CG125 lineage 1976-2008
32 years effectively unchanged
The CG125 was on continuous UK sale from 1976 to 2008 — 32 years of fundamentally the same air-cooled OHV engine, same chassis architecture, same role. Replaced by CBF125 (2009-2014) and CB125F (2015-on). Honda's modern A1 motorcycle is a direct descendant of a 1970s commuter.
Cheapest A1 motorcycle on UK sale
£2,899 in 2026
CB125F at £2,899 is the cheapest A1-licence motorcycle on UK sale — undercutting Yamaha YBR125 (discontinued), Suzuki GSX-S125 (£4,799 — way more), Honda CB125R (£4,399). Cheaper than Honda's own PCX125 scooter (£3,499). For a learner who wants a 'real' motorcycle on a tight budget, this is the entry point.
188mpg WMTC fuel economy claim
Class-leading + believable
Honda quotes 188mpg WMTC for the CB125F. Real-world owners report 130-160mpg in mixed riding. 11L tank gives 350-450 mile theoretical range, 250-350 mile real range. Most fuel-efficient motorcycle on UK sale by a comfortable margin (PCX125 ~135mpg, CG125 ~80mpg).
Air-cooled architecture in 2026
Honda's commercial discipline
CB125F remains air-cooled in 2026 — when nearly every rival (PCX125, NMAX 125, MT-125, Duke 125, CB125R) is liquid-cooled. Reasons: lower cost, lower maintenance, simpler engine, cheaper to manufacture and ship. Trade-off: less power per cc, slightly higher heat soak in traffic. Honda chose simplicity over modernity.
Why the CB125F survives
DSA / CBT fleet workhorse
The CB125F is the backbone of UK CBT (Compulsory Basic Training) fleets at training schools. ~70-80% of UK CBT students take their first lesson on a CB125F or its CG/CBF ancestors. Reasons: cheap to buy, near-bulletproof, manual gearbox teaches gear-change skills, low seat (790mm). Most UK riders' first 125cc experience is on this bike.
Real cost of ownership
~£500/year
Insurance group 5 (lowest). UK fully-comp ~£150-£200 for a 30+ rider. 150mpg real-world. Service intervals 5,000 miles, Honda dealer prices ~£90-£120. Realistic annual cost (insurance + tax + service + tyres + fuel for 4,000 miles): ~£500-£600. Cheapest motorcycle to run in the UK.
Manual gearbox vs CVT
Skill-builder
CB125F has a 5-speed manual gearbox with foot-clutch — same fundamental setup as a Fireblade or R 1300 GS. PCX125 / NMAX 125 use CVT (no clutch, no gear-shifting). For a new rider planning to upgrade to bigger bikes, the CB125F builds the gear-change muscle memory that scooter owners have to learn later. Strong argument for first-bike buyers.
Naming evolution
CG → CBF → CB125F
Naming history: CG125 (1976-2008) → CBF125 (2009-2014) → CB125F (2015-on). The 'CB' prefix in 2015 signalled positioning closer to the CB-series naked sportbikes (CB650R, CB1000R) — same family aesthetic. The motorcycle itself has remained essentially the same commuter, just better-styled. Marketing > engineering.
