Things I Hate About My 2023 Honda CB125F - Honest Review

As I done a Things I Love About My CB125F - I thought it was only fair to show the (very little) negatives about it! Hard to find stuff wrong with a bike that just about does everything so right.

Drop a comment on what you think about the CB125F and if you've got one yourself!

Trying to get a new video out once a week, Tuesday 6pm seems my current uploading schedule, but this could change! Would love to upload twice a week 😁.

Follow along as I go from Beginner Rider passing my CBT to getting that full bike license! Videos in between will be me getting more confident on the bike and getting out to explore my local area.

My Kit:
📹 GoPro Hero 8 Black Edition with Media Mod
📹 GoPro Hero 7 Black Edition
🎤 Purple Panda Microphone for GoPro

You'll love my channel if you are looking for the following content: How To Ride A Motorcycle For Beginners / Honda CB125F / Honda CB125R / Yamaha XSR 125 / Yamaha MT 125 / Kawasaki Ninja 125 / Ninja 125 / Yamaha R125 / Honda PCX 125/ 125cc Motorcycle / Lexmoto LXR 125 / Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 / Keeway V Cruise 125 / Sinnis Terrain 125 / Honda CBF 125 / Benelli BN 125 / Honda CB125F Review / Honda CB125F 2023 / CBT Test 125cc / Highway Code For CBT / CBT Test UK / CBT Test 50cc Moped / First Solo Motorcycle Ride / Mod 1 Motorcycle Test / CBT Motorcycle Training / Best 125cc Motorbike UK

[NicksBikes]

The front indicators honestly aren't that bright even at night time and if a rider finds themselves distracted by something shiny then they've got bigger problems to worry about! The mirrors don't bother me so much. I have to move my arm to see as well, but so what? A mirror check is followed by a head check which is putting my chin on my shoulder to see what my mirrors can't - that's why it's called a blind spot! Once you get used to doing head checks, moving your arms to see in the mirror becomes second nature and you can incorporate it into a single movement.

[Steve_Greening]

Iv bought a new cb125f back in September, put over 4000 miles on her after passing my CBT in June, loving every journey! The only thing I hate is that lack of bite from the rear brake, but it’s not an issue, Iv fitted a top box, handle bar muffs and Oxford mirror arm extensions, solved the minor issues I had with her! Great video, keep enjoying riding 👍

[carlfielding]

Am 33 buddy and just passed my CBT. Was using YouTube to find a beginner friendly bike and your videos have helped me pick! Love the enthusiasm, subscribed!

[stevebarnett-fo]

Just got one of these, it will be my last bike, getting old. Big enough to be comfy, well made, very cheap to run, and a lot cheaper than a 125 scooter to insure.

[Jvpt]

Hoping to get it next year, the great cb125f. Finished my economics degree this year, ready to work for my first bike

[florme]

Hi Leon, I’ve been enjoying your vids. Thank you. I have 25 years of riding bikes and it’s a huge part of my life. I own more bikes than I should.

I purchased a white cb125f in 2022 because here in Australia it was the cheapest brand new bike I had ever come across, and so as a self proclaimed motorcycle enthusiasts I wanted to experience it for exactly that reason. My plan was to buy and then sell it after having it for a few months.

I still have it, I even went and bought another red one. Reason was they are cheap and I originally wanted the red. But also is due to how comfortable it is, how good it is for lane filtering, amazing on fuel, incredible buy in price, rego, insurance, consumables and great led light for driving in the dark. I started to ride it everyday to and from work.

To keep km down I used my white for light rainy days and my red for clear days. It also helped with silly things like I don’t need to service them as often and when I was low on petrol I’d just grab the other one if in a rush. Out of 60 odd bikes that I’ve owned, these bikes are the ones I can’t do without and the ones I have gravitate towards. I adore them for what they are. I’m 43 now and I actually enjoy slowing down and feel more apart of the journey - seeing more, smelling more, hearing more. Don’t get me wrong I have to give the bike all it’s got to not be a nuisance to everybody else on the road. But that is fun. Everyday day is an adventure on it and super engaging.

Other little things that have made it great for me is the centre stand (as standard). Not too loud but not too quiet exhaust. Super light weight so I can man handle it. The way it starts, making it super easy to clutch start it. In Australia we get a chain plastic cover which is great to keep grime off it. You rarely need to use the brake going around corners due to how nimble it is helping you keep momentum.

The only negative is the lack of tie down points. The cost of adding a top box for such a cheap bike here in Australia is ridiculous. I simply use a back pack more to keep the budget bike at the price point it was intended for.

Travelling to places like Thailand, Bali, Egypt, Morocco etc I originally came across this style of bike which was a factor of wanting to try it. They are absolute workhorses over there. They need nothing more to get on with their daily life’s. Which in a way humbles me and makes me enjoy it even more. Granted I won’t be putting my family of 5, or strap a goat on to it. I do still have a van for all that, but rarely gets used.

[thepandaman]

I miss mine! I went from big bike back down to the CB125f for commuting, then back up to a CB500X. Don't get me wrong, I love the CB500X, and it'll do 200+ miles in a lot more comfort than the 125 used to, but I miss working the little engine and having to be on point with gear changes, and all the servicing was nice and simple to do at home with just a couple of fairing panels and the single cylinder. Tyres easy enough to mount on the rims.

