[Tomog]

HI

I’ve got a CBT licence and should have my full car driving licence within the next 2 months which will allow me to ride a 125 bike.

I am looking for a bike which is a good mix. Suitable of doing a bit of 'soft' trials / green laneing as well as some road use

I’ve come across the Honda tl125 and just wondered if anyone has had any experience of riding one on the road.

I need it to transport me to college and back which is 10 miles each way.

Basically am I being realistic doing that many miles on a bile like that a day?

If not, can anyone think of any other suitable 125 bikes?

[Woody]

As long as it is in good order it will be fine for that commute. My mate bought one new and used to trial it at weekends and ride to work on it in the week. His journey was about 5 or 6 miles each way in Birmingham with 30 or 40mph speed limits so speed wasn't an issue.

[malcra]

One of the TL125's I owned, I used for commuting to-from Hereford and the shops (10 miles each way); what you'll need look for is:
- most TL125's don't have the switchgear and ignition lock, so practice those hand signals
- suitable lighting, ie decent front and rear
- change the front and rear sprocket; I got a road-biased one from David Silver Spares
- tyres, go for a harder trials tyre (like a Pirelli) or one of the budget options, like a Vee Rubber; some road fitments (9090 18 front, 100/100 rear) may fit also, Continental TKC's maybe

In terms of 10 miles each way, excellent fun, especially in traffic. but ypu'll not need to use 1st, except if you a couple of off-road short-cuts/

[Tomog]

Cheers for your help
So far, everything’s going to plan …

I am aware it’s not going to have the road standards of a newer 125 but I still expect it’ll be a vast improvement over the 50cc moped I own now.
I guess an ignition switch can be added. I am ok with signalling for indictors. I guess generally lighting can easily be added with a switch but is there anyway way to add a brake light?

How much should I be paying for a good running tl125, I was thinking around the £1000 mark but I may be wrong?

This post has been edited by Tomog: 01 February 2010 - 05:51 PM

[TLTEL]

Hi in 1977 I bought a 2 year old TL125 and used it for work daily, and any spare minute I had I was riding round a quary near my house, It was great fun and as mentioned you can easily change the gearing by changing the sprockets to make it usable on and off road, I even took my test on mine and past first time but it was easy in them days.
You should be able to get a fairly good bike for £1000 try and get one with lights already fitted if you can as the TL engines don't all have the lighting generator coil fitted as standard (mine did'nt) and unless you know what you are doing its easy to get too much power to your lights at high revs and blow the bulbs,if you have got power a brake light is easy to fit with a universal brake light switch, you might be lucky and find the bracket is still welded to the frame.

These are great little bikes but obviously very old now but you will definatley have fun.
good luck.
TLTEL

I still have my bike 33 years later as can be seen in my personal profile ,taken last summer at a trial in Tenterden kent (not for sale)

[max1956bikes]

yes but change engine oil every 1,000 miles.

[hrc1]

My TL125 was my first trials bike & acted as back-up for my BSA 441 road bike.
Hence it got a lot of road use, as well as a proper trashing in my first few trials.
192 marks lost first time.

So okay on the road depending on gearing. Lights - poor, yes I had to add a lighting coil.

Gearing - I overgeared mine with a road bike sprocket so much that on a ride from Surrey to the Lake District I only used top gear once!

The biggest prob will be costs, somehow these old bikes are "sought after classics". I'm not sure why.

This post has been edited by hrc1: 02 February 2010 - 09:56 AM

[Tomog]

Thanks for all the replies.
I am surprised by the number of people who live locally to me on this forum, I am based in Guilford

Anyway cheers for all your advice, I am currently on the look for one …

A slight rush as my Insurance for my current bike runs out on the 20th and I don’t particularly want to re insure it again

[MaddogTL]

If you figure out the lights I'd like to hear from you. I have a TL 250 and want to put a light kit on it but don't know what to get. Any help would be great.

[MaddogTL]

Again I'd love to discuss the lights. I found a light kit from an MR175. It's the same lights. The bulb was blown in the headlight thou. Can you use a 12 volt bulb? I ordered the 6v25/25w bulb. still waiting for it. If the headlight bulb goes does it cause the taillight to go out as well?