Naked // Manual // 2024 // CBT Legal
Honda
CB125F
The world's most economical motorcycle.
Power
10.7 bhp
Weight
117kg
Top Speed
65 mph
From New
£2,899
Profile silhouette
18" front · seat 790 mm
Colour palette
- Pearl Nightstar Black
- Pearl Cool White
- Imperial Red Metallic
Range & economy
The CB125F is the rational choice. Single-cylinder, low maintenance, and the highest claimed fuel economy of any motorcycle Honda has ever sold — over 145 mpg in real-world use. The everyman's commuter.
Who it's for
Pure commuters, budget-conscious learners, and couriers who need a workhorse that just refuses to break.
Pros
- Up to 145 mpg real-world economy
- Cheapest insurance group in the 125 class
- Bulletproof Honda reliability
- Low 790mm seat — fits almost anyone
Cons
- Plasticky finish vs CB125R
- Only 10.7 bhp — slowest in this guide
- Plain styling
Suitability
commuter
7/10
sport
7/10
comfort
6/10
value
9/10
style
6/10
Full Specifications
- Engine
- Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled
- Displacement
- 124cc
- Power
- 10.7 bhp @ 7,500 rpm
- Torque
- 8.3 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm
- Top speed
- 65 mph
- Fuel economy
- 145 mpg
- Fuel capacity
- 11 litres
- Weight
- 117 kg (wet)
- Seat height
- 790 mm
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual
- ABS
- Front-only ABS
- Brakes
- Front: 240mm disc. Rear: 130mm drum.
- Suspension
- Front: telescopic forks. Rear: twin shocks.
- Wheels & tyres
- 18" front, 17" rear, Vee Rubber tyres
- Service interval
- 8,000 miles / 12 months
- Warranty
- 2 years unlimited mileage
- Insurance group
- Group 8
- Available colours
- Pearl Nightstar Black, Pearl Cool White, Imperial Red Metallic
- Price new
- £2,899
- Price used
- £1,800 – £2,500
- CBT legal?
- Yes
- Keepable post-licence?
- No — learners only
True cost of owning a CB125F
Estimates for a 25-year-old with one year of CBT licence holding, riding 4,000 miles a year in Zone 2 London. Adjust for your own circumstances.
insurance
£430 / year (third-party fire & theft, 25 yr old, London)
tax
£25 / year (motorcycles ≤150cc)
mot
£29.65 / year (compulsory from year 3)
fuel
~£182 / year at 4,000 mi (£1.45/L)
service
~£165 / minor service
Day-one essentials
ECE 22.06 full-face helmet
£120 – £400
CE Level 2 armoured jacket
£150 – £350
Disc lock + reminder cable
£35 – £75
Sold Secure Gold chain + ground anchor
£90 – £180
Tail-pack 25L
£75 – £160
All-weather cover + bike socks
£30 – £80
Best for
- Long-distance commuting
- Courier work
- First-bike learners on a budget
Insider trivia
- — Built in Honda's Brazilian factory for the European market.
- — Used by more UK food-delivery couriers than any other 125.
- — Has never had a major reliability recall.
Owner FAQs
- Can I ride the CB125F on a CBT?
- Yes — the Honda CB125F is fully CBT-legal in the UK. With L-plates and a valid DL196 you can ride it for two years before progressing to A1, A2, or full A.
- What licence do I need to take L-plates off the CB125F?
- You need an A1 (17+), A2 (19+) or full A (24+) licence and Module 1 / 2 pass — this 125 itself is restricted to learners.
- Is the CB125F reliable?
- Honda has a 2 years unlimited mileage warranty on the CB125F. Built in Honda's Brazilian factory for the European market.
- What is the real-world range?
- Claimed economy is 145 mpg and the tank is 11 litres, giving a theoretical range of 351 miles. Real-world budget around 80% of that.
- What insurance group is the CB125F?
- Group 8. As a rough guide, a 25-year-old in zone 2 London with no claims pays around £430 per year third-party fire & theft.
- Is the CB125F good for delivery / courier work?
- It's possible, but a scooter like the PCX 125 or SH125i is the standard courier choice. Manual gearboxes slow down stop-start delivery work.
Browse all CBT-legal 125s
Don't have your CBT yet?
You need a valid DL196 certificate before you can legally ride the CB125F on UK roads.
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