Really makes me want to get another 2nd hand 125.

[kimetogo]

Nice video, Can't say I've hated anything about any of my motorbikes. No bike will be perfect for everyone. Just have to adapt to the things which don't match with your expectations. Always looking on the positive side of life. Thanks for sharing.

[kosta]

The rev counter thing... I learnt to live without it, but it's nice to have regardless.

A workaround would be one of those inductive tachos they sell for stationary engines. Was about 10 quid off the scamazon. Weatherproof and everything. Another 15 quid bought a phone mount to attach it securely.

Once it's in place, all you do is wind the sense wire around the lead that goes to your spark plug. 5 turns should be enough.

It's not as nice as a proper rev counter, but it'll give you a good number.

[richardmcgrath]

I'm an older rider who has only just attained a learner license and can't believe how cheap the Honda CB125F is here in NZ. I started with a Suzuki UZ50 scooter before I got my learner license, then bought a Suzuki UK110 scooter. The CB125F is slightly cheaper than the UK110, though power to weight on the UK110 is very good. They are both about NZD3500. Incredible value for money, considering the Honda CT125 ('postie bike') is about NZD7000. Edit: I think the points in favour of this bike vastly outweigh the relatively minor niggles. I am now looking at purchasing one.

[MrVinceq]

Nice Video Leon, Cheers. I love the fact you were struggling to find things to put in this category ! I love mine to bits (hopefully not literally). Quick note on the ECO light...It can be switched off in the in the settings if needs be. :-)

[derbyshireruralrider]

The negative you mention ie lack of power, no rev counter or usb are reflected in the cost of this model when you think that some 125s cost around same price as a 300. Mirror problem can be solved with mirror extenders for about £25

[StoicriderX]

I hear what your saying about the wing mirrors, one is shitter than other.
Something else I’m not a fan of is the choppy ride on fairly rough roads, suspension isn’t great.
Also having to run through all the gears almost straight away as each gear only has a tiny range.
Other than that I love the ol girl ❤️

[martyncollins]

This is a 20 minute video that you could have done in 5 mins. Get to the point

[N]

Pleased you like the riding. Hopefully many, many years more of it for ya.... now onto the Direct Access and get yourself comfortable on a bigger machine. 500/600/700... all they are is a little bigger and more comfortable - and they can get you out of trouble. Wish you many safe miles.

[imklix]

Hi Leon! I’m currently looking at getting a CB125F myself as a replacement for my CPI SUV 125 as it’s quiet literally fallen apart under me 😅 I’ve watched plenty of videos and all of them have very similar views to ours which concludes my thoughts on the matter! I’ve heard from plenty of people that Hondas are reliable and I really hope they are as all I’ve done with this CPI is tinker and fix, having it almost 2 years now I’ve only done 1850 miles on it since basically new at purchase, it’s been sat in my drive for majority of the time, I cannot wait to get back on the road on one of these!!! Really looking forward to it! Great video by the way! Subscribed to follow your journey 😊

[kevinbourke]

Ok, read the title of your video - 'Things I hate' etc etc. - watched & listened to your comments.
Now then the word Hate is a 'heavy' word to use.
Your complaints do not add up IMHO.
a tacho/rev counter is not a vital item, you changed gears at about the right amount of RPM's and as for acceleration, my experience with this bike - get it into 3rd quick smart, open it up with a 'solid' twist of the throttle, you'll have no probs keeping up with traffic, can ring it out to 75 kms/hr before selecting 4th gear.
Wing mirrors ? Do you by chance wear a 'puffer' jacket ?
I personally don't have this prob. of not seeing in the wing mirrors. But then we don't experience the weather that you have to deal with. (I live in Melbourne Australia)
Green eco light ? Simply turn it off if it annoys you.
It's a great bike, it's a Honda !
That little engine does a bloody marvellous job. ❤ love your Honda.

[MariusGarage]

I got a Brixton Cromwell 125 and it's much better than the Cb125f... 2 disk brakes with cbs...the engine is an Honda derivate, max speed 105kmh, nice acceleration, rpm indicator, led lights, bigger tires, better style modern Classic, cheaper than the Honda 😊 The white color of your bike is the best seen on this model...

[valvegeek]

Greetings - tuck elbows in to use mirrors - I think that's very common on a lot of bikes. All mine have been like that to some extent or other. I just move the elbows. Job done. Some people have gone to extraordinary lengths and expense to 'cure' it, changing to bar end mirrors etc., thinking they'll be better (which I don't like, but that's just me), instead of just moving their arms. You'll be glad if at night there's bright headlights behind you, and you can use your elbows to block it. My car has electric mirrors, so if I'm night driving I often turn them out slightly, so that any bright headlights behind me are not right in my eyes. Sure it means I'll have to move my head a bit to see in the mirrors, but not a massive inconvenience. 😁

[IBmusic_vector]

Привет! Чтобы пальцы рук не мерзли, можно установить щитки на руль - защиту рук - такие лепестки перед ручками руля - они защитят от ветра кисти рук и будет удобнее, а еще подогрев рук установить и сиденья. и usb-выход сделать для подогрева куртки.