As I sit writing this review-well this pre -review information my new 03 Honda NSR is sitting outside waiting for me to ride it. Here follows a report and review of the bike to date as yet unridden and an update once I have taken my CBT (on sat) and actually ridden the bike, but it may be of use to folks who are 2 -3 weeks behind me in the purchasing process
Background: I am 36 years old and now have a little more money and had the BMW and the posh watches etc and like many men my age decided to get back into bikes , it has been 20 years since I rode a bike which ironically was a Honda MT5..49cc . Unlike my friends I did not take my bike test at that time and now regret it as it was easier (so I understand). So I was left with the quandry as many whether to do a direct access and get a larger CC (like many and frighten myself to death with an R1) or do my cbt and see first whether I actually like motorbiking still - the roads were a lot quieter 20 years ago. I really wanted to bite the bullet and do my DAC which would be financially beneficial to me in the long term as 125 access bikes are a premium and I would save the cost of the course should I buy a diversion or bandit etc. However , although I am 36 the kid in me rose to the surface and I wanted one now, coupled with the fact that I "dropped onto" a bargain Honda NSR locally (info later). I thought long and hard about this as I had been "bitten" before over a rash decision when purchasing my BMW. However desire ruled common sense I suppose and now I find myself the owner of a mint 03 NSR with 700 miles on the clock, yes miles,uk bike still 18 month Honda warranty and just had it's service, it is showroom condition and has been garaged, red white and blue it looks a dream, looks a lot more bike than a 125. plus it's residual price should fare well should I uprate in 12 -18 months.
Present: I now have my cbt on saturday which I am told will last from 9am until 2pm and I am hoping to be on the road saturday afternoon, I must admit that it is a scarey thought to be on the road again at my age even after being a car driver for over 18 years. I am hoping to add to this review on sunday and relate my cbt experiences, I have opted to take my cbt on their bike provided as : 1. the cost of hire is minimal 2. I am aware that the turning circle and manoueverability of the nsr is limited 3. I have not got my cbt -so catch 22 as to how to get it to test centre 4. The local centre has a 2 month wait list-this is 20 miles from me and at £30 extra for bike hire, I got in within a week!!
This will mean that the first time I go out on my bike will indeed be the first time !!! watch this space to see how I fare.
The bike: Looks wise this bike cannot be beaten , now, that is very subjective, yes of course I looked at the aprilia and the cagiva and I can see the appeal to 17 year old lads(and ladies)as their styling is very sharp, however I like the maturity of the Honda, the credence of the Honda name and the fact that simply .."it's a Honda" and maintenance and costs will be minimised, I am fortunate that this bike is still under warranty. Plus maybe I have a fondness for Honda from my youth.But it does look the bizz...and I am an old guy !
I have a side passage to pass down to reach my garden and the bike is just 2ft wide at the handlebars , and a little over with the original indicators, I can get the bike down the passage carefully, now, someone not so worldly wise as me may decide for £20 to change the indicators and stems to clear tiny ones, which granted would look excellent , but from my past mistakes I have learnt that maybe manufacturers are correct and that the large indicators are indeed safer, I shall therefore persist in the trouble it takes with the extra width and hopefully increase my visibility - young people , I was eager once and wanted the fads of the day, live with it , maybe if I do break an indicator I will replace with smaller ones , but not yet. Sitting on the bike-stationary it feels quite heavy to me , I know will feel lighter in motion but one point is that I am 30 and a half (thats inches to you young ones) inside leg and I can get my feet flat on the floor which is a comfort. At present I can comment on riding position as only at static on side stand , I have been a kid and sat down over the tank (when the bike not moving) this bike really does make me smile-just looking at it-before I have ever ridden it!! Oil top up was required, this is a very fiddly procedure and I see no sense in the positionong of the oil and water filler caps, maybe safety?..good room under the seat for some storage , eg small torch , tool kit, manual, emergency contacts etc. The lights seem excellent in the dark and i particularly like the double back lights. Of course the dreaded L plate and there is only really one position for it -on the front wind shileld , which restricts vision...not a problem in my back garden but after saturday I will let you know on the road(assuming I receive my certificate) The bike is very sturdy on it's side stand but I have invested in a rubber stand disc to assist it on soft ground. I noticed that the fairing panels and the rear lights are only screwed on , I have replaced these with screws with allen key heads for security, unlikely a thief who needs a side panel will have an allen key. The engine number is very hard to read and you need to have a torch and a rubber neck to do so without removing fairings, but it is possible. Stationary in my garden this bike is a dream, I cannot wait to ride it and report to you how it feels, i envisage a smile on my face and aching cheeks! however I may not like it ! and heres the experience factor !
yes I want leathers, yes I eant a flash helmet and yes the boots n gloves,,,,,of course I do. BUT I am holding back as this would set me back circa £300-£400 total for my prefered items, I suggest that you do as I have , borrow of friends, if they are good friends they will lend u gear for a day, then take a ride for a day when u you done the cbt and if u like it cool...go spend. if not then u only have to sell the bike , why waste money. I do recall being 17 and wanting everything now!, but patience is a virtue.
I count the days until saturday (only one ! midnigth as i write) and hope that I pass my cbt , and watch this space for the next installment which should include a cbt review and also my first experience on the Honda NSR 125 on 19.07.03
if u dont turn the petrol to off it tends to weep I have found.
Insurance-I have no wish to advertise my insurers, however having shopped around and laying one quote off against another I arrived at a quote for £129.50 for the year, this with 200 excess and declaration that the bike is not garaged-this is with a broker provided by national emergenc=y breakdown provider for my car -it is not the same insurer as my car and there is no claims bonus..I had other quotes fro 400, 550 and 360 pounds so shop around, but if it aint your phone dont run up a big bill, and they keep u waiting so dont use your mobile and have EVERYTHING written down to save time
NB I mark all excellent as to date this is the case, will review at next posting
WELL I AM BACK...AND I PASSED... goin out for a ride now so that I can re enter the ratings on performance etc , will fill you in on the CBT then -later tonight, however whilst I did not think it was too bad...one person did fail!! and u kids that dont already drive...u wud do well to learn the highway code!. both for your cbt and for your own safety.. so, cbt info to follow now i am off for a ride, once the engine I have just flooded lets me start the bike ! ha ha
More details
Purchase Price
2200
Performance
Excellent
Reliability
Excellent
Customer service
Excellent
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