Honda CBF125 2017 — Specifications

When it comes to the A1 licence and a tight budget, the question always comes up on the honda cbf125 forum: what is this little Japanese machine really worth against its rivals? The answer comes down to two words: restraint and consistency. Since its origins in 2009, the honda cbf125 has managed to span the generations without compromising itself, and the 2017 version marks a clear step in its stylistic evolution. Honda swept away the nondescript look of the early years to give it the cut of a roadster, clearly inspired by the mid-displacement CBF lineage. The result is a tighter silhouette, stripped of the belly pan and half-fairing, with clean flanks and a unified seat line that give the whole thing a far less schoolboy look than before.

On the mechanical side, things remain firmly in the realm of the sensible. The air-cooled 124.7 cc single-cylinder, with its two valves per cylinder, delivers 10 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 11.2 Nm of torque at 6,250 rpm. These are not figures that set pulses racing, but on a 128 kg machine intended for town and back roads, they are more than adequate. The 5-speed gearbox — answering the recurring question "How many gears does a Honda CBF125 have?" — pairs well with the engine without any particular flair, but without any deal-breaking flaw either. The balancer shaft added during the Euro4 update has noticeably cleaned up the vibrations, a long-standing weakness of this type of engine. The gear position indicator, introduced on this 2017 model year, is a welcome addition for beginners still learning to work the gearbox.

The CBF125's real trump card is its range. With a claimed fuel consumption of 1.95 litres per 100 km and a 13-litre tank, you theoretically get around 650 km between fill-ups. In practice, you comfortably stay well above 500 km, which is remarkable in this category. For a young rider starting to explore country roads, that is a compelling argument. On the subject of top speed, "How fast can a Honda CBF125 go?" is a legitimate question: the manufacturer quotes 110 km/h, which matches reality under good conditions. Not the bike to take on a motorway, but more than sufficient for travelling comfortably on fast A-roads and dual carriageways.

The steel double-cradle diamond frame, 18-inch wheels and 30 mm telescopic fork make up a thorough if unsophisticated package. The rear twin-shock suspension with 3-position preload adjustment gives a decent base for adapting the ride to the load. The single front disc brake with twin-piston caliper does its job, and the standard ABS on this model year is a positive point that direct rivals such as the Yamaha YBR125 or the KTM Duke 125 did not necessarily offer at this price point. With a seat height of 792 mm, the bike remains accessible to the majority of rider builds.

At €2,549, the honda cbf125 positions itself as a serious entry-level option. Maintenance is straightforward and well-documented, with the honda cbf125 service manual pdf readily available for owners who want to handle routine upkeep themselves. That is a tangible advantage over less established brands. The target audience is clearly the novice rider, holding an A1 licence, looking for a reliable, frugal machine with no nasty surprises. It will not win over the track day enthusiast or the seasoned tourer, but for learning to ride in good conditions and using the bike daily in urban or suburban environments, it delivers on its promise with disarming straightforwardness.