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“Great fun way to learn to ride on a Honda XR125L”

written by eogz on 02/09/2011

Ok, I'm a 40yr old new to biking and am a big 18st+ and at 6'4" needed a bike to reflect my size.

After some research I looked at the Yamaha WR125R, the big enduro style bike, which I really liked but was put off by the price.

So for a second hand reliable learner with some size I went for the XR125L. It's not a true enduro bike, its a four stroke with a permanently restriced engine (11bhp), you'd need to buy some after market parts to increase the power.
Now I'm a big fella so the likelihood of getting 60+ on this bike was only going to happen when a downhill bit came and there was a relativley strong storm behind me. But I'm learning I don't want a bike I am likely to kill myself on, but something forgiving and steady that I can keep up with traffic on the 'A' roads. This bike does all those things, its nippy up to 50 with some practice on gear changes and will crack up to 60 with some patience, though I normally get 55 without too much effort, the engine has more, but is never going to give you it. This is a good thing, you know then that it will last.
Gear changes are smooth when you do them right, and clunky when you don't engage the clutch properly, you can engine brake without using the brakes successfully with some good clutch work, you get to use all of the 5 gears, which is also good practice.
Its pretty comfortable, it took me time to establish that sitting right up to the tank was the best riding position for comfort and balance and the bike will give you plenty thorugh the meanering country lanes.
In the town, you get a rugged commuter that will out accelerate most cars and safely get you out of trouble.
This is a kindly bike for the inexperienced biker, which to be honest as a learner is what you need.
I'm doing my direct access pretty quick and intend to keep hold of my XR for the rest of it's life. My daughter is 17 next year and it will be her learner bike too. I'll still go for silly little jaunts too, while spending a bit of money on hiring the different styles of bike, experiencing them all and then buying myself something new.
If you like a bit of gentle green laning then this bike is perfect, its not set up for heavy off roading, just a bit of fun.

Overall you have a great entry to biking, with versatility, stability, reliability and low fuel consumption, the insurance is just a tiny bit more than the average scooter, so give it a try, you won't be breaking land speed records but you'll have a bike that looks the part, other big bikers respect and gives you a commanding position on the road, look after it and it will look after you for years after you have passed your test or to the next person you gift it to.