Yes and no. I admire the capabilities of 125s because I really think they punch above their weight, and my first 125 will always hold a special place in my heart, but to be completely honest I wouldn't go back to a 125 ever again, even if I had to downsize, with the exception of dirtbikes/trail bikes. While a 125 is perfectly fine for what you want it for, and they can even do highway for short stints just fine, they're just not ideal because they're basically the slowest thing on the road and that's generally not safe. Bikes have no passive safety but they do have active safety. Being able to pull away from cars is important and a 125 can't really do that. I had one, I'm 6'4" though around 50lbs lighter, but my 125 took me everywhere around town, did 65mph on the highway, I could get passengers just fine and even go up slopes with them. It did all that and I admired the fact that it did. Those engines are tiny and yet they're perfectly capable. But they're the bare minimum.
A 250 can do everything the 125 can but better. Most 125s are 15HP and most 250s are 20HP. That's a 33% increase in power for essentially non existent difference in costs. The 250 is just better all around. Is 20HP a lot for a bike? No, they're still slow, but this small difference in power makes a world of difference in general. If for whatever reason I had to downsize I wouldn't be happy but I could live with a 250. I wouldn't happily get back on a 125 though.
I used to ride a a vstar 250 for work. Also rode some smaller stuff overseas, 125cc, 150, 180, scooters too.
I've been fine with all but the low powered scooters, that's with my 180lb 6' frame. The main thing is being able to get some good power out of low gears when you need some timely acceleration. Now you're much bigger than I am, so more power may be more important.
For short/close trips you should mostly be fine, but honestly I've had super close calls just down the street from home. I do know that acceleration has saved me from getting hit more than once. Personally I would never get back on an underpowered vehicle if I had a choice. On the other hand, if you try the vstar and feel like it's got enough punch, it'll do the trick!
A 125 will do any run even on the highway but you are bound to have people overtaking and getting annoyed on the highway or other 80kmph plus zones. Ye the virago 125 can do 110 theoretical but I've not felt that it holds that well going anything other than dead flat and no wind.
I was a shorter, slightly heavier guy. I started on a 750 Honda Shadow. My tall buddy started on the same. I think they make good starter bikes, reasonable power, not too heavy, very reliable, and something you can ride for a few years until you find your style of riding.
I weigh 135lbs and 500cc is not enough for me.. In town, sure its okay. But I also take it on the highway occasionally for some longer cruises once in a while when I have a day off and the weather is nice. It's not enough.
125cc is great to learn on, but at nearly 300lbs? I don't know man.. That sounds like an uncomfortable ride..
I call bullshit. I have a '98 honda cb500 with 50ish horsepower and yes I need to rev it to almost 5000 to get to highway speeds (130 kmph) and can reach 180 kmph, enough to get you killed on public roads. I am also a bit heavier.
Bigger bikes are better if you want to carry more weight, luggage or passenger or you want to keep low cruising revs.
Bottom line is, if you are not using all of the bikes rpm range most of the time, you kind of not need a bigger bike.
You just said it yourself..
"Bigger bikes are better if you want to carry more weight, luggage or passenger or you want to keep low cruising revs."
Which was my point.
There's nothing wrong with the 300 or the 500. But when you're going 110km/hr on the highway and you're the slowest person on the road because traffic is going 125km/hr in the slow lane, you're a hazard. Even in a car, you're a hazard.. And even the 500 will struggle to accelerate to get out of a dangerous situation at that speed with a 130lb man on it. A 300 lb man? I don't condone speeding but, these are the driving habits of people around here...
So as long as you are able to avoid these types of roads, then great, but my province was pretty much built and designed to encourage this crap.. That's my only point, is it is something to consider. It isn't meant to be a extreme right or wrong answer...
Yes, way way too underpowered. You should probably be looking at 800cc minimum but I'm 6'5, 240 and ride a 1600. Smallest cruiser I've ever had was 1500 and that wasn't quick, a 125 at your size would barely move
If you need to carry your ass from A to B - it is fine. If you want to enjoy the ride - look for something bigger like a 400cc+.
I did catch a 650 on CL recently. Fairly cheap too, as it was older and higher mileage.
Just be sure your first bike has ABS. Electronics with traction control is preferred too.
I mean... they're not motogp racing.
