125cc is to small if you are going to commute. Look more at 200cc - 400cc maybe.
Something like the DR200 perhaps.
Jean, subie is right. The 125 does not have enough power to accelerate from cars in normal situation in traffic, which is downright dangerous because the cars get impatient and want to push you off the road.
Get 250 cc at least.
If you only want to commute - get a Yamaha SR 250 - a classic forever. If you want to ride the odd gravel road and trail - get anything from a XT 230/250, XR 250, DR 250, KLR 250 Djebel, Raid, Baja. They will all work - promise you
How old are you?
The XR125 works as a commuter BUT ONLY IF YOU DON'T DO ANY OPEN HIGHWAY STYLE COMMUTE!!!
Mrs. Le Cap does Cape Town Northern Suburbs to Mowbray all 60km/h roads and all usually more or less bumper to bumper with the XR.
Away from the traffic lights you will be ahead of all the snoozing folk in their cages unless you have a youngster in a GTI or daddy's G-string dicing you
The bike rides fine. I am pleasantly surprised with the Honda's build quality (People warned me. I can't flaw it. It's a Honda after all, although build in China). Good brakes, suspension does its job (feel free to compare with some Chinese DS bikes).
The XR is fine for day trips. We did Cape Point and an overnighter CT - Hermanus - CT via back roads. It's probably fine for long trips too if you don't know anything else
Just stay off the freeways.
The DR200 is a great bike too. Just needs to get returned from the Agri status to DS if you buy a new one. Faster than the 125 (obviously, it makes almost twice as much power) but still: Stay off the freeway.
We had a Djebel 200 and did an eight day 2000km round trip on dirt (where ever possible) - great! Second bike on the trip was one of my DR650SE's. The DR200 is capable of keeping up with bigger bikes on dirt unless you go and ride with the Dakar heroes.
Both the 125 and the 200 are fine to keep as commuters & run around for town once you feel you need a bigger bike for touring.
The Djebel XC is a very nice bike but it's got some limitations:
You won't be able to keep up with the big bikes. It will make 120 though if it has to.
It's not available new and was never officially sold by Suzuki SA. Means they are a bit scarce and the agents might give you a bit of a run around should you need parts.
Slightly more complex to service than the XR125 and DR200.
I am surprised no one has asked yet the most important question: What is your budget?
Topic: Advise on first bike and options - 125cc!? (Read 3828 times)
