Home
Bike Reviews
Honda CB 125 F Test Ride Review
Review Date - 09 November 2015
By Ren Withnell
What is it with diminutive Hondas? The C90 took the world by storm and is still to this day the best selling motorcycle the world has ever seen. The CG 125 did exactly what it said on the tin - provided cheap transport for commuters and experience to learners in a reliable and effective manner. The CBF 125 has been the best selling motorcycle in the UK for quite some time for the same reasons. And now Honda has replaced the CBF 125 with the CB 125 F.
The all new CB 125 F.
Clever move with the name of the bike Honda, an abject lesson in how to confuse both customers and service desk staff by just moving one letter from the middle to the end on what is a completely new motorcycle. How many times are we going to buy a rocker cover gasket for a CBF 125 when we meant to buy one for a CB 125 F?
It is a completely new motorcycle, not just a CBF 125 Mark 2. This one is made in China and while I'm sure Honda's quality control will still be very strict it does...I have to admit...feel slightly less "Honda" than home grown models. That said my own CBF 125 (read that carefully) was made in India and that too just never quite feels as perfect as my old NTV 600 or CB 400 Super 4. It is a sign of the times. I can buy a Lexmoto 125 for £1300 brand new and many people have done, to compete Honda must also leverage China's production capabilities to save pennies and keep costs down.
At £2499 the CB 125 F is still expensive next to many Chinese brands. So why should you shell out an extra £1000 for the Honda badge? I hope it is because it will be like my own CBF 125 that has now covered 45,000 miles and is still going strong. I hope it is because it is has a little more finesse. I hope it is because the paint will last longer. I hope it is because Honda has not cut any important corners. The modern Chinese brands are still not quite a match for the established marques but they are constantly improving and catching up all the time.
To see the bike my first impression is one of merely "Oh, yeah, it's a 125". There's nothing gnarly like the KTM Duke or Yamaha MT125 but this is a base model so let's not be harsh. It bears the modern styling with angular pods on either side of the tank, I call them shoulders and they give it that mean hunched up look. These things annoy me, they're just dressing, but most naked bikes have them these days so I guess I'll have to put up with fashion. Why not stick something useful in there like some storage pockets or a nitrous bottle? Shut up Ren. The styling is OK, it's not ugly.
Bits on the side...you ain't with it if you ain't got bits on the side doncha know. Pfffft.
Gone is the half fairing of the earlier CBF, we now have a simple moulded plastic headlight with no screen. A screen on a 125 does help a little but it's not essential due to the lower speeds so this is not a disaster and I'm sure someone will create an aftermarket one at some point. The twin-shock set up at the rear continues and while not trick it causes no issues and maintenance is a doddle. We now have gear indication among the clocks which even for an experienced veteran like myself is a handy addition, no more searching for that extra gear or being lost in the box at traffic lights.
Twin shocks are old hat but they work and are easy to maintain or change.
The wheels are now 18 inch. Hmmmmm. The Yamaha YBR has 18 inchers and that was never a problem but tyre choice might be limited. That said for the earlier CBF 125 there were only the Conti-Go's available in the original specification. Bigger rims slow the steering but also improve stability. Slow steering is never a problem on a lightweight 125 so lets see if the bigger wheels make it more stable.
Looking around it all seems very basic, standard and sensible. Then ~WOW!~ What the HELL is the rear brake light switch doing mounted under the rear wheel arch where it will get covered in crud and stop working within 6 months? That - Honda - is a ridiculous place to put it. Someone is going to make a fortune creating a clip on cover for it. I can't help but feel the wheel arch should have been extended further to offer more protection to the swing arm bearings and the rear of the engine. Perhaps it never rains in the rest of the world?
I want you to imagine this area covered in road dirt, mud and rain...
However there are plenty of other features that are much more positive. The front brake is a twin pot slider and takes the common FA197 pads. Good, this means the pads are common as muck and available for next to nothing from Chinese Motorcycle Parts Online. The gear shift runs straight into the gearbox and not through a linkage that will end up all floppy. The rear shocks have shrouds to protect the dampener rods. The ignition key is deeply recessed, I suspect this is for additional security. The Lambda sensor is behind the frame which should protect it. Shame they've hidden the oil filler cap/dipstick.
Straight into the gearbox means no sloppy worn out linkages. Good.
Enough looking, it's time to kit up and head out. This bike has only 6 miles one the clock! As such it is a little stiff on both the suspension and the engine. I am certain this will ease up with miles.
The first noticeable difference against my CBF 125 that I have ridden to the test is the seating position. I am bolt upright and my feet are slightly further forward in the traditional sit up and beg stance. I...er...erm...yes I think I like it. I am immediately at home, everything is to hand and this feels right. With a gentle strum from the engine I'm away with no wobbles or problems.
The clocks are clear and simple and the gear indicator is subtle which is probably a good idea as this ought not to distract from the important thing - your speed. The earlier CBF 125 does have a pathetic indicator reminder light, Honda knows this and has tried to address the matter with 2 much larger and more obvious reminder lights on the binnacle. They are definitely an improvement but they still don't blast your eyes to the point where you could not forget to switch them off. That said this is a problem with most motorcycles. There's no clock, no digital nonsense and a simple fuel gauge. Everything you need, nothing more.
Nothing fancy just what you need.
The tyres on these 18 inch wheels are actually a tad slimmer than the already spindly CBF 125 rubber but being taller I do feel they are that little more stable. 125s are twitchy, something my gf has noticed since riding a much larger machine while taking lessons for her test. With only now 8 miles on these hoops I dare not push them as they'll still be slippery with the release compound but hacking down a set of country lanes is an easy affair. The handling is not going to win races but everything feels quite neutral and sensible. Striations in the tarmac cause some tracking, again this is expected on small bikes with small tyres and it is not alarming.
