The ORIGINAL Honda Grom
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- Опубліковано 21 лют 2024
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The Honda CB125 was a fantastic little streetbike with loads of big bike features and styling, and in my opinion, it was the Grom of its day
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My first legal bike I had on the road was my cb125s 1973, THE MOST rock solid and reliable machine I’ve ever owned first kick every time. Absolutely a blast to ride!!!
I had one in the eighties in the UK, it was a nice little thing.
@@cedley1969 I still have mine and ride it! They are awesome little bikes
@@billbert7927 How long have you had it? Is it in good shape? How many miles on it. Thats very cool. Enjoy!!
I had a friend with an early 1970s Honda SL125. He beat the crap out of it, put over 30,000 miles on it and it started with one kick. I had a CB350-4, slow as a slug, but sounded like the bigger Honda fours. It had a 10,000 rpm redline and it attached a lot of attention.
Travelled all over southern BC on my my 1964 80cc Suzuki 2 stroke.. it looked similar to the cb100.. poppity pop pop.. pop.
I sold my last motorcycle about 15 years ago and watching this video kinda makes me want to ride again.
The feeling never goes away
There's no other way to scratch that itch
Sold my last motorcycle 8 years ago. And bought a 1975 CB125S in November so I can ride off into my retirement.
I would like to do that someday.@@lancenorton1117
Yep I did the same thing now I have a 2008XT250, a 76 BMW R75/6, 76 XT500. 83 XL600 I missed riding so much but now back in the saddle not as much as a hooligan as I used to be but the XL is a wheely machine!@@lancenorton1117
You nailed it!!! HONDA LISTEN UP!!! many want small displacement bikes but don't like the look of the new grom. Bring back the classic look of small bikes. Great job on this video.
you mean like the monkey, cub, trail, and dax?
I own a dax 125 and simply love it!
Back in '75 I bought a 1974 CB125 from a Harley dealership. I was just a kid. Good times.
I bought my CB-100 back in the sixties. I’ll never forget seeing that CB-450 sitting there showcased. It looked so much like a Triumph. I wanted that one so bad. But, I bought a used Triumph T-6 after destroying that little Honda.
I agree with you 100% . Honda should bring back the iconic 125 bike retro looking just like those in the 70s and 80s.
They are still being made here in Brasil, with 150-160cc engines. In fact Honda sells more than 30k of them every month, the biggest numbers in the country. It is the preferred bike for begginers and people who work with their bikes here.
yes this is evolved rom the venerable old CG125 models with the pushrod engines. They will run forever, favorite pizza delivery bikes.
It is still a popular bike on my side of world too. Probably cuz the bike has lots of aftermarket and modding parts, from dohc head, stroker kits to fuel injection conversion kit to modernize the thing if you still have one from the '70s.
In 1997 a friend sold me his father's 1972 CB125S which had been Dad's daily commuter bike for 5 years until he died in 1977.
It had 28k miles on the clock and still had the original front tyre...
He basically gave it to me for $60 and threw in two open face helmets and all the m/c gear he had at home....
It took me a week to fettle and reregister the bike...about $320 plus a couple of parts from the Honda dealer (parts he had on the shelf!)
I then went on a 250 mile shakedown cruise to where my friend was camping at a beach...the trip was through the mountains...and in the mountains I stopped at a small service station and filled the small tank..
A young bloke ran over all excited and asked where I had ridden from and where I was going to...and said that his mates wouldn't let him do the same journey on his CB125S because "the bike would never make it"
He went back and gave them a right bollocking while pointing in my direction.
On the same day after showing my friend the bike I rode back home.
14 hours on the bike 1 litre of Mobil 1 consumed 500ml on the way up, 500 ml on the way home,
cruise 50mph....
Top rev on a downhill slope of 9200rpm
The next journey was a 300 mile per day 3 day circumnavigation of the lower half of the Island....again no problems.
Great little bike and when I finished that particular job (where the bike was my daily transport because it was the only way to get to work and use a provided "car" park)
some 3 years later I sold it and all the gear for $60 to another friend who wanted a classic bike...and one suitable to teach his 12 year old how to safely ride....
