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Honda Cbf125
7.0/10 Commuter

Honda Cbf125 Review

"The most sensible, dullest £1,500 you'll ever spend."

New riders wanting reliable, cheap city transport $1,200-$2,500 used 2008-2015
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Used Buyer Review

The CBF125 is about as exciting as watching paint dry, and that's absolutely fine. Honda built this thing for one purpose: survive the hell of urban commuting and learner abuse without complaint. The single-cylinder 125cc motor is bulletproof if maintained, and most examples you'll find have been flogged by provisional licence holders who never checked the oil. That's your first job when viewing one — pull the dipstick and check the chain slack. Neglect shows fast on these. Mechanically though, they're tough little machines. The engine rarely gives up before 30,000 miles if it's had regular oil changes. Brakes are adequate, handling is predictable bordering on boring, and fuel economy is genuinely impressive — expect 100mpg all day. Parts are cheap and dealers know them inside out. The 2011-onwards models got a fuel injection tweak that improved cold starting noticeably. Worth seeking those out specifically.

Pros

+Near-indestructible Honda engine
+Dirt-cheap running costs
+Excellent parts availability
+Forgiving beginner-friendly handling
+Impressive real-world fuel economy

Cons

-Zero excitement whatsoever
-Typically neglected by learners
-Struggles above 65mph
-Resale stays stubbornly high
warning
Avoid if

You want any riding thrills whatsoever

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