Against the CBF 125 the CB 125 F is actually down on power! Oh yes, there's a staggering 0.5 hp missing, in return for a better mid range. The difference between the 2 models is barely noticeable, the newer machine does feel a smidgen more perky and I am sure that will improve as the engine runs in properly. This will suit the city and the town where the CB 125 F is squarely marketed. Out on the open road the rev counter maths suggest a top speed of 65 mph before hitting the redline. I'd propose a slight change of gearing if like myself you do a fair bit of motorway riding.
More midrange but less top end, the CB 125 F engine is still a solid performer.
Honda has made a fuss about the new engine being smoother as it has a balance shaft. Knowing this I made a mental note to see if my old CBF 125 is filled with vibration. Nope, no it's not. On a long motorway run I can become aware of some tingling but I've never considered it a problem. The new engine? Well yes it is that little bit smoother. I know that a balance shaft saps a small amount of power from the engine (is that where the missing 0.5 bhp has gone?) but I would question whether or not it is necessary. Only on a long high speed ride perhaps.
Overall everything works and there's nothing amiss. Of course this type of bike is never going to set your world on fire, hopefully it will continue in the vain of it's forefathers by providing simple, easy and uncomplicated transport. It will be easy for novices to learn on. No longer being overly concerned with performance figures and lightening speeds I thoroughly enjoyed my brief time with Honda's new basic 125.
What I hope to see in the future is that the CB 125 F proves to be as honest and reliable as it's forefathers too.
Reader's Comments
Tony said :-
Hi Ren, nice write up as per usual. You mentioned a possible gearing change to suit the open road and I wondered if you'd done any experimenting with your CBF? I run a 17 tooth front sprocket on mine because to me the engine was to busy at 50mph for my liking. So rpm has been dropped by 800 to 6200. I don't know by how much the mpg has suffered because I haven't done the miles.
Regards.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Tony. No, I've never changed the gearing on my current CBF 125. I have considered it but never actually got around to it. Mine is the early model that never had the rev counter and as such I've never actually known how much grief I'm giving the engine. I suspect if I did have the rev counter I would have up-geared years ago.
With the larger front sprocket do you find acceleration has suffered much and how do you get on with the hills?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Tony said :-
Acceleration as you'd know was never going to be a strong point on a 125, however there is still more than enough to keep ahead of the traffic in town. Up to 30 mph I haven't noticed much difference at all. You can hang on the gears slightly longer, so no loss of time gear changing. I suppose what you lose in one area you gain in the other. Hills, unless they are very steep or you haven't got the momentum in the first place I can still maintain the speed.
There are a couple in the area that 4th gear is necessary.
Part No:JTF1264.17 if you fancy trying one. Mine was under £5.
Regards
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Tony said :-
Acceleration as you'd know was never going to be a strong point on a 125, however there is still more than enough to keep ahead of the traffic in town. Up to 30 mph I haven't noticed much difference at all. You can hang on the gears slightly longer, so no loss of time gear changing. I suppose what you lose in one area you gain in the other. Hills, unless they are very steep or you haven't got the momentum in the first place I can still maintain the speed.
There are a couple in the area that 4th gear is necessary.
Part No:JTF1264.17 if you fancy trying one. Mine was under £5.
Regards
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cheers Tony! I shall have a look at that. Simply because I do a lot of motorway work and it won't harm fuel economy. I just hope it doesn't kill the bike's ability to pull my heavy loads. Mind you for a fiver it's worth a shot ain't it.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
S Latchford said :-
Very good write up mate, very informative as usual but what's this about fuel economy? It is a 125 for heavens sake and would probably not be noticed, like ever!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
You don't ride a 125 on a full licence unless fuel economy is important to you S Latchford. On a big bike 10% of 55 mpg is 5.5 mpg, noticeable but not a lot. One a 125 10% of 140 mpg is 14 mpg, that's quite substantial.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Hi Ren.
Your maths is correct but maybe your logic is a bit suspect. At £1.10 / litre each mile on the bigger bike at 55 mpg costs around 9p / mile. A 10% improvement in fuel consumption will bring this down to around 8p / mile - so if you do 5,000 miles / year you will save £50 to be spent on bacon butties and the like.
Your tiddler at 140 mpg is costing around 3.5p / mile - a 10% improvement here brings that down to 3.1 p / mile (everything rounded of course).
So on the 125 you're only going to save around £15 per year. I appreciate it does cost less overall but that wasn't the point I understood from what you wrote.......
Nothing wrong with riding a small bike because you like it of course.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Ian - stop being so damn right! Anyhow, I did 15,000 miles on the 125 last year so I'd save £45 - so there. £45, that's a new rear tyre and enough left over to treat the gf to a slap up chippy tea! I sure know how to spoil that girl.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
S Latchford aka Latchy said :-
Ha ha made me chuckle to myself guys, love all that maths Ren oh and Ian soady, such logic ....... Fantastic
Oh btw I'm very happy with my 64 to the gallon triumph street Ren but then I average 9000 miles a year on bikes
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Harry Snijders said :-
Hi Ren, and others,
If been reading some of the reviews posted here. I own several bikes and now, because my girlfriend is going for her licence I am interested in a 125 or 250. I like the mpg of the 125 but would it be ridable for me, what size are you huys? I am 1.93 cm and weight at the moment 135 kg. For me the fun of riding a bike is not per se the performance as lng as you do not have to force the bike to rie up with the traffic.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Harry Snijders. I'm 5 foot 8, or about 1.73 metres tall and 12 stone or 76kg. So you're quite a bit larger than I am. Yes, a 125 will of course pull you, I've ridden my 125 two-up with my son who's 82kg. BUT - performance will be affected, no doubt there. You will be able to flow with the regular traffic unless you're out in the countryside but you certainly won't be winning any races.
All I can suggest is that you take a 125 for a test ride and then decide whether or not you can adjust your mindset and approach to the road enough to compensate for the lack of power. Even a 50cc restricted scooter has enough poke to go around the world as long as you can rethink your travelling speed.
