Performance that is focused and looks mean and this early-entry motorcycle is a tough cousin of the 2021 Honda CBR125R Sports Motorcycle. Its alloy radiator shroud, hugging sump guard, and the all-black engine make a statement. A modern LCD instrument panel sits on top of a new tubular frame and 41mm upside-down forks that look tough. The new taillight, headlight, and indicators are all LED for more light.
2021 Honda CBR125R Sports Motorcycle – Features and Specs
Feel Free
An excellent machine for people who are just starting. The more you will ride it, the more you will feel confident. The focus is on simplicity, which lets the car’s raw character shine through. The contrast between the metal finish and the underslung exhaust are real eye-catchers. The CB125R is a hit wherever it goes, and it will eagerly take you to the next level of motorcycling…in style.
Eager and Agile
The 124.7cc SOHC 2-valve liquid-cooled engine, tested in the CB125R, has a peak power of 9.8kW at 10,000 rpm and 10.4 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm, which will make you smile from the start. Overall, it feels solid and stable for its size, and with PGM-FI fuel injection, the throttle response is very sharp.
When starting a two-wheeled career, every rider wants the same things from their first motorcycle: an easy-to-ride chassis, an engine that performs well in the real world, and quick handling. Wrap these basics in a unique, stylish design and add many high-end features, and you can have an extraordinary machine to start your career on two wheels.
Honda made the brand-new CB125R in 2017 for new riders who wanted a package like this. The CB125R is the smallest member of Honda’s “Neo Sports Cafe” family. It was released along with the CB300R and the top-of-the-line CB1000R, and it was a bold, high-end addition to Honda’s entry-level machines.
The CB125R is getting a brand-new engine and a significant upgrade to the front suspension for 2021. It will keep it at the top of a competitive field and on the top of the wish lists of many young riders.
The CB125R still has an eye-catching design, but its new DOHC two-valve engine makes 1.2kW more power and 1.2Nm more torque, with better response through the rev range.
And, for the first time on a 125cc motorcycle, 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks come as standard equipment. These are the same forks that come on the 21YM CBR650R and CB650R, but the spring rate and damping have been changed.
Engine
The 2018 CB125R’s SOHC, 2-valve engine was based on the CBR125R and was a powerful one tuned to work well in real-world situations.
For 2021, the CB125R will have its 125cc, DOHC 4V engine with more power and torque: 11.0kW at 10,000rpm and 11.6Nm at 8,000rpm instead of 9.8kW at 10,000rpm and 10Nm at 8,000rpm. With extra power, the top speed goes from 101km/h to 105km/h, taking 11.3s from 0 to 200m. The gearbox will still have six rates.
The engine contains a bore and stroke of 57.3mm x 48.4mm and a compression ratio of 11.3:1. The previous engine had a bore and stroke of 58mm x 47.2mm and a compression ratio of 11:1. With PGM-FI, fuel is injected through a new air cleaner connector tube, resonator, and inlet duct. As before, the exhaust comes from a dual-chamber muffler under the bike.
The engine in the CB125R meets all of the rules for Euro-5.
Chassis
The CB125R is simple because its lattice-style frame is tubular and pressed steel and hasn’t changed for the 21YM update. The cross-section of the steel plate used to make the swing arm is not uniform. Both are made to have high longitudinal rigidity and keep torsion from wheel deflection under control without being too rigid or heavy.
The pressed steel swing arm pivot plates and swingarm give the chassis its main strength. It lets the frame handle with agility, stability, and feedback. The rake and trail are set at 24.2°/90.2mm.
A 51.6% front/48.4% rear weight bias gives the front end a good feel for grip and easy steering. The low wet weight of 129.8kg and the short 1342mm wheelbase also help. The fat bar-style handlebars can be turned by 40°, and the 2.3m turning circle makes it easy to get through city traffic. The seat is 816mm high.
The 41mm Showa Separate Function Big Piston (SFF-BP) USD forks constitute a significant upgrade. It is the first 125cc motorcycle to have them. With a spring mechanism in one fork tube and a pressure separation damper in the other, the drag works well and is lighter. With a more oversized piston, the car has a better feel, can handle bumps better, and is easier to control. The spring preload on the rear mono shock can be changed.
The rest of the running gear stays the same. A 4-piston radial-mount Nissin caliper controls the front 296mm hub less floating disc, while a single-piston caliper holds the rear 220mm disc. ABS change both with two channels. The high-end system uses an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) to control how the ABS works in the front and back of the car based on how the vehicle is moving.
The rear radial tire is 150/60R-17, and the front radial tire is 110/70R-17.
Styling & equipment
The CB125R’s design is unique and hasn’t changed over time. It has the same “Neo Sports Cafe” style as the CB1000R, which is a minimalist retro design with a very modern twist. It gives Honda’s entry-level bikes a more aggressive look. The cutaway tail unit is elementary and holds the rear mudguard mount, which changes from being made of nylon to steel. Aluminum is used for both the rider and passenger foot peg hangers.
A full-function LCD instrument display that is thin (23.5 mm) and light (230 g) shows speed, fuel level, engine rpm, and gear position, with warning lights across the top. Full LED lighting, including indicators, makes the car feel even more high-end and helps bring people together. The headlight has two light bars, the top one for low beams and the bottom one for high beams. The taillight is the thinnest one Honda has ever put on a motorcycle.
Under an angular cover and shrouds is a 10.1L fuel tank with a filler cap that looks like it came from an airplane. In WMTC mode, the CB125R can go over 470 km on a single tank of gas.
2021 Honda CBR125R Sports Motorcycle – Technical Specifications
Engine
| Type | Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 4-valve DOHC single cylinder |
| Engine Displacement (cm³) | 124.9cc |
| No. of Valves per Cylinder | 4 |
| Bore and Stroke (mm) | 57.3mm x 48.4mm |
| Compression Ratio | 11.3:1 |
| Max. Power Output | 11.0kW @ 10,000rpm |
| Max. Torque | 11.6Nm @ 8,000rpm |
| Oil Capacity | 1.5L |
Fuel System
| Carburation | PGM-FI electronic fuel injection |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 10.1L |
| Fuel Consumption | 46.9km/L (WMTC Mode) |
Electrical System
| Starter | Electric |
| Battery Capacity | YTZ6V 12V 5Ah MF |
| ACG Output | 180W/5000rpm |
Drivetrain
| Clutch Type | Wet, multi-plate with coil springs |
| Transmission Type | 6-speed |
| Final Drive | O-ring sealed chain |
Frame
| Type | Inner Pivot Diamond Frame |
Chassis
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 2018mm x 822mm x 1056mm |
| Wheelbase | 1342mm |
| Caster Angle | 24.2° |
| Trail | 90.2mm |
| Seat Height | 816mm |
| Ground Clearance | 140mm |
| Kerb Weight | 129.8kg |
| Turning radius | 2.3m |
Suspension
| Type Front | 41mm (SFF-BP) USD forks |
| Type Rear | Single-damper with preload adjustment |
Wheels
| Rim Size Front | 17M/C x MT3.00 |
| Rim Size Rear | 17M/C x MT4.00 |
| Tires Front | 110/70R17M/C 54H |
| Tyres Rear | 150/60R17M/C 66H |
Brakes
| ABS System Type | Front & rear independent ABS with IMU |
| Type front | 296mm hubless floating disc. Radial-mount Nissin 4-piston caliper |
| Type rear | 220mm single disc, a single-piston caliper |
Instruments & Electrics
| Instruments | LCD Display |
| Headlight | LED |
| Taillight | LED |
