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Motorcycle User Reviews - 2011 AJS JSM 125 Trail

This is a user review of my 2011 AJS JSM 125 Trail. Given the cost of motoring nowadays I thought it would be a worthwhile investment in one of these.

My daily commute is a little too far for a push bike and a bit too short to get a car warmed up. Plus, a new bike is MOT-free for 3 years and fairly simple to service myself.

I have owned lots of bikes in the past: CBR 600, Africa Twin, a Suzuki 600cc single amongst others so was a little wary of this 'kids bike.' As it happens the bike has more or less met my expectations with the odd niggle or two.

It was purchased from an AJS dealer, Burnout Bikes of Salisbury(UK), for a couple of quid shy of 2K. On the road? Not bad when compared to Yammies and other mainstream 125cc Trailies but more expensive than the traditional Chinese relatives.

AJS - built to UK specifications using cheap chinese labour - seems to be a little better in quality than the typical Chinese equivalent but it is still early days I guess.

The 'bad' bits I have discovered are as follows: 1. Intermittent stop light problems (sometimes it doesn't work!), 2. Side stand must be bending; the bike has sunk closer and closer to the ground and is at about 45 degrees if I don't use a standprop. Cheap metal., 3. Manual is not very informative (e.g. it doesn't mention that the odometer is in KM and the speedo in MPH - confusing the service interval a little. Also no explanation of the fuel tap positions, etc)., 4. Top end is a bit poor. On the straight it struggles to achieve 60 mph, however there is still some bedding in to do perhaps (I have done 1400km)., 5. Comes with a rubbish chain. I must be stretching it. I have had to adjust 3 times already.

Good bits: 1. Easy to maintain. ,2. Light. I can throw it around the green lanes of Salisbury Plain all day long., 3. Cheap and cheerful., 4. Looks quite good. Lots of LED lights and wavy disc brakes.

So, in general, no regrets but it's early days. The test will come when I take it back to the dealer to get the stop lights looked at and the side stand replaced. -- Richie Bennett

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