Honda CBR125R

[Aquendwato]

I know it's a motorcycle, but it seems like this is the best forum for it.

I was shopping around for a motorcycle (I most likely won't buy one this year, maybe next) and noticed that Honda has a package combo of a CBR125R, roadside assistance/warranty, and all the gear for "about the price of a latte a day" (The bike's estimated price is $4,000), which sounds terrific. However, I still have a few questions:

-It has the letters "CBR" in the name. That translates into "rape-me-up-the-ass-with-insurance-premiums". Would the 125cc engine cancel that out? Keep in mind I'm a 17 year-old male who's never had a motorcycle before
-It has a 125cc engine, which is great for gas mileage. Is that too small to really learn on, or is smaller better in this case?
-Is the CBR line good in terms of reliability, comfort, and performance?
-What's the range on a sport bike, both in terms of gas and comfort? It has a 10L tank and a 125cc engine, so it seems like it should go for a long time.
-How do you keep a bike that light from being stolen?

 

[Joey D]

While all I can say is I wish we got biked like this in America so I didn't have to start off with 600cc of engine.

To answer your last question the only protection bikes have against thieves is the ability to lock the steering forks not allowing anyone without the key to turn the front wheel. Other then that I guess you could chain it up if you live in a bad area of town.

But here is a review on the bike that would explain more then I could.

http://www.ciao.co.uk/Honda_CBR125R__Review_5641877

 

[UnoMOTO]

I know it's a motorcycle, but it seems like this is the best forum for it.

No worries...We two wheelers don't have our own forum yet....yet.

-It has the letters "CBR" in the name. That translates into "rape-me-up-the-ass-with-insurance-premiums". Would the 125cc engine cancel that out?

Yes it should make a big difference. Just in case anyone asks, CBR stands for Cross Beam Racer, which here in the states isn't a factor for insurance.

Keep in mind I'm a 17 year-old male who's never had a motorcycle before
-It has a 125cc engine, which is great for gas mileage. Is that too small to really learn on, or is smaller better in this case?

Looks like a great bike to start on.

-Is the CBR line good in terms of reliability, comfort, and performance?

I've had two CBR600's in the past. Both I would classify as just OK. Not the best and not the worst. Reliabilty 👍 comfort 👎 performance 👍

-What's the range on a sport bike, both in terms of gas and comfort? It has a 10L tank and a 125cc engine, so it seems like it should go for a long time.

I could get around 40 mpg if I would behave myself. That would add up to about 160 miles per tank. I think you would do much better with a 125.

-How do you keep a bike that light from being stolen?

Big dog...big anchor...big stick. Not much to do about that one here. A wheel lock is a good idea. Parking in the right spot will do you the most good

We have been talking about small bikes here just recently. Check it out for more information.

 

[ND4SPD]

Hmm I was reading my magazine which has a big story on the new CBR125 being released in canada. Looks like great beginner bike, but if it insurance isn't a factor I'd rather get a Kawasaki EX250 or EX500.

 

[MagpieRacer]

I have been looking at the CBR125 as a possible bike as well. If you are worried about insurance try the CG125 from Honda, I think the CG scores brownie points on comfort as well over the CBR.

 

[jammyozzy]

-It has the letters "CBR" in the name. That translates into "rape-me-up-the-ass-with-insurance-premiums". Would the 125cc engine cancel that out? Keep in mind I'm a 17 year-old male who's never had a motorcycle before

You should be fine with a 125, even if it is a CBR. It'll obviously be slightly dearer than a cheaper bike, but in this case you get what you pay for - The CBR125's supposed to be a brilliant bike. One thing you do need to take into consideration is the size of the bike. I'm 6'3" (and growing), which has made finding a learner bike a pain in the backside. I've ended up with a Himo GY125 (), simply because I won't fit on much else.

(Cheap to insure though. )

-It has a 125cc engine, which is great for gas mileage. Is that too small to really learn on, or is smaller better in this case?

125cc is perfect to learn on - new riders here in England are limited to 125cc bikes all the time they're learning, and then have to stick with 250's for another two years (excluding direct-access learners.) You can have a lot of fun on a 125, or even on a 50, plus there's much less chance of you putting too much power down and propelling yoursely into the ditch. 👍

-Is the CBR line good in terms of reliability, comfort, and performance?