There are some lovely 250s and 300s coming on to the market now though. They'll keep up with traffic no problem but you won't be getting above 100 mpg on them.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Janice said :-
Hi Ren, I would like to check, currently I had my first servicing for the first 500km mileage on this cb125f. May I know how much mileage must I reach for my 2nd servicing? Thanks!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren said :-
Hi Janice. I don't actually know the service intervals for the CB125F. I would GUESS the next one would be about 3,000 to 4,000 kilometres. The simplest thing you can do though it go to your dealer and ask! They'll be more than happy to help.
Good and regular servicing and maintenance is the key to survival for any motorcycle. I'm glad to hear you've had the first service done and are looking to find out when it's next due. I hope you enjoy your 125.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Monk said :-
Ren... when will you do a test ride on the Vulcan 650 S ABS mate? I know it's a tad biased of me but... I can't wait to read that one!
14/02/2016 18:27:01 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Oh Monk! I will need to persuade a shop to let me try one. The problem is they all know me and know I'm too tight to actually spend my own money and buy one. Anyhow...what ya gonna do if I don't like it?
Now get out there and do some miles. Hey! Why don't YOU write up your own review and send it to me!
15/02/2016 08:19:24 UTC
Monk said :-
I understand that Ren, I'm having problems persuading my local bike dealer to give me a go on a Kawasaki VN900 Classic or Custom! The sales manager, who I know, 'phoned me on Saturday morning telling me his boss says no bikes available, but they've got three, which I mentioned and he said he's not prepared to let them become demo bikes just yet but that he'll let me know when that changes, but don't hold my breath!In terms of doing a review on the Vulcan. I could of course do that but would anyone believe me? You're far mor respected on that level mate. I will get something together regards the Vulcan at some point. What I will say is that it seems a bit juicy, although I have yet to measure fuel consumption against miles done on a full tank, about £25.00 at current prices per litre in my neck of the woods. The other thing is the suspension's a bit hard on the derrier over bumps and general not so good roads of which there are many...other technical issues, if there are any, which I have not discovered, I would leave to those boffins of bikes such as yourself, plus a second opinion is always a good thing...I hope your powers of persuasion will eventually work on your friendly local dealer...
15/02/2016 10:36:15 UTC
Monk said :-
Sorry...forgot to say the bug bear for me is that there is no centre stand which is a bit of a bugger when checking the oil level sight glass and when topping up...others may have that sussed... for now, for me it's a bit much having to hold the bike level to check the sight glass, back on the side stand splosh a bit of oil in re-check...wobble wobble...back on stand!!!! If any one knows an easier way, without spending money on maguffins to hold the bike upright, please let me know.
15/02/2016 10:45:08 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Regarding checking the oil most centre-stand-less owners will stand beside the bike while holding it upright to check the oil. It is far from perfect but...well...better than nothing I guess. First world problem I'd say.
Yip, the 650 Kwak will drink at lot more go-go juice than your previous CBF 125. I'd estimate you should expect 60mpg at best, compared to the 130-140 the 125 gives it will feel like you've been kicked each time you fill up, but that's what most modern bikes seem to achieve.
I can understand a shop not wanting brand new motorcycles being used as demo machines, it knocks a chunk off the retail price. You'll know you're being pushed aside when they do have a demo bike and they won't let you ride it! Of course they know you've just shelled out for a new bike and you're unlikely to be in a position to shell out again for a while. Unless there's a chance of a sale they won't want to let you play with their toys.
Unless of course you can persuade them you wish to review their bike for a well known and respected motorcycle website...
15/02/2016 13:30:58 UTC
Monk said :-
Regarding the oil check/fillage question, yes I'm getting used to it after the CBF 125 and it's lovely little centre stand made things much easier oil wise, the 650 is proving a different bottle of cornflakes and that's for sure. But...I love it quite honestly!In terms of fuel consumption, again, yes it is guzzling juice like a thirsty person who's just been found wandering in the sahara after being lost for a week without water !¬!But...I'm in love with the bike what can I do!!!
I'll definitely pass the review idea by the dealership chappies, probably get a knock back knowing them as I do. And, again you're correct in what you say, why would they want me flying about on their brand new just out of the box VN900 knowing full well I have no way of purchasing same. It's a dilemma for us both.
15/02/2016 16:20:56 UTC
said :-
It's as dilemma... but not this much of a dilemma!!!
15/02/2016 16:21:44 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Thinking of going all Village People Monk?
15/02/2016 16:36:54 UTC
Monk said :-
Why (M)otorcycle (C)hesthair (A)ssociation!!!!
16/02/2016 01:04:29 UTC
Dick Dastardly said :-
The CF125F does have a centre stand as well as a prop stand.
DD
23/08/2016 14:59:32 UTC
GJ said :-
Re:- Honda CB125F
I have owned motorbike since the beginning of October last year. During that period I have ridden just over 4,000 miles which is not much in the grand scheme of things. It's a more a tool for getting back and forward to work. It cost me £2,699.
It's been very reliable and it's only needed the chain cleaned and adjusted over the period after the first service. The brakes, tyres etc are still within limits but I might prefer better tyres than stock. It was used over the winter period and started without fail each and every time.
It has a couple of minor scratches due to tipping it over a couple times. Due to black ice and another time parking it in the garden. I usually get 115-117 mpg after each fuel up. Usually around 307-309 miles for 12 Litres. The MPG is not quite what was quoted in the Honda sales spiel but my style of riding might contribute to this.
Although riding in real situations might affect fuel consumption.
Not the most detailed review but maybe handy information for some potential purchasers. I had a Lexmoto Street 125 beforehand and quality wise it's in a different league. I don't set out on this Honda motorcycle wondering whether I will be stranded due to faulty electrics, reg-rectifier problems and numerous other issues to mention.
It's been a good, sensible and dependable purchase and I would have no qualms recommending to any potential purchaser.
03/08/2017 12:48:06 UTC
GJ said :-
The bike is comfortable and I'm not cramped. Despite being 6 ft and carrying slightly more timber round my waste than I would like. On the dual carriageway I have had the bike up to speeds around 65 mph. Someone more lithe than myself might get another couple mph extra out of it.
