I have a 73 plate, love mine had her for 12 months and have put nearly 5k miles on her, I bought mine for £3050 new for commuting as we wanted to get rid of a car, commuting quickly turned into day trips and pleasure rides, definitely not the coolest looking thing out there but hugely practical, reliable and actually fun!! 100% agree with the negatives, the rear brake being my personal biggest one, steep hill starts require a fair amount of brake pressure to hold her, as with everything in life nothing is perfect but it ticks all the boxes for my needs,
@@sataomm yeah I commute all year, come rain or shine, AVOID sub-zero temperatures where possible but I’d advise, heating grips, handle bar muffs, for cold conditions and a good set of commercial fishing waterproofs for wet weather, I tend to wear riding jeans, a Knox armoured shirt with a guy cotton isoflash jacket and matching bibs in winter,
One problem with motorways, in any vehicle, is that it is often necessary to move into mid lanes because of the need to filter. Near where I live there are merging motorways etc that involve six lanes, often packed almost bumper to bumper and with everything moving at at least 70 and it is necessary to be in a lane far from the hard shoulder (where one exists). I always consider this to be an unsettlingly unsafe situation, especially considering that a high percentage of the traffic consists of large lorries. It's unpleasant in a small car that can sit at 70 easily, but on a small bike barely able to manage that speed it would feel almost suicidally dangerous. I'm often amazed that there isn't constant carnage on motorways; it's incredible how competent almost all drivers must be for that not to be the case. A breakdown with sudden loss of power and nowhere to escape the flow could easily be catastrophic.
Or if the left lane is leaving, so you move over to the 2nd lane, and the people in the left lane start zooming past, and you've got people passing on the left and right. Not ideal.
Spot on with your comments about this super little bike. Getting back on this after each time I test ride a bigger bike still puts a daft grin on my face as it is so easy to ride and so much fun.
A few years ago, I passed my CBT and 1 day of additional training on one of these Honda CBF125s. It's a fantastic bike and I had great time riding it. It didn't feel underpowered in city traffic or on roads below 50mph. It's a great bike for beginners or commuter with unbeatable fuel economy and price. I miss times when I was getting over 100mpg, when now I can barely get 55mpg on a big motorbike.
A very worthy update of the legendary CG. Good honest real life owners reviews are worth a hundred magazine reviews. Why? Because an owner doesn't have to pander to manufacturers so they don't upset the ad revenue ( I know for a fact that happens as I've been a professional test and development rider since 2008) I think an awful lot of people don't understand that riding a smaller bike can reap huge rewards if you're not driven by ego (how many people do we know that MUST have the fastest machine or MUST have a GS1250 etc) I have four bikes, each delivers in its own way and ticks separate boxes. The one I use the most is my absolute shed (cosmetically) Suzuki FL125. Its just quirky, economical, looks horrendous and other "proper bikers" ignore it completely, which suits me fine. The day you ride what you fancy and enjoy (and can easily handle) is the day your biking life changes for the better.
Yes, yes, yes! Well done for the point about loud exhausts. There are somewhat dim-witted bikers who insist that loud exhausts are "safer", not realising that the antisocial noise they make happens AFTER they've passed other vehicles, not before, as exhausts point backwards. Thanks too for other myth busting points you made - particularly regarding dual carriage ways and motorways. Unfortunately the UK motorcycle industry is dominated by people who succumb to peer pressure to buy ridiculously over-powered, expensive, over-weight, inefficient motorcycles. You can have fun on small bikes as much as large. Nice review. Subscribed.
There is one possible benefit (and I mean possible not proven or demonstrable to be clear) and that is in the deterrence of wildlife such as deer etc, which are a problem here in the Highlands. My '75 Kawasaki S3a is loud, so around houses I keep the throttle as closed as possible and the revs as low as I can to keep the racket down to a minimum. I have never had a problem with deer on it, a relative just down the road (admittedly in a car) hit 3 in a six month period. Admittedly this is not evidence per se, merely anecdotal and could be coincidence.
I have my JC84 about 1 Year, and now have 2700KM. i Use it as Daily Driver for the way to Work an back. I Try do drive whenever it goes....exept Heavy Rain, Snow or Ice on the Roads. Than i use the Subway. I Love it, I make a Lot of Mods on mine, and i Dont think about to sell it in the Future. Its a 100% Perfekt City and Land Road Bike for those who have Time. My goes about 107Km/h on Freeway, but it makes NO fun. Its a kind of Cruiser / Travel Enduro Hybrid i Think. However___Love your Videos.
Mine is a 2016 model, bought it from new, looked after it well over the years, and it currently sits at just a bit over 60k on the clock. I don't think I'll ever sell it. Only changed spark plugs, oil, tyres, chains, sprockets, front brake pads, (the back ones are still factory), 2 stator coils and a set of clutch rings. Armed with hammerite high temp, exhaust looks black as new. I also love that the break system is not linked. It still runs fine and starts the first time I press the ignition button. It's used on a daily basis and next summer I plan to open up the engine for the first time, document it and probably replace the piston and the cylinder. Performance is not as it used to be anymore, and 60Mph is not that easy to get to anymore either. Reliability wise, however, I cannot fault this bike, it's a keeper!
@@wangxiaoming8989 That's great, congrats on such a good run with it. I can see myself wanting to keep it even if I upgrade. Part of me says you can't get sentimental about a modern bike, I mean if it's not a classic or something. Maybe.
I'm 60, and I've been riding bikes since my teens. I've previously rode from the north to the south of Spain on a CG125. I presently have a CBF 250. I'm going to buy a CB125F and use it as my regular commute. Great Review, thanks, I'm now following😂.
Great video, I bought the same motorcycle to learn on and I saved that much money travelling to work I had it for 10 years. The problem now is finding a bigger bike that is as good. Personally I think they are brilliant.
Hi Richard 11 years ago I purchased a honda cbf125 2013 ,just to go to work and down the shops. I love the bike so I understand your passion with your 125. Never been to France on it but i do all my own services oil every 2000 miles ,breaks ,chain and sprocks and so on . My cbf has now covered 36000 miles and it ticks over like a clock . I have no reason at this time to sell the bike . I have riden bikes from the age of 17 ,I'm 61 now ,I also have a cb300r and a 1977 cb400/4 .Keep enjoying your 125 Richard love your videos.
Excellent, thanks for being here! I'll have to do the chain and sprockets for the first time soon, if you have any tips. I do like the look of the GB350 that's just coming to the UK, but I'm not sure I could part with my first bike here.
A few years ago I found a fella broken down with a 1913 Rolls Royce, if you searched for images of a 1913 Rolls Royce in Australia you'd find it, it's bright pink it's beautiful it reminds my of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, you'd have to see it Anyway we got it to my place and I put him up for night and we sorted the problem out next morning To start it cold you would use a hand pump on the dashboard to pressurize the fuel turn the ignition on and hand crank it from the front of the engine But once it was warm all you had to do was pressurize the fuel with few strokes of the hand pump and turn the ignition key and it would instantly leap into life It didn't have a starter motor but it had two spark plugs for each cylinder that I suppose together with the pressurize fuel would've helped it start like that It didn't have a fuel pump once it was running the fuel was pressurized by the vibration and shaking of the loosely mounted fuel tank
I can't argue with a single one of your Pros and Cons, I think you've got it spot-on. I've done just shy of 12,500km now, and despite having the 390 Duke along side it, the CB125F is still my bike of choice when I need to make the long distance commute down the freeway towards the city, which is a ~300km return trip for me. Even blasting down the freeway at wide open throttle, the economy of this bike is phenomenal, and I can make that trip with fuel to spare.
@@sataomm it's good for when I want to ride a bit more "spirited" but I find the riding position to be a bit uncomfortable for my knees and ankles. 20 year old me would've loved it 😅 but 40 year old me prefers the more relaxed position of the Honda
@@FCorneil next time I have the chain guard off mine, I'll see if it has a part number printed on it. Watch this space, I'll post it here if I find one for you
Although I do have a big bike, I love to borrow my sons Honda XR125L Enduro, which basically has the same, bulletproof engine as the CB125F. Cheap to buy, cheap costs, very easy to maintain, fast enough to flow with traffic, and very lightweight for easy handling. An no searching for a parking space in the city.
I had the previous model to this for a while and it was a really great bike. Recently my daughter passed her CBT and bought a Kawasaki Z125 she is going to keep it for a couple of years and then she will be old enough to do her Direct Access. It a really nice looking bike and as with the Honda should hold it's value.
