Reliable, learner-legal 125cc starter bike NOT MOPED

[Kinetic]

Hi guys,
I am looking at getting a 125cc bike for city commuting and generally getting around, I am not after a moped but would prefer something along the lines of a Suzuki Marauder (cruiser style bike). The best reviews I have found seem to be the Suzuki GN 125 however these are no longer in production and are not that easy to get hold of. Anyones suggestion?
Cheers!

[markja]

honda cg125 are quite reliable. ( there are chinesse copies also ) also the twist and go scooters are getting better, you'de be suprised !

[Reverandfunk]

Dont get a twist and go scooter get a Vespa PX125, the last year of production is 2007 so they are an investment and I get 120 to the gallon lol.

[CHOPSUEY]

Don't get a 'cruiser' type bike unless it's got some grunt to back it up. Small ones just look daft. Get a KTM road legal crosser and rip your way to work!

[Jay R]

If it's 125cc then it's not a moped anyway. I think you mean Scooter. A moped is under 50cc and restricted to 30mph. Everything bigger is a motorcycle. A scooter is a style of motorcycle.
That said, don't bypass scooters so quickly. I have 30 years and over 450,000 miles on bikes and, until last year when my work moved out of London, I had a big bike for riding weekends and holidays and a 125cc Piagio scooter for commuting. Compared to bikes, the 'twist and go' scooters get better mileage, they are often faster from the lights ( important in a city ) and you don't knacker your left hand pulling the clutch in all the time. On top of that, you don't have to maintain them as much. With the better mileage and lower maintenance you should save a fair bit a year. Commuting 14 miles on a 125 scooter instead of my 650 saved me around �500 a year even with the extra insurance and tax. Even compared to a 'proper' 125 you should still save a few hundred. They are also available in a huge range of styles so you should find at least one you don't mind.
If you insist on a cruiser style, remember that they are a lot harder to handle in town. You want a short tall bike for the city and not a low long one.

[steffomini]

For city commuting you can't beat a Honda XR125.I know it's not a cruiser but it's so light and easy to handle in traffic (i'm a despatch rider)it's ultra realible and very good on fuel,much nicer than a CG 125 and a bit faster.I had a GN250 (Total garbage IMO)