This is a 'feeler' at the moment - I'll be selling this (or chopping it in) as soon as I pass my Mod 2, so potentially next week if everything goes to plan, but I'm trying to be realistic about my chances of passing

This is a grey 2008 Honda Varadero XL 125 on an 08 plate. It currently has just over 5k on the clock which will rise very slightly. The engine is typical bombproof Honda. Being a 2008 model, this is the facelift fuel injected version.

First MOT is due in July and it is also taxed until July (I think - only costs £15 anyway).

I agonised over which bike to buy for some 125cc flavoured experience and settled on a Varadero for a number of reasons.

- It can happily cruise at 70mph, will hit 80mph if you really try

- Does 80mpg with a range of 250 miles to a tankful (therefore of interest to commuters as well as noobs like me)

- It has the road presence, handling and poise of a larger bike

- I'm big and tall and would look like an idiot on most of the alternatives, though it is equally suited to shorties/ladies

- Always receives excellent reviews, legendary Honda build quality, good on depreciation etc.

The bike is in very good condition. The only things I'd point out are that the front tyre will need replacing soon, 2 bolts that fasten the top box plate to the chassis have gone rusty, there is a small scratch to the grab rail and finally there is a 1" long mark to the near side fairing helpfully done by the idiot courier company that collected the bike for me originally.

I've got a touch up kit based on the proper colour code and had a go at the fairing, but the scratch could do with a T-CUT and a re-touch - they basically tied my bike to the side of a transit for the journey where it 1) rubbed causing a scratch and 2) took on some flakes of paint the same colour as the inside of the transit, helpfully in contrasting red.

I'm just pointing out the negatives however - it really is a lovely bike in excellent order. Respect received from other bikers, usually followed up by a puzzled glance at the 'L' plates. First question is generally "is it a 600cc?" - titter.

It was last serviced in April 2010 at 2800 miles, so given the mileage it is now due the 5000 service - the only replacement item according to the handbook will be spark plugs, everything else is just an inspection.

Essential and expensive extras fitted (basically the reason I bought it over many similar examples): centre stand and genuine Honda colour coded topbox.

Comes with service history, manual, 2 keys for the bike, 2 keys for the topbox. The 4 owners before me have used it in exactly the same way - as an interim step to a larger bike. HPI printout from when I bought it will be supplied, contact me for reg if you want it to peform your own check.

If I sell rather than px and get a fair price given others on the market, on receipt of [non refundable] deposit I'll sort out MOT, service and replace the front tyre *if* it either needs it for MOT or gets an advisory.

Bike is located in Bristol - you're welcome to come and view, but in usual bike fashion no test rides unless you've handed over the asking price.

Probably even dafter than advertising on a car forum to offer, but I'd part exchange for a MY 2009 faired Suzuki Bandit GSF650SA or a

MY2008+ faired CBF600S with under 5k miles.

£2650

A good bike for a learner. Good luck with the sale

Great bike, if only my budget would have stretched this far !!

Just got myself a 2002

Good Luck, amazing bikes !!

Good work! The earlier models are very similar though, carbs vs fuel injection probably the most notable difference.

Did a ring around today of all the bikes I'm interested, very pleased with the part exchange values being offered - generally between £2300 and £2600. Considering it will cost me a couple of hundred quid to get mine prepared for a private sale, I think it's going to be a no brainer

Yep, dealers know they can sell a popular low mileage learner bike in about ten minutes so they will be very happy to take it off your hands for a good price.

What are you planning on buying?

Got it narrowed down to a Suzuki GSF650SA (half faired Bandit) or a Honda CBF600.

The Suzuki is a good looking bike, ticks all the right boxes for me - only downsides are the quality is far lower than the Honda (it will be kepy outside I need to remember) which directly affects residuals and reliability to a degree.

The Honda is generally considered to be 'boring' which is fine really as I need some experience, and it's frankly plain old ugly. Lovely bike to sit on though, similar to the Varadero. I've not ridden either yet for obvious reasons, so that will add another dimension.

There are loads more in that category (Yammy XJ6 Diversion, Kwak ER6F, Suzuki DL/VStrom/SV650, Yammy FZ6 etc etc) but none of them have grabbed me as much as the first 2. Basic requirements are new-ish, faired or half faired, cheap to insure, comfortable to ride and ABS.

I was almost considering the new Honda CBR600F as 5 year 0% finance deals were being thrown about last month - it's a seriously lovely bike. Reality check kicked in though, probably not the best first big bike, insurance far dearer, and loads of other reasons. Shame though.

I'm looking to get a couple of years experience and NCB under my belt really before buying something a bit less tourer.

I had a 600cc Honda Hornet, albeit an older one, and had plenty of fun riding it. Enough power to keep you smiling (apart from when I tried to chase an SP1 and failed miserably) and nice predictable handling. The tank range was pretty poor though - 100 miles to reserve when out for a play.

I'd also look at the Suzuki SV650 as an alternative to the Bindit. The build quality is no better but the V-Twin has plenty of character.

No ABS on the SV which is a shame because I prefer the styling.

I think Suzuki's import tactics are way off - it's the same story with the GSX650F, ABS available elsewhere in the world but not the UK.

Provisionally part exchanged!

Here's my new steed:

And very nice it is too.

Just for amusement, here it is at the dealers

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201121388202792/sort/priceasc/usedbikes/make/honda/dealer/19606/page/1/postcode/bs151tx/advert-type/dealer-stock?logcode=dsp

Although I had an entirely pleasant experience with the dealer, I think the way they've dealt with the scratch on the fairing is bordering on dishonest.... (at least they've added a matching sticker on the other side!)