Honda CLR 125 CITYFLY 2001 — Specifications

What was Honda thinking when they crossed a trail bike, a scrambler, and a utility scooter in a 124 cc shaker? The Honda CLR 125 CityFly, which appeared at the turn of the 2000s, attempts a singular gamble: offering a machine built exclusively for urban tarmac, with an adventurous look that fools no one. On paper, the concept has charm. In the saddle, reality is more nuanced.

The single-cylinder four-stroke delivers 11 horsepower at 8,250 rpm and 10.2 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. Let's not kid ourselves: that's the bare minimum. In the city, this power is enough to weave through traffic with a certain ease. The five-speed gearbox proves smooth, the engine runs sweetly in the mid-range, and fuel consumption remains frugal thanks to the small 56.5 mm bore and a modest 9.2:1 compression ratio. The 12-liter tank provides comfortable range for daily use. But as soon as you venture onto a dual carriageway, the Honda CLR 125 CityFly quickly shows its limits. Top speed caps out around 105 km/h, optimistic speedometer included. Overtaking a truck on a main road is more of a leap of faith than a calm maneuver. This little single simply doesn't have the lungs to play outside its home turf.

Where the CityFly redeems itself is the chassis. Its steel tubular single-cradle frame carries a coherent package: a 37 mm telehydraulic fork with 162 mm of travel up front, and a mono-shock offering 128 mm at the rear. Braking pairs a 240 mm disc with a twin-piston caliper at the front and a 110 mm drum at the back. Nothing sporty, but effectiveness is there for urban use. The 90/90-19 front and 110/90-17 rear tires, mounted trail-style, contribute to reassuring road holding over cobblestones and manhole covers. At 128 kg wet, the machine handles effortlessly in traffic jams. The 815 mm seat height remains accessible to most riders, even if shorter ones will have to tiptoe.

A test ride of the Honda CLR 125 CityFly reveals an endearing motorcycle in its element, but frankly limited as soon as you step outside it. The mirrors, for example, offer too narrow a field of vision to inspire confidence on high-traffic roads. It's the kind of detail that gets annoying on a daily basis. On the other hand, the standard electric starter and integrated luggage rack show that Honda designed this machine as a practical tool above all. Up against a Yamaha DT 125 RE or a Suzuki DR 125 SE from the same era, the CityFly plays a different card: less adventurous, more civilized, resolutely aimed at the pavement.

For anyone looking for a used Honda CLR 125 CityFly today, the entry price remains modest. When new, it was listed at 3,047 euros, a reasonable price for a well-finished Japanese bike. The overall verdict can be summed up simply: it's an excellent first motorcycle for an A1 license holder or a city dweller who wants a reliable, economical, and easy-going two-wheeler, without ever claiming to go chase the horizon. The Honda CLR 125 CityFly promises nothing it can't deliver. And in the world of motorcycles, that's already a rare quality.