Dublin to Galway on a 125

DonkeyRhubarb

Hey all,

Im planning on going to Galway this weekend, there's a problem with my car, so I was gonna take the bike.

I have a Yamaha YBR125. Would my bike be OK for a journey like this? Any practical tips?

Cheers in advance!

KTRIC

First things first, have you got your full licence ?

DonkeyRhubarb

For my car, not for my bike. Lets talk theoretical so...

KTRIC

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

For my car, not for my bike. Lets talk theoretical so...

Well theoretically its going to take you feckin ages because you can't drive on the motorways. And if you could it would still take feckin ages anyway.

Could you not just get the bus or train ?

DonkeyRhubarb

Well a 125 is legal for motorways. It goes the same speed as trucks are supposed to go. Ive worked it out that it should take about 4 hours to th part of galway Im going. Its really a question of whether an air cooled engine would be OK at 7000 rpm for 2+2 hours with a break inbetween?

KTRIC

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Well a 125 is legal for motorways. It goes the same speed as trucks are supposed to go. Ive worked it out that it should take about 4 hours to th part of galway Im going. Its really a question of whether an air cooled engine would be OK at 7000 rpm for 2+2 hours with a break inbetween?

Yes a 125 is legal for the motorways, but thats not the issue. If you don't have a full licence then you can't drive on the motorways.

Anyway back to the bike, what sort of machine is it ?? When does it redline ?

thenightrider

Dont drive it that far man i drove from dublin to portlaoise on a 125 before and i said never again get the bus or train

CourierCollie

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Well a 125 is legal for motorways. It goes the same speed as trucks are supposed to go. Ive worked it out that it should take about 4 hours to th part of galway Im going. Its really a question of whether an air cooled engine would be OK at 7000 rpm for 2+2 hours with a break inbetween?

If your worried about overheating, don't be. Any bike I've had usually runs a lot cooler at a constant high speed, than they do stop/ starting in city traffic.
I'd recommend bringing some engine oil(just in case) stop for a while half way and check. Also deffo bring chain lube, I find my chain is dry as a very dry thing after 100km flat out.

Pigeon Reaper

It'll do it alright but at it's own pace. The real question is how you'll hold up. You will be sore and tired at the end of the trip and don't be tempted to keep going if you need a break.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

I can't see it being a problem at all. I also can't see it taking you 4 hours either.....i've driven to galway and done it in 2 and a half hours on a few occasions in the car

colm_c

BrynW wrote: »

I can't see it being a problem at all. I also can't see it taking you 4 hours either.....i've driven to galway and done it in 2 and a half hours on a few occasions in the car

There's a big difference between a 125cc bike an a car. Depending on the bike it probably maxes out at below 60, not to mention being uncomfortable, having to stop a few times for petrol, doing long runs like that on a small bike isn't good for the engine and the fact that the OP can't go on the motorway since he's on a provisional.

Kinetic^

I did it back in 2001 on a TZR 125, took about 2 and a half hours. Was ok tbh.

spurious

I did Dublin to Castleblayney once on a Honda 70.

Once.

Get the bus OP.

Tigger

i used to do sligo - dublin twice each weekend on a dt125r
its long but its grand

galwaytt

KTRIC wrote: »

First things first, have you got your full licence ?

Why use the motorway - it's as windy as hell, esp on a 125. Use old N road, less traffic, more shelter. Oh, and it has petrol stations too.

KTRIC

galwaytt wrote: »

Why use the motorway - it's as windy as hell, esp on a 125. Use old N road, less traffic, more shelter. Oh, and it has petrol stations too.

Very true, and a lot more fun. Motorways are boring

Hotblack Desiato

+1 on avoiding the biggest roads.

As well as motorways being out on a provisional, and having trouble keeping up with the traffic, most of the new motorways / dual carriageways are very exposed to side winds, bad enough on a larger heavier bike but you could be blown all over the place on a 125. The NRA need to figure out the importance of planting shelter belts...

A few years ago I had a loan of a GN250 as my CBR600 was off the road, it weighs similar to a 125 and is not really any faster! I had to go from Dublin to Limerick and back on it, took the secondary roads (N52 and regional roads) and it was grand, was actually pleasant. I could stick to a speed the bike was happy with instead of trying to max it out, and only had to pull over once to let a truck past. I would actually do that trip again if I had to. It was loaded up with a tankbag and tent for a bike rally at the time too

BlueBandit

Go for it, it'll be an adventure if nothing else. Far too few adventures left in this country. Used to go al over the place on my 250 back in the day. Stay of the motorways and take it at the bikes pace and youll be happy out. Sence of satisfaction pullin into Galway on yer wee bike far outweighs gettin the bus or train.