For me the biggest issue with 125's (especially 4 strokes which they all are now really) is that you've got zero overtaking power. I had a cbr125r for a while before doing direct access and the amount of times I got held up behind cars on my 13bhp bike was a real eye opener. But alas no reserves of power to perform a safe overtake unless you had a good view ahead and plenty of time to do it. The bike was quite nippy up to about 50mph and would eventually do a genuine 70+ (bearing in mind the speedo's over read a bit). But that 40-70 punch needed for safe overtakes, unsurprisingly, was very much absent. I agree though they can be fun in their own right and they're very cheap to run.
Hi from France (Occitanie, Hérault) ! I have always forbidden myself from becoming a biker because of the danger… but I’m 40 now : think I’m a big boy, wiser and experienced… Last week, I bought my first bike, a CB125F of course. Your videos are so interesting that the only fault we can find in them is that you desperately persist in not speaking French in them. Thanks to you, I will go to Spain and Italy peacefully. ✌🏻👍🏻
I have a MT15 in the Philippines, (400 and 650 in the US), no reason to have more power there, and a blast to ride. Just bought a complete stainless exhaust with cat, delivered for $60!! Can not wait to ride it soon!
I don't know why but after 20 years biking I prefer the smaller ones. I've got a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 because my work is 80 kms far. Everybody says it's not a good bike for that but I don't care, the power is enough and I bought it because I love how looks. In the future I'll try come nearer to work and It's pretty sure I'll buy this Honda CB125F... just because I love the simplicity and economy to maintain. Maybe I'll keep my Interceptor but maybe not... good video.
@5:02 I spotted 25mph in 5th gear haha. I do miss ragging a 125 around town butt my commute has now extended through country roads so I really appreciate the added power of my 300cc. You can still open it up like a 125 on a country road, but you don't need to worry about someone stuck to your rear wheel because you can't quite keep up with traffic. If I can afford it, I do want a little 125 (maybe a monkey) as a second bike just for running about and having fun.
Have the same bike, in the exact same colour! Issues, only two: it doesn't like cheap fuel. Once I filled it on a supermarket pump and it started over revving at idle. Run it for a few km and switched back to a branded fuel and it went back to normal. Then there's the seat, it's rock hard... From there on, it's all positives and I definitely recommend it for a learner like I was. Now I've got my eyes on the upcoming GB350 since I use roads with 100km/h (60mph) on my commute and it doesn't like to do that for long
That's very true, the seat isn't the best for multiple hours. I tend to stop anyway and have a walk around, but I noticed it in France. Never noticed any problem with fuel. Could it have been a one off?
I've had a cbf 125 when I was 18. It was a great motorcycle to learn on. Atm I'm 29 and I have a CFMOTO 450 NK and a KTM Duke 125 now. The 125 is still a great bike to ride, although if you ride motorway speeds (100 km/h), you quickly realize that 125's are made for town use. Overtaking on speeds of + 90 km/h is dangerous if you don't pick the right time or need to get out of a 'dangerous' situation. Therefor, my 450 is safer than the 125 imho... Just my 2 cents though. The 125 is still a light bike and in town and on streets up to 70 km/h it is a hoot to ride! 😁
An issue with small bikes can be the riding position and suspension, such bikes are sized for the Asian rider (Thailand etc) who are typically several inches less in height and significantly lighter in weight compare to Europeans, the Honda Supercub 125 really is such a bike, your review seems to confirm that at 5ft 10inches there is not an issue other than the footrests could be repositioned and possible a seat with an extra inch of padding to improve comfort
That was a great review, my wife has one of these, she just got her full license here in Australia. I cannot believe that they cost £3000 £3200 in the UK. In Australia she paid A$3400 registered new on the road 2024 model ( £1700 ) that’s a big difference…she loves her bike … cheers 🦘🦘🦘👍
Prices were a bit higher a couple of years ago. I think I paid £2950 in 2022, but people are saying it's a little lower now. But yes, big difference! Thanks for watching, and enjoy the ride.
I am gunna go for an full A license at 64 :D, been riding a yamaha Tricity 300 for the past 2 years and covered over 30k miles. Done France Switzerland and Spain twice. My cb125f will arrive early november and i hope to get my Full license within a year to 18 months and move up to a moderately sized and economical bike for touring. Keep the Video's coming young Fella :D
@@ironman8257 I have a full licence restricted to trikes,( grandad perks) 2 wheeler l-plates no motorways and not legal abroad for me. Tricity 300 has 3 wheels and the same width as a motorbike but i would like to have more choice and motorbikes are way cheaper to buy
I've had mine almost a year now and I'm never getting rid of it. I'll have at least one other bike, but the practicality for the cost is unmatched on this bike. I did get an aftermarket exhaust, since I had many instances of going round bends on country lanes, filtering and going past minor roads that join with poor visibility where car drivers were seemingly surprised that I was where I was, even with me riding very cautiously. Further down the line if I ever do anything else to it, it will be fitting it out for longer camping trips, just doing country lanes. If an improved airbox/air filter mod comes along for it, that would help the power, but performs great as is.
Good choice! I'm happy with the Givi panniers to help with touring trips, but soft luggage would be equally good if you don't need to leave it unattended.
What a nice little bike you have , For many years now I've been thinking about upgrading my humble cg125 which has carried me for over 72k of trouble free riding however nowhere near as fuel friendly as your bike i managed to get around 100mpg ish , probably keep the cg125 and treat myself to a newer cbf125 not sure how the long term will stack up certainly the newer cbf125 has some big shoes to fill against the cg125 but I'm sure it would fine being a honda .
I have already 19 262.507 miles on this bike and no problem. Only assembling valves clearences and changing oil,after 18 000 miles i have to change timing chain tensioner pulley but now its alright
Thanks for the review Richard. Having now completed my CBT I think your review has swayed me to this bike. Looking around on Auto Trader I did see lots of second hand ones having the exhaust and stands completely rusted and assumed it was just owner neglect - looks to be a Honda feature instead :) I'd be interested in how you keep the bike clean and rust free on other parts of the bike. Looking forward to more content.
I haven't yet, but should have used a treatment like GT85 to prevent rust. I think you see a lot of neglected 125s second hand because people only want them to learn on - don't bother to service or maintain if you're only keeping it 2 years. So I think signs that one has been well looked after would be very helpful.
I've got a 2009 version and my neighbor has had a couple of the newer ones, both of his have rusted all over way more than mine has despite being parked next to one another. So I think the older versions are better protected, or use better steel. We did notice mine has a rear mudguard over the tyre and that newer ones don't and that helps a lot to protect it. They're great bikes though, I've had mine 18 months and it hasn't let me down and all I've added to it is a top box, new oxford LED indicators, an uprated front bulb and some budget Aliexpress handguards and heated grips for the winter.
One thing I will say about 125's, is that manufacturers charge a lot more for small displacement bikes in Europe than here in Canada. Honda Canada was selling the CBR125 for $3,400 (1,919 GBP) up until 2014, and I know they were selling double that in Europe and GB.. I bought one of the few remaining 2014 CBR's for $1,999 (1,140 GBP) when Honda decided to stop bringing them into Canada at the end of the 2014 riding season. I'm 200 lbs, and was getting 110 mpg (Imp.), so you getting 160 mpg is INSANE. I wasn't even getting that on my Yamaha 125BWS (Zuma).
This was my first bike. Got her brand new (2022) and put 3000 miles on her in 4 months. Part ex-ed her when I got the 650R a few weeks after my DAS, but recently i've been thinking more and more about getting another. Sure, the power isn't there, and I never enjoyed going faster than 50mph on her, but I never worried about going places where I'd never consider taking the 650 (mild offroad/etc.). Apparently with the right tyres, the 125f becomes a really capable off-roader, which is something I'm beginning to value since it can get me to more places.
I'm very tempted to use HEIDENAU k66, so far looks to be promising offroad but when trying to sand up on the pegs it reminds you that it was intended as a road bike, I already used inch risers on the handlebars and moved them about 2mm forward, these improved things a lot but the seat is too wide and the reach for the rear break is a bit difficult.
@@ripmax333 I think I should learn to ride offroad before committing any resource to a dedicated bike to do it on, but I'll look into what you mentioned.
@@233kosta I had a CRF250L and a Beta Alp200 so I had some experience riding offroad, I have also a Triumph Street Twin which I turned it to look like a scrambler (sort off) so I occasionally ride it in very mild offroad so when I stand up on the pegs it didn't felt that bad but to be honest when I trid on the CB125F it was a bit shocking, you will understand when you try a proper offroad machine 😀
@@ripmax333 I believe the guy's exact words were "It'll get you more places than a GS". I'm in no way assuming it'd be remotely as good as a true offroader, but probably better than most heavy ADVs.
Hi Richard, Great review as considering my motorcycling journey. Would you review and suggest your chosen riding gear please? I see the videos on helmet and gloves...
Thanks for watching! That's on the list, just a case of turning the adjusted right at the back of the bike on that silver rod. There's also an adjuster for the brake light switch, but that's really hard to reach.
