007" <none.DeleteThis@000.com> wrote in message
news:7791111_30be6e1cc7ae255a060ad83195148f93@0000.com...
> Ive narrowed down my choices for a first 125
>
> Suzuki VL 125
> Kawasaki Eliminator
> Yamaha dragstar
>
> Any thoughts on what would be the best option?

Well, to me, the best option would be to chuck the
whole list and go for a decent entry-level standard,
say a Nighthawk 250, a Ninja 250 (yeah, it claims
to be a "sportbike," but not with the nice a riding
position it isn't), etc.. I know it's a matter of personal
taste, but MY personal taste would say that no one
should be starting out on a cruiser, esp. not one that is
so woefully underpowered.

Bob M.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Bob Myers" <nospamplease DeleteThis @address.invalid> wrote in message
news:g09vkk$dgm$1@usenet01.boi.hp.com...
>
> "markw_007" <none DeleteThis @000.com> wrote in message
> news:7791111_30be6e1cc7ae255a060ad83195148f93@0000.com...
>> Ive narrowed down my choices for a first 125
>>
>> Suzuki VL 125
>> Kawasaki Eliminator
>> Yamaha dragstar
>>
>> Any thoughts on what would be the best option?
>
> Well, to me, the best option would be to chuck the
> whole list and go for a decent entry-level standard,
> say a Nighthawk 250, a Ninja 250 (yeah, it claims
> to be a "sportbike," but not with the nice a riding
> position it isn't), etc.. I know it's a matter of personal
> taste, but MY personal taste would say that no one
> should be starting out on a cruiser, esp. not one that is
> so woefully underpowered.
>
> Bob M.
>
>

You speak the truth my dear sir.

Why doesn't Honda sell the damned CBR125 in the states? Honda's USA line up
sucks, that's why.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"BryanUT" <nestle12 RemoveThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
news:S6KdnXO0RK75SLXVnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
> You speak the truth my dear sir.
>
> Why doesn't Honda sell the damned CBR125 in the states? Honda's USA line
> up sucks, that's why.

Honda, et al don't bring a LOT of tasty treats to the U.S.;
I had the good fortune, last fall, to be in Tokyo on a
biz trip at the time of the Tokyo Motor Show, and
braved the rain (there was a freakin' typhoon, or at
least the remains of one, crossing over Japan that
weekend!) to see the bikes. Besides the truly bizarre
crop of "concept" bikes (anyone see the Suzuki "Biplane"
or the Yamaha "Luxair" hybrid?), that show really opened
my eyes to the number of very nice standards that don't
make it to these shores. In Honda's case, do you think
we're going to see the CB1100F or CB400SS here? I
guess there have been some rumors of the 1100 making
it here again, but...

Of course, I have read somewhere that the Rebel 250
outsells the Nighthawk 250 by something like 10:1
in the U.S., which I guess tells Honda all they need to
know about U.S. tastes (or lack thereof) in bikes. Sigh.
I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???

Bob M.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Bob Myers" <nospamplease.TakeThisOut@address.invalid> wrote

> I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
> style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
> in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???
>

Yes, Bob, some of us actually prefer that style bike and in that size.
Why does that bother you so much?
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

On May 13, 9:37 am, "Who Me?" <hitchhi....DeleteThis@dont.panic> wrote:
> "Bob Myers" <nospample....DeleteThis@address.invalid> wrote
>
> > I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
> > style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
> > in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???
>
> Yes, Bob, some of us actually prefer that style bike and in that size.
> Why does that bother you so much?

a 250cc bike generally feels like a toy (unless you weigh 90 pounds or
close)

motorcycling is not about pretending to go "vroom vroom" but actually
doing it - i think most riders would agree to that



in the same way, less riders think that the only real cruiser is an
american one...but those guys hopefully are at least not quite so
"bothered" by us metric cruising folks
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"c" <smalltalkingchicken.TakeThisOut@gmail.com> wrote

> a 250cc bike generally feels like a toy (unless you weigh 90 pounds or
> close)
>

The point IS that it's not cool to dis' somebody else's ride. It just ain't
nice.

So I won't say what I think about over-weight, over-powered, loud and
downright ugly examples of wretched excess..........'cause it wouldn't be
polite!!
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

On Tue, 13 May 2008 13:02:12 -0500, "Who Me?" <hitchhiker RemoveThis @dont.panic>
wrote:

>
>"c" <smalltalkingchicken RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote
>
>> a 250cc bike generally feels like a toy (unless you weigh 90 pounds or
>> close)
>>
>
>The point IS that it's not cool to dis' somebody else's ride. It just ain't
>nice.

Well, some people _do_ ask for it. (See: SteveT's pink scooter.)

--
Turby the Turbosurfer
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Who Me?" <hitchhiker.TakeThisOut@dont.panic> wrote in message
news:dQgWj.3070$7k7.1579@flpi150.ffdc.sbc.com...
>
> "Bob Myers" <nospamplease.TakeThisOut@address.invalid> wrote
>> I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
>> style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
>> in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???
>>
>
> Yes, Bob, some of us actually prefer that style bike and in that size.
> Why does that bother you so much?