Enjoy

DonkeyRhubarb

It redlines at 9000 / 10000 I think. Its complete max is 12000. Id happily take the back roads, it's just that I know the way in my car by motorway.

I would much more enjoy the adventure on my bike.

If I were to get a train, Id have to dart to town, luas to heuston, train to galway and bus to tuam.

As far as fuel if concerned, my convinced that my bike runs on fresh air - the petrol is just there to give the engine a nice sound :P

I very up for it tbh, I have all the proper protective gear and I take nothing for granted.

I would take some oil, but she is usually fine for about 3000 km at least without a chance. Lubing the chain before I head would be a defo.

Any more tips or pointers? Im liking it so far:)

CourierCollie

Agree with everyone else about taking the backroads, much more pleasant.
Repeating myself, but bring a can of chain lube. I remember going on a 250 from Dublin to Donegal to Clare(via Galway), and back to Dublin. Ran out of lube on the last leg and had to choose between wd40 or engine oil.
My biggest fear on long trips is punctures tbh. If your wheels are tubeless bring a plug kit. Not sure what you do if the're tubed-I could never get the tyres off my sr125 by hand!

Run_to_da_hills

Galway to Dublin on a stink wheel, I could see no problem, just make sure the 2 stroke is well topped up :eek:

CourierCollie

Pretty sure it's a 4 stroke. Replacement for the SR125, doesn't look quite so 1970's.

Run_to_da_hills

CourierCollie wrote: »

Pretty sure it's a 4 stroke. Replacement for the SR125, doesn't look quite so 1970's.

Sorry my mistake it is a 4 stroker, I was confusing it with the RS125 which is a stinky wheel.

faceman

Rather you than me OP!

Id agree with sticking to the backroads, aside from weather protection it might give your engine a break from a constant top speed. not all 125's could managed 2 hours at their top speed, full throttle without caving!

Bring oil and chain lube and a puncture repair kit. Check tyre pressure before you go.

Pigeon Reaper

Try to attach the luggage to the pillion seat or tankbag. A rucksack is going to be painful after a few hours on the bike.

DonkeyRhubarb

It's a Yahama YBR 125. Tough bike, has never let me down.

I have a back box, so I can put all I need in that.

I was checking today and it redlines at 10000rpm. It can do 80kph at 6500rpm and is quite happy there. 90kph happens about 7000rpm and it starts to vibrate here.

Are the national roads easy enough to navigate to galway? I was thinking that most of them pointing to galway would be trying to get you to go by the motorway.

skelliser

i cant remember where exactly the toll bridge is but its after the lucan bypass, there should be a turn for leixlip on the lucan bypass. then its on to maynooth and that will bring ya onto the old galway road.
enjoy! i hope to do galway to dublin on my shadow 125 before the summers out!

mcyclist

Firstly, there is no reason why you cannot do it on a 125. I went from Dublin to wexford on a honda 50 in the 1970s. If you take your time you can go around the world on a 125 which is why being a motorcyclist is such fun.
If you stay off the motorway then you can go Enfield, Kinnegad, Miltownpass, Rochfordbridge, Tyrellpass, Kilbeggan, Horseleap, Moate, Athlone, Ballinasloe, Loughrea, Craughwell, Oranmore, Galway. All signposted.
The Motorway actually ends at Kinegad although there is now a dual carraigeway from there to Kilbeggan. However I agreee you would be better sticking to the old road. At Kilbeggan, the old and new roads join anyway.
Lubricate your chain the evening before you go, when the chain is hot. So long as you keep to a cruising speed ( 80-90kph)you should have absolutely no problem.
I regularly do the journey, which is about 220 km, and really don't believe it can be done comfortably in much less than 2hrs 45min - 3hrs. If you allow four hours , including coffee stop, you won't go far wrong. Good luck and enjoy.

Run_to_da_hills

I did Dublin to Wexford two up on a Yamaha YB80 back in the mid 80ies no prob.

DonkeyRhubarb

Thanks very much everyone for all the advice and encouragement!

Weather providing, Im gonna head down Saturday morning. If all goes to plan, Ill post here and let everyone know how it went:D

kowloon

If you're comfortabe on the bike it should be no hassle at all.
Just make sure everything is waterproof.

BlueBandit

Good stuff, enjoy the spin

CourierCollie

kowloon wrote: »

If you're comfortable on the bike it should be no hassle at all.
Just make sure everything is waterproof.

Kowloon obviously has psychic powers.
I hope the original poster got the bus, and isn't half way across the country in this wonderful Irish summer weather!

DonkeyRhubarb

Had to leave it due to weather!!!!!

Will be going next sat weather providing:mad:

faceman

DonkeyRhubarb wrote: »

Had to leave it due to weather!!!!!

Will be going next sat weather providing:mad:

Sensible choice dude. was wondering if you had went.