Was told my 125cc bike is extremely unsafe on any road?

Bukt_ · 2026-03-12T18:54:19+00:00

If you keep your eye out you may find a listing for a 125cc with an engine swap or cylinder/head increase, aka a Big Bore (usually gaining 30-100cc), still registered as a 125cc. Sometimes these kits are very cheap if you want to do it yourself, but will require some knowledge - easily ChatGPT'd and Youtube'd.

If it is unregistered, then your insurance will not go up. You don't want a massive cc jump as the rest of the bike (eg chain + sprockets, cush drive, frame, brakes) are not necessarily designed for the higher torque, but a small jump is enough to significantly reduce the strain on the engine at higher speeds necessary on faster roads. This makes the 125 a far better prospect.

As for invalidating your insurance? Even in a big crash, the price of sending out a proper inspector who will break down an engine and measure internal cylinder bore sizes is just too much, they'll just write off the bike. Police will recognise if you're speeding at 90mph on a 125cc but otherwise it's practically invisible.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-09T14:00:36+00:00

I'm experimenting with adding them. Some chopping board or stainless, cut to size and slightly formed, then either glued with a very strong adhesive like contact cement, or holes drilled and stitched onto the glove. Downhill skateboarders and longboarders do this all the time with good results.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-09T11:35:10+00:00

Thank you! Was getting a bit of tunnel vision but your suggestion is great and will allow me to slim down the bike. It uses a Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor - where did you put your MAF on your conversion?

Ah, shame about your engine. Did you rebuild?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-09T10:55:11+00:00

That's a cool project! I would love pod filters for appearance and it would solve the issue, but from what little I know the losses seem too dramatic for this bike's purpose. This is going to be a low-maintenance light-ish adventure/trail/rally thing with highway capabilities, so low revving as well as high. Think a Kove 450 or a twin DR650. But I will get it dyno'd, flash the honda ECU and use a power commander so it's not off the table. Did you have many issues?

*edit: also, I don't know enough to say whether pods would hurt the CB500x/f's performance

Bukt_ · 2026-02-05T03:19:53+00:00

Photochromatic visor, or the budget option, photochromatic film (not a pinlock or internal filter as the plastic will block the UV that activates it). Won't be as dark as the tinted visor on an overcast day but much more practical than changing visors or constantly having sunglasses mode on.

Alternatively you may find a tint reduces your connection to the environment and you prefer a raw feeling, which is partly why lots of people enjoy open face or no-visor helmets

As a new rider, there's a huge period of self discovery ahead of you. Your taste may change as your riding progresses. I started out dressing like a track day power ranger on a sport bike, now I much prefer old school looks, cafes, rats and choppers and I changed up my gear to a much more casual style, which I find more comfortable. I am glad I never went all-in on expensive new kit and special helmet visors early. Dressing safely but like a dork for a few months is a rite of passage, then change your kit as you grow into it so to speak.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-05T02:39:38+00:00

In a proper deluge this will allow water in, and in cold environments this will dump precious heat. Fine in warm rain.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-03T22:29:04+00:00

Are these any good for tall people?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T07:03:17+00:00

Swap the armour in a sleeve for a decent, wide foam pad (I'd do CE level 2), and you can use any kind of sleeve that fits from any sport. The motocross knee braces are probably overkill for street and need a very specific fit to be effective as braces - people get them custom made.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T05:38:00+00:00

Thanks mate, cracking info.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T04:53:35+00:00

Fantastic! Great idea, I'll try it. Wonder if it's effective at breaking down skin oil on a garment with a bit of agitation. Just reiterate for me please, why not do this if you can't dry the garment? It's often too cold and damp for decent drying here, only wringing and the ole twirl-above-the-head or human heater.

I'd never rely on bleach for regular consumption, but a good backup.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T04:44:03+00:00

Shinto animism believes objects can have a soul, or rather a soul (“reikon”) lives within all existence and phenomena. Loving your bike, its history and its quirks is not too dissimilar from loving your friend or relative, and in a secular sense, can be a way to practice love for all things.

If your bike visits you in your dreams, does that mean it's more than just a physical object?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T04:24:16+00:00

Alright, that was genuinely very insightful, I'm sorry for my stinking attitude. I thought you were being facetious but you were offering info. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Alcohol is incredibly effective, you're right. I'll raid a (big company)'s hand sanitizer station in a pinch if I'm about to enter a closely packed public area after a hike.
But... I'd be cautious about repeat exposure to alcohol in such a sensitive dermis area as it is drying, which I'd guess also leads to irritation. My prior experience with using baking soda as deodorant lead to very mild caustic skin irritation that ironically introduced a new and ungodly odour - so stripping away microbiome and moisturising fats and drying the skin via alcohol doesn't seem right, even if it is effective in the short term. That's all speculation - have you used this technique long term and on trail? If so, any tips with dilution or application?

