Honda CBR125R 2011
Since its introduction to the Canadian market in 2007, Honda’s CBR125R has proven fashionable, each as a primary trip among novice riders and as a second runabout machine amongst those with more experience. It was a machine that was long overdue, as market traits showed that ageing child boomers - a sector of society that had been heavily solicited by the motorbike industry - began an exodus from the sport in recent times in pursuit of other, maybe much less exciting interests.
The business needed newer, youthful blood, and the cheap, approachable CBR125R succeeded in drawing the eye of people that would not otherwise have thought-about a motorcycle. It even introduced a brand new generation of young racers by means of the CBR125R Challenge, a spec road racing collection open to riders aged thirteen and up.
Except for totally different shade variations between mannequin years, the bike has achieved comparatively effectively within the showroom without any changes. However with CBR125R sales flattening, it was time to rejuvenate the tiny sport bike, so for 2011 it got an important facelift.
The most obvious change is within the bodywork, which now carefully resembles the new CBR250R (itself taking styling cues from the VFR1200F). Though its bodywork appears an identical to the 250’s, its in reality unique to the 125. This is largely as a result of beneath the plastic is a steel, pentagonal-section twin-spar frame, as opposed to the tubular-metal twin-spar body on the 250.
Additionally new is a one-piece exhaust with an angular, CBR1000RR-reproduction muffler, which incorporates a catalytic converter. Like on the CBR250R, the one hundred twenty five’s muffler contains a protecting cover that’s less expensive to interchange in a tip-over than the entire system.
Though the body is unchanged, numerous other significant tweaks have been made to the chassis. These embrace a lengthened swingarm that stretches
wheelbase from 50.9 to 51.7 inches, and a move to wider 17-inch wheels, up from 1.eighty five and 2.15 inches entrance and rear to 2.5 and 3.5 inches, respectively. The broader wheels mount wider tires, going from an 80/ninety-17 and 100/80-17 front and rear to one hundred/80-17 and a hundred thirty/70-17 rubber. Suspension journey has also elevated from 4.three and 4.7 inches front and rear to 4.7 and 5 inches, respectively.
The above-mentioned modifications have remodeled the littlest CBR from a toy-like novelty to a real-bike-like riding tool. The longer wheelbase allows for more roomy ergonomics, and the wider tires have eliminated the earlier bike’s tendency to fall into turns, whereas growing stability and grip.
We had the opportunity to trip the bike at Georgia’s Roebling Road raceway, and it did certainly really feel much more like an actual motorcycle than its predecessor. Handling was rather more impartial and planted, and it was easier to maneuver around on the bike thanks to the improved ergos. The bike nonetheless feels smallish, even when compared to the CBR250R, however it exudes a way more substantial presence than before.
A part of the bike’s extra substantial really feel derives from its increased weight. In some way, it has gained 21 lbs, now tipping the scales at 302 lbs moist, though about 5 pounds could be attributed to the extra gas the 2011 model carries, as its gas tank has grown from 2.6 to 3.4 gallons. One other change that will enchantment to those who perform their own upkeep is that the gasoline filter has been moved from contained in the fuel tank to outside.
Its 125cc liquid-cooled, two-valve Single is unchanged, although EFI mapping has been revised for improved bottom-end response. Two enamel have additionally been added to the rear sprocket to shorten the overall gearing for higher acceleration, although the shorter gearing is countered by a 21mm taller rear tire.
Regardless of these adjustments, a CBR125R rider will still hit the throttle-cease mo
re typically than not, as its claimed thirteen horsepower at 10,000 rpm is just enough to maintain the machine flowing with city traffic. Doing my best to tuck every inch of my winter-plumped physique out of the windblast, I did see 74 mph on Roebling’s entrance straight.
The adjustments to the bike have been deemed by CBR125R Challenge organizers to offer an unfair benefit at the racetrack over the previous model and it will not be eligible to compete within the collection this coming season.
On the positive aspect for street riders, fuel consumption is claimed to have improved by seven to eight percent, which when mixed with the bigger gas tank, supplies a theoretical cruising range of about 335 miles.
The good news for our northern neighbors is that despite all the adjustments, the 2011 Honda CBR125R lists for $3,499 (CDN