I purchased a Honda CBR125R (JC34) model year 2005 in 2008 as a compromise due to parking restrictions. As I explored more of what the motorcycle could do, however, my view of it changed. I no longer own it, but the impressions I wrote in 2013 remain valid, so I am reposting them with revised wording.
Minimalist Road Sport
Switching to the CBR125R from a conventional cradle-frame motorcycle is a startling experience, thanks to its vivid ride quality. The motorcycle reacts keenly to the slightest body input and transmits road surface conditions with stark clarity. Even a short ride around the neighborhood feels like an adrenaline rush.
Both the frame and suspension are stiff. The rear shock, in particular, hardly compresses when I straddle it, despite my body weight of just over 60 kg. If I maintain speed over rough pavement while seated, the continuous vertical jolts can be severe enough to destabilize my vision. Incidentally, the small fairing shows no tendency to flutter.
The engine response is poor at low engine speeds, but it sharpens up in the upper range, where the engine sounds clean and higher-pitched. To ride with any spirit, I need to keep the engine speed between 8,000 and 10,000 RPM. Consequently, the rubber on the shifter-side footpeg wears down rapidly.
There is nothing noteworthy to report about braking power. However, combined with the motorcycle’s lightness and its sturdy, unflappable robustness, braking feels approachable and stress-free.
I feel relatively good traction when spinning through a tight corner in second gear. It is very fun—and fast—on winding downhill slopes. Rather than driving hard forward, it moves quickly from side to side. It changes direction without exaggerated body movement, responding so immediately to intent that the sensation of lateral movement feels beyond normal human capability.
However, at higher speeds, opening the throttle while banked produces no reaction. In wide, sweeping corners with good visibility, the cornering feels bicycle-like and somewhat unsettling.
The light overall package and the high-pitched, vibration-free engine remind me of the full-size, two-stroke 50 cc sport motorcycles of the 1990s. The sensation of the engine revving up is modest, but it feels as though reliability and usability have been refined and brought into the modern era.
“Super Cub GT”
The CBR125R’s instrumentation is well equipped for its class, including a fuel gauge. Fuel economy is also excellent, around 40 km/L. However, it is not a motorcycle built for comfortable long-distance cruising. The stiff frame and suspension, combined with the lack of reserve power, make it relatively tiring over long periods.
Rather, it is a motorcycle that lets me enter any intriguing side road without hesitation. For example, in the narrow backstreets of pre-automobile towns—where buildings press in close and the streets feel tightly enclosed—the motorcycle’s compact size and gentle exhaust note allow me to enter without feeling intrusive.
On a trip, it feels like having a practical everyday motorcycle right there with me. The engine starts easily and warms up quickly. There is no anxiety when putting a foot down at a stop or when maneuvering it by hand. These traits are especially helpful on tours that involve frequent short segments and dismounts in areas with scattered points of interest.
Conclusion
The CBR125R may not offer a universally broad range of enjoyment, but within its specific scope, the fun is supreme. I use this motorcycle for day trips that link multiple winding roads with elevation changes, as well as for long-distance sightseeing tours a few times a year, using long-distance ferry crossings.
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