You are the only other person, besides myself, that I've heard call out the "Loud pipes save lives" mantra. I'll go so far as to say "Don't dress for the ride, dress for the slide" is nonsense as well, unless you're one of those guys who hops on a liter bike and "does battle" with the streets. I've been riding for forty years and have learned a few things along the way. First, like you, I wear bright colours, reflective bright colours in fact, and a bright yellow Bell helmet too. Second, lane position is paramount ...don't be where drivers can't see you. I don't "hang out" beside cars, I ride forward of their front bumper, or behind their rear bumper ...that way if the car driver suddenly moves into my lane, I'm not in a position to be struck. Third, and certainly there's more, SPEED ...I bought my first bike back in '85 because we didn't have room for another car in the drive, and it was much cheaper to operate than a car, not because I wanted show off or had anything to prove, it was just cheap, reliable transportation. I started on a 650cc, moved on to 750's and liter bikes, throw in a CBR125 , dual sports, and finally forty years later, I've moved on to 300cc scooters, and I love the practicality of a scooter ...storage and economy. I'd still own a 125 if I could get one where my legs weren't squeezed at an acute angle ...not a lot of 125cc choice here in Canada.
Good advice. I just find motorbiking is plenty fun enough without making it unnecessarily dangerous. I do quite fancy a maxi scooter I have to say. The Forza 350 looks good.
For me the decision was one of these or pay more money for a cb125r. I went for a 2nd hand R for a few reasons, the styling cafe neo looked cool, the engine from 2021 or newer has the full 15bhp which is all your allowed on a CBT license, also has disc brake on the rear and nisin brakes on the front, showa BP fork upfront and has a higher seat height of 820mm which is actually more than the cb300r and cb650r for some reason, lastly the rear tyre is wide for a 125 making it more stable. Negatives are it's more money (£4300 new I've seen) weighs more 130kg and economy is significantly lower at around 100mpg. BUT what's interesting is I'm going for my mod 2 in 2 weeks time and I'm in no rush to "upgrade" my bike. I love it, does everything I need it to way more fun than I thought it would be and at 15bhp with 6 gears feels OK at 65mph with a little left at top speed
Very wise, the 125R is a great choice. I just didn't like the seating position on the 650R that much, so I assume the 125R is much the same. I might even like a cruiser style, have to give one a go. Good luck on your MOD 2, no need to get nervous, it's just going for a ride as usual, only someone's checking you do lifesavers and signals, etc.
@shephardphoto7352 I was fairly confident until scunthorpe is in the top 10 for lowest pass rates for mod 2! Still ive done over 2k miles on my 125 so hoping everything will be fine. Because the cb125r is a naked bike the riding position isn't full on sport but notice the pegs are on the higher side even if the handle bars are also high, it's like a half way sporting ride position. I've been on several rides with people with bigger bikes and they say I'm not holding them up even though I'm conscious of the time it takes to get to 65mph (58mph on gps)
I don’t like linked brakes but… they are not there specifically for learners and inexperienced riders. The only motorcycle that I had linked brakes was my Honda ST1300 Pan European, a big powerful sports tourer. To be honest I was never once aware that the brakes were linked, a bit like driving a car really. The big surprise was when the rear brake pads wore out before those at the front despit me being a rider who only uses the front brake most of the time.
small bike are fun more nimble than any big bike i got a fair few had ninjas and the like but they bore me plus i like to see the surroundings now and not as a blur. the faster you go the quicker death comes for you.
Funny this has come up on my YT suggestions. My Kaw. ZZR1200 got stolen, had it ten years. Thought i would give up biking, but i remember back in the early 80's my best bike was Yam. RS125. Nippy and light. My ZZR never seemed happy unless doing 70 plus on the motorway. God help if ever had to pick it up.
Have you tried a motorcycle seat cushion as that will raise the seat height a bit at very little cost ? Sheep skins can also add height . I have a 125 Innova and love my small bike even though I have an 1100gs and a 1800 Goldwing I actually prefer the 125 as it's more fun and I go down roads I wouldn't normally so see more country side. Have considered CB125F as I think it has a lot going for it for a small touring bike
I drive little bikes like that one since 1976, never interested with bigger ones as I do not use motorways, nor drive "sportly". For faster, longer journeys I use my car. Honda bikes have nearly always been reliable, tough some little engines of the 1970's needed rather frequent rebuilds (piston, cylinder, valves), say every 10.000 Miles. With their carburetors you also had to take care to avoid trashing them at low revs. It was better to trash them at 10.000 RPM than to try to pass an hill in fifth gear. From my 1984 Super Cub 72 cc these problems were over, that one I kept up to 50.000 Km (a bit more than 30.000 Miles) without any part replacement save tires, chains and sprockets, plus a plug from time to time. But quality is a quite variable conception, and Those little Honda never paid much attention to the durability of the finish. It is perfect when new, but you'd better not be too maniac afterwards. Today I have a 125 Kymco scooter, whose finish is after a lower standard, but resists better long term (it is now four years old). So each brand has its own definition of "quality", the results always being criticizable somewhere. For Honda this means above all reliability, and this is what counts the most in the end...
The bike certainly can! I just love when people underestimate this bike, i learned recently to take off on one wheel, and at stop lights i take off on one wheel, redline second and third gear, third gear is 80kph, not incredibly fast compared to another bike i rode, 650 kawasaki. But it's a fun little bike. To take off on one wheel u just add more gas while releasing the clutch more quickly, not too much gas to burn out the clutch, just about 4-5k rpm and you can go on one wheel for about 3 meters. Very fun
Hi love the channel excellent videos the bike is great the trip to France was amazing all so great gear review .i am thinking i need to get a smaller bike i have subscribe God bless see you in the next one
Thanks for watching! This started off as just a bit of fun, but now passing 1000 subscribers and earning a quid or two each month is just a nice compliment. See you on the next one!
Get a bigger bike I'd say, I wanted to keep my 125 after passing my test but then once I'd had a big bike I just found I wasn't using it much. You can still pootle about on a big bike at 60 on A roads which is mostly what I do but there soo much more comfortable. Also it's much nicer just cruising and only tickling the throttle to keep up with traffic.
Thank you for so nice review. Is the suspencion soft enough for not perfect roads with holes? Thinking about cb125 f and pcx125 for job journeys ( medium traffic) and weekend trips 300 km/weekend. Pcx has storage, abs, cvt, but I am affraid it is not soft enough as cb125 f... Tried Vespa in the city and sometimes my body was not happy with smashes because of bumpy road. Thank you for answer.
I’ve owned the pcx and cb125f. I’ve also ridden the Vespa, along with Xmax 300 and Forza 300. Scooters suspension is very crashy. The CB really surprised me how good the suspension is compared to how tiny the forks and rear springs look. The larger wheels like Richard said make a huge difference, it also allows for much better clearance going up curbs and through fire roads etc. It won’t be perfect, but aside from my custom dirt bike suspension I haven’t really come across anything that will.
Didactic video. The sale of this motorcycle in Australia includes as an accessory a protector that completely covers the chain. In your country do they sell that chain protector? Did you know this chain guard. thank you.
I noticed that on another channel. Seems like a good idea. I haven’t seen it available as an accessory. I wonder if it uses the same bolt holes as the chain guard we have.
Good honest video. My daughter wanted a 50cc scooter which came with a big NO from me. I said she needed something with a little more power that would give her the 'get out of the way' option, much in line with the basic fight or flight of nature. She was about to buy one of these and I showed her a Suzuki GSX150SF with only 1600km on the clock so she fell in love with that and bought it. I nearly bought a GSX250SF but saw a team red XR190CT farm bike with 2400km on the clock so bought that. Rode it 320km home in lousy weather at up to 70km/h, it topped out the rev limiter at 75km/h. I started my motorcycle carrier 41 years ago on an XL250RC, quickly changed to an XR200RD and now ^^. The XR190CT is now wearing the original out of the crate gearing and will easily do 100km/h.
So far there are two mains things that I'm not 100% with mine, the seat IMO is too wide for no reason, although its not a tall bike it would still present a challenge for people who are vertically challenged because it force you to splay your legs too much plus I found it to be a bit uncomfortable after an hour of riding, and the wheels I would preferred that they were 17 inch dia instead of 18, Tire selection seems to be limited or maybe there is a good reason Honda chose to use the 18inch wheels which I can't understand😅
Yes, the seat gets a bit uncomfortable after more than an hour! Interesting - I hadn't really compared it with many others but I can believe the seat is wider now you mention it.
You make a lot of salient points , i have been mulling over upgrading my suzuki address for one as i would hope it to be a little quicker and more economical. I have a Speed 400 as well but really enjoy zippingvaroundnon the wee bike, the vedt ugrade i made to it was a faco small screen which has yielded another 5mph top speed have you looked into this for the cb? Not sure your residual estimates quite reflect reality I see plenty of brand new ones at £2700 ish your locality might be more favourable my particular concern over Hondas in general is the nearest dealer is 30 miles away.
