Choosing your first 125cc motorcycle or scooter is an exciting step, but it is worth slowing down before you buy. The right first bike should suit your licence position, your size, your confidence, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
After completing CBT, you can ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc and up to 11kW on L plates from age 17. At 16, you can ride a moped up to 50cc after CBT. That gives you useful freedom, but it also means you need to choose a machine that is manageable, legal and realistic for your first months on the road.
Start with how you plan to use it
Before looking at adverts, think about the job the bike needs to do. A learner commuting across London may need something very different from a weekend rider building experience for a future full licence course.
- Commuting: look for easy low-speed control, good visibility, storage options and comfort in traffic.
- Learning: choose something predictable, light enough to handle and simple enough to practise basic skills on.
- Delivery work: think carefully about comfort, reliability, weather protection, insurance terms and running costs.
- Future licence plans: if you want to move on to an A1 licence, A2 or full Category A later, choose a first bike that helps you build good habits.
Geared or twist and go?
A 125 can be geared, which means manual with a clutch and gears, or twist and go, which means automatic. Neither is automatically right or wrong. The better choice depends on what you want to ride now and what you may want to ride later.
Geared 125cc motorcycles
A geared motorcycle is useful if you want to learn clutch control, gear changes, hill starts and slow-speed balance in a way that prepares you for larger manual motorcycles. It can feel more demanding at first, especially in busy traffic, but it gives you transferable skills.
If your longer-term aim is an A2 or Category A licence, manual practice can help. Riders who struggle with clutch control often benefit from a gear conversion course before committing to a manual bike or full licence training.
Twist and go scooters
A twist and go scooter is often easier to manage in town because there is no clutch or gear lever. You can focus more on observation, road position, braking and traffic judgement. This can suit commuting and short urban journeys well.
There is one important point to remember. A CBT or A1 licence taken on an automatic only covers automatics. If you want the option of riding a manual motorcycle, think carefully before choosing automatic-only training or testing.
New or used?
A new 125 may offer peace of mind, clean history and dealer support, but it can still need proper running-in, servicing and security. A used 125 can be a sensible first choice, but only if the condition, documents and ownership history are checked properly.
Do not buy purely on appearance. Learner bikes and scooters can have had a hard life. Look for signs of crash damage, bent levers, scraped bar ends, cracked panels, poor tyres, loose mirrors, worn chain and sprockets, weak brakes, warning lights, oil leaks and poor starting.
If you are not mechanically confident, take someone experienced with you or arrange a proper inspection. A cheap bike that needs tyres, brakes, chain, battery, servicing and repairs may not stay cheap for long.
Insurance and running costs
Insurance can vary widely depending on the rider, postcode, bike type, storage, use and claims history. Before you buy, get insurance quotes for the exact motorcycle or scooter you are considering. Make sure the policy covers how you intend to use it, especially if you plan to use it for work or delivery riding.
Also think about regular costs. A 125 still needs fuel, tyres, servicing, brake pads, chain care where applicable, security, protective clothing, MOT when required, tax and insurance. Budgeting for these from the start helps you avoid cutting corners later.
Fit, comfort and confidence
A first 125 should feel manageable when you sit on it. You do not need both feet flat on the ground, but you should be able to balance it confidently, move it around safely and control it at walking pace. Seat height, weight, handlebar position and the width of the seat all matter.
Try the riding position before buying. Can you reach the bars comfortably? Can you operate the brakes without stretching? Can you see clearly in the mirrors? Can you move the bike forwards and backwards without feeling overpowered by its weight?
Comfort matters more than many new riders expect. If the bike feels awkward at a standstill, it may feel harder when you are tired, cold, wet or stuck in traffic. A machine that suits your build will help you learn more calmly.
Practical checks before buying
Before handing over money, make sure the bike is road legal and that the paperwork matches the machine. Walk away if the seller will not let you check documents properly.
- Check the V5C log book and make sure the registration, frame number and engine number match the bike.
- Check whether an MOT is required and, if so, that it is valid.
- Check the bike is taxed before riding it on the road.
- Arrange insurance before you ride it away.
- Check the tyres, brakes, lights, indicators, horn, mirrors and chain condition where fitted.
- Make sure both L plates can be fitted clearly and legally if you are riding on CBT.
- Be cautious of missing keys, vague ownership history, poor repairs or pressure to pay quickly.
Never ride a bike home just because you have bought it. You need the right licence entitlement, valid CBT where required, insurance, tax and MOT where required before riding on the road.
Think beyond the first bike
Your first 125 is not just transport. It is the machine that helps you build habits. Choose something that encourages smooth control, safe observation and sensible decision-making rather than something that distracts you from learning.
Once you have gained confidence, you may decide to stay on a 125, take an A1 licence, or move towards a larger motorcycle through DAS full licence training when eligible. A good first bike gives you a stable base for whichever route you take.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ride any 125cc motorcycle after CBT?
After completing CBT, from age 17 you can ride a motorcycle or scooter up to 125cc and up to 11kW on L plates, provided you have the correct licence entitlement, insurance, tax and MOT where required.
Should my first 125 be manual or automatic?
Choose manual if you want to learn clutch and gear control, especially if you plan to ride larger geared motorcycles later. Choose automatic if your main priority is simple urban riding. Remember that CBT or A1 taken on an automatic only covers automatics.
Is a used 125cc bike a good idea?
It can be, as long as the condition and paperwork are right. Check the V5C, MOT where required, tax position, insurance options and the physical condition of the bike before riding or paying.
What should I check before riding my first 125?
Check your licence, CBT certificate, insurance, tax, MOT where required, L plates, tyres, brakes, lights, mirrors, fuel and protective clothing. If anything is unsafe or unclear, sort it before riding.
Book motorcycle training in London and Hertfordshire
At Universal Motorcycle Training, we help new riders choose the right training route and build safe, confident habits from the start. Whether you are preparing for CBT, converting from automatic to manual, or planning your next licence step, our team can guide you clearly.
You can book training at our seven centres across London and Hertfordshire: Alperton, Croydon, Edgware, Eltham, Wimbledon, Dagenham and Hoddesdon. To ask a question or arrange your course, contact Universal Motorcycle Training and we will help you choose the right next step.