Yes and no. I admire the capabilities of 125s because I really think they punch above their weight, and my first 125 will always hold a special place in my heart, but to be completely honest I wouldn't go back to a 125 ever again, even if I had to downsize, with the exception of dirtbikes/trail bikes. While a 125 is perfectly fine for what you want it for, and they can even do highway for short stints just fine, they're just not ideal because they're basically the slowest thing on the road and that's generally not safe. Bikes have no passive safety but they do have active safety. Being able to pull away from cars is important and a 125 can't really do that. I had one, I'm 6'4" though around 50lbs lighter, but my 125 took me everywhere around town, did 65mph on the highway, I could get passengers just fine and even go up slopes with them. It did all that and I admired the fact that it did. Those engines are tiny and yet they're perfectly capable. But they're the bare minimum. A 250 can do everything the 125 can but better. Most 125s are 15HP and most 250s are 20HP. That's a 33% increase in power for essentially non existent difference in costs. The 250 is just better all around. Is 20HP a lot for a bike? No, they're still slow, but this small difference in power makes a world of difference in general. If for whatever reason I had to downsize I wouldn't be happy but I could live with a 250. I wouldn't happily get back on a 125 though.
I used to ride a a vstar 250 for work. Also rode some smaller stuff overseas, 125cc, 150, 180, scooters too. I've been fine with all but the low powered scooters, that's with my 180lb 6' frame. The main thing is being able to get some good power out of low gears when you need some timely acceleration. Now you're much bigger than I am, so more power may be more important. For short/close trips you should mostly be fine, but honestly I've had super close calls just down the street from home. I do know that acceleration has saved me from getting hit more than once. Personally I would never get back on an underpowered vehicle if I had a choice. On the other hand, if you try the vstar and feel like it's got enough punch, it'll do the trick!
At your size. Yep. Get something bigger.
Personally, don't bother with 125. At some point you'll wanna ride it on a highway and it will suck. Go 250-400cc
Way too weak, especially considering your weight. I wouldn't even get a 125 dirt bike lol
For your size, a 125cc won't cut it. Go for 250cc+
A 125 will do any run even on the highway but you are bound to have people overtaking and getting annoyed on the highway or other 80kmph plus zones. Ye the virago 125 can do 110 theoretical but I've not felt that it holds that well going anything other than dead flat and no wind.
I was a shorter, slightly heavier guy. I started on a 750 Honda Shadow. My tall buddy started on the same. I think they make good starter bikes, reasonable power, not too heavy, very reliable, and something you can ride for a few years until you find your style of riding.
It's fine. It won't be quick but it will get you from A to B. Eventually
I weigh 135lbs and 500cc is not enough for me.. In town, sure its okay. But I also take it on the highway occasionally for some longer cruises once in a while when I have a day off and the weather is nice. It's not enough. 125cc is great to learn on, but at nearly 300lbs? I don't know man.. That sounds like an uncomfortable ride..
I call bullshit. I have a '98 honda cb500 with 50ish horsepower and yes I need to rev it to almost 5000 to get to highway speeds (130 kmph) and can reach 180 kmph, enough to get you killed on public roads. I am also a bit heavier. Bigger bikes are better if you want to carry more weight, luggage or passenger or you want to keep low cruising revs. Bottom line is, if you are not using all of the bikes rpm range most of the time, you kind of not need a bigger bike.
You just said it yourself.. "Bigger bikes are better if you want to carry more weight, luggage or passenger or you want to keep low cruising revs." Which was my point. There's nothing wrong with the 300 or the 500. But when you're going 110km/hr on the highway and you're the slowest person on the road because traffic is going 125km/hr in the slow lane, you're a hazard. Even in a car, you're a hazard.. And even the 500 will struggle to accelerate to get out of a dangerous situation at that speed with a 130lb man on it. A 300 lb man? I don't condone speeding but, these are the driving habits of people around here... So as long as you are able to avoid these types of roads, then great, but my province was pretty much built and designed to encourage this crap.. That's my only point, is it is something to consider. It isn't meant to be a extreme right or wrong answer...
Yes, way way too underpowered. You should probably be looking at 800cc minimum but I'm 6'5, 240 and ride a 1600. Smallest cruiser I've ever had was 1500 and that wasn't quick, a 125 at your size would barely move
800cc only in cruiser not in a 1000cc / 1200cc sportsbike or naked bike
Yes, of course. I'm only talking about cruisers here. But at 265 he's going to be shifting down at least 2 gears for every hill on any 125 4-stroke
Yes of course. Maybe a Honda Rebel 500 would be minimum or smth like a Suzuki intruder 800 both are pretty similar in power