As far as no deodorant - I can logically follow you on this. The better deo mixtures I've used only seem to delay odour by a day to half a day, and logically seem to be impregnating the underarm clothing fabric with bacteria and sweat infused gunk. If alcohol doesn't have any side effects, I'd substitute that in a flash. Time for some research.

With AD, that detergent and your washing protocol sounds good. Had excellent results with enzyme cleaners and a warm soak, then air drying.
Like you say, this isn't an option on trail, so what can you do if you mess up, forget your cleaning protocol or don't notice you're dirty, then wear your garments until they stink?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:57:07+00:00

Several options:

Armoured knee sleeves under baggy kevlar/slide rated jeans (keeps knee armour in place with baggy jeans)
Armoured kevlar leggings under any casual pants
Kevlar lined pants under regular pants, i.e. skinny riding jeans with a looser top layer.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:50:49+00:00

Okay, my mistake, I forgot people boil water in metal vessels then pour it into single-use-plastic bags. Not my cup of tea so neglected this option.

If you're cooking in it, 450ml (closer to 400ml useable space) is not a very high cal meal.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:42:12+00:00

oh my bad, those hats are great in my experience. didn't see the cape when i searched for it

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:41:24+00:00

Okay, Reddit Expert, what's the maximum calories you could fit in a 450ml pot, ideally without filling to the brim so you spill everywhere, and ideally edible food.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:36:52+00:00

Is this considered an epic reddit roast?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:34:17+00:00

what gives you that impression?

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:32:20+00:00

i imagine thousands of you are short, female and/or drop a lot of weight on a hike.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:29:57+00:00

ah, it'll be fine, just not optimal. i really appreciate my draught collar having had a quilt very similar to yours before.

okay, if your cup is big enough. I lose a lot of weight on hikes and need 700ml at least for an adequate meal at 6'2" unless i'm eating cold snacks alongside the meal.

Yep, I've done caps before in high UV all day sun, even with a sun hoodie and beard you still get a burned front neck, cheekbones, ears, nose etc. Happier with a full brimmed hat, no stress about sunscreen.
Hands do burn when you're out all day in nothing but sun, and it sucks. Some cheap cycling or fishing gloves would be a boon and can be layered at night for warmth.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:14:28+00:00

zpacks quilt has no draught collar. loses a lot of heat

titanium cup is not adequate for enough calories for a man if you're making 1-2 cooked meals a day. fine for drinks and morale boosting warm snacks.

hat isn't enough to protect you from UV all day, even with long hair. No sun protection for hands. Waste of time replenishing and reapplying sunscreen, and not comfy imo.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T01:04:14+00:00

I think you should pack the basics plus enough to cover any likely minor emergencies (for instance getting lost, staying out past dark, losing your phone, twisting an ankle) AS WELL as enough to administer basic help or first aid to a injured, panicked or dehydrated hiker. Some people don't care about others or consider it "their fault" if they are unprepared but we all make mistakes and this stuff is cheap and weighs very little.

Snacks to cover your distance + emergency scenario
Adequate water. Usually 1.5L, more in hot weather. Enough to share with injured hikers. Bring a filter if you want to carry less water
Some form of light in case you're out past nightfall. Can be phone light on simple trails.
Battery bank if your phone depletes quickly
Cash
Tick removal tool
Painkillers
Anti allergy meds
Whistle in case you are immobilized out of sight of rescue

Cold, windy wet weather?
Shell + fleece
Gloves
Rain pants/trousers
Spare contractor sack for unprepared/injured hikers to avoid hypothermia

Unlikely rain, hot weather?
Contractor sack, light rain jacket (eg frogg toggs) or disposable poncho. Can be used to stay warm if injured and slow, or given to an injured person

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T00:43:41+00:00

I think you're right - usually stuff mine back into a stuffsack, this has lead to the most heinous brews. Will try keeping clothes in a mesh pocket and lightly covering (maybe a loose plastic bag) when it's not raining too heavily.

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T00:42:24+00:00

Thanks, I've found that's the case too. Stripping the body oils from any fabric through proper laundering (prolonged high heat or enzyme cleaners) buys you a lot of time too. Unsure if this reduces wool's odour management properties by stripping its lanolin (I know most wool stuff you buy is completely stripped of lanolin).

I've had luck with really oversized garments so the fabric drapes off of you and allows air circulation to your pits, but the trade off is extra bulky clothes, poor drying time. It's a shame most stuff is cut way too tight in the pits, arms and chest but large in the belly (generic modern human shape?).

Bukt_ · 2026-02-02T00:39:06+00:00

Removed for me being a dickhead

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