I still miss my CB350 I purchased in 1973 for $980 out the door when I was a junior in high school. Saved every penny for two years just to buy it on my own too. I was in hogg heaven when I rode it out of the dealership.
I just got a CB200T about a month ago. It'd been sitting for 24 years in my friends garage, and I've been bringing it back to life to serve as my first motorcycle. It's been an absolute joy to work on, and I am very excited for spring to take it out on the road!
Cool. I have one of those, a 1975 CB200T in candy gold. Lots of fun !
@@matthewetmoi8436i owned when i was 20 years old, an CB 200 in Green, at 1975-1977 it was a great bike, too many very long trips, no problem at all...no technical issue.... am still remembering it with nostalgia
CB200T? Don't know that one. Sounds like a great first bike.
CB200T was my first street bike. Genuinely lovely but not enough poke for interstate use. It would go 70mph if you drafted a semi, otherwise it struggled to maintain 55mph. My BSA Starfire 250 single would hang 70mph all day every day until it vibrated its cyl head nuts off.
just took my CB 125k5 back from the sales platform - I will keep it - tired of kids asking how fast it runs. Thats a mechanical icon…no need to sell 😊
If you have room for it, please keep it. The few bucks you'll get for it from someone who appreciates nothing about it, isn't worth its life ending there.
It will get you down the road.
I've owned (still own) Harley's, Yamaha xs, Kawasaki kz and Honda. Honda has always held a special place in my heart. I've won a couple trophies with my 1973 Honda cb125 bare bones cafe racer. Also invite to a big show in Cleveland with my 77 hardtail cb750 (836cc). Owned a fury, cb 350f, cb360t and goldwing. They are really fun and simple bikes. Makes a great canvas when stripped to motor and frame
I’m riding a 2023 Honda XR150😂 love it and drop dead simple
I always wanted to ride a CB125S. I remember in 2017 seeing them up for sale in craigslist. Nowadays there are super rare.
About a year ago a really nice CB125 was up on Craigslist in the Seattle area for 4k. The only reason I remember it was because of the insane amount of money they wanted for a brand new 45 year old bike.
@@matthewheide4797 I bought a 75 CB125S from Craigslist in the Seattle area in November. $1700 for it.
I remember the early 1970s when the small Honda bikes were so popular. My favorite was the CB350. Many of my dads friends had them.
My first street legal bike was little blue CB 100...It got me on the road but did n`t take long to out grow.....By the end of that first summer upgraded to the best bike I ever had ...A 72 CB 500 four. Wish I still had it.
To me, although I've never owned that model (CB 500), it is the perfect all around bike. Fast enough for anywhere, yet fuel efficient, yet absolutely bulletproof. Will always always start and not leave you stranded. Cheers!
Have a 71 cb500 if you want to pick it up again
Mine was the orange CB 100. The four gears (all down) messed me up when I switched to a traditional 1 down, 4/5 up gearbox on my next bike. I managed to hit 100 km/h on my little CB once - going down a steep hill with a strong tailwind!
Oh man, I owned a Honda CB-100 in the late 60’s. That thing was bulletproof! I rode it like a dirt bike. It crashed so many times. But the engine never failed. That little bike had enough torque to climb a wall if it could get the traction.
My first bike was an '82 cb125s. I still have it almost 40 years later...
These bikes are amazing. I would even say that great bikes are bikes like this one . Motorcycles are meant to be the horse of the motorized world while cars are like ox. They’re lighter , accelerate faster and better looking. And these cb125 and cg150 bikes are exactly that . Here in Cameroon they make up atleast a third of all bikes on the road ( cb125,cg150 and their Chinese clones ). They pull like crazy , for bikes with such small engines. They’re used as taxi bikes and personal bikes here. They can carry two passengers and reach 55kph . Imagine that , a 125-150cc engine pulling along three fully grown men . When you’re alone on them they’re super light (105kg) and sound just like a normal bike .
They’re amazing machines. I don’t think it’s necessary for an everyday bike to reach 250kph . 120kph is really fast . I understand that having more speed and power can be fun , but a light ,nimble , stylish, reliable , cheap and SIMPLE bike (people herd wrench on their bikes themselves, there are little open air garages on road sides that let riders use their tools ) that can hit 120kph easily is an amazing offer.
