A favourite with riding schools, city couriers and commuters around the world, Honda’s evergreen CB125F has been given a minor makeover for 2024, gaining a shorter new silencer, a revised pillion grabrail and two new metallic paint options.
The CB125F continues a long line of utilitarian Honda 125s, which predate even the legendary CG125, which has been built for various markets for almost 50 years. First introduced in 2015, the CB125F got a major makeover three years ago, when the revised frame and engine knocked 12kg from the already low weight. The 2024 CB125F weighs just 116kg ready to ride, which contributes to one of the most mellow and easy to ride learner motorcycles on sale today.
For all the CB125F is easy to overlook, it was the biggest selling geared motorcycle in the UK in 2023, with only Honda’s own PCX125 and Yamaha’s 125cc NMAX – a pair of twist and go scooters – shifting more units. With Yamaha’s similar YS125 no longer on sale in the UK, the £3419 CB125F pretty much has its own way when it comes to basic 125s. Its closest Japanese competition comes from the Kawasaki Z125 and Suzuki GSX-S125, which both cost in excess of £4000.
And it is no surprise the Honda CB125F is so popular with learners, instructors and commuters looking for a fuss-free motorcycle. The two-valve, air-cooled, engine is as simple as anything out there and delivers just under 11bhp and fuel economy is well renowned, with over 150mpg regularly reported. And despite the apparently basic nature of the engine, there’s actually a lot of clever engineering gone into it over the years, with a focus on making it as clean and economical as possible. It can also be ridden by learners, on L plates, after doing a day of compulsory basic training (CBT), making it one of the most inexpensive and easy to access forms of transport available today.
The 2021 update also saw the bike get more contemporary bodywork, with a new design based on that found on the bigger CB models and although it doesn’t have the cool componentry of premium 125s like Honda’s own CB125R (which costs over £2000 more than the F) its simple design keeps the weight and cost down.
The 2024 model’s new exhaust and passenger grab handles tidy up the look a little more, the silencer now featuring a chrome heat shield, while metallic blue and metallic red colour options complement the plain black option and give a more premium feel. Other neat touches include red detailing on the shock absorber springs and even the spark plug cap, but otherwise it is as basic as it comes with spec sheet ‘highlights’ including an LED headlight, centre stand and an economy meter.
Honda has introduced the 2024 CB125F with little fanfare, but it will undoubtedly continue to sell well regardless. It’s one of those products for which the phrases ‘it is what it is’ and ‘it does what it is designed to do’ fit perfectly. It’s an unpretentious, inexpensive motorcycle which is easy to ride and easy to maintain. It’s one of the unsung heroes of modern motorcycling, continuing Honda’s proud tradition of building simple transport for the masses.
