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Honda CBR125RR motorcycle review - Riding
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Honda CBR125R (2004-current)

View all Honda CBR125Rs for sale (10)

Detail Value
New price £2,650
Parker's used price range £805-1,515
Full used prices
Engine size 125cc
Power 13bhp
Top speed 70mph
Insurance group 6
  MCN ratings Owners' ratings
Overall rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Engine rating is 3 rating is 3.5
Ride & Handling rating is 4 rating is 4
Equipment rating is 3 rating is 4
Quality & Reliability rating is 4 rating is 4.5
Value rating is 5 rating is 4

MCN overall verdict rating is 4

The Honda CBR125R is an excellent ‘mid market’ 125. There are cheaper to buy / run bikes, like Honda’s own CG125 but they lack kudos. There’s a flotilla of fancy, mainly European motorcycles like Aprilia’s gorgeous RS125 but they’re silly money. But the Honda CBR125R's a tidy little motorcycle with a reliable four stroke engine, safe handling and brakes.

Engine

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 3.5

Liquid-cooled single cylinder four stroke engine works well in Honda CBR125R, producing 13bhp in a easy, useable manner. It should last well if the oil’s kept topped up (many won’t get that luxury). The Honda CBR125R gearbox is based on Honda’s off-road XR125 means the jump between first and second is rather large.

Ride and Handling

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4

The Honda CBR125R is safe and easy – ideal for learners or lazy commuters. There’s no getting away from the Honda CBR125R’s tiny dimensions and very modest power output but you can push the Honda CBR125R hard and it doesn’t bite back. Brakes are ideal – progressive with enough power but not too much to catch out the unwary.

Equipment

MCN rating rating is 3
Owners' rating rating is 4

Taller riders may find themselves a fraction cramped on th Honda CBR125R but unless they’re attempting longer journeys it shouldn’t be a problem. Electric start is handy and even the Honda CBR125R's headlight (twin 35 watt bulbs) isn’t too puny.

Quality and Reliability

MCN rating rating is 4
Owners' rating rating is 4.5

Honda don’t make tat – even their smaller bikes are well thought out and nicely finished, and the Honda CBR125R is proof of that. As with any used 125, Honda CBR125R problems are more likely due to neglect / crashes / theft that the last owner inflicted.

Value

MCN rating rating is 5
Owners' rating rating is 4

There are cheaper 125s out there but the Honda CBR125R provides about the best balance of fun and practicality per pound spent. Honda CBR125R running costs are low too and Honda aren’t about to disappear overnight – unlike some new, far eastern brands. Find Honda CBR125R motorcycles for sale.

Insurance

Insurance group: 6

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Model History

2004: Original Honda CBR125R launched.
2005: Honda CBR125R in Repsol colours available for £100 more.

Other Versions

Honda CBR125R in Repsol race replica paint available from at extra cost.

Specifications

Top speed 70mph
1/4-mile acceleration 18.9 secs
Power 13bhp
Torque 7ftlb
Weight 115kg
Seat height 776mm
Fuel capacity 10 litres
Average fuel consumption 72mpg
Tank range 155 miles
Insurance group 6
Engine size 125cc
Engine specification 2v single, 6 gears
Frame Steel twin spar
Front suspension adjustment None
Rear suspension adjustment None
Front brakes 276 mm disc
Rear brake 220 mm disc
Front tyre size 80/90 x 17
Rear tyre size 100/80 x 17

Examples for sale nowSee all current ads for this bike

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Honda
CBR125R

2703 miles

£1,890

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Honda
CBR125R

35 miles

£2,195

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Honda
CBR125R

0 miles

£2,599

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Honda
CBR125R

2812 miles

£2,395

classified image

Honda
CBR125R

0 miles

£2,599

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Owners' Overall Rating rating is 4(17 reviews)

  • My '09 CBR

    Lewis Trickett

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I bought my CBR125R from new, and i absolutely love it! looks brilliant, sounds great and it's worth every penny. the best 125 bike around and ive had mine up to 83mph, dnt recommend that tho, i was on the red line briefly

    26 October 2009

  • Great little bike

    JG125

    Average rating rating is 3.5

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    Engine

    Iv had my cbr 125 for about 6 months now and i cant falut it, the tyres could be a little bigger and the suspension a little firmer but all in all its well worth the price, yu get an easy to use engine that wont run away from yu, nice brakes that wont punish yu for a little over exhubarence, and a good position even at 6'2.

    07 August 2009

  • Great starter bike

    Johndercat

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I had one of these for my first bike and I loved it, we went every where together (listen to me getting all emotional). Clocks are great, easy to read, mirrors are... ok. Why does everyone moan about the tyres? I did 15000 miles in a year on this through all weathers and it only gave me "cause for concern" when I got carried away by pushing too hard on ice, rain etc. Only problem had was a corroded wire which was fixed under warranty by my local Honda dealer no worries but I still managed to bump start it to get it there (nice and light). Bit of a jump between first and second gear (watch on the change downs. I had the 06 model with different lights, they were ok but not a great use in dark and rain. Blew bulbs quite a bit (head and dash). Bit more power would be nice but hey, it's a 125, it's not supposed to peel the paint off your lid. Overall highly recommended and better looking than an r125.