03/08/2017 12:58:38 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Cheers GJ! No Honda's fuel figures will have been achieved with a small rider in ideal conditions not a British bloke doing battle with traffic. That said 115mpg is really good compared to most cars...and bikes.
As and when you pass your test are you going to keep this bike?
03/08/2017 16:58:08 UTC
GJ said :-
Not sure regarding whether I'm going to keep it or not.
A few options:-
1) Keep the 125 and purchase Honda CB500x/NC750X, Versys 300/650.
2) Sell the 125 and purchase one of those bikes listed above.
3) Sell the 125 and purchase one of those bikes listed above and a winter runaround.
4) Runaround on the 125 until Feb/Mar next year then decide.
Local Honda dealer that I purchased 125 from have said I can have test rides once I have passed my test. Definitely need to sit on all those motorcycles to get a feel for the ergo's. Probably a test ride potentially also.
03/08/2017 17:27:10 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi GJ
I can't speak for your specific dealer but I know *some* dealers won't allow a test ride until you've held your full licence for over a year. It's just worth asking as it's an insurance thing that's all.
04/08/2017 10:06:08 UTC
GJ said :-
Will seek confirmation from local dealer.
Can cross that bridge at the time so to speak.
04/08/2017 12:36:16 UTC
Arunansu pradhan said :-
Miter is not digital type and with out kick.rear tyre is very slim and front suspension is short
27/09/2017 09:58:53 UTC
TMO said :-
Got my new cb125f, called city flyer on v05 doc, I get around 27 miles a litre, riding from Wembley on A40 western avenue at peak hours to and from work down into busy London kings cross doing 26 miles a day. Is this good fuel economy? How much you actually get per litre or mpg? I am planning for A1 licence only so will stick to my 125 for few years,
A category licence training are costly in London around £160 a day, can you suggest any cheaper ones in London? Thanks. Tej
13/10/2017 22:45:11 UTC
TMO said :-
Any suggestion on what is good economy speed to ride a Honda cb125f to get good fuel economy. Any tips on speed at which to swift gears would be helpful too.
I am not into speed but saving monies. Thanks. Tej
13/10/2017 22:48:45 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi TMO. 27 miles per litre equates to 122 miles per gallon, a figure I'm more familiar with. I'd say that's pretty good considering the traffic you're passing through.
I own the slightly older CBF125. My model seems to get the best economy at 30-40 mph. Any faster and the engine is working quite hard. I don't have a rev counter on my early CBF125 but I estimate I usually change gear around 5-6 thousand rpm.
I can't help with training schools in London as I live in North Manchester. I have been told training is expensive in London, I wonder if it would make financial sense to take a week's break and do your training outside of the big smoke.
14/10/2017 13:34:17 UTC
TMO said :-
Hi Ren - The Ed,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree with you on 30-40 mph speed figures, I some times go up to 50 mph if I am early on the road and can see the engine working hard plus the vibrations, moment am under 40 mph, feels better. I will sick to the 30-40 mph range and see if I get some good value from every drop of petrol. I am not into racing but just to save on work commute.
I take your point of taking a week out to come up north but the train fares will make total cost more or less as here :(. For now I am taking A1 and passed mod 1 so am using you tube videos and RJH motorcycle training from Manchester has got some excellent videos so am taking their tips and implementing on my riding also other training providers too. If I pass my mod 2 then it would be great :) I will go for A category after few years once saved enough :)
Thanks,
Tej
14/10/2017 18:05:52 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Re training in the London area try Kevin Williams http://www.survivalskills.co.uk/index.html#our_courses
I have been riding for 50 years but an assessment I had with Kevin a few years ago was very useful.
15/10/2017 08:07:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Thanks TMO.
16/10/2017 13:49:34 UTC
GJ said :-
An issue with the Honda CB 125 F.
The exhaust muffler has come clean away from the motorcycle. The fitting that held the screw and nut in place on the exhaust has rotted away and sheared off. I've sent pictures to my local dealer and am awaiting a response. Motorcycle is just over a year old. It's still under warranty.
Other than that issue motorcycle has been fine.
Although motorcycle now due 5,000 mile service.
That's getting done along with new chain, sprockets and new front and rear tyres. Tyres are getting done now with the service as I managed to collect a nail in the rear tyre on my last outing on the bike. Discovered it as I was washing the bike and doing a few checks. Very near the sidewall so I don't believe it could be plugged. Although I'd rather avoid plugging a tyre in any case.
Going to an expensive visit to Honda this time.
23/11/2017 15:18:59 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
OUCH! Yeah the tyres and service will sting you a bit. Yes the general advice is that punctures near the sidewall ought not to be fixed. Plugging a tyre on a small bike isn't really an issue to be honest.
You'll have to send those pictures of the exhaust hangar. I'm not quite with you where it has broken and I am more than intrigued.
23/11/2017 17:05:36 UTC
GJ said :-
Here is the pic from the exhaust.
23/11/2017 18:06:14 UTC
GJ said :-
From the exhaust muffler.
23/11/2017 18:07:35 UTC
GJ said :-
I'm actually surprised that it did not fall off whilst going over a bump etc.
Essentially it's rotted/rusted through.
23/11/2017 18:15:55 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Blimey!! So it's the lug that is welded to the exhaust to suspend the rear. While I would expect it to get rusty it really really ought not to rust right through. Certainly not until the rest of the exhaust is on its last legs.
That's not good. I wonder if it's happening to other CB125Fs.
Cheers GJ
23/11/2017 21:30:22 UTC
GJ said :-
In regards to exhaust muffler it's been passed on to get permission for whole exhaust to be replaced under warranty. Honda dealer does not envisage it being an issue for replacement. They expect to be able to carry out replacement shortly after warranty replacement agreed.
24/11/2017 16:57:21 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
I should blooming well hope so. Am I right in thinking the bike is still rideable?
26/11/2017 07:41:48 UTC
GJ said :-
Yeah, it's still rideable.
I have been quite thorough in my cleaning and maintainance of the motorcycle in the just over a year of ownership.
