Honda CB125F gets updates for 2021
The highly successful Honda CB125F gains LED lights, a more efficient engine, and loses weight for 2021
ONE of the most successful motorcycles in the lightweight geared category gains new updates for 2021, as the Honda CB125F gets thoroughly updated for next year.
Visually the new bike is similar to the outgoing model, although beneath the skin the bike has seen a raft of developments. The biggest change is that the new bike weighs 11kg less than the outgoing CB125F (down from 128kg to 117kg), making Honda’s already accessible entry-level machine even easier to manage.
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The frame of the bike has been redesigned, aiding to the machine’s weight-loss program and also improving the comfort of the new machine. The Smart Power (eSP) engine has also seen major changes and updates, providing 27% better fuel economy and a claimed potential range of 490 miles from the 11 litre fuel tank.
The new bike produces a claimed 10.7bhp at 7,750rpm and 7.5lb-ft of torque at 6,000rpm. To help achieve this increase in power and torque, the new engine features and innovative off-set cylinder to help reduce internal friction. It also features a clever combined alternator and starter motor, combining the electrical generation and starting duties. The effort needed to start the engine is reduced thanks to a swing-back system that returns the crank to its position before air intake – giving the engine a ‘running’ start – and a decompression mechanism that negates cranking resistance due to compression. In use the ACG starter is extremely quiet. The gearbox is 5-speed and the final drive is via a sealed chain.
The new CB125F also features slightly tweaked and more aggressive bodywork, intended to echo the bigger bikes in the CB range. The bike also features a new LED headlight and digital dash that includes gear position indicator as well as real-time and average fuel economy, distance to empty, and ECO indicator, for when riding in the most efficient way. The start/stop button is an integrated switch (the previous model did not feature a stop button as standard) as is the high beam/passing switch.
Honda CB125F technical specification
ENGINE | |
Type | Air cooled 4 stroke OHC single |
Displacement | 124cc |
No of Valves per Cylinder | 2 |
Bore & Stroke | 50 x 63.1mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 |
Max. Power Output | 8kW @7,500rpm |
Max. Torque | 10.9Nm @ 6,000rpm |
Noise level (dB) | 73.5dB(Lwot) 71.8dB(Lurban) |
Oil Capacity | 1L |
FUEL SYSTEM | |
Carburation | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
Fuel Tank Capacity | 11L |
Fuel Consumption (WMTC) | 66.7 Km/L |
CO2 Emissions WMTC | 34 g/km |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |
Battery Capacity | 12V-5A･h |
DRIVETRAIN | |
Clutch Type | Wet, multiplate with coil springs |
Transmission Type | 5 speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
FRAME | |
Type | Tubular steel |
CHASSIS | |
Dimensions (L´W´H) | 2015mm x 750mm x 1100mm |
Wheelbase | 1280mm |
Caster Angle | 26° |
Trail | 92.4mm |
Seat Height | 790mm |
Ground Clearance | 160mm |
Kerb Weight | 117KG |
Turning radius | 2.04m |
SUSPENSION | |
Type Front | 31mm telescopic |
Type Rear | Dual shocks – 5 stage preload |
WHEELS | |
Type Front | 18in five spoke aluminium |
Type Rear | 18in five spoke aluminium |
Tyres Front | 80 / 100 18M/C |
Tyres Rear | 90 / 90 18M/C |
BRAKES | |
CBS System Type | 2 channel CBS |
Type Front | 240mm single disc with two piston caliper |
Type Rear | 130mm drum |
INSTRUMENTS & ELECTRICS | |
Instruments | Speedometer, milometer, fuel gauge, rpm counter, gear position indicator |
Headlight | LED |
Taillight | LED |
Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
