To buy or not to buy - Honda CG125

[enj1996]

Hi all,

Recently decided to get back on a 125cc as the cost of public transport in London is pissing me off. Decided that the best bike in my price range is a Honda CG125 - I understand its cheaper than the CBF or the equally reliable Yamaha YBR125 but I would like to know whether that price gap is justified? Is there better reliability with the pricier bikes or is the CG125 an overlooked gem in the 125cc range?
Of course, other recommendations are welcomed - I am 23 in a few weeks and live in near enough the centre of London and the CG125 consistently comes in at around £650 for TPFT Insurance.
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JDEP - 05/09/1960 - 13/06/2017.
"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness".

[P.]

Depends how much the CG will cost you and (i'm sure its ok but...) does it conform to the London low emissions shit.

[enj1996]

[enj1996]

[c_dug]

I'll save you double checking - needs to be newer than 2007 to be ULEZ compliant.

Technically speaking it's to do with the Euro emissions rating of the vehicle, but for all intents and purposes you can consider it 2007 reg.

Edit: pfft, double checked quicker than I typed, shouldn't have bothered
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[enj1996]

[stevo as b4]

A classic example of a newbie over thinking and over analysing without any road experience and knowledge of the subject.

Just buy the first good condition naked simple four stroke 125 in your budget, and take someone with you who knows what a good condition bike looks like if you don't that is?

There ain't a best make or model, and in that London you'll struggle to hold onto anything remotely nice.

Yeah you'll get a decent CG for 700 quid or thereabouts, but they are too old for ULEZ. You can get other similar Japanese bikes within your budget and also a good pick of nearly new Chinese bikes that may also do the job just as well.

Someone else will be along soon to speLL it out for you, but remember your in London and supply and demand of decent used bikes and scooters is against you. Might be worth travelling 50miles+ out of the capital to pick up a good bike that's not sold before you can turn up with the cash.

[enj1996]

[Bhud]

I used to own a CG125. It's an awesome bike with lots of character, but it belongs to yesteryear. This is primarily because, as others have pointed out, it's been retired well before its time thanks to ULEZ and the other impending anti-ICE legislation. But its reliability is equivalent to the YBR125, and its build quality generally better.

Its strong points: it's a very reliable and strong bike, and it's a lot of fun to ride around town. It's also extremely economical on fuel, oil, chains, tyres, tax, etc. Makes turning a corner in 30 zone feel unduly satisfying. Not really desirable by thieves (yet).

Weak points: has been drummed out of (your) town by ULEZ, and will be drummed out by other major towns too, in due course. Underpowered even for a 125 - lucky to maintain 50mph on a slight incline. Feels dangerously light on A-roads. Thin wheels feel jittery on potholes and even on road markings and manhole covers. Light enough to be picked up and hauled off into a van by anyone of reasonable physical strength.

Nowadays, I would recommend a CG125 only to someone who lives out in the country, perhaps has a farm or a few acres, and wants to chop it down and stick knobblies on it. It would look cool and be a lot of fun as an off-road bike if you were in the business, say, of herding livestock. As a commuting bike it's had its day.

[kgm]

I still use mine to commute, including a short sections of 70mph dual carriageway. Mine does 60mph on the flat, GPS indicated. That reduces to 50 with a steep hill or stiff headwind, lowest I've ever seen was 45.. I don't think it feels dangerously light on a roads, it does move around a bit but it's not disconcerting and thet adds to the fun and makes it easy to manage. I certainly don't think it rides any worse than my mates cbf125 and its built significantly better. Mine is looked after though with fairly fresh bearings everywhere, etc. I often take CG over the 800 if I'm mostly in town as it can be a blast to Wang around on due to the light weight.

They have their limits and many of those for sale will be a bit shagged but they're no worse than other similar 125s in terms of riding, otherwise I'd have sold mine 5 years ago when I got a big bike.

[Tdibs]

Yeah honestly if you could find one of the final year builds, I would take one over a CBF just in terms of build quality.

Really though, they are much of a muchness, having ridden them all, there is not much discernible difference between the CG/CBF/YBR.
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Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[CG125ES-7 Nut Buster]

The CG125 ES-7 is a blast in London and kept me alive. It recently passed a Lamborghini Veneno – $4.5m, Lykan Hypersport – $3.4m
- Pininfarina Sergio Ferrari – $3m in a 1/8th run. True. Sloane Street SW1 and GoProed. Cost me £850 in 2018 with 9000 miles and paperwork to prove.

The CG125ES UK model from 2004 to 2008 (front disc brake/electric start only) is the only CG125 to be ULEZ - Ultra Low Emission Zone exempt. Saving the London bike commuters £12.50 daily, straying into the congestion zone. All motorcycles, mopeds and bipeds are congestion zone free 24/7/365 but not all are ULEZ tax exempt.

The CG125ES 2004 - 2008 has a rubber pipe from the rocker cover to the carb, recycling any unspent fuel fumes making it ULEX tax exempt.
If caught on a pre 2004 CG125 within the London congestion zone expect a daily £160 fine, reduced to £80 if paid within a fortnight. Should you stray.

CG125ES 2004 - 2008 = 90% of parts on eBay/Gumtree except decent wheels, front mudguards, front brake calipers and front 27mm stanchions/suspension (wonder why?). I paid £30 for a laser cut plate to convert my seized CG125 from single pot caliper to a CBF125 two pot (CG125 calipers are hard to find and stopped me riding). Or swap the lot using the CBF125 triple forks top and bottom. CBF125 front parts are more plentiful. New bearings would be nice....

We supply new Honda 125 scooters (plus others) to our couriers that regularly hit 70,000 miles within the 3 year Honda warranty. Parts required/breakdowns and when/what to fail etc. What an eye opener.
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CG125ES-7 With memories of my BSA Bantams 125, 150 and 175. Honda PC50. Honda MT50. Honda CD175. Yamaha FS1E. Yamaha RD250. Yamaha XT550. Yamaha Super Tenere 750.

[adam277]

Any jap 4 stroke 125 will suit you well.
Pick one that's in the best condition.

The only real issue with the CBF or the ybr is they rust faster. Other then that they are pretty much the same just a bit quicker.
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Bikes: Previous Bikes: Piaggio x8 125: 2012/2013, YBR 125: 2013/2013 BMW R1150GS 2013/2017, Honda CBR600RR 2017/2017, Honda CB500 2018/2018, Suzuiki Address 110cc 2019/2020, BMW R1200GS 2021-2023
Current Bike: Honda CBF 125: current

[Nobby the Bastard]

I passed my test on one back in the dim and distant past. It was a hateful little thing and probably the slowest bike I've ridden apart from my dt 50.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050