Riding through the winter months does take it's toll but you would not expect it to rot and rust like that. The motorcycle is kept outside but it's covered. You might expect that type of lug to fail over time but certainly not in just over a year.
It's the only issue in the period of ownership.
It just makes you wonder what else has been done on the really cheap.
26/11/2017 12:53:12 UTC
Borsuk said :-
Looking at the photos and the thickness of the hanger I think you have a galvanic corrosion cell there. Normally at work we fit nylon sleeves over carbon steel bolts and nylon washers under the nuts when they are connecting to stainless steel to insulate the SS from the carbon steel. This stops the carbon steel from sacrificing itself to protect the stainless steel.
Carbon Steel is stupid and doesn't realise stainless steel does not need protected.
We do it mostly for flanges but in some areas we do it for brackets, gratings etc, depending on the location and materials being connected.
The thickness of your hanger wouldn't take long to eat its way through if there is a corrosion cell going.
26/11/2017 14:14:20 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
"Carbon Steel is stupid and doesn't realise stainless steel does not need protected."
I like that!
26/11/2017 15:23:16 UTC
nab301 said :-
I've just been deep cleaning my 3mth old CB125F (with approx 3k kms ) and despite coating the bike with ACF 50 at purchase there are signs of rust on the swing arm inside and out! ( viewed with the chain adjusters removed) Also the exhaust is starting to rust . Any recommendations for exhaust paint?
Nigel
24/12/2019 18:41:30 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I have zero recommendations for exhaust paint! Having tried several brands of exhaust paint, barbecue paint, heatproof paint and anything I had lying around in the shed - nothing worked. If you do find something that works please share.
My first pipe was always rusty but it lasted 8 years and 69,000 miles which I think is acceptable. The second hand one I fitted is of course rusting but has tons of life left in it. How bad is the rust?
25/12/2019 07:25:36 UTC
Borsuk said :-
When I took off my exhaust because it looked really crappy it was mostly superficial. I also tried high temp paint but it looked just as bad a few weeks later.
25/12/2019 11:07:46 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren , the rust is only superficial at the moment ,if I find something that works I'll let you know..
Nigel
27/12/2019 18:07:18 UTC
Jim said :-
I had very good results on my CBF125 exhaust with wire wool, jenolite and Simoniz Very High Temperature paint. Admittedly I sold the bike on after passing the DAS, but it was jet black and rust free for 3500 miles and six months or so.
27/12/2019 19:01:12 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I've never come across the Simoniz Jim, although it seems Halfords have it. Might try that on the 125...
29/12/2019 20:17:32 UTC
nab301 said :-
I fitted a surplus Givi screen I had to my CB125F to add to the hand guards I had fitted earlier last year. It does a reasonable job possibly even allowing quicker acceleration up to 80kph!
Nigel
22/03/2020 14:38:59 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Are you tucking down racer style behind that guard? And why 80kph and not 50mph?
It looks very smart with the screen, guards and top box. Good set of panniers (hard or soft) and you've gotten yourself a proper touring machine there. All we need now is to be allowed to go on tour...
23/03/2020 11:00:43 UTC
nab301 said :-
No not tucking down... Apologies, I live in Southern Ireland, we've been in KPH for years now , all bar one of my bikes is in kph but I can lapse into mph occasionally!
Nigel
23/03/2020 12:19:39 UTC
Upt'North said :-
Nigel.
KPH?
I thought Ireland had been in GPH for many years now.
Upt'North.
GPH= Guinness Per Hour.
23/03/2020 13:32:14 UTC
nab301 said :-
That is true!!
Nigel
23/03/2020 13:38:39 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Aaaah Southern Ireland, it all makes sense now.
24/03/2020 09:24:37 UTC
nab301 said :-
For a bit of a laugh The last two weekends I took my CB125F on some longish runs using the same routes I followed on my R1100S BMW in the past.... Trying to emulate Bob on his RT The best I got recently on the bimmer is 52mpg although in my defence the final drive ratio is lower on the S than the RT.... . The BMW can stretch to 150miles before needing fuel but to be safe I normally top up at 130miles. Tank size is approx 18l but in reality 16 litres is useable..
The first day I left late in the afternoon and completed a 200km (125miles) that started on a coastal route along narrow roads with lots of nadgery sections, and then turns inland with more flowing roads . The next day without requiring petrol(200km on the tripmeter already) I covered non stop ... a 300 odd km route(190 plus miles) although it did involve some shifting from cheek to cheek which included some motorway sections,and strong headwinds on the outward bit ( always a factor on a 125 although would have been unnoticed on the bigger bike ). Embarrassingly this trip didn't take any longer than it would on my BMW although I guess the lack of a petrol stop helped and there were some long term roadworks which would have slowed progress on the Bmw. I generally " restricted" the Honda to 80kph / 50mph or lower posted limits , the BMw was restricted to the posted speed limits which included some 120kph sections on motorways and also in the interests of economy I rode more steadily than I normally would (normal =45mpg, this trip = 52mpg).
This weekend I completed a longer trip on the Honda with one brief stop to don a waterproof jacket and covered about 350km's /220 miles. This time I stuck again to my self imposed max 50mph / 80kph limit but also restricted revs to 6k rpm which affected "acceleration ". Previous tankful was 133mpg it'll be interesting to see if the restricted revs improve the mpg.
What it did prove to me was that while it's a very different experience ,lacking the kick in the pants that you get from a bigger bike , these were not full days by any means, but reasonable distances can be covered with the bonus of not having to dip into my wallet/ credit card on the day for petrol and also arriving home fresher than I would on a bigger bike.
Strangely I found that with the screen and handguards fitted I was getting lots of waves and leg shakes from other riders... they must make the frontal area of the bike look a lot bigger.
Nigel
26/07/2020 18:56:42 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I've had similar discussions many times. There is no doubt a 125 is slower than a "big" bike but the difference is nowhere near as much as you'd think. It certainly *feels* slower but at the end of the day's ride the time difference is nominal, particularly if you're riding across town and country rather than just motorway.