I can't answer for sure on this one, but as a rule Honda's will run forever if you look after them. My Dad's old CB600F didn't break down once in the four or so years he had it. As for comfort, it's not a cruiser but you should stay comfy on it for a fair amount of time. 125's have enough zip to overtake, or make good use of gaps in traffic, but they tend to get a little wheezy near their top speed. Cruising at motorway speeds may be a struggle. 125's corner like they're on rails with decent tyres, so corners can be dispatched with no problems what-so-ever.

-What's the range on a sport bike, both in terms of gas and comfort? It has a 10L tank and a 125cc engine, so it seems like it should go for a long time.

If my memory serves correctly, my bike has a 6.5 litre () tank, and it apparently has a 150 mile-ish tank range. (I haven't had chance to test this yet, there's a phantom sharp object in the rear wheel somewhere that keeps puncturing the rear tyre. )

-How do you keep a bike that light from being stolen?

If you can, try and get your hands on a decent ground anchor. I know in England one with an officially recognised security rating will knock some money off of your insurance premium. The same goes for your padlock and chain, a decent one should get you a little off of your premium. If you do chain the bike to an anchor, make sure that when you lock the bike up the chain is taught, and that the padlock's not simply sitting on the ground. It makes it much more difficult for a theif to remove the padlock because they then can't simply take a sledge hammer to it.
Also get hold of a good, noisy alarm, and ask the dealer to fit it somewhere other than under the seat - the harder it is to find, the harder it is to shut up. You could also keep the bike under a cover - if a theif can't see what it is they're much less likely to bother. If you're keeping it locked in a garage for example, park a car infront of the door at night so that it can't be opened. If you really want to go to extremes, rig up a decoy with a couple of shotgun shells - an unexpected blast will send almost anyone packing, and will probably let you know that something's up. Basically make life as awkward as possible for anyone trying to pinch your bike, to the point that it's literally not worth the trouble. 👍

 

[Wolfe]

-It has the letters "CBR" in the name. That translates into "rape-me-up-the-ass-with-insurance-premiums". Would the 125cc engine cancel that out? Keep in mind I'm a 17 year-old male who's never had a motorcycle before

It might just be because the insurance company thinks of it as a "Kawasaki EX250," which is rather nondescript, but my insurance is dirt cheap, and I'm only 20. A sportbike with half the displacement should be rather affordable to you, even if you are 3 years younger.

When you're talking with your insurance people, tell them that you won't be carrying any passengers. That should help.

It has a 125cc engine, which is great for gas mileage. Is that too small to really learn on, or is smaller better in this case?

As the others have said, a 125 is great to learn on, unless you're exceptionally heavy or tall. Nimble and confidence-inspiring in corners, light enough to easily pick up on your own in case of a fall, more than fast enough to keep up with traffic, yet docile enough to not take you far beyond your limits.

Most riders will tell you that you might as well buy something on the larger side and grow into it, but if you think you'll like the CBR125R even after you're done learning (and it sounds like a great bike), there's no reason to spring for something larger just for the sake of having something larger.

Is the CBR line good in terms of reliability, comfort, and performance?

I couldn't tell you from experience, but Hondas are generally known for their reliability. Jammyozzy and UnoMOTO seem to agree with that.

As far as comfort goes, the CBR125 looks like a sporty-standard, like my bike. What that means is that the regular riding position will be more upright and comfortable than a lean-forward-and-hug-the-fuel-tank sportbike.

-What's the range on a sport bike, both in terms of gas and comfort? It has a 10L tank and a 125cc engine, so it seems like it should go for a long time.

With that 125cc engine, it should be good for at least 80-90mpg. Probably more.

-How do you keep a bike that light from being stolen?

As UnoMOTO said, parking in the right area is the best and easiest way. Aside from that, listen to jammyozzy or just get a wheel lock like UnoMOTO said. In any case, 280lbs. is light for a motorcycle, but not exactly a weight that someone can just pick up and walk away with.