New 125cc buying advice

Hi folks, after several years of service my old 50cc Honda moped looks & sounds like it is finally dying so I am in the market for a 125cc scooter as a replacement.

I'm after some advice on bikes to look for, my main need is for it to be a reliable commuter (I have a car for other trips). Some 125's that I've seen are - Sym Jet4, Kymco Agility 125 City, Yamaha Cygnus X (used).

Pro's & con's for each and any other suggestions (with reasons) greatly appreciated.

 

It all depends on your journey, how far etc. The sym and kymco are excellent scooters, the yam should be just as good. A bloke i know doe's around 50 miles a day on his Agilty 125, 18,000 a year! Taiwanese scooters are very good indeed, some people on the forum will say they are rubbish because of a low street cred! I would'nt think twice about buying one when the time comes to replace my old typhoon.

 

Tbh, street cred is very low on my list of priorities. I'm after something that is reliable, reasonably economical and comfortable. I'm 6'2" and not a small bloke. My daily journey is only about 4 miles each way, but the majority is on 40mph roads. I'm thinking long term however as it looks like work will be moving to about 12 miles away and there will be quite a bit of 60/70mph roads and a couple of decent hills on that journey.

I don't mind spending a bit to get a decent bike, but there is a big difference between the Sym & the Yamaha in price. I'm glad that someone has said that the Taiwanese bikes are decent (I am well aware of some of the horror stories about some Chinese bikes). Is there anything in it between the Sym & the Kymco apart from £200?

 

the sym will holdits value worse then a proper brand bike, so bare that in mind.

i looked at the honda pcx a while back as its quiet quirky looking. they do interest free on new ones i think and used ones pop up, but any big brand 4 stroke will do what you need happily

 

The Sym offers quite good value for money as a new buy, being several hundred pounds cheaper than some more "mainstream" brands. I did look at a Aprilia SR Motard/Piaggio Typhoon but they are about £550 more for almost identical (on paper) specs as the Sym.

Re-sale value is probably not a great issue if I'm honest, my little SGX-50 is 14 years old and I've had it for the past 10 of those (and the only reason I'm looking at upgrading is the Honda is now past it's best and I'm really not convinced that it will last much longer).

Is it really going to be worth spending 25-40% more in real terms on getting either an Aprilia or (if I'm really pushing the boat out) a new Yamaha Cygnus X or will the Sym be a decent, reliable and cheap long term prospect for a lot less cash? Whatever I get will be used mainly (almost exclusively) as a commuter and will be out in all weathers.

 

personally id go for a bigger brand, regardless of after sale you say your haonda has lasted well, well that to me says it all. hondas are know for being reliable, so maybe grab another?

persaonally the sym would be ideal if you picked it up used after its had a have price depreciastion and then use it for a few years then flog it on as it gets a little older, my sym was ok, but the parts where all chineese and not anywhere near as easy to come by.

if its a long term bike then spend a little more and enjoy it

 

my 2p, I recently got a 1 year old Honda PCX125 and am happy with it. It makes an odd rattle sometimes at low speeds but I think this is the plastic chassis vibrating. No other issues, ride it on A-roads up to 55/60mph no problem and around town.

 

Yeh if it was me I'd would definatly go for a Honda or Yamaha because there realiable and parts are much Easier to source and overall a better bike but I must say Chinese bikes have gotten a lot better over the years but personally I'd go for a Japanese bike.

 

I've had a look & sit on a few bikes now, and although I like the look of the Yamaha, I think that it's going to be a little too small for my more than ample frame. Another possible contender now is the Aprilia SR Motard (similar spec to the Sym, but a better known brand). Any views or opinions?

 

yeh if i was you go for the aprillia