@richardshephard Aye other tweaks and refinements to air intake filters induction mods and less restrictive exhaust will help pick up but aero resistance is the big energy and fuel sapper at speed.
You're making me wanna buy this bike although it's a horrible deal in my country for the price and Honda dealers are horrible here. You can't get parts for months here.
@@alicankarakaya2770 why is 3k a bad price? Just because you can buy it in india cheaper doesnt mean it is a bad deal.... i do get the parts problem though
@@alicankarakaya2770 well thats not hondas problem thats being poor problem. It is cheaper in india because they make them there there is no shipping costs. The idea that it is bad value just because you can't afford it is ridiculous
Ordered from sportsbikeshop in the end. It's the Givi E300NT2 top box which goes on the SR1184 rack. To add the side cases you need the PL1184 racks, and the cases are the E22n.
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺😊👍 im new to motorcycles & learning to ride 🏍 ive a great opportunity to buy a Honda CB125F with very low km on the clock & my concern is im not a tall guy at 5'7 but i weigh 90kg do you personally think 90kg is to heavy for this 125cc bike for around my town & to learn on ? No highway riding no no ! Just around town doing speed limits of 50kmh and 60kmh casual riding ! Please give honest opinion is my 90kg to much for this bike ? Much appreciated.
You'll be fine. I'm 75kg but with luggage on a trip I'd often be over that. Especially if you're intending to learn on it, and don't expect it to be a sports/racer, which it isn't for anybody really. As your first bike, it'll feel awesome. Have fun!
There are hundreds of complaints about gears not shifting properly between 2nd to 1st on the Indian version (SP 125). Is it the same here? Please let me know.
I've just got one of these 3 days ago .I'm struggling to get use to setting of in first as the throttle seems to be all or nothing? Do you have any tips ? It might be just a learner thing?
That's what the CB650F I learned on felt like because it was so much more powerful. Do check your throttle slack - you should be able to turn it 2-6mm before the engine responds. Otherwise just practice with your throttle control: practice revving the engine very very slightly in neutral. Move away by revving the engine more, keeping it still, and finessing the clutch. Then gradually you get used to moving both at once just the right amount as you pull away.
I don't have a motorcycle licence however I'm wondering can the cbf125 tyres being skinny cause the bike to easily lose grip on roads causing people to fall off the bike
Well it's interesting - the skinny tyres match the overall weight and torque of the bike. Plus with a smaller contact area there's more pressure so grip isn't a problem. Light wheels are easier to turn, less rolling resistance and easier to lean into turns. One nuisance though is if you get ruts or seams in the tarmac you need to be careful not to get wobbled sideways.
How accurate have you found the speedo? I’ve had the 2018 model for a couple of months, and find that compared to a gps it reads a pretty consistent 10% higher than my actual speed. I’m returning to biking after 20 years so just on a cbt at the moment, but planning on getting something slightly bigger once I get my full licence as not being able to maintain (a real) 60mph up even a gentle hill is rather frustrating!
It's the Givi E300NT2, which is 30 litres. If I was buying again I might go slightly bigger. This fits my big full face helmet, and you can slip a pair of gloves or waterproof trousers alongside it, but nothing else. Just about big enough for a 13" laptop in a small bag.
I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’m 5’10 but it’s plenty low enough. I can stand up over it with both feet flat. Maybe someone on here can confirm. Obviously best thing to do is go sit in one in the shop.
A alta velocidad la moto vibra, pero estoy seguro que las ruedas no están equilibradas de fábrica igual qu otras muchas motos de 125 cc. En todos mis scooters de 125 cc he equilibrado las ruedas que no venían equilibradas de fábrica por ahorros de coste del fabricante como Suzuki y Honda.
@@sataomm Ellos ahorran costes pensando que la gente va a ir siempre a 50 MPH y no va a notar que los neumáticos se están deformando por ir desequilibrados.
I mean.... 125cc may be sufficient but I don't think it's _safe_ in a great scheme of things -- if you're struggling to go more than 50 uphill or headwind on the dual carriageway, lorries breathing in your back from WAY too close, being too underpowered to ever get on the motorway.... Fantastic inner city or B-roads bike though. I've been commuting on this bike for 2 years and I breathed out in relief when I could finally upgrade (I miss the fuel economy though :D ). No, 250cc or 300cc is the minimum. You can't remove yourself out of the way of the aggressive drivers if you're this slow, no positioning or jacket can change that.
Yeah I’d probably agree, I do love going in adventures with my little cb125f though. I’m an experienced rider of 25 years riding nearly everyday. I own a 250, 300, 800 and 1000 next to my 125cc. Going on a day myself there’s something so refreshing and engaging going on my cb. I take motorways and to me it’s not an issue. You’re faster than a loaded truck. Slower or equal to a non loaded truck. Going back to engagement, it is fun to me being self aware of positioning having the shoulder always there should you get in trouble. But timing your overtakes etc as well. I do tend to ride the 125 more than the others but I’m sure that’s very personal.
Faster than the fastest race horse ever born. For the price it’s a miracle.
Perception of 125cc forever changed!!! Thank you
Yes I have had big bikes I am now a pensioner and use my Honda XL 200 had it for 23 years and I still love it it still runs like new
I have a 73 plate, love mine had her for 12 months and have put nearly 5k miles on her, I bought mine for £3050 new for commuting as we wanted to get rid of a car, commuting quickly turned into day trips and pleasure rides, definitely not the coolest looking thing out there but hugely practical, reliable and actually fun!! 100% agree with the negatives, the rear brake being my personal biggest one, steep hill starts require a fair amount of brake pressure to hold her, as with everything in life nothing is perfect but it ticks all the boxes for my needs,
Thanks for watching! Are you commuting all year round? Any tips for the winter?
@@sataomm yeah I commute all year, come rain or shine, AVOID sub-zero temperatures where possible but I’d advise, heating grips, handle bar muffs, for cold conditions and a good set of commercial fishing waterproofs for wet weather, I tend to wear riding jeans, a Knox armoured shirt with a guy cotton isoflash jacket and matching bibs in winter,
@@sataomm Heidenau K66 tires for winter and summer.
One problem with motorways, in any vehicle, is that it is often necessary to move into mid lanes because of the need to filter. Near where I live there are merging motorways etc that involve six lanes, often packed almost bumper to bumper and with everything moving at at least 70 and it is necessary to be in a lane far from the hard shoulder (where one exists). I always consider this to be an unsettlingly unsafe situation, especially considering that a high percentage of the traffic consists of large lorries. It's unpleasant in a small car that can sit at 70 easily, but on a small bike barely able to manage that speed it would feel almost suicidally dangerous. I'm often amazed that there isn't constant carnage on motorways; it's incredible how competent almost all drivers must be for that not to be the case. A breakdown with sudden loss of power and nowhere to escape the flow could easily be catastrophic.
Or if the left lane is leaving, so you move over to the 2nd lane, and the people in the left lane start zooming past, and you've got people passing on the left and right. Not ideal.
Spot on with your comments about this super little bike. Getting back on this after each time I test ride a bigger bike still puts a daft grin on my face as it is so easy to ride and so much fun.
I rode a 1985 CB125S for 19 years as a commuter and day ride. Probably 100,000 trouble free miles. 100+ mpg. Great bike!
A few years ago, I passed my CBT and 1 day of additional training on one of these Honda CBF125s. It's a fantastic bike and I had great time riding it. It didn't feel underpowered in city traffic or on roads below 50mph. It's a great bike for beginners or commuter with unbeatable fuel economy and price. I miss times when I was getting over 100mpg, when now I can barely get 55mpg on a big motorbike.
I have bigger bikes....but now I want one of those! Thanks for the great video.
A very worthy update of the legendary CG. Good honest real life owners reviews are worth a hundred magazine reviews. Why? Because an owner doesn't have to pander to manufacturers so they don't upset the ad revenue ( I know for a fact that happens as I've been a professional test and development rider since 2008)
I think an awful lot of people don't understand that riding a smaller bike can reap huge rewards if you're not driven by ego (how many people do we know that MUST have the fastest machine or MUST have a GS1250 etc)
I have four bikes, each delivers in its own way and ticks separate boxes. The one I use the most is my absolute shed (cosmetically) Suzuki FL125. Its just quirky, economical, looks horrendous and other "proper bikers" ignore it completely, which suits me fine. The day you ride what you fancy and enjoy (and can easily handle) is the day your biking life changes for the better.
Well said. I like that amateur reviewers talk about what matters to them, which isn't always what you'd think of. Thanks for watching!