What I enjoy about owning both the 125 and 500 is the contrast. I get on the 500 and think "Oooh, space, power, grunt..." then I get on the 125 and this "Ooooh, light, easy, nimble...".
So nab301, when are you starting your European tour on the CB125F? I'd suggest you wait until the virus shenanigans have calmed down.
27/07/2020 08:36:02 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
OK so when the mighty (225cc) Fanny-B arrives this week I shall plan the European trip......
27/07/2020 09:54:34 UTC
ROD said :-
Had a solo ride around the lanes and 'B' roads yesterday.
If I had a 125 I would proberbly have taken it instead of the BM.
27/07/2020 11:10:52 UTC
Martin said :-
So, today I collected my (almost) new 2023 Honda CB125F. I say almost new because it had just 70 miles on the clock when I collected it. Reading the owners manual Honda advise gentle riding for the first 300 miles with no specific speed limit. This is in contrast to my old GS125 which Suzuki advised should not exceed 5000rpm for the first 200 miles if memory serves. As 5000rpm was equivalent to just over 30 mph my ride home from Aylesbury to the furthest corner of North Wales was very protracted with stops about every 50 miles for a rest. Luckily my Honda was only 30 miles from home and not knowing the running in requirement until home and the manual consulted I decided to take the scenic route home through the lanes and back roads of rural Monmouthshire using minimal power on the winding roads. The journey took a full hour and I was quite pleased to get off the bike on reaching home in the Forest of Dean. I have never found 125s very comfortable on long trips and usually stop after about 50 miles. The seat on the CB125F does look quite broad and comfortable so I was disappointed that I found it no more comfortable than previous 125s I have owned. What I did like about the bike was the smooth running at low revs, being able to pootle along at 20 mph in top (5th) gear. My previous lightweight bike, a Kawasaki Z250 SL was most unhappy below 3000 rpm which meant much gear changing in restricted areas. Obviously the CB will require a lot of gear changing to give its best performance but it is nice to ride in a relaxed manner when in the mood. I assume the smooth running is a result of the offset bore, a relatively long stroke and also a softer camshaft profile optimised for economy and flexibilty. One of the biggest attractions of the CB125F was its amazing claimed economy, 189 mpg is claimed by Honda though I am not aware under what conditions this was achieved. Presumably a mixture of urban and rural riding perhaps not including dual carriageways? While the chassis and suspension is entirely conventional with spindly forks and twin shocks at the rear the handling seems entirely predictable and reassuring. As I will be restricting speed for the next 200 miles I will brim the tank next time out to find out how far the bike will travel on a gallon of fuel. As various reviews of the bike have said the bike is nicely made and it is not obvious that the model is Honda's cheapest road bike. When looking for a bike I was specifically looking for a 2021-2024 bike as these were built in Italy, the current model is now made in China and has a stop/start function which I feel I could do without.
27/07/2026 21:41:18 UTC
Martin said :-
A little more on my CB125F. The current indicated fuel average consumption is 160 mpg, this is a little disappointing as not having completed its first 300 miles I have been riding it very gently. Perhaps the engine will free up with use and the economy improve though of course 160 mpg is still very good. Other reviews I have read mention the position of the foot rests which do seem rather far back together with the gear selector being further forward than expected so it does not seem quite natural. No doubt I will get used to it. One thing I have noticed is that the clutch seems rather "snatchy", an opinion shared by my riding instructor son who says he prefers Yamaha YBR and YS 125s for their smoother clutch operation. I find this a little irritating as I like to ride smoothly, at least being a 125 there is not so much chain snatch when re-applying power. I am not sure whether the bike has a cush drive. Hoping to get some miles on the bike soon, the hot weather and family requirements have limited the bikes usage this week.
12/08/2026 16:19:25 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Martin, life is full of disappointments, but 160 mpg shouldn't disappoint too much. I mean it's 160 miles for every gallon of petroleum spirit cremated. So about £7 per 160 miles at today's Trump Tax Rate or TTR for short.
Enjoy it and throw that scientific calculator away.
Upt.
13/08/2026 09:39:14 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm tighter than the lug nuts on a lorry - and even I think 160mpg is blummin fantastic!
I'd never really noticed the clutch being snatchy on my test ride Martin. Hopefully it'll ease with use but if it continues would it be worth getting Honda to look at it?
13/08/2026 09:55:47 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Upt', you are quite right 160 mpg is not to be sneezed at but like Ren I do love a motorbike that is economical! Reviews I have read on here indicated 170 mpg in general use so I had thought that I might do better while treating it with kid gloves. It may well do better once it has a few more miles on the clock. And yes, I am sure I will enjoy it more once I have completed running in. Ren, it may well be that because the bike has stood for three years having done only 70 miles from new that the oil has deteriorated, I do intend to change the oil soon and possibly the clutch might be better behaved afterwards. I believe clutches are quite sensitive to the oil in use as are gearchanges? As you suggest I could take it to a dealer if the clutch remains snatchy after service. I had not realised you had test ridden a CB125F Ren.
13/08/2026 11:19:53 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yes Martin 'twas I that wrote the original article.
So the oil is 3 years old? It's odd - I have zero problem with filling an engine with oil that's been stored in it's container for eons, yet I'm aware that oil ought to be changed every year if left in the engine or whatever the manual states. This has me asking... ought I throw away engine oil that has been opened and partially used but otherwise has remained in the container? Hell if that's the case what a terrible waste!
Otherwise is the act of being in the engine when the engine is not being used really an issue? What's the difference between storing it in a plastic tub or a metal engine? The only concern I can imagine is the oil in the metal engine maybe subject to water ingress from condensation, as most people's engines (bikes and cars) tend to live outside or at least in cold garages.
I honestly don't know the correct answer here. Oh poop, I've started the oil debate again. FOOL!!!
Anyhow, an oil change won't do it any harm... unless you strip the sump nut threads.
