Adrien Paillet

Motorcycle rental for young riders: tips for riding in complete freedom

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Who remembers his set exam? Everyone, in fact! We've all, or almost all, been stressed when taking it, and we've all tended to doubt our own abilities, and our mastery of motorcycling. It's possible to work on this self-confidence and mastery for hours, even days, thanks to a simple solution: rent a 125cc to prepare for the test. We'll explain why this is a good idea, and tell you about a few models that can help you feel more confident on the big day, including the Yamaha XSR 125, which has a lot going for it.

Why train with a 125cc bike before the show?

Training with a 125cc is above all about giving yourself the opportunity to ride more often and more freely, outside the imposed hours of driving school. The more you ride, the more natural your driving skills will become, and the less stress you'll feel when you approach the plate.

The Yamaha XSR 125: THE 125 tailor-made for training

If you're looking for one of the best 125cc bikes for training, the Yamaha XSR 125 clearly stands out in our opinion. Why? For a start, it offers a riding position very similar to that of a driving school bike. With its upright, comfortable ergonomics, you'll immediately feel at ease, crucial when you want to spend hours practicing slaloms or emergency braking. Unlike other, sportier models, which have a lower, more tucked-in riding position, the XSR makes for a much smoother transition on test day.

But it's not just a question of position. The XSR 125 is also a very manoeuvrable bike. It's light and responds well to the controls, which is perfect for repeating mastery exercises over and over again. For slaloms, U-turns and even evasive maneuvers, it's responsive without being intimidating. It's exactly what you need to progress at your own pace, without feeling limited by the demands of the machine.

The 37mm inverted front fork ensures a comfortable ride, absorbing road irregularities, while the rear swingarm does the job of maintaining stability on the road.

As for the engine, with a liquid-cooled single-cylinder offering 15 hp at 10,000 rpm, you'll be able to reach a top speed that's more than enough for the city, but also enough to get away on secondary roads. The 11.5 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm will ensure dynamic acceleration, so we say yes!

Thanks to its Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology, it offers linear, responsive acceleration, ideal for urban travel and back-road jaunts.

When it comes to braking, the XSR makes no compromises either: a 267 mm disc at the front and a 220 mm disc at the rear, both hydraulically controlled, ensure efficient, progressive braking. The ABS present on this model also provides an extra layer of safety, without compromising ride feel.

The importance of looks and motivation

There's also something very motivating about the aesthetics of this bike. With its stylish, retro look, you'll feel right at home on it, and this aspect is not to be overlooked. The finishes are meticulous, with details reminiscent of vintage motorcycles, such as the flat seat with exposed seams, and its round LED headlight.

When you love the bike you ride, you want to get out on it more often, to train again and again. And it's this desire that's going to be a powerful driving force to move forward, progress, and be ready on exam day.

Comparison with other bikes of identical displacement

Of course, there are other 125cc bikes on the market. For example, the Fantic 125 is a very modern and responsive bike. But it has a sportier riding position that can make adapting to the platform a little more complicated. The Honda CBF 125, on the other hand, is a reliable, economical bike with a good riding position, but it doesn't offer quite the same agility as the XSR 125. In short, each has its advantages, but the Yamaha XSR 125 has, in our opinion, that perfect balance between comfort, handling and riding pleasure, which makes it particularly suitable for training for the A2 license.

Tips for effective training

The best way to get the most out of your training is to reproduce the exercises on the set: slalom, emergency braking, a slow run... Take the time to integrate each movement, and vary the training locations if possible. This will help you adapt to different conditions and feel at ease on different surfaces.

There are a number of points to bear in mind if you are to succeed on the set. First of all, your gaze, which plays an extremely important role: always look where you want to go. Staring at a distant point helps stabilize the bike and guide your body and trajectory in a natural way. Whether you're slaloming or making a U-turn, a good look will enable you to anticipate movements and maintain a fluid trajectory.

Then there's knee-tightening, a fundamental technique for staying stable on the bike. By pressing your knees tightly against the tank, you increase your body's stability, thus reducing parasitic movements. This allows you to control the bike more precisely, especially during low-speed manoeuvres such as the slow course.

The gyroscopic effect is also an important concept to understand. The faster the bike goes, the more stability the gyroscopic effect of the wheels creates. This makes low-speed maneuvers more delicate, as the effect is less pronounced. To help you in these moments, it's useful to counter-steer slightly, i.e. push lightly on the handlebars on the opposite side to the direction you want to turn. This makes it easier to tilt the bike and maintain balance.

And don't forget the importance of your body position. When cornering, lean in slightly and keep your arms relaxed. This allows the bike to follow a more natural trajectory and improves your control.

The advantages of renting a 125cc bike

Renting a motorcycle like the Yamaha XSR 125 also has enormous practical advantages. For starters, you don't have to worry about maintenance.

At Good Motors Agency, our motorcycles are regularly serviced, and we make a point of checking them at all times. If you rent a Yamaha XSR 125 from one of our agencies (we have this model in all the towns where we are located), all you have to do is drive it - that's the advantage of renting! We've also made sure that the deposit, in the form of a bank imprint, is as low as possible, and is €750.

Renting a motorcycle also allows you to remain flexible: you rent the bike when you need it, with no long-term commitment, and it's much cheaper than taking extra hours of lessons at driving school.

Disadvantages to consider

Of course, not everything is perfect. Training with a 125cc also has its drawbacks. For example, on the day of the test, you'll have to adapt to a more powerful and heavier A2 motorcycle, and this can sometimes take some getting used to. Training with a 125cc bike can also lead to bad habits in the long term, as the power and behavior of an A2 bike can be radically different. A good example is braking and acceleration, which require more subtle handling on an A2 than on a 125cc. There's nothing to stop you taking another hour of driving school the day before your test, to familiarize yourself with the bike you'll be riding!

Conclusion

In short, using a rental company to hire a 125cc bike before taking the test can be a winning strategy. With the Yamaha XSR 125, we offer you a model that will enable you to prepare calmly, gain confidence and reduce stress on the day of the test. If you want to put all the chances on your side, don't hesitate to contact us and rent it from one of our branches!

How to reserve your Yamaha XSR 125 at Good Motors Agency

The process is quick and easy:

  1. Visit our website: goodmotors.agency.
  2. Choose your pick-up location: Choose one of our branches.
  3. Choose your bike: Select the Yamaha XSR 125 from our range of available models.
  4. Indicate your dates: Specify the desired rental period.
  5. Finalize your booking online: Take advantage of secure payment and receive immediate confirmation.

Our team is here to support you and answer all your questions!

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Article written by :
Adrien Paillet

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