Yes, yes, yes! Well done for the point about loud exhausts. There are somewhat dim-witted bikers who insist that loud exhausts are "safer", not realising that the antisocial noise they make happens AFTER they've passed other vehicles, not before, as exhausts point backwards. Thanks too for other myth busting points you made - particularly regarding dual carriage ways and motorways. Unfortunately the UK motorcycle industry is dominated by people who succumb to peer pressure to buy ridiculously over-powered, expensive, over-weight, inefficient motorcycles. You can have fun on small bikes as much as large. Nice review. Subscribed.
Thanks for watching! You meet the nicest people on a Honda.
There is one possible benefit (and I mean possible not proven or demonstrable to be clear) and that is in the deterrence of wildlife such as deer etc, which are a problem here in the Highlands. My '75 Kawasaki S3a is loud, so around houses I keep the throttle as closed as possible and the revs as low as I can to keep the racket down to a minimum. I have never had a problem with deer on it, a relative just down the road (admittedly in a car) hit 3 in a six month period. Admittedly this is not evidence per se, merely anecdotal and could be coincidence.
@@m0rafic1 Good point. In an otherwise quiet location I'm sure it would warn wildlife. Not much more than a cat or pigeon around here!
I have my JC84 about 1 Year, and now have 2700KM. i Use it as Daily Driver for the way to Work an back. I Try do drive whenever it goes....exept Heavy Rain, Snow or Ice on the Roads. Than i use the Subway. I Love it, I make a Lot of Mods on mine, and i Dont think about to sell it in the Future. Its a 100% Perfekt City and Land Road Bike for those who have Time. My goes about 107Km/h on Freeway, but it makes NO fun. Its a kind of Cruiser / Travel Enduro Hybrid i Think. However___Love your Videos.
I love mine, CB125f 2023 with 12k km, what a machine, enjoy it so much commuting to work or weekend curves at montain.
That’s a lot of miles for a year! Thanks for watching - hope there’s something useful here.
Mine is a 2016 model, bought it from new, looked after it well over the years, and it currently sits at just a bit over 60k on the clock. I don't think I'll ever sell it. Only changed spark plugs, oil, tyres, chains, sprockets, front brake pads, (the back ones are still factory), 2 stator coils and a set of clutch rings. Armed with hammerite high temp, exhaust looks black as new. I also love that the break system is not linked. It still runs fine and starts the first time I press the ignition button. It's used on a daily basis and next summer I plan to open up the engine for the first time, document it and probably replace the piston and the cylinder. Performance is not as it used to be anymore, and 60Mph is not that easy to get to anymore either.
Reliability wise, however, I cannot fault this bike, it's a keeper!
@@wangxiaoming8989 That's great, congrats on such a good run with it. I can see myself wanting to keep it even if I upgrade. Part of me says you can't get sentimental about a modern bike, I mean if it's not a classic or something. Maybe.
Agree in full with everything said mate, excellent video.
Love the video, love the talk and insight and really great video quality! Thank you for the video!
Thanks for watching!
I'm 60, and I've been riding bikes since my teens.
I've previously rode from the north to the south of Spain on a CG125.
I presently have a CBF 250. I'm going to buy a CB125F and use it as my regular commute.
Great Review, thanks, I'm now following😂.
Great video, I bought the same motorcycle to learn on and I saved that much money travelling to work I had it for 10 years.
The problem now is finding a bigger bike that is as good. Personally I think they are brilliant.
Looks like a CB 500f is in your future.
Definitely a CB500 of some kind. I would probably go with a CB500X or NX500 as they have been rebranded now.
Great summary video. Thank you, I feel confident to buy this one.
Hi Richard
11 years ago I purchased a honda cbf125 2013 ,just to go to work and down the shops. I love the bike so I understand your passion with your 125. Never been to France on it but i do all my own services oil every 2000 miles ,breaks ,chain and sprocks and so on . My cbf has now covered 36000 miles and it ticks over like a clock . I have no reason at this time to sell the bike . I have riden bikes from the age of 17 ,I'm 61 now ,I also have a cb300r and a 1977 cb400/4 .Keep enjoying your 125 Richard love your videos.
Excellent, thanks for being here! I'll have to do the chain and sprockets for the first time soon, if you have any tips. I do like the look of the GB350 that's just coming to the UK, but I'm not sure I could part with my first bike here.
Such a wonderful and informative video. Thanks for sharing!
The lack of a noticeable starter motor noise on start up is kind of eerie, as if the bike has decided to come alive on its own.
A few years ago I found a fella broken down with a 1913 Rolls Royce, if you searched for images of a 1913 Rolls Royce in Australia you'd find it, it's bright pink it's beautiful it reminds my of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, you'd have to see it
Anyway we got it to my place and I put him up for night and we sorted the problem out next morning
To start it cold you would use a hand pump on the dashboard to pressurize the fuel turn the ignition on and hand crank it from the front of the engine
But once it was warm all you had to do was pressurize the fuel with few strokes of the hand pump and turn the ignition key and it would instantly leap into life
It didn't have a starter motor but it had two spark plugs for each cylinder that I suppose together with the pressurize fuel would've helped it start like that
It didn't have a fuel pump once it was running the fuel was pressurized by the vibration and shaking of the loosely mounted fuel tank
Same on my wifes Honda SH150 scooter. It starts like magic without any noise.
great review Richard i got one after watching your video's i love it.
I can't argue with a single one of your Pros and Cons, I think you've got it spot-on. I've done just shy of 12,500km now, and despite having the 390 Duke along side it, the CB125F is still my bike of choice when I need to make the long distance commute down the freeway towards the city, which is a ~300km return trip for me. Even blasting down the freeway at wide open throttle, the economy of this bike is phenomenal, and I can make that trip with fuel to spare.
Australia's a different kind of place! We're just playing at bikes here. I bet the KTM is fun.
@@sataomm it's good for when I want to ride a bit more "spirited" but I find the riding position to be a bit uncomfortable for my knees and ankles. 20 year old me would've loved it 😅 but 40 year old me prefers the more relaxed position of the Honda
@@FCorneil next time I have the chain guard off mine, I'll see if it has a part number printed on it. Watch this space, I'll post it here if I find one for you
@@FCorneil Great! Enjoy your travels with it. I'm after a windshield myself so I'll look into that one if it fits.
Intelligent, well thought out, answered most questions, big tick from me !
Although I do have a big bike, I love to borrow my sons Honda XR125L Enduro, which basically has the same, bulletproof engine as the CB125F. Cheap to buy, cheap costs, very easy to maintain, fast enough to flow with traffic, and very lightweight for easy handling. An no searching for a parking space in the city.
I had the previous model to this for a while and it was a really great bike. Recently my daughter passed her CBT and bought a Kawasaki Z125 she is going to keep it for a couple of years and then she will be old enough to do her Direct Access. It a really nice looking bike and as with the Honda should hold it's value.
For me the biggest issue with 125's (especially 4 strokes which they all are now really) is that you've got zero overtaking power. I had a cbr125r for a while before doing direct access and the amount of times I got held up behind cars on my 13bhp bike was a real eye opener. But alas no reserves of power to perform a safe overtake unless you had a good view ahead and plenty of time to do it. The bike was quite nippy up to about 50mph and would eventually do a genuine 70+ (bearing in mind the speedo's over read a bit). But that 40-70 punch needed for safe overtakes, unsurprisingly, was very much absent. I agree though they can be fun in their own right and they're very cheap to run.
Hi from France (Occitanie, Hérault) !
I have always forbidden myself from becoming a biker because of the danger… but I’m 40 now : think I’m a big boy, wiser and experienced…
Last week, I bought my first bike, a CB125F of course. Your videos are so interesting that the only fault we can find in them is that you desperately persist in not speaking French in them.
Thanks to you, I will go to Spain and Italy peacefully. ✌🏻👍🏻
Lol, thank you and I'll do my best with the French next time! Good luck with your riding and enjoy the travels.
Fantastic review. Practical and real-world issues are all covered.
Stellar review. Thank you for making the video.
I have a MT15 in the Philippines, (400 and 650 in the US), no reason to have more power there, and a blast to ride. Just bought a complete stainless exhaust with cat, delivered for $60!! Can not wait to ride it soon!
I don't know why but after 20 years biking I prefer the smaller ones. I've got a Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 because my work is 80 kms far. Everybody says it's not a good bike for that but I don't care, the power is enough and I bought it because I love how looks. In the future I'll try come nearer to work and It's pretty sure I'll buy this Honda CB125F... just because I love the simplicity and economy to maintain. Maybe I'll keep my Interceptor but maybe not... good video.
@5:02 I spotted 25mph in 5th gear haha. I do miss ragging a 125 around town butt my commute has now extended through country roads so I really appreciate the added power of my 300cc. You can still open it up like a 125 on a country road, but you don't need to worry about someone stuck to your rear wheel because you can't quite keep up with traffic.
