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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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Old 22 May 2021
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Which 125cc adventure or dual sport?

Next fall my son will turn 15, and will be able to start training for his A1 license (125cc). Even though he can't get his licence until he turns 16, he can at 15 join me on trips in Norway - on his own bike, as long as I follow behind him and both of us wear yellow vests and have radio coms. Two years later he will be ready to start with the A2 (35kw/57hp), and my daughter ready for her A1.

I have started looking into a suitable 125cc dual sport or adventure bike, possibly even a touring bike (with some off road capabilities).

The wish list includes the following:
  • Top speed of at least 100 km/h (62 mph) - actual, not on the speedometer
  • 19-21" front wheel
  • Ground clearance suitable for off road
  • Suspension travel suitable for off road travel
  • Low end torque capable for off road travel
  • Decent reliability

Desirable bonus features
  • ABS
  • Subframe capable of carrying luggage
  • Range of more than 200 kms
  • Spoked wheels
  • Japanese
  • Higher speeds
  • Windscreen
  • Bash plate
  • Hand guards
  • Crash bars
  • Fuel injection
  • Radiator protector

Bikes I have been suggested to look at:
  • Yamaha WR250R - an awesome bike, but expensive. All the available bikes are at least 5 years old at this time of writing, and they have all seen a hard life - which typical for this particular model - because they are built to be treated with some serious hard love.
  • Honda XL125V Varadero - a big bike feel, a bit old, expensive, and not the best offroader - but capable. I think it is fugly - but I do get why it is such a sought after bike, and so far it is at the top of my list together with the Yamaha WR250R. Because it is such an excellent travel bike, many have a lot of kms on the clock.
  • Derbi Terra 125cc - I have no knowledge about this bike or the brand, but on paper it looks good.
  • Aprilia SX 125 - really a super motard, so small wheels. Only new ones available in Norway at the moment, so a bit expensive (maybe that will change by the time I will buy one). I have little knowledge about the brand other than that they manage to squeeze out a lot of power out of their engines. I know for instance very little about the bike's reliability, and even less about this particular model. On paper it looks like it has a lot of muscle - such a shame that they made it a supermotard and not a dual sport.
  • Kawasaki KLX 125 - no bikes available in Norway at the moment. It also looks gutless on paper. I've never really been much of a fan of Kawasakis.
  • Sinnis 125cc Terrain - on paper it looks like a good compromise as it comes pre equipped with just about everything - and it looks pretty good. It also gets some really good reviews in terms of how it performs as an adventure bike. The biggest draw back for me is that there is no dealer in Norway (I would have to find a way to import it). Also, I have read a lot of terrible reviews from people having an exceedingly difficult time sourcing spares from the manufacturer, and that the reliability is poor. I'm thinking it is a terrible idea to get this bike.
  • Honda XR125L - there are no bikes available in Norway at the moment. On paper it looks to have only slightly more guts than the Kawasaki.

If only KTM could make an adventure version out of the 125cc Duke, like they did with the 390...


So, if you were to get an offraod and travel capable 125cc learners, what route would you go?

The bike will be kept for 4 years as a learners bike and won't be going RTW. It will likely traverse Norway once or twice, and will be used for commuting. It might even troll across Morocco or Iceland - maybe both.
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