Honda CBF125 (2009-current)

I have a 2010 CBF 125, I use it in all weather except ice and snow to get to work. I have covered 12600 miles in under 2 years. This was my first bike and didn't/still don't have a clue about bikes so went with the bike brand name known for its reliability and build quality, Honda. On the good side it has started every time with no worry at the first attempt. It has cut out once or twice but not enough to worry me. The finish and fit seems quite good. Admittedly I could have washed it a few more times but it is showing signs of wear, rust on the exhaust header and corroding on the engine cover, paint flaking off the forks near the hub and paint flaking off the wheels. What I really wasn't impressed with was the FOUR!! warranty issues I had to put the bike in for. The first was a split engine gasket on the side causing an oil leak, the second was a problem with the primary clutch cage (or something similar to that) where due to the fact the bike is built in India and not Japan Honda as a whole are having quality and quantity issues with parts for the CBF 125. I had to wait a month to get my bike back from the dealer and that was only after complaining to Honda head office otherwise it could have been monthS. The third issue was with the generator that was burnt out and left me without a headlight or rear light while on my way to work a night shift. That took a week to fix and while that was in for a service at the same time they notice the gasket on the top of the engine was seeping. The exhaust has also just started to rattle at tick over. All that and a service interval of only 2500 miles. It is an ideal city bike but if you have to travel on roads with limits over 50 for any length of time you will struggle with a head wind when the top speed will drop to 50. As a whole the bike has been ok but I would struggle to recommend it.

I got this bike in January and and have moved on this month onto a 650cc after passing my full test. My experience of bikes are limited but this bike was a fantastic start. It's easy to ride so a really good confidence boost when you first take to the open roads. I did 2500 miles in 3 months and salot of that was long distance communting so word of advise stop every hour to stretch your legs or you will suffer. I came off on some diesel 2 weeks after buying it, the brake pedal needed bending back into place which wasnt a problem but be aware its flimsy to say the least. Overall I loved every minute I got to ride it and I always had a smile on my face when I did. They only reason I got a bigger bike was because I was sick of not being able to overtake caravans, which to be fair there was nothing this bike could do about it anyway. And in 3 months I probably only spent £60 on fuel, I'll never take the bus again.

Picked a second hand 2011 up with a few miles on the clock, this is my first bike after passing my CBT, it is a great run around and puts a smile on my face, its a 125 so it is not going to win any drag reaces but given i am in my 30's i am not into anything other than feeling safe and enjoying my ride which this bike gives me. Easy to maintain and keep clean, looks good and will give many hours of pleaseure

I first have ton say I am surprised to read some of the negative reviews on here about this little bike. I have had the bike for 2500 miles now and all is well so far. I runs really well and I get well over 100 mpg (I check every time and I honestly usually get between 110 – 120 mpg. As people have said it goes along at 50 really well and will sit at 60 – 65 until you get a hill and she reluctantly drops down to 50. You don’t ever have to go into the red to get a response out of the engine (I have a model with a rev counter) I have come back to riding after a 15 year break and thought I would put a few miles on this little bike before getting back to something better, but I have to say the allure of 120 mpg is stopping me at the moment. That is probably sacrilegious on a msn website but I am still enjoying this little bike and genuinely having fun and all the time it delivers 100 + mpg it will have paid for its self in a very short period of time. £90 for the 2500 service all in seems reasonable. Another armature comment but it she is easy to keep clean and tidy after a wash and brush up she looks like she has been ridden out of the show room so I have not been troubled with poor finishing …yet! There is a bit of plastic on her but I don’t intend dropping her so that shouldn’t be a problem. I insurance fantastically cheap considering I have no claims All in all I am delighted - comfortable to fide I usually only go 30 miles max on a journey, unbelievably cheap to run tax and insure. I have ridden bigger bikes when abroad and I could never say this rides like anything other than a 125 but steering and cornering really do make it feel like a bigger bike. I am 6ft and don’t have any problems with the overall size of the bike. If you are considering this to take you test on I would highly recommend it I would imaging it would be great on the mod 1 cone exercises and u turn and would hit the 50k on the speed parts with ease keeping it in 2nd gear. It may not be a Sunday bike for a ride with the local club but as a get on it go to work / town / shops it does the job and I guess that is what it is built for? I may be lucky or too early but I am delighted with my cbf and think I will be keeping it for a few more services yet.

bought this bike due to so called honda reliability, had the bike for just under 2 years and its been used for around 700 miles and garage stored rest of the time, now bike wont start and told by local honda dealer that there is water in cylinder, then told honda wont cover this under warranty and basically told to go away and they (local dealer and honda customer service uk) dont care. so overall the bike is poor, poor build quality and finish and poor service from honda, have owned yamaha's and triumphs before with no probems and excellent service so woud expect more from honda, avoid this bike at all cost.

bought this bike due to so called honda reliability, had the bike for just under 2 years and its been used for around 700 miles and garage stored rest of the time, now bike wont start and told by local honda dealer that there is water in cylinder, then told honda wont cover this under warranty and basically told to go away and they (local dealer and honda customer service uk) dont care. so overall the bike is poor, poor build quality and finish and poor service from honda, have owned yamaha's and triumphs before with no probems and excellent service so woud expect more from honda, avoid this bike at all cost.

I've had my CBF for 12 months now and it has barely put a foot wrong. After owning a god-awful Gilera ratbike, reliability was key for me and this is where it excels. Always starts first time and aside from cleaning and two standard services, I have had to make no adjustment to it in the first 5000 miles. My only warning would be careful if you are over 6ft, I am a bit tucked up at 6ft but it doesn't really show until 50 miles into a ride... Although not excelling in the performance department it does what it says on the tin. It's perfectly suited for a 20 mile commute and I don't know what the MCN testers were doing to it but I always get over 100MPG however I ride it! It runs away from the lights nicely in town and is fine up to about 50 where it looses puff but will sit happily at an indicated 60-65 on the A roads. I've done 180 miles trips on this bike before and aside from a slightly hard seat it didn't bat an eye. A great little thing to learn on and then to keep on as a reliable (very!) cheap to insure workhorse commuter.

great until you want to work on it. poor fixings corroded at 12 months old. lack of tyre choice, fitting Conti's helps. poor fueling means cuts out until warm. if they'd used some grease while building it, would have helped, took 1 hour to remove rear wheel for tyre change. all that said, it is doing 140mpg!

My first bike and I've had it for a little over a year now. First used it as a learner, then kept it on as a cheap commuter. Light and perfect for whizzing round London streets, happy enough up to 50mph and fast enough at the light. I get about 120MPG out of the thing as well. The only mechanical issue I had was with the fuel gauge, it stopped working and I had it replaced on warranty. It also rusts a bit, within a month or so I had some sections repainted, also under warranty as well. Since then some surface rust has appeared on the pipes and a few nuts. You also get three years AA cover included in the purchase price and Honda service has been spot on.

first bike for over 20yrs... great to be back on 2 wheels, bought it 3 mnths old 1.6k on the clock now 7.5k . first impression is its a great wee bike , and i get over 100mpg doin 45 miles a day on wynding A roads . bad bits back tyre is gash , and you need to replace it with a 180 as noone make 190 rear tyres , and the build quality aint as good as you expect from a honda ,after 7k needed wheelbearing and a new brake disc , wee silly things but these are annoying , overall though a good bike to start on.