If I can afford it, I do want a little 125 (maybe a monkey) as a second bike just for running about and having fun.
Have the same bike, in the exact same colour! Issues, only two: it doesn't like cheap fuel. Once I filled it on a supermarket pump and it started over revving at idle. Run it for a few km and switched back to a branded fuel and it went back to normal. Then there's the seat, it's rock hard...
From there on, it's all positives and I definitely recommend it for a learner like I was. Now I've got my eyes on the upcoming GB350 since I use roads with 100km/h (60mph) on my commute and it doesn't like to do that for long
That's very true, the seat isn't the best for multiple hours. I tend to stop anyway and have a walk around, but I noticed it in France. Never noticed any problem with fuel. Could it have been a one off?
I've had a cbf 125 when I was 18. It was a great motorcycle to learn on. Atm I'm 29 and I have a CFMOTO 450 NK and a KTM Duke 125 now. The 125 is still a great bike to ride, although if you ride motorway speeds (100 km/h), you quickly realize that 125's are made for town use. Overtaking on speeds of + 90 km/h is dangerous if you don't pick the right time or need to get out of a 'dangerous' situation. Therefor, my 450 is safer than the 125 imho... Just my 2 cents though. The 125 is still a light bike and in town and on streets up to 70 km/h it is a hoot to ride! 😁
An issue with small bikes can be the riding position and suspension, such bikes are sized for the Asian rider (Thailand etc) who are typically several inches less in height and significantly lighter in weight compare to Europeans, the Honda Supercub 125 really is such a bike, your review seems to confirm that at 5ft 10inches there is not an issue other than the footrests could be repositioned and possible a seat with an extra inch of padding to improve comfort
That was a great review, my wife has one of these, she just got her full license here in Australia. I cannot believe that they cost £3000 £3200 in the UK. In Australia she paid A$3400 registered new on the road 2024 model ( £1700 ) that’s a big difference…she loves her bike … cheers 🦘🦘🦘👍
Prices were a bit higher a couple of years ago. I think I paid £2950 in 2022, but people are saying it's a little lower now. But yes, big difference! Thanks for watching, and enjoy the ride.
I am gunna go for an full A license at 64 :D, been riding a yamaha Tricity 300 for the past 2 years and covered over 30k miles. Done France Switzerland and Spain twice. My cb125f will arrive early november and i hope to get my Full license within a year to 18 months and move up to a moderately sized and economical bike for touring. Keep the Video's coming young Fella :D
Sounds good - have fun!
Why you decided to get a 2 wheeler, how yamaha Tricity 300 is different?
@@ironman8257 I have a full licence restricted to trikes,( grandad perks) 2 wheeler l-plates no motorways and not legal abroad for me. Tricity 300 has 3 wheels and the same width as a motorbike but i would like to have more choice and motorbikes are way cheaper to buy
I've had mine almost a year now and I'm never getting rid of it. I'll have at least one other bike, but the practicality for the cost is unmatched on this bike. I did get an aftermarket exhaust, since I had many instances of going round bends on country lanes, filtering and going past minor roads that join with poor visibility where car drivers were seemingly surprised that I was where I was, even with me riding very cautiously.
Further down the line if I ever do anything else to it, it will be fitting it out for longer camping trips, just doing country lanes. If an improved airbox/air filter mod comes along for it, that would help the power, but performs great as is.
Good choice! I'm happy with the Givi panniers to help with touring trips, but soft luggage would be equally good if you don't need to leave it unattended.
loved my gs125. on the bandit 600 now. heavy to lug around. You should get some blind spot mirrors. god send . yea 250cc is a nice spot.
GOAT!
Just bought mine, Runs beautifully 🎉 Only 4.764 miles on Clock.
Excellent, have fun! See if any servicing needs doing from the log book :-)
I have had mine for just over 2 years. Superb motorcycle but just 1 big flaw.. Not equipped with a immobiliser and the hoodies know it. 😱😱
What a nice little bike you have ,
For many years now I've been thinking about upgrading my humble cg125 which has carried me for over 72k of trouble free riding however nowhere near as fuel friendly as your bike i managed to get around 100mpg ish , probably keep the cg125 and treat myself to a newer cbf125 not sure how the long term will stack up certainly the newer cbf125 has some big shoes to fill against the cg125 but I'm sure it would fine being a honda .
There’s a dilemma. You’re obviously plenty experienced with the 125. If you can keep both that’s nice. Not sure what I’d do otherwise!
I have already 19 262.507 miles on this bike and no problem.
Only assembling valves clearences and changing oil,after 18 000 miles i have to change timing chain tensioner pulley but now its alright
Thanks for the review Richard. Having now completed my CBT I think your review has swayed me to this bike. Looking around on Auto Trader I did see lots of second hand ones having the exhaust and stands completely rusted and assumed it was just owner neglect - looks to be a Honda feature instead :) I'd be interested in how you keep the bike clean and rust free on other parts of the bike. Looking forward to more content.
I haven't yet, but should have used a treatment like GT85 to prevent rust. I think you see a lot of neglected 125s second hand because people only want them to learn on - don't bother to service or maintain if you're only keeping it 2 years. So I think signs that one has been well looked after would be very helpful.
I've got a 2009 version and my neighbor has had a couple of the newer ones, both of his have rusted all over way more than mine has despite being parked next to one another. So I think the older versions are better protected, or use better steel. We did notice mine has a rear mudguard over the tyre and that newer ones don't and that helps a lot to protect it.
They're great bikes though, I've had mine 18 months and it hasn't let me down and all I've added to it is a top box, new oxford LED indicators, an uprated front bulb and some budget Aliexpress handguards and heated grips for the winter.
One thing I will say about 125's, is that manufacturers charge a lot more for small displacement bikes in Europe than here in Canada. Honda Canada was selling the CBR125 for $3,400 (1,919 GBP) up until 2014, and I know they were selling double that in Europe and GB.. I bought one of the few remaining 2014 CBR's for $1,999 (1,140 GBP) when Honda decided to stop bringing them into Canada at the end of the 2014 riding season. I'm 200 lbs, and was getting 110 mpg (Imp.), so you getting 160 mpg is INSANE. I wasn't even getting that on my Yamaha 125BWS (Zuma).
Best review on TH-cam of this bike
Thanks very much! Reviews are always tricky - everyone's got their own point of view.
I need to catch up with your videos .I have just sold my Honda varadero 125. It was an amazing 125 V twin.
You have a range readout…I’m envious, my 500 Hornet doesn’t, and I would’ve liked that feature.
This was my first bike. Got her brand new (2022) and put 3000 miles on her in 4 months. Part ex-ed her when I got the 650R a few weeks after my DAS, but recently i've been thinking more and more about getting another. Sure, the power isn't there, and I never enjoyed going faster than 50mph on her, but I never worried about going places where I'd never consider taking the 650 (mild offroad/etc.).
Apparently with the right tyres, the 125f becomes a really capable off-roader, which is something I'm beginning to value since it can get me to more places.
I'm very tempted to use HEIDENAU k66, so far looks to be promising offroad but when trying to sand up on the pegs it reminds you that it was intended as a road bike, I already used inch risers on the handlebars and moved them about 2mm forward, these improved things a lot but the seat is too wide and the reach for the rear break is a bit difficult.
@@ripmax333 I think I should learn to ride offroad before committing any resource to a dedicated bike to do it on, but I'll look into what you mentioned.
@@233kosta I had a CRF250L and a Beta Alp200 so I had some experience riding offroad, I have also a Triumph Street Twin which I turned it to look like a scrambler (sort off) so I occasionally ride it in very mild offroad so when I stand up on the pegs it didn't felt that bad but to be honest when I trid on the CB125F it was a bit shocking, you will understand when you try a proper offroad machine 😀
@@ripmax333 I believe the guy's exact words were "It'll get you more places than a GS". I'm in no way assuming it'd be remotely as good as a true offroader, but probably better than most heavy ADVs.
I did enjoy the CB650R on my DAS course. But I prefer the upright seating position, so I do fancy the CB500X.
Acceleration speed, explosive speed is extremely important if you need to get yourself out of a dangerous situation.
Thanks for review!
Hi Richard, Great review as considering my motorcycling journey. Would you review and suggest your chosen riding gear please? I see the videos on helmet and gloves...
I've enjoyed your videos and found the "how to's" very useful.
Could you do one on how to adjust the rear brake foot pedal?
Thanks for watching! That's on the list, just a case of turning the adjusted right at the back of the bike on that silver rod. There's also an adjuster for the brake light switch, but that's really hard to reach.