I love old Hondas from the 70s.
I used to have a CB350 and it was a fantastic machine.
Back in 2018 I found a CB125s for sale and paid $70 for it. It was in terrible condition and didn't have paperwork but with a little TLC I got it running and riding. I had a blast riding that bike around town. I used that bike to teach my wife (GF at the time) how to ride. So many great memories on that small bike. I wish I still had it and the 350. . .
CB 125’s are all over the Philippines, still drum brakes too. As of 2024, this bike retails for $1,200 US dollars in the Philippines. Anything kind of close in the US is $3,500 plus.
That's the real price of the bike. Honda America won't market much of anything less than $4000 due to tariffs, distribution and dealer net. A $1500 retail price is not worth the dealer's time. There's no commission pad, no floorplan pad in that price.
If however they sold 250s or under at specialty shops like bicycle shops they could market them for $2000 in the US, Can, UK.
Everyone has a 125-155cc bike or scooter in the Philippines..Yes. But only a KTM 390 or larger displacement can legally go on a freeway.
Traffic is so terribly bad there that any bigger than a 155cc or so is a pain to ride. They make payments monthly of like $30 USD on bikes.
The TMX 125 is really a staple sa Pinas ano? Renamed na CG 125 and very practical and durable. Parang di mamatay matay na motor. Haha.
The Honda XR150L list price in USA is $3k. It was supposed to start at $2,799.. Only rear drum.. front rotor.
@@kevinnashskitchen3517 3k +600 for freight/assy (dealer fee) + 300 tax/title/tag for an ancient, mostly analog, carburetor, drum brake, 150cc bike.
It is a good first teen bike or around the farm knockabout....it ought to be 2k and is simple enough to be sold in off brand shops like in other nations, but Honda America would be screwing over their dealer network if they sold it directly unassembled or to non dealer shops.
As a teenager growing up in the 1970's, the Honds CB125 was my dream first bike. I loved all the features, the engine, and frame (it looked like a big bike), it had a tacho and would cruise on the road happily all day. I would happily buy one today.
That's why I bought a 1975 version. So I can ride around our semi rural area at 35-50 mph with FEW cares in the world.
When I was 14 y/o I bought a used 1975 CB125 in 1983 for $250 that I’d saved up mowing yards. Loved that bike. Rode it to school (and every else) almost every day for the first two years of high school.
First bike was a CB125. Good, honest, fundamental motorcycle. Kinda wish I still had it, although I think it would struggle with suburban Atlanta traffic.
When I was 16 years old, I saved up and bought a used Honda CB100. Man, I had a lot of fun on that bike.
My first bike was a 1979 XL125s, brilliant little trail bike that could go & explore everywhere. BTW they still sell loads of 125 road & trail bikes - Ace 125 & XR125 all over the world.
The small displacement bikes really are a ton of fun. I have a CRF 50 in the back of my garage that I pull out once in a while to rip around the homestead or for a friend to try out. Watching adults zinging around on this little 50 bike laughing with childish exuberance is hilarious and also contagious.
Great presentation, Bart! I bought a new Honda CB160 in 1965 and a new CB125 in 1973. I had more fun on those bikes than any car that I've ever owned. Great memories.
Im currently restoring a cb125s. I love it so much
You may find that Honda dealers can still get original Honda spares for the bike....
I have just bought a 1974 cb125s. A real nice little 125. Later models in the UK at least became the 125J despite showing as 125S on the side panels. CC was up from 122 to 124cc and split head and slightly larger valves and a cable operated disc brake. The 125J made a claimed 14 BHP but the engine was not as refined as the original 125S.
Great video, brings back memories. I worked at a Honda dealership in the 70's which put me on to their quality and reliability. One glitch I recall is some 100/125cc engines suffering from insufficient oil to the cam/head. We replaced the cams/heads under warranty. We would find crap in the oil strainer. We later found out from the factory that the engine assemblers wore white cotton gloves, and lint from the gloves found its way to the oil screen/strainer and starved the oil to the top end. If you have one of these, always check the oil strainer when changing oil.
