new biker

goodlet8884 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Mar 2014 Karma :

doing my cbt and looking for my first bike think I am edging towards a Honda CBF125 anyone got any reviews on it?

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

You seem very bold.

The CBF125 has a lot of happy owners, but a few very unhappy ones as well.

Common issues are:

Rust, including fresh from the dealer.
Fuel pump failing, ostensibly from an anti-rust coating that dealers were supposed to flush from the tank but didn't.
Burning through oil and seizing within the 2,500 mile oil change interval (which is pretty long for a 125).

It's a bike made in and for India, so don't expect that legendary Honda quality that MCN et al still trot out.

Me, I'd have a YBR by preference, or even an AJS Eco / Jianshe JS125-6 if you can find one used and cheap.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

djrikki · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Nov 2013 Karma :

Id say only buy a 6 month / year plus old CBF and check it over carefully. Going from personal experience and the way the brand new ones are being dealt with at dealer and manufacturer level.

2011 editions seem better than 2013 etc.

sidewinder · World Chat Champion Joined: 24 Aug 2011 Karma :

goodlet8884 · L Plate Warrior Joined: 24 Mar 2014 Karma :

flumpy7 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 May 2008 Karma :

Yeah, I wouldnt be looking at a new cbf after hearing plenty of complaints. Varadero is king but expensive. YBR seems to be pleasing most. Chinese isnt necessarily a bad thing if you do your research.
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2012 Sinnis apache

flumpy7 · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 31 May 2008 Karma :

I'd personally always go for a carbed 125 too....FI seems OTT on such a small machine.
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2012 Sinnis apache

Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

djrikki · Brolly Dolly Joined: 07 Nov 2013 Karma :

This was my own experiences with a brand new CBF that I bought 4 months ago. Not a once off case either going by other posts around the net.

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=281543&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

MC · Banned Joined: 01 Apr 2013 Karma :

Despite its problems the CBF is STILL one of the most popular learner bikes. I'd lean towards a YBR though, and I wouldn't go for one of the chinese variants unless your pretty handy with a spanner, and your sure you can get insurance and parts for it.

The Vara' *sighs*, IF your going to spend all day on national speed limit dual carriageways then yes it's a good choice, however spending that much more on a heavy 125 isn't a good choice imo.

It MIGHT be worth considering one of the less popular 125's as well. Bikes such as the Suzuki DR125SM, will result in an angry mob of BCF'ers hunting you down, but occasionally they go for reasonable money on eBay (£800 odd).
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Yamaha MT-03 '08 (crashed)
~~Honda XR-125L '04~~