You are the only other person, besides myself, that I've heard call out the "Loud pipes save lives" mantra. I'll go so far as to say "Don't dress for the ride, dress for the slide" is nonsense as well, unless you're one of those guys who hops on a liter bike and "does battle" with the streets. I've been riding for forty years and have learned a few things along the way. First, like you, I wear bright colours, reflective bright colours in fact, and a bright yellow Bell helmet too. Second, lane position is paramount ...don't be where drivers can't see you. I don't "hang out" beside cars, I ride forward of their front bumper, or behind their rear bumper ...that way if the car driver suddenly moves into my lane, I'm not in a position to be struck. Third, and certainly there's more, SPEED ...I bought my first bike back in '85 because we didn't have room for another car in the drive, and it was much cheaper to operate than a car, not because I wanted show off or had anything to prove, it was just cheap, reliable transportation. I started on a 650cc, moved on to 750's and liter bikes, throw in a CBR125 , dual sports, and finally forty years later, I've moved on to 300cc scooters, and I love the practicality of a scooter ...storage and economy.
I'd still own a 125 if I could get one where my legs weren't squeezed at an acute angle ...not a lot of 125cc choice here in Canada.
Good advice. I just find motorbiking is plenty fun enough without making it unnecessarily dangerous. I do quite fancy a maxi scooter I have to say. The Forza 350 looks good.
For me the decision was one of these or pay more money for a cb125r. I went for a 2nd hand R for a few reasons, the styling cafe neo looked cool, the engine from 2021 or newer has the full 15bhp which is all your allowed on a CBT license, also has disc brake on the rear and nisin brakes on the front, showa BP fork upfront and has a higher seat height of 820mm which is actually more than the cb300r and cb650r for some reason, lastly the rear tyre is wide for a 125 making it more stable. Negatives are it's more money (£4300 new I've seen) weighs more 130kg and economy is significantly lower at around 100mpg. BUT what's interesting is I'm going for my mod 2 in 2 weeks time and I'm in no rush to "upgrade" my bike. I love it, does everything I need it to way more fun than I thought it would be and at 15bhp with 6 gears feels OK at 65mph with a little left at top speed
Very wise, the 125R is a great choice. I just didn't like the seating position on the 650R that much, so I assume the 125R is much the same. I might even like a cruiser style, have to give one a go. Good luck on your MOD 2, no need to get nervous, it's just going for a ride as usual, only someone's checking you do lifesavers and signals, etc.
@shephardphoto7352 I was fairly confident until scunthorpe is in the top 10 for lowest pass rates for mod 2! Still ive done over 2k miles on my 125 so hoping everything will be fine. Because the cb125r is a naked bike the riding position isn't full on sport but notice the pegs are on the higher side even if the handle bars are also high, it's like a half way sporting ride position. I've been on several rides with people with bigger bikes and they say I'm not holding them up even though I'm conscious of the time it takes to get to 65mph (58mph on gps)
Always Wondered What that long Green Light Was.
I don’t like linked brakes but… they are not there specifically for learners and inexperienced riders. The only motorcycle that I had linked brakes was my Honda ST1300 Pan European, a big powerful sports tourer. To be honest I was never once aware that the brakes were linked, a bit like driving a car really. The big surprise was when the rear brake pads wore out before those at the front despit me being a rider who only uses the front brake most of the time.
Top things these little Honda 125s
nice videos Sir
small bike are fun more nimble than any big bike i got a fair few had ninjas and the like but they bore me plus i like to see the surroundings now and not as a blur. the faster you go the quicker death comes for you.
Very wise! 60 mph on a dual carriageway feels plenty fast to me.
Funny this has come up on my YT suggestions. My Kaw. ZZR1200 got stolen, had it ten years. Thought i would give up biking, but i remember back in the early 80's my best bike was Yam. RS125. Nippy and light.
My ZZR never seemed happy unless doing 70 plus on the motorway. God help if ever had to pick it up.
Only problem, i never came off my big bikes, ZZR or GPZ900. I think small bikes might be too light.
@@flybobbie1449 They say it's more fun riding a small bike fast than a fast bike slow! Thanks for watching.
@@sataomm I think we are looking back to our teen days, bit misty eyed, when we weighed 9 stone a small bike did the job!
The Speedo was well out on mine. Said 72, barely 62. Great bike though, had one to practice before DAS. Got an sv650 now.
Interesting. I'm going to test mine against GPS now, thanks!
@@sataomm good idea. Great content btw! Keep it coming.
Interesting insight chaars
Have you tried a motorcycle seat cushion as that will raise the seat height a bit at very little cost ? Sheep skins can also add height . I have a 125 Innova and love my small bike even though I have an 1100gs and a 1800 Goldwing I actually prefer the 125 as it's more fun and I go down roads I wouldn't normally so see more country side. Have considered CB125F as I think it has a lot going for it for a small touring bike
Good idea, thanks!
I drive little bikes like that one since 1976, never interested with bigger ones as I do not use motorways, nor drive "sportly". For faster, longer journeys I use my car. Honda bikes have nearly always been reliable, tough some little engines of the 1970's needed rather frequent rebuilds (piston, cylinder, valves), say every 10.000 Miles. With their carburetors you also had to take care to avoid trashing them at low revs. It was better to trash them at 10.000 RPM than to try to pass an hill in fifth gear. From my 1984 Super Cub 72 cc these problems were over, that one I kept up to 50.000 Km (a bit more than 30.000 Miles) without any part replacement save tires, chains and sprockets, plus a plug from time to time. But quality is a quite variable conception, and Those little Honda never paid much attention to the durability of the finish. It is perfect when new, but you'd better not be too maniac afterwards. Today I have a 125 Kymco scooter, whose finish is after a lower standard, but resists better long term (it is now four years old). So each brand has its own definition of "quality", the results always being criticizable somewhere. For Honda this means above all reliability, and this is what counts the most in the end...
Really good point. The engine is ultimately where it counts for me.
The bike certainly can! I just love when people underestimate this bike, i learned recently to take off on one wheel, and at stop lights i take off on one wheel, redline second and third gear, third gear is 80kph, not incredibly fast compared to another bike i rode, 650 kawasaki. But it's a fun little bike. To take off on one wheel u just add more gas while releasing the clutch more quickly, not too much gas to burn out the clutch, just about 4-5k rpm and you can go on one wheel for about 3 meters. Very fun
Right, there's an idea for my next how-to video :-)
Hi love the channel excellent videos the bike is great the trip to France was amazing all so great gear review .i am thinking i need to get a smaller bike i have subscribe God bless see you in the next one
Thanks for watching! This started off as just a bit of fun, but now passing 1000 subscribers and earning a quid or two each month is just a nice compliment. See you on the next one!
I have seen 116 kmh little down hill with my 2023 cb125f...😅
these are best bikes for office commuting and roaming arround city. you dont really spend too much on fuel
Get a bigger bike I'd say, I wanted to keep my 125 after passing my test but then once I'd had a big bike I just found I wasn't using it much. You can still pootle about on a big bike at 60 on A roads which is mostly what I do but there soo much more comfortable. Also it's much nicer just cruising and only tickling the throttle to keep up with traffic.
I am tempted by a CB500X or maybe the rebel. I need to go and sit on one to see if I like it. Thanks for watching!
Thank you for so nice review. Is the suspencion soft enough for not perfect roads with holes? Thinking about cb125 f and pcx125 for job journeys ( medium traffic) and weekend trips 300 km/weekend.
Pcx has storage, abs, cvt, but I am affraid it is not soft enough as cb125 f... Tried Vespa in the city and sometimes my body was not happy with smashes because of bumpy road. Thank you for answer.
I don't have anything to compare it with but it copes with potholes OK I suppose. The larger wheels will make a big difference compared to the PCX.
I’ve owned the pcx and cb125f. I’ve also ridden the Vespa, along with Xmax 300 and Forza 300. Scooters suspension is very crashy. The CB really surprised me how good the suspension is compared to how tiny the forks and rear springs look. The larger wheels like Richard said make a huge difference, it also allows for much better clearance going up curbs and through fire roads etc. It won’t be perfect, but aside from my custom dirt bike suspension I haven’t really come across anything that will.
Didactic video. The sale of this motorcycle in Australia includes as an accessory a protector that completely covers the chain. In your country do they sell that chain protector? Did you know this chain guard. thank you.
I noticed that on another channel. Seems like a good idea. I haven’t seen it available as an accessory. I wonder if it uses the same bolt holes as the chain guard we have.
In Europe they come without the chain guard, in Brazil it's called with another name but it has also a KickStart.
It's not a big motorcycle, it's just a groovy little motorbike. Honda Honda, it's alright.......
Good honest video. My daughter wanted a 50cc scooter which came with a big NO from me. I said she needed something with a little more power that would give her the 'get out of the way' option, much in line with the basic fight or flight of nature. She was about to buy one of these and I showed her a Suzuki GSX150SF with only 1600km on the clock so she fell in love with that and bought it.