    20 July 2009

  • GREAT BIKE!

    Potnoodle87

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    i got my 05 CBR last month after passing my test, and i must say it carries me well!!! im 6'3" and 15 stone, i may look a little bit silly but you certainly dont feel it when your riding! i do around 17 miles to work and 17 miles back again through traffic, although my back hurst like hell the rest of me loves it! great bike and brill for starters!

    19 May 2009

  • 57' CBR125R

    tamlin23

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    I'm 6'1", 16tone (100kg). (How all reviews should be started!) bught the bike for the wife, but she didn't do her CBT, so I rode it on occasion, and then sold it. The bike is fine round town, it fits through gaps well, but I'm not sure all drivers see you on this - not so imposing machine. The suspension is low rent, but the bikes quility is high overall. The engine does all it can, and needs plently of revs pretty much all the time, but if you look at my stats its no surprise! Saying that, I stayed between 60 -70 mph on the dual carriageway, and even overtook a few things! Cheap to buy, run and own. Due to my size I must have looked like I was mawling the poor bike, I found the seat hard and the bike tiny, but the bike soldiered on reguardless of me on its back! In the hands of its intended audience (young, light, first time riders), it will do all it needs to and probably very well. The dials are exeptionally good too I found.

    07 February 2009

  • Buy one of these!

    Shakeyjake

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I've had my brand new CBR 125R for a month and as a new rider it's exactly what I needed. People can't believe it's a 125 and around town I can keep up with anyone. I've just started flying round corners, and as far as I can tell the road handling is great. The gears won't always go into first (apparently my fault), but otherwise they seem ok. Gets to 60mph absolutely fine but any faster and you really have to push it. If your going up a steep hill then you may as well stay at 60mph, so I'm not convinced I'll use it on the motorway when I pass my test. The only other minor gripe it that the mirrors seem too small to me and there is no clock or even a good place to put one. Oh, and people laugh about how small the tyres look! I want big fat ones on my next bike. Overall this is a great bike and if I could choose all over again I'd still buy it.

    03 September 2008

  • Great 125

    Craig Ludman

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    I brought my '08 Honda CBR 125R after i wrote off my aprilia rs50, and the power difference is unbelievable, the new 08 models have the fuel injection and the acceleration is alot faster than my mates 04 model, havn't dropped it yet and already got 3500miles on the clock (since 1st of march 08), And i personaly think it is a very good 125, the only floor i've had with it, is it's tyres, they are stupidly skinny and very hard to get rid of chicken strips, but i can still get knee down. i've had 85 mph on mine and it was startin to scream, but i would fully recommend it to anyone lookin for a 125

    01 May 2008

  • Great first bike!

    TheSwain

    Average rating rating is 4

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    Ride and Handling
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    Engine

    Bought my '04 CBR125R from a Honda dealer after passing my CBT, 8.2k on the clock. Don't have any complaints after riding it around for a good 1-1.5k through winter. No signs of excessive wear and not had to do any work but for replacing a tyre and oiling the chain etc. Was surprised how durable this bike is after dropping it a couple of times in the first few weeks of riding (once on ice, once on oil, both my fault). Almost no damage except scuffing the bar ends and knocking off a rear indicator. Expected some damage to the plastics but there's virtually none! Plenty of power and nice acceleration to about 50-55 where you have to push it if you want to touch 70 (on road usage anyway), but it is a 125 and you wouldn't expect any different! Only gripe is the 1st to 2nd gear shift as mentioned by others, but it's nothing to worry about really! Perfect for getting around town and preparing to pass!

    17 March 2008

  • nice little bike

    handycbr57

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    had my cbr for about 5 monthes now and a great little bike . i am a total leaner and i find this bike to be good in every way and i am nearly 6 foot but find this bike ok not to small for me mind u find that the seat could have a bit more pading on long runs out . only other thing i have found is the gap in the gearing between first and second is a bit big and can catch u out some times . but i would say that this has got to be one of the best leaner bikes around and great to on petrol to i get from 72 to 88 miles to a gallon bepending on haw hard i ride it so any one looking for a great first bike than i would recommend this bike

    18 January 2008

  • CBR125R

    Fubles

    Average rating rating is 4.5

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    Engine

    i've had mine for abou 10months now and it's never missed a beat. great first bike. the power is minimal but what do you expect really. Around town it's fantastic, so small and nimble i can fit into any gap. also takes knocks quite well, I lowsided at 15mph on a roundabout and the bike only had superficial damage to the bar ends. I'd recomend it to anyone, but if you're like me it will leave you itching for something bigger.

    27 November 2007

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lunatic45

lunatic45 says

cbr 125r

Ive just got myself a new cbr125r the main problem i found with this bike was the very tall sixth gear i could`nt get the engine to rev over 8000 unless i was going down hill with a tail wind ,it was quicker /faster in 5th gear,to get over this i fitted a 14 tooth front sprocket /k&n air filter /full race exhaust  now it goes well 70mph on the flat and the bonus 110 mpg thrashing it.

12 June 2009 12:54

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