13/08/2026 14:45:17 UTC
Martin said :-
Yes, I had realised that you wrote the original article Ren, very good too but that was the pre '21 model? I dont know how much has changed, I think the engine is new as the bore is offset to the crank? I do think the engine feels quite torquey for a 125 as a result. I think I should change the oil soon as carbon deposits in the oil make it slightly acidic and also as you mentioned condensate in the engine leads to corrosion issues.New oil should not cost much for the 125, dont think I will bother with the filter this time though. I think you mentioned your CBF125 did 150k miles? That is amazing, I imagine it was burning oil toward the end? Had you replaced many components?
13/08/2026 20:45:04 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yeah Martin this would certainly have been the pre '21 model, and I've no notion at all what changes Honda has made over the intervening 11 (gosh!) years.
My CBF was still in regular use when it passed the 100,000 miles mark. After that I broke the bike so that's nearly all gone now. It did burn a LOT of oil by the end. It only let me down on 2 occasions. The first time was the stator coils burnt out leaving me with no lights at night. The second time was a crank no start that... eventually just started again. I have no idea what caused that issue which was frustrating.
So parts.
3 stator coils, all burnt out. Oddly the final aftermarket el-cheapo no brand thing looked just fine after 25,000 miles. Also replaced the reggy reccy thinking it was that - it wasn't.
1 clutch basket. Early on in it's life there was a clicking coming from the engine. It took me ages to diagnose and only stumbling onto a YouTube video of the same issue finally lead me to find a hairline crack in the gear-ring around the clutch basket. Replace with a used part of Ebay - which included a set of clutch plates too.
1 clutch pack. At 60,000 miles the clutch started slipping. Not bad as the bike was used for traffic commuting most of the time. I simply replaced it with the pack from the clutch basket I purchased above.
1 exhaust. The original, considering it's steel, lasted remarkably well. Eventually it gave up so I got a used one off Ebay.
Otherwise just innumerable tyres, chain and sprocket kits, lots of sprocket carrier bearings (but NO other wheel bearings), the odd spark plug, and gallons of home made concoction chain lube. I can only recall changing the headlamp bulb just once, no other bulbs.
14/08/2026 08:19:59 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
Just a couple of observations.
First, I never trust the mpg readout from the dash. On checking the accuracy of my bike I found it to be just over 1% optimistic. My wife's car is 10% optimistic.
I only rely on brimming the tank to see how much is used between fill ups to get accurate mpg figures.
Second point, I do not doubt the 160mpg or indeed 180mpg that has been reported, but these figures are obtained on fairly flat roads, travelling at between 25 and 30mpg. On any road outside of a built up area this speed is very frustrating for other road users.
Once you start giving the engine some revs to keep up with the flow of traffic the mpg will drop dramatically.
I think that the Honda cb125f is a great little bike, but expect 100 to 120mpg when used at normal speeds.
Did I mention hills???
14/08/2026 09:24:18 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Ren,
That is interesting about your cbf125, certainly got your monies worth there! I had a similar problem to your alternator on my GS250T which I rode to work regularly for about three years. When I bought the bike the alternator coils were burnt out because there was no ballast resistor in the design. Having fitted rewound coils I always rode with the headlight on thus providing a load and never had a problem thereafter. Bit crazy building a bike with no ballast resistor unless as with new bikes the lights are on full time. My Suzuki GS125 which I used regularly for seven years until the original chain and sprockets wore out was never the same once I started fitting pattern "heavy duty" chains and sprockets, these lasted less than a year which is pretty poor, this despite regular chain oiling and adjustment. I see the Australian version of the current cb125f has an enclosed chain which appears to be plastic. I am thinking of trying to source one if possible, not bothered if it looks sissy, I just want the chain to last!
14/08/2026 21:53:20 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Rod,
Thanks for your comments on fuel consumption, I agree the only way to get a true mpg is by brimming the tank though 1% error is pretty good. Being now rather aged I find I do not feel the need to proceed everywhere at max revs. While I was riding the 250 kawa I often thought I could do most of what I did with a 125 so now I have the cb125f I will see whether that is true. Probably the acid test is as you suggest hills, I will have to see whether I find it just too gutless once it is run in.
14/08/2026 22:04:20 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Hi Martin.
I'm interested in your comments re ballast resistors. As far as I know, these were only used on coil ignition systems to provide a higher voltage to the coil when starting as they were bypassed when the starter solenoid was actuated. Are you suggesting that there should be one in the charging system? If so, not sure where it should be. A well designed regulator / rectifier with a decent heatsink should have no problem dealing with excess chargiong voltage.
For what it's worth, my Norton Commando with "primitive" full wave rectifier and Zener diode never had a charging problem over decades apart from one instance when an intermittent short in the stator windings caused a surge that fried the rectifier. A £5 replacement from Maplins sorted that out.
15/08/2026 09:54:59 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Ian, you may well be correct. Possibly Suzuki did not fit well designed regulator/rectifiers with the result that the alternator stators cooked, I think it was a common problem at the time. Since then I have always ridden with lights on to ensure there is some load on the alternator, now of course there is no option.
15/08/2026 11:29:37 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
It's been many years since I owned a Suzuki gs250t but I seem to recall that the alternator feed was two phases to the charging system and the third phase only cut in when the lights were in use. As I say, it was many years ago and I can't recall the detail.
15/08/2026 13:55:05 UTC
nab301 said :-
@ Martin, interesting on the MPG, as you say your bike is the later "offset low friction engine, " I've mentioned on here before that my 2019 CB125F has rarely exceeded 130mpg in summer (warm weather) and in winter (cold weather ) as is the case with most FI engines the MPG decreases in this case to approx 110mpg, in general on this bike I rarely use more than half throttle once I get up to "speed". This is more to preserve the engine than an economy run. I'm sure also I've mentioned before that I'm over 6ft and well over 100kg ( sorry not sure what that is in imperial) with my bike gear on which may well be detrimental to the MPG figures...