I have a CB125N... and a 2008 Speed Triple... on one I charge around town flat out all the time... racing anything at traffic lights and sometimes winning... and the other sits in the garage looking pretty... so much fun.
My first bike was a Blue CB125S. It was my fist vehicle of any kind. The sense of independence
and the ability to go anywhere (within reason) was thrilling. I've owned cars, trucks and several
motorcycles since and nothing has ever quite recaptured that feeling. Nice video sir.
I bought a brand new Honda CB125 from a Honda dealership back in 1976. I only weighed a little over 150 lbs. at the time. The speed limit on American roads was 55 mph. at the time. I would take it on the freeway all the time. It would cruise all day long at 60 mph with a light weight rider on board. I don't think the little 125cc engine had 15 horsepower. A CHP unit pulled me over on the freeway because the bike was to small and I stopped taking it on freeway trips after that. I don't know how much horsepower that bike had. I once took it on a 200 mile all day trip to Tijuana, Mexico.
That bike you're describing at the end is the new GB350, which is also available in australia now. Hopefully we'll get them in the rest of the world too.
All these years later 15HP from the CB125S and only 20HP from the GB350? Not that its a bad thing, I own a RE 350 with....20 HP.
@@markwilkinson4316That's exactly why it makes 20hp, because it's competing with the royal enfield that has been making 20hp since the fifties.
I've been fixing up a '72 cb100 in my kitchen over the winter. Giving her the first kicks in a decade this weekend. 🤞
I had an SL125 in 1976 and that bike was my magic carpet. It took me everywhere. It was pure adventure.
2:38 there’s my exact ‘72 CB100. So cool to see that with its extended family
Got a 1980 CB125s last month. $200 and worth every penny. Fun to ride. Love it .
I had a 1972 Honda CT 70H ,1976 Honda XL 175 , 1978 Honda 750 K6 , and 1997 CR 250 ..All brand new bikes,, Those bikes were a lot of fun back in the day..😊
The cb 125 is gorgeous to look at. Love the sophisticated engineering. Like the classic styling.
My 1st real street bike was a 1972 CB350 that I bought from my high-school auto shop in 1991. It was a great machine!
We started here in NZ on SL100 trail bikes. We rode them off road every day after school and in the weekends. We were 16-17 years old. Best time of our lives most likely. When the SL125 came out and a wealthier mate bought one we all rode it of course and were all amazed at how much more power and speed there was. Then the 250 Motorsport came out. Might as well have been a superbike!!
My first bike was a new 1970 CB 100. Rode it hard for 4 yrs and gave it to my younger brother. He got 3 more yrs before selling it. Loved that bike.
I had a Honda CG 125 when I was in England 1984-85. Great bike and so much fun!
My first bike was a 1972 (I think) CB 100.
Loved that thing and I still ride today.
My dad bought a CB125 new in 1973. Resplendent in gold paint. My older brother and sister both learned to ride on it. My turn came in 1980. My brother and I flogged that bike mercilessly. Riding it around on the redline and falling off it regularly. I even crashed it on my way to my first day at riding school! It never missed a beat. What a magnificent machine. Wish we still had it now.
Nice nailed it, as a 50kg teen it was a little white and red CB100 that cemented my love of motorcycling, as a reckless youth rode it hard everywhere and it never let me down, great memories thanks Honda, to this day still have a little Honda CB175 twin in my collection, and enjoy every ride on it : )
My first real (plated) bike was CB175. It took me every where I wanted and though I got other bikes I kept that little gem while I owned several larger bikes and taught my daughter to ride on it.
I had a CB125S when I was younger, was my first motorcycle
I had a 1985 Suzuki GS125ES, now that was a great bike to learn on, have fun with, great little bike.
I have a CG125 myself for 6 years. CG is a brother of CB, which was made by Honda for some underdeveloped countries. It has less horsepower slightly under 10 but has incredible durability under less maintenance instead. After I customize some parts, It looks like a nice vintage cafe racer with shining chrome parts. It glitters under the sun like jewelry. On the traffic lights drivers next to me keep asking me what kind of motorcycle is it and where they could buy one. For 6 years, it never occurred problem I never went to the workshop for a single trouble. All the maintenance I had to do is regular oil change and washing it.
