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I was looking at getting a kawasaki Eliminator 125 for a first bike. Its not very powerful, cheap enough to purchase. I like the low seat height and the ability to have a passenger. It seems like a fairly good choice for a beginner like me. Anyone have anything against it or other bikes that might be a better fit. Oh and can a 125cc bike the the eminator do highway speed? Thank you


JWF

I would suggest a bare minimum of a 250 to begin on unless you're really behind the learning curve. A 125 will not be legal (or recommended) for use on the interstate and will be lucky to maintain 65mph. The Eliminator sells for ~$2,500 and there are plenty of good beginner bikes in that price range on the used market. Look for a Virago 250 or a Vulcan 500. The latter may even keep you happy for a season or two.

ok, virgo 250 vulcan 500, cool thanks

Kal wrote:Zootech automatically slags off small displacement bikes...

Behind the Learning Curve am I?

Tah hah! Here we go again...

Look, I can't speak for the collective mentality of the U.K., but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone here in the States that considers a 125cc streetbike anything more than a novelty or something to putt around on at the local campground. I paid $1,900.00 cash for a very clean NightHawk 700SC and feel it'd be a far better purchase than a new Eliminator 125. The learning curve comment was meant to address those folks who are so inexperienced and devoid of mechanical inclination that anything bigger would be a dangerous proposition, but if you're in that boat you either A) need to look more seriously at Vespas, or B) need to stick to cages and leave motorcycling to those that can at least drive a stick.

I do realize that when your entire country is roughly the size of California, your gasoline is $8.00 a gallon, and your government is ana about engine displacement, a 125 might be the only way to go. But here in the States even the folks with the 250cc bike fetish would steer people clear of a motorcycle that is banned from use on the freeway.

Actually, I think Zoo still has a soft spot for that little 700... Don't you, Zoo? See, He does like "small bikes"...it's all relative. I reentered riding on a 650, and probably will stay there for money reasons. My previous experience was all dirt, under 250cc. 30+ years ago. I think the 125 is too small for daily use, even for a beginner. Except, like Zoo said, around the campground or similar use. My son has the vulcan 500...great beginner bike, and even more for a small person. Highly recommend that one.

ZooTech wrote:Tah hah! Here we go again...

If you will be rude about my small but perfectly formed ride and come across as insulting my riding ability of course I'm going to bite.

Not having enough time to do everything before we leave for Florida *might* be making me a little more tetchy than usual I'll grant you.

Besides, as long as he's got adequate riding gear and takes MSF/Riders Edge I dont see a problem with him learning on a 500.



and I drive a stick (its an effort to find an automatic over here!) so nerrr!

ronboskz650sr wrote:Actually, I think Zoo still has a soft spot for that little 700... Don't you, Zoo? See, He does like "small bikes"...it's all relative.

Ssshhhhhhh! Not too loud, Ron, or my current "girl" might hear you!

Kal wrote: If you will be rude about my small but perfectly formed ride and come across as insulting my riding ability of course I'm going to bite.

I know nothing of your skills, Kal, and I am intelligent enough to know the difference between wants and needs, what you wish for and what you can afford, and a moped disguised as a chopper and a 125cc dual-sport such as the one you ride.

Kal wrote: Not having enough time to do everything before we leave for Florida *might* be making me a little more tetchy than usual I'll grant you.

Not gonna have enough time to spot someone riding an Eliminator 125 on the streets of Miami, huh?

Kal wrote: Besides, as long as he's got adequate riding gear and takes MSF/Riders Edge I dont see a problem with him learning on a 500.

Yeah, first the MSF course, then the world, right?

Kal wrote: and I drive a stick (its an effort to find an automatic over here!) so nerrr!

Nearly as hard as it is to find a good dentist, or so I hear (okay, now I'm sounding a bit testy!)

All in good fun.

My first bike was a KZ440. It topped out at just barely over 70mph and took a while to get there. Wonderful learning bike, but I wouldn't go with anything smaller.

Mag7C wrote:My first bike was a KZ440. It topped out at just barely over 70mph and took a while to get there. Wonderful learning bike, but I wouldn't go with anything smaller.

Something must have been wrong with it or it had the wrong size sprockets. Good running KZ400/440s should easily be able to hit the century mark. Mine did. It zipped up to 80 faster than most cars. From there the trip to 100 was a bit slower.

The liquid cooled Kaw 250 I rode a few months ago had very similar performance. It makes a few less horsepower than the 400/440 series, but it's a lot lighter.