The 250cc products in question (Rebel vs. Nighthawk)
are generally marketed to, and of interest to, absolute
beginners (plus a few people who want really, really
good gas mileage and are getting the thing as a
strictly "commuter" sort of bike), at least in the U.S..
My feeling is that the relative sales figures of Rebel vs.
Nighthawk are indicative of beginners who are enamored,
for whatever reason, of the cruiser "look," but are unknowingly
going for a bike that will not be giving them the most forgiving
handling characteristics and ergos in order to get it. If they
wanna be cruiser riders when they get a few more miles
under their belt, hey, no skin off my nose. I just think there
are better choices for a "first bike" in this class. If you want
to think of that as "bothering me so much," well, that's up to
you.

Bob M.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

On May 12, 9:59 pm, "Bob Myers" <nospample....DeleteThis@address.invalid> wrote:
>  In Honda's case, do you think
> we're going to see the CB1100F or CB400SS here?  I
> guess there have been some rumors of the 1100 making
> it here again, but...

I think that CB1100F is VERY nice looking (I had an 1980 CB750F and
lusted after both the 1982 CB900F and the 1983 CB1100F.)

But then, I'm old, and probably wouldn't buy one anyway.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

On May 13, 2:02 pm, "Who Me?" <hitchhi....TakeThisOut@dont.panic> wrote:

> The point IS that it's not cool to dis' somebody else's ride.  
> It just ain't nice.
>
> So I won't say what I think about over-weight, over-powered,
> loud and downright ugly examples of wretched excess..........
> 'cause it wouldn't be polite!!  

I thank you and my bikes thank you!
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Bob Myers" <nospamplease DeleteThis @address.invalid> wrote in message
news:g0asm1$krl$1@usenet01.boi.hp.com...
>
> "BryanUT" <nestle12 DeleteThis @comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:S6KdnXO0RK75SLXVnZ2dnUVZ_uWdnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> You speak the truth my dear sir.
>>
>> Why doesn't Honda sell the damned CBR125 in the states? Honda's USA line
>> up sucks, that's why.
>
> Honda, et al don't bring a LOT of tasty treats to the U.S.;
> I had the good fortune, last fall, to be in Tokyo on a
> biz trip at the time of the Tokyo Motor Show, and
> braved the rain (there was a freakin' typhoon, or at
> least the remains of one, crossing over Japan that
> weekend!) to see the bikes. Besides the truly bizarre
> crop of "concept" bikes (anyone see the Suzuki "Biplane"
> or the Yamaha "Luxair" hybrid?), that show really opened
> my eyes to the number of very nice standards that don't
> make it to these shores. In Honda's case, do you think
> we're going to see the CB1100F or CB400SS here? I
> guess there have been some rumors of the 1100 making
> it here again, but...
>
> Of course, I have read somewhere that the Rebel 250
> outsells the Nighthawk 250 by something like 10:1
> in the U.S., which I guess tells Honda all they need to
> know about U.S. tastes (or lack thereof) in bikes. Sigh.
> I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
> style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
> in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???
>
> Bob M.
>
>

Being an MSF RiderCoach, I get to ride all these small bikes every weekend
on the range. Eliminators, GZ250's, Virago's, and Nighthawks. My favorite is
the Rebal 250. Lots of fun for ridin' the range. Would I take one out on the
open road?? Not on your/my life.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Bob Myers" <nospamplease RemoveThis @address.invalid> wrote
>> "Bob Myers" <nospamplease RemoveThis @address.invalid> wrote

>>> I have no problem with those who truly prefer the cruiser
>>> style - hey, it's their choice, not mine - but fer Chrissakes,
>>> in a TWO HUNDRED FIFTY CC MOTORCYCLE???
>>>

>
> The 250cc products in question (Rebel vs. Nighthawk)...............

> I just think there
> are better choices for a "first bike" in this class.

And it would appear that lots of folks disagree.

No fair making qualifications after the fact.
You initially put down ALL 250 cc bikes of a cruiser style.
So, what do you consider "this class" ??

No, never mind.
Spew your bias all you want; no skin off my nose.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125 

"Who Me?" <hitchhiker.RemoveThis@dont.panic> wrote in message
news:5LqWj.681$qH4.652@nlpi061.nbdc.sbc.com...

>> The 250cc products in question (Rebel vs. Nighthawk)...............
>
>> I just think there
>> are better choices for a "first bike" in this class.
>
> And it would appear that lots of folks disagree.

Obviously. You think I was expecting that everyone
in the world has the same opinion as me?

>
> No fair making qualifications after the fact.
> You initially put down ALL 250 cc bikes of a cruiser style.

What do you mean "initially"? I still think a 250 cc
cruiser - at least ANY that I can think of - is about
as sensible as trying to cross the ocean on a rubber
duck, but yes, that IS my opinion.

> No, never mind. Spew your bias all you want; no skin off my nose.

Ditto. You apparently don't think opinions that
disagree with yours should be spoken, huh?

Bob M.
 >> Stay informed about: First 125