For me it was the NS50- 50cc, 5 speed gear box, 65mph at 14 years old. I had saved my money working and bought one used. Chuckable, surprisingly ergonomic and ridden flat out all the time. Every couple weeks for awhile I had to get a link taken out of my chain because I had stretched it so much and run out of adjustment on the back wheel. I love little bikes. Also had a hondamatic 400 which was hilarious and its big brother the 750 auto- clunk clunk clunk. You could hear the harmonic balancer rattle at idle, lol. My favorite bike I ever had (so far) might be my cb350 twin. Looked a bit like an old triumph, was just the right size, and it didn't encourage me to get into trouble with its 75mph top speed. I regret letting that one go (and so many other cars and bikes tbh, but you can only drive one at a time)
I lived through this era. It was awesome
My first bike was a 1974 CB125S. I learned to ride and passed my test on it in 1978. It was a fabulous little bike that was as near indestructable as it is possible to be. It was thrashed from here to kingdom come but never once let me down. I'm 63 now and have been riding for 46 years. After owning various marks have returned to honda with no regrets. I love them and have 4 of them. One of the new Goldwings, a 1976 Goldwing K1, a 1979 CBX1000Z and a lovely little 1972 CB175K6. When I got the 175 I was really looking for CB125S but couldn't find one in decent condition and stumbled on the 175 while looking. I love that one just as much as my old 125. I'm still on the lookout for one those though.
I was a die-hard bike guy by 14. At 15, I bought a 1979 CB 125S from the Honda dealership in my small Alaskan town for $800 cash I'd earned, and learned to ride by reading the owner's manual outside the dealership. I rode it home without plates or a license, which I got as soon as I could. Many bikes and many miles, I've never been as excited about a new bike as that first moment.
In 1980 my brother bought a brand new red Honda CB125S and that is the motorcycle he taught me to ride on, I was 14 at the time.
Besides our escapades riding together, when I turned 16 he let me take it out for many adventures by myself. Great little bike with great memories.
I smiled at this as I had a 1975 Honda 125S with the drum brake on the front back in 1979! This was my very first bike at age 18 and my long term love affair with motorcycles to this day!
When I first got into motorcycles at 16 years old,1974, this is what they looked like. Beautiful.
Hi from England I past my motorcycle test on this bike way back in 1982 still riding at 65 my current bike for the last 18 years is a Yamahafz1n it still gives me a hard on every time I ride it 😎
This video hits the nail on the head. I really yearn for a retro style 125 or 150. We had a CB 125 when I was a kid. And a CB 350 as well. I was small enough that I was on an XR 75. My bro road the 125. I would kill for one today.
I agree with you. Lots of great, light, low cost bikes around in those days. I had a 1979 Kawasaki KE100 that was great to ride.
Honda needs to keep up bringing more of their cheaper bikes to the US, bring back the "you meet the nicest people on a Honda" campaign, and air commercials during football games (especially the super bowl). Promise you that it is a winning combination for them to skyrocket sales in the US.
Oh and I just bought your book for my son!😁
I have a 1976 CB125 Honda ( in the guise of a rat-rod cafe racer ) parked next to my Kawasaki Vulcan at present ! Look forward to the CB450 vid as I owned one for many years ( in the form of a very radical 500cc chopper) back in the '70's.
Please please please make a video on the CB450. I have a K4 and it’s an absolute riot to ride. Bananas when you want it, yet docile when scooting around town.
I really enjoy your videos. Great storytelling and great research!
Hey, my friend , My first motorcycle was a 1977 Honda CB125 S! Not fast, but would start 1 kick every time!!😀👌👍✌
I couldn’t agree more with your sentiments re: bringing to market a retro CB125. My first ever introduction to riding was a CB100N and I just loved that bike and have been mourning selling it even now 40 yrs on!
Great upload, hopefully Honda are listening…?