Nigel
16/08/2026 16:41:44 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Rod,
Yes, that makes sense. As I recall when I bought the bike it was not charging the battery enough so the battery was running down. I cured that by having the alternator stator rewound then as I said always having lights on when riding. If the third phase of the alternator was not in circuit when the lights were not in use then it could burn out. I actually quite liked the GS250T though I preferred the style of the GSX250 which had the same engine. I had a GSX250 which I bought as a non runner concurrently with the GS250T. Nice bikes to ride.
16/08/2026 18:36:28 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi nab,
I believe the post '21 Cb125F is optimised for fuel economy with reduced weight and the offset bore. No idea what conditions Honda achieved 189 mpg with but it is certainly encouraging. I am still hoping to better the 130 mpg I am currently returning once the engine loosens up a little though of course that is still a very good rate of consumption. Like you I am no lightweight, 90kg plus riding gear so similar I imagine. Some unkind person (a colleague) once likened me riding an LS125R as like a circus bear riding a pushbike! Interesting what you said about consumption increasing in the winter, I would expect the engine to produce more power in cooler weather as the oxygen per cubic metre of air will be greater. As the fuel injected is adjusted automatically to match the available oxygen then the power should increase?
16/08/2026 21:16:36 UTC
Martin said :-
I am slowly adding more mileage to the CB125F, now almost 200 miles on the clock so just 100 more miles of running in. Today I went for a mooch around the local byways and while the green economy light was on less than it was off I noticed the running average for the bike since new has now crept up to 173 mpg (previously 130 mpg). Next time out I will brim the tank to get a true reading. Either the clutch has become less fierce or I am becoming better at smooth changes, I did not notice the snatch so badly today. On the downside I have had difficulty changing down gears if I stop in say third gear it takes me a while to get it to change down to second then first or neutral. Perhaps I really need to change the engine oil as it is three years old though not much mileage. The lightness of the bike makes it a joy down narrow lanes.
17/08/2026 21:08:39 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've always changed down as I reduce speed rather than the current advice to leave it in whatever gear you're in till you stop. This is fine in a car but works less well on a bike with its sequential change. Changing down as you slow also means that you're always in the right gear to deal with any changing situation as well as providing some engine braking.
If your formative years were spent on the kinds of bikes I ride you'd get used to knocking it into neutral as you roll to a stop as clutches were marginal and if held in gear with the clutch lever held in at a stop you'd never find neutral and would pogo between 1st and 2nd.....
Oh, re left / right side gears etc I recently watched a film about John Surtees (for those who don't know still the only person to be world champion on both 2 and 4 wheels). He was talking about driving a pre-war Mercedes race car at Goodwood which had the throttle in the middle and brake on the right - apparently this helped heel-and-toeing. He said that he spent the whole drive chanting to himself "accelerator in the middle brake on the right". So I'm in exalted company.
18/08/2026 10:03:28 UTC
Martin said :-
Took the CB125F out for another short outing yesterday, I am really coming to like the bike. As intended I brimmed the tank, surprisingly it took just over 13 litres (stated capacity 11 litres) especially as there were still two bars showing on the display! Admittedly getting the last few litres in was a lengthy process, it seems to take ages to trickle in. Viewing reviews by Australian owners I noticed that CB125F's over there are fitted as standard with a fully enclosed chain case, not so here. I have searched the net to find whether it is possible to purchase this useful item without success. I recall commuter bikes over here were once fitted with such sensible items though I think they are now made in plastic rather than the sheet steel ones of yesteryear. No doubt they do not enhance the sporting appearance of the bike but I think I could live with that.
22/08/2026 16:56:51 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
There's something weird going on with filling that tank Martin. Honda lists the current CB125F's tank to be 11 litres, I wonder if yours has a bigger tank? If 2 bars were left, and it took 13 litres then is the gauge right? I'm sure Honda's listed tanks size is "roughly" 11 litres but it can't be 13 litres. Dodgy petrol pump?
I've had a quick look on Google and no I can't source an enclosed chain guard for the CB125F, not here at least. Shame, they're very much out of fashion. I figure Oz gets them to keep the sand out when riding across outback.
25/08/2026 09:29:56 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Is this the bike, it's listed at 13L.
I don't personally know the different variants.
Upt.
https://www.lloydmotorgroup.com/NewBikes/Honda-Motorcycles/CB/CB125F/2222?srslti...
25/08/2026 10:57:53 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Regarding the bar readout, they're never accurate in my opinion. Although neither were the dial gauges of old either.
25/08/2026 11:00:05 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
Petrol gauges? Who needs them? If you have a trip meter just zero it when you fill up. You do know how far you go on a tankful don't you?
As Mr O'North says, those gauges are unreliable anyway whereas the trip will be more on the button.
25/08/2026 11:33:07 UTC
Martin said :-
Hi Ren, Yes, I am confused. The handbook which came with the bike says 11 litres, the bike which Upt' ,links to seems the same as mine but has a 13 litre capacity. Perhaps Honda intend it to be filled to 11 litre only with space for expansion? My bike is not the current model which has a colour screen display (pretty colours to distract) and also start/stop which I can well do without. I would be very surprised if the petrol pump was inaccurate, I believe they are regularly tested so that leaves the fuel level indicator which I agree with Ian and Upt' is quite likely most inaccurate. Anyway, when I next come to brim it I will know what the true consumption is and as has been suggested know how many miles I can safely cover before needing to refuel. A couple of other bikes I have ridden had the habit of displaying an encouragingly high fuel content only for the indicated level to drop like a stone over the next few miles! One thing I have noticed is that the engine is surprisingly flexible, I can happily ride along in fifth gear at 20 mph (Wales just across the River Wye is blessed with many 20 mph limits). I can even gently accelerate from 20 mph in 5th gear, my old Z250SL needed to come down to 4th gear to ride at 30 mph and would have been in 3rd in a 20 zone so that is a gain in my point of view as I enjoy a smooth relaxing ride. Yes, Ren, I drew a blank looking for an enclosed chain case. I could not even find it listed on Australian parts suppliers sites. Curiously they seem to offer the euro style chain guard to Australian riders wishing to chuck their enclosed cases away in favour of the more sporty looking item!
25/08/2026 15:30:47 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Home
Bike Reviews