I nearly bought a GSX250SF but saw a team red XR190CT farm bike with 2400km on the clock so bought that. Rode it 320km home in lousy weather at up to 70km/h, it topped out the rev limiter at 75km/h. I started my motorcycle carrier 41 years ago on an XL250RC, quickly changed to an XR200RD and now ^^. The XR190CT is now wearing the original out of the crate gearing and will easily do 100km/h.
hello mr Shephard , are you satisfied from this bike? my greetings from Greece
What more do you need nowadays for your commute, sure when the government have there way with road pricing a little 125 will become popular.
So far there are two mains things that I'm not 100% with mine, the seat IMO is too wide for no reason, although its not a tall bike it would still present a challenge for people who are vertically challenged because it force you to splay your legs too much plus I found it to be a bit uncomfortable after an hour of riding, and the wheels I would preferred that they were 17 inch dia instead of 18, Tire selection seems to be limited or maybe there is a good reason Honda chose to use the 18inch wheels which I can't understand😅
Yes, the seat gets a bit uncomfortable after more than an hour! Interesting - I hadn't really compared it with many others but I can believe the seat is wider now you mention it.
For a while I used a 125 to commute as the Harley is not exactly a commuter bike.
This is my famous one!
Keep the 125 and get another bike. I still regret selling my GS125 in 1988.
for hacking to work on these bikes are superb
I wish they had them in usa
You make a lot of salient points , i have been mulling over upgrading my suzuki address for one as i would hope it to be a little quicker and more economical. I have a Speed 400 as well but really enjoy zippingvaroundnon the wee bike, the vedt ugrade i made to it was a faco small screen which has yielded another 5mph top speed have you looked into this for the cb?
Not sure your residual estimates quite reflect reality
I see plenty of brand new ones at £2700 ish your locality might be more favourable my particular concern over Hondas in general is the nearest dealer is 30 miles away.
Good shout - a windscreen might help with comfort too. I want to look into getting one before my next long camping trip.
@richardshephard Aye other tweaks and refinements to air intake filters induction mods and less restrictive exhaust will help pick up but aero resistance is the big energy and fuel sapper at speed.
You're making me wanna buy this bike although it's a horrible deal in my country for the price and Honda dealers are horrible here. You can't get parts for months here.
Where do you live and whats the deal $$$?
@hiebrantsify Turkey and it's 3K dollars. It's horrible deal.
@@alicankarakaya2770 why is 3k a bad price? Just because you can buy it in india cheaper doesnt mean it is a bad deal.... i do get the parts problem though
@@hiebrantsify it's very bad. That's like 6 minimum wages and Honda dealers suck here.
@@alicankarakaya2770 well thats not hondas problem thats being poor problem. It is cheaper in india because they make them there there is no shipping costs. The idea that it is bad value just because you can't afford it is ridiculous
What is the total length of the bike with givi rack and plate? According to specs, it is 2015mm without the rack.
The rack will only add 10-15 cm to the back I reckon.
Hi 👋 where did u get your top box and paneers from ? Looking for some myself
Ordered from sportsbikeshop in the end. It's the Givi E300NT2 top box which goes on the SR1184 rack. To add the side cases you need the PL1184 racks, and the cases are the E22n.
Bonjour ,superbe vidéo ! Merci, je possède cette moto depuis peu, combien de kilomètres faites vous avec un plein ?
It may be possible to do 644 km, but. I usually fill up after about 482 km, which costs about £14 - £17
@richardshephard merci !
Hi from Australia 🇦🇺😊👍 im new to motorcycles & learning to ride 🏍 ive a great opportunity to buy a Honda CB125F with very low km on the clock & my concern is im not a tall guy at 5'7 but i weigh 90kg do you personally think 90kg is to heavy for this 125cc bike for around my town & to learn on ? No highway riding no no ! Just around town doing speed limits of 50kmh and 60kmh casual riding ! Please give honest opinion is my 90kg to much for this bike ? Much appreciated.
You'll be fine. I'm 75kg but with luggage on a trip I'd often be over that. Especially if you're intending to learn on it, and don't expect it to be a sports/racer, which it isn't for anybody really. As your first bike, it'll feel awesome. Have fun!
@richardshephard Thanks for your reply feedback much appreciated 😊👍 Cheers from Bundaberg Aus 🇦🇺🍹🕺🏍
Paris in one tank? You would need to fuel up 3 times to cross texas from El Paso to Beaumont.I would be wearing up my passport if living over there.
It feels far but you’re right, it’s really not. Didn’t even need the passport before brexit.
There are hundreds of complaints about gears not shifting properly between 2nd to 1st on the Indian version (SP 125). Is it the same here? Please let me know.
No I don't think so. It makes a bit of a clunk as you do it sometimes, but always works.
@@sataomm Thanks for the reply.
I've just got one of these 3 days ago .I'm struggling to get use to setting of in first as the throttle seems to be all or nothing? Do you have any tips ? It might be just a learner thing?
That's what the CB650F I learned on felt like because it was so much more powerful. Do check your throttle slack - you should be able to turn it 2-6mm before the engine responds. Otherwise just practice with your throttle control: practice revving the engine very very slightly in neutral. Move away by revving the engine more, keeping it still, and finessing the clutch. Then gradually you get used to moving both at once just the right amount as you pull away.
I don't have a motorcycle licence however I'm wondering can the cbf125 tyres being skinny cause the bike to easily lose grip on roads causing people to fall off the bike
Well it's interesting - the skinny tyres match the overall weight and torque of the bike. Plus with a smaller contact area there's more pressure so grip isn't a problem. Light wheels are easier to turn, less rolling resistance and easier to lean into turns. One nuisance though is if you get ruts or seams in the tarmac you need to be careful not to get wobbled sideways.
How accurate have you found the speedo? I’ve had the 2018 model for a couple of months, and find that compared to a gps it reads a pretty consistent 10% higher than my actual speed.
I’m returning to biking after 20 years so just on a cbt at the moment, but planning on getting something slightly bigger once I get my full licence as not being able to maintain (a real) 60mph up even a gentle hill is rather frustrating!
I haven't tested it yet. That's a nice idea for a video!
Same.I've had the 2017 model for the last year and put about 10k on it. The Speedo is a good 5 over at thirty and 7 over at fifty.
This is best bike in india sp125 in 125 segment
Hi. Just a quick question. What size / model top box have you got ? Thanks.
It's the Givi E300NT2, which is 30 litres. If I was buying again I might go slightly bigger. This fits my big full face helmet, and you can slip a pair of gloves or waterproof trousers alongside it, but nothing else. Just about big enough for a 13" laptop in a small bag.
@ Thanks. I just bought a 340 which just fitted my Shoei. It’s bigger than I’d like but needs must.
I wonder if in the UK slow traffic is on the left?
Yes, drive on the left unless overtaking.
Question do you think It will be good for short rider's I'm 5'3 and I been looking to get a cb125f
I’m sure you’ll be fine. I’m 5’10 but it’s plenty low enough. I can stand up over it with both feet flat. Maybe someone on here can confirm. Obviously best thing to do is go sit in one in the shop.
A alta velocidad la moto vibra, pero estoy seguro que las ruedas no están equilibradas de fábrica igual qu otras muchas motos de 125 cc. En todos mis scooters de 125 cc he equilibrado las ruedas que no venían equilibradas de fábrica por ahorros de coste del fabricante como Suzuki y Honda.
Good point. I must look into that!
@@sataomm Ellos ahorran costes pensando que la gente va a ir siempre a 50 MPH y no va a notar que los neumáticos se están deformando por ir desequilibrados.
I mean.... 125cc may be sufficient but I don't think it's _safe_ in a great scheme of things -- if you're struggling to go more than 50 uphill or headwind on the dual carriageway, lorries breathing in your back from WAY too close, being too underpowered to ever get on the motorway....
Fantastic inner city or B-roads bike though. I've been commuting on this bike for 2 years and I breathed out in relief when I could finally upgrade (I miss the fuel economy though :D ).
No, 250cc or 300cc is the minimum. You can't remove yourself out of the way of the aggressive drivers if you're this slow, no positioning or jacket can change that.
Yeah I’d probably agree, I do love going in adventures with my little cb125f though. I’m an experienced rider of 25 years riding nearly everyday. I own a 250, 300, 800 and 1000 next to my 125cc. Going on a day myself there’s something so refreshing and engaging going on my cb. I take motorways and to me it’s not an issue. You’re faster than a loaded truck. Slower or equal to a non loaded truck. Going back to engagement, it is fun to me being self aware of positioning having the shoulder always there should you get in trouble. But timing your overtakes etc as well. I do tend to ride the 125 more than the others but I’m sure that’s very personal.