I could not agree more. In 2016, after not riding motorcycles for some 40+ years, I bought a 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 2000. Yep...first motorcycle in 40 years was a 2000cc monster that weighed 850lbs and had more torque than any bike should be allowed. I rode Mo'Dean for about 3 years, but decided to sell her 'cause she was just simply too much bike. About a month ago, almost 5 years after selling the Kawasaki, I purchased a Vespa GTS 300. Yeah, I know -- it's a scooter. But it's FUN to ride around town, FUN to ride on backroads, and FUN to field questions from folks when I stop to park. And more often than not, those folks are flat-out grinning. I'd LOVE a Honda CB125S made in 2024. Are you listening out there, Honda?
I was (about) 12 years old when I would ride my cousin's Honda CB 100. I thought that was a real street bike back then. When I rode it, I thought I was "King 💩!" Man... good times. 👍
Honda's thought process worked. I still ride today (highway cruiser & dual sport).
I Literally startet crying when you told us about the Kids Book. Thank you so much. Thats what we Need to keep motorcycle enthusiasm alive
Please, *_definitely_* do a vid on the *CB450* (or CL scrambler)! To me, the engine makes the biggest motorcycle statement ever. Just so "muscular-looking," even if the whole package may have been more mundane. ;)
Its coming!
Many roads other than the main roads in Japan are narrow and convoluted, so unless you are driving long distances on expressways, you don't need a large vehicle or a lot of power.
That's why there are so many light-standard cars sold.
Also, because Japanese people are relatively small, they tend to prefer motorcycles up to 250cc class.
Also, in Japan, Honda's Hunter Cub (CT125) and CROSS CUB 110 are all the rage, and you can see them a lot for people who enjoy customization, as well as for daily transportation, as well as touring.
*It is not possible to drive under 125cc on Japan's expressways and some expressways.
Of the motorcycle sales in Japan in 2022, 75% will be motorcycles of 250cc or less.
The advantage of motorcycles of 125cc or less is that by adding a family bike rider as an option to the voluntary insurance contract you take out for your private regular car, you can get a discount on the insurance premium for motorcycles of 125cc or less.
And this special contract has no limit to the number of units.
Funnily enough those small displacement motorcycles that look like retro bikes or are just pure simple motorcycles with 125 - 200cc engines exist all over the place here in Asia, in reality the big bike manufacturers already have those they just choose not to bring it into western markets.
I'm an old rider. 55 plus years on the street and still riding . I may be remembering wrong, but I think the CB 125 S was built for riders who had restricted brake horsepower licenses back then. My friend Billy Allen had one and the throttle would only go so far. I remember he took the throttle apart took the pin out so he could turn It wide open.
Correct. In 1975 I was 14 and had a 5BHP limit on my license till 16, then 10, then at 18 no limit.
My dad was a stickler and made me buy a CL70 which was about 5hp. Several friends had CB125s and cops didn't write them up as it was still seen by them as a small bike.
The CB125 12hp motor and 5hp brakes.
I rode a restored one in 2018. The brakes reminded me of two blocks of wood on a wagon wheel...but the motor was peppy for a 200lb bike. At one downhill intersection I almost considered dragging my feet to stop it.
You get used to proper brakes and then ride this.
My first bike was a Honda 1973 CB125S. Mine had the drum brake though, not the mechanical disk. It was a great little workhorse until a drunk driver put an end to it and quite nearly me too.
Wonderful memories, my first bike a cb 50, then as 18 year old , a cb 400 four ( in one). Fantastic quality.👍👍👍👍
14:27 That idea already exists, although only in India and Japan... The GB350.
The GB came out in the late 80's or early 90's as a 500. By all accounts they were a genuine 100mph bike but didn't sell well as it was smack bang in the middle of the horsepower/top speed wars. Later they were re released as a 400 and now the 350. I wonder why they've scaled them down? They're a good looking bike.
@@davidbrayshaw3529 Most def, I'm a sucker for a Clubman. But I don't understand why are they downscaling so much, I guess it'd be just for emissions or some crap. The good news though is that we're getting the 400SF back and now with e-clutch, but chances are is not gonna leave Japan any time soon.
Looking forward to your CB450 video! It was my first motorcycle, n still have and love it! I bought a 1969 Honda CL125A, a couple of years ago n taught my Son how to ride! Thank you for your content, I always love watching your videos! Keep them coming!
