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Honda Cbr125r
7.5/10 Sport

Honda Cbr125r Review

"The smartest learner bike money can buy, if expectations are realistic."

New riders wanting affordable, reliable first bike $1,500-$3,500 used 2004-2016
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Used Buyer Review

The CBR125R is Honda's entry-level learner sportsbike, and buying one used is genuinely smart if you know what you're getting into. These things are near-indestructible if maintained properly — Honda built them to survive abuse from new riders, and that reliability shows in the used market. Find one with a decent service history and you're golden. Watch for crash damage though, because learners drop bikes. Check the fairing mounts, bar ends, and footpeg feelers for scrapes. Performance-wise, don't kid yourself — 11bhp is what it is. It'll cruise at 60mph comfortably and touch an indicated 80mph downhill with the wind behind you. That's the deal. The upside is fuel economy that'll make you weep with joy, insurance costs that won't bankrupt you, and handling that's genuinely composed for a budget machine. The suspension is soft but forgiving, and the brakes are adequate if uninspiring. Pricing varies wildly. Low-mileage examples under 10,000 miles are the sweet spot. Avoid anything that's been dropped hard or has uneven tyre wear — signs of neglect or serious abuse.

Pros

+Bulletproof Honda reliability
+Ultra-cheap running costs
+Flickable, confidence-inspiring handling
+Massive insurance savings
+Strong resale value retention

Cons

-Seriously limited top-end power
-Soft suspension feels vague
-Rear drum brake underwhelms
-Crash damage risk high
warning
Avoid if

You want to ride faster than 70mph

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