The Honda CB125F Is What You Should Be Buying As Your First Motorcycle

Imagine you want a feature-rich Honda bike for learning the basics of riding and commuting around town every day. Your options include the Rebel 300, CB300R, or something from the minimoto range. The 300s have remained the same since forever, while the minimotos are…well…minimotos with their petite constructions.

So it’s likely you’ll end up looking at other brands. But what if we told you there was a Honda bike that is perfect for first-time buyers, has a full-size construction, and boasts a handful of modern-day elements? Before you call us cuckoo, check out the new CB125F below.

The Honda CB125F Looks Simple But Packs Modern Features

From afar, the CB125F is as simple as they come. But dive deeper, and some interesting details come to light. Up top, there’s a multi-element LED headlight, flanked by new radiator and tank shrouds. The radiator shrouds are just design elements, though, as this is an air-cooled machine. Moving on, there’s an LED at the rear, too, along with standard pillion grab rails and even a center stand.

What you’ll dig the most, however, is the cockpit. It’s a 4.2-inch TFT instrument cluster, reminiscent of what we get on bigger Honda bikes here, like the CBR650R and NX500. Not only does the display get a gear position indicator, fuel gauge, and clock, but there’s also smartphone connectivity via the RoadSync application. The latter unlocks smartphone notifications as well as turn-by-turn navigation. You’ll need a minimum 500cc Honda to enjoy these in America in 2025. A USB Type-C port rounds things off.

Honda CB125F Key Features

• LED headlight and tail lamp
• TFT instrument cluster
• Smartphone connectivity
• Turn-by-turn navigation
• USB Type-C port

A Low Weight And Frugal Engine Make The CB125F A Great Commuter

Elsewhere, the CB125F follows the norm you’d expect an entry-level machine to follow. It has a simple 124cc, single-cylinder engine, which has air cooling, fuel injection, and an OHC setup. This enables an output of ~11 horsepower and 8 pound-feet via a five-speed transmission. That’s more than what we generally see in 125cc machines in the US while promising an impeccable 160 miles per gallon.

Moving on, the mill sits inside a tubular steel chassis. This frame suspends on telescopic forks and dual shock absorbers, each attached to 18-inch alloy wheels. Braking is via a single disc brake at the front and a drum brake at the rear. Before you make faces, this seems enough for something that weighs under 260 pounds.

The CB125F Is Cheaper Than The Honda Grom

What makes us drool over the CB125F even more is its international price. It sells for £3,299–around £700 less than the Grom. If the CB were to come here with an identical price difference to the Grom here, we think it could certainly become a go-to for new riders looking for a capable commuter. Let’s not forget, this is an untapped segment in the US, so competition will be really low.

2026 Honda CB125F Key Specifications