We had a 125cc learner law here in the UK in the '80s so my first bike in 1980 was a '78 CG125. Single cylinder pushrod. 11HP. I put 50k miles on it for a total of 72k when I sold it and it was still running like a (slightly rattly) clock, just like it always did. Did nowt to it - tyres, oil changes, oil filter cleans, points, chains and sprockets and check the tappets, that was it. All a doddle to do.
I also rode a CB125J while I had the CG. Notably peppier, with a better top speed and it had a rev counter. Not as pretty as a CB125S. A mate had a '73 CB125S that always had gremlins. The OHC 125s would come into the bike breakers where I worked more often with blown motors than the pushrod versions. This was down to not doing oil changes and not cleaning out the centrifugal oil filter. Same with most of the small Hondas, the spinny oil filter was very efficient but if neglected it would silt up with stuff that looked like grey concrete and would prevent oil feed to the cam bearings. The pushrod motors would flog on with just a splash of oil, especially when ridden by old commuters around town. (My CG spent a lot of time with the throttle full open which would make the frame flex in the twisties and turned the downpipe bright blue, but I did filter cleaning and oil changes every 1000 miles). The overhead cam jobbies would go bang if the oil supply got compromised. Being thrashed everywhere didn't help. Over here in the UK you could get a roller bearing cam conversion (Joy Engineering?) but most bikes needing it just got scrapped.
Had a lot of fun on a rival Suzuki GS125. Simple bikes, great fun as a 17 year old with a whole lot of freedom on 2 wheels.
I appreciated the full size of the KE125 vs. the KE100. If someone could bring back the exciting power curve of two-strokes, that would be a winner. Maybe hybrid electric to augment power would make sense with today's batteries.
I have a 2013 Honda cb500f (471cc) that I use everyday to commute. It's got perfect size and power for that. My long haul bike is a V-Strom 650.
There's a motorcycle only released here in Philippines called tmx 155, it's a 155cc ohv it have low grunt torque more noticeable than new 155cc motorcycle here now, it's an amazing motorcycle I'm telling you
Honda and other Japanese motorcycle makers perfectly timed the baby boomer wave, leading to the motorcycle boom in the 1970s. My little CB125 was nothing special even back then. In the university motorcycle parking area, it faded into obscurity next to bigger and more powerful bikes. But it was my freedom machine. It liberated me from the tyranny of public transport and took me everywhere, from university to my part-time job. Sadly, the CB125 was not long for the world. I crashed it in my third year of ownership and sold the salvagable bits to a wrecker. While I can't honestly say I miss the bike, this video has brought back many happy memories I had of growing up in the 70s.
Agree! My current bike is a Suzuki TU250 - most enjoyable and beautiful bike I’ve ever owned. Would have bought a 125 with similar classic styling had it been available.
sym makes a really smart looking 125 in the classic style, literally a slightly upgraded cb125 (they used to build them under license). They were imported sporadically to the states, but you should be able to find one.
This is the kind of bike people should learn to ride well before moving to anything larger.
I did my learner permit riding test on a 100 2 stroke Suzuki. I got my license on a 200cc four stroke Yamaha single. My first bike was an RD 250 (bad choice) and my next bike was a CB 250 (good choice). Start small, you won't regret it. And it is much more fun thrashing a small bike than it is nursing a big bike. I've been licensed for 25 years and my current bike has learner legal performance and is still a heap of fun.
Been riding for over 50yrs, and have owned many bikes large and small. My last bike was a Super Tenere which I owned for 7yrs. A great bike, but it was tall and top heavy with 6gal of gas. I traded it 3mo ago for a Suzuki Burgman 200. It's my 3rd scooter, and I have over 1200mi on it. Max speed around 80mph, but I won't do over 70mph/8000rpm for extended periods. Redline is 9500rpm. Small displacement bikes can do most everything that big bikes can, and they are lighter and get great fuel/mpg. My Burgman gets 74mpg average. Ride safe...
