Jinlun JL 125-11

I decided to have a go at getting back into biking, I took my CBT last November and wasn't mush enamoured with the AJS 125 I rode for that. The AJS 125 and the other lightweight bikes I tried didn't feel safe to me, to light and the riding position not good for me.

I'm 66 years old, not feeling that old not in need of a zimmer frame and quite capable of handling a heavy bike, my last ride was a Harley in Spain 6 years ago and that was ace. Looking at the jl 125-11 I did think it looked a bit ott, but I bought it anyway, since then I've had it MOT'd which it flew through just 1 week after buying on ebay, taxed it for £17, insured it for £124 fully comp', and I have a DR10 on my licence, so things started well. After getting used to the gears and the weight of it, re-learning the footbrake handbrake configuration as apposed to my car and the leaning into a corner etc. The bike has loads pf power for a 125, I have had 70mph out of it on the flat and with my 14 stone on it, it does rattle a bit it's ride isn't as smooth as some bikes I remember riding but then when you've only paid £500 for an 07 bike you can't whinge.

To all those looking for a bit of fun and a bike that looks and feels bigger than any other 125's this is a must of a buy, don't look at it as a contender for Honda or Yamaha or the other £3k bikes, buy it and enjoy some fun and learn to get back to using a spanner and getting grease on your hands, all great fun.

I have been riding a jinlun JL texan 125 for almost a year now, and I have had my ups and downs with it. It is definitely a very good looking bike; when I went to pick up the bike, I was given a lift on the back of a 1400cc Harley Davidson and to the untrained eye there isn't a lot to tell them apart. It is very nearly as big as the Harley, the paint job is excelent (if you don't look too closely and notice that the pinstriping is acually a sticker) and there is plenty of chrome to give the impression of a much more expensive bike. The engine is good too, 124cc parralel twin with twin carburretas. It's basically an old honda engine, but with two carbs instead of one to improve fuel flow. 11hp may not seem like much to move a 152kg bike, but you would be surprised at how well it moves. Being a cruiser style bike, you shouldn't expect it to be able to burn rubber at the lights, but it easily keeps up with traffic, and is faster off the line than most cars. I have also managed to get it up to 70mph (ever so slightly higher than the factory stated 52mph) on a clear day and on a flat road. It also doesn't sound anything at all like a 125, it sounds kinda muscular. The gearbox is lovely and smooth for a 125 and the heel-toe gear changer is a pleasure to use, unfortunately due to the small size of the engine it shakes loose quite easily, and will need to be tightened about every 300km, or you will find yourself shifting into neutral instead of 2nd. The people at the shop where I bought the bike said that it can be adjusted to be just a toe shifter, but really this isn't all that practical, as it makes changing up gears very difficult, and still doesn't allow much room for your foot underneath it, especially with proper boots. Finally, and in my opinion most importantly, it is an extremely comfortable bike for a 125. I'm 6'1" and I have no problem riding it (unlike the 125 i took my test on, which would cramp my legs no end), but at the same time is very easy for shorter riders, as the seat position is so low. The suspension is what you would expect from this style of bike too, soft and comfy. Basically it's a lot of bike for £1300. Unfortunately, because of this there are a few bad points. Firstly it is built in house at whichever garage or shop it is bought from, and this can cause a few problems in the first few months, as things are not always put together properly. Just keep all the documentation, and any adjustments needed should be free. The chromework isn't brilliant on the metal, it really does need looking after. I didn't, and now I have some lovely rust patches. Surprisingly though, the chrome on the plastic trim is excellent, and very easy to keep clean! Some of the metal-work is made of quite weak metal, you will probably want to replace the bolts holding the foot rests on, as they shear quite easily, and are then a complete pain in the proverbial to retrieve. The chain is also quite weak, mine had to be tightened 4 times in the first 6 months. I've just had mine replaced for £45 inc. labour and the new one is much better. Finally the clutch. It takes a bit of getting used to. It seems to be more of a switch than a gradual thing, and is either on, or off...