The cb125s in south east Asia is a popular bike and quite well known atleast here in indonesia
Its engine is in production until the early 2000s honda basically just bore it out and stroke up for newer bike series the last of cb125s "descendants " iscalled the cb200 tiger a 200cc naked bike its so similar you can put the 200cc piston and block into a cb125s like a big bore kit and the crank to but you have to dremel the crankcase a littlebit
My first motorcycle was a 1965 Honda C92 (CA92) Benly Touring ("Baby Dream") 125 cc. I rode it from Vermont to Boston weekly in the fall of my first year in college. I had no trouble riding at highway speeds although I avoided the interstates. It was a pleasure to ride on the long trips and around town.
I have a 1974 CB125S and love it.
In the Philippines, Honda still sells the TMX 125 BRAND SPANKING NEW. It's a small, fun commuter bike that's designed to cater the local tricycle market. It's practically a CG 125 with slightly different gear ratios for better low-end power because tricycles here are used to carry livestock and agricultural products.
Beautiful video showcasing Honda's small CC bikes. Goes to show that bigger and more powerful doesn't necessarily mean better.
I love your content, as a neurodivergent rider, I'm very thankful that your videos are low stim, not only that, but you drop a heap of knowledge that you don't see in channels like yammie or fort. I'm a Honda lover myself and just love your video. New sub, thank you for the content, dude.
I got my first traffic ticket (riding without a license) on my blue, CB125S when I took it to register for my junior year of high school in 1984.
Here in the UK, we bought my then girlfriend an OHV CG125 as her first motorbike. She loved it to bits, at least until she passed her test.
Then she took over our CB250RS.
I got my own back by tidying up and selling the 125 and replacing it with a CB400F.
The 350 fours were never imported into the UK, but the 400 version has become a cult classic here. I can see why, but it was very quickly outclassed by a crop of later 550 fours, including the Yamaha XJ550 that I once owned.
In my opinion, the twin cylinder CB400T was also a better bike but it never became a cult classic like the CB400F.
My father told me about his original bike he owned, it was a first year model Honda CB550. He said it was a great bike when it would stay in tune. But the early version had a problem with the aluminum the head was made out of. The composition was too soft and the cam shafts wore out their mating surface so the valves were always out of adjustment. He said his bike was in the shop getting its' valves readjusted more than he was out riding it so he traded it in and got a CX500 when that model came out.
@@Slane583 That sounds unfortunate. The Honda's that I have ridden have all had pretty reliable engines, at least if oil was present and properly circulating.
@derekp2674 Some of the first model year Honda's were known for having issues in the beginning but they were usually worked out by the next year's model. Even the early model CX500's were known for having defective timing chain guides.
That problem was resolved with the next production year. But for anyone with an early model bike all they had to do was get the timing chain guides replaced under warranty.
If there ever is a problem Honda seems to be very good at catching it before it's too late. Then offering the fix under warranty. :)
Bart, you're gonna have me driving to every state in the lower 48 trying to collect all the little bikes you make me want.
There's just something so satisfying about flying down the road knowing one lil piston is in there doing all this work
Look at the popularity of the Chinese Hawk motorcycle. We bought one 4 years ago for my sons to learn on. It's a fun little bike, 14 horsepower of it.
I borrowed a CB125 for a week while my bike was serviced, back in the 1980s. Compression was close to zero, and it must have had countless owners, but the remarkable fact was it still ran.
I have cbr 125 2011 model .Never sold in the states ,enjoy it very much .Speed isn’t the only thing when riding.😉
I've just recently bought a 1993 Yamaha SRV250, a tiny little pipe frame V-twin. Between that and my 2015 Honda Cross Cub, the big bikes in the shed barely get used anymore! There is definitely something about small bikes that defies description. Every time I take one of them out I still feel that nostalgia of the good times when I was young and first started riding motorcycles and having the absolute time of my life!
My 1st bike was a 1976 Honda XL100 ($700 msrp) at 15yrs old, that was the biggest bike you could get licensed for at that age at least in Texas anyway, when you turned 16 you could ride anything though. Those were the good old days, we had a whole gang of us in our school riding 100cc's, I think every town did! Just checked the laws and at 15 years of age you can now ride up to a 250cc in Texas.
In New Zealand new CB125f is an awesome back street bike. Max speed is 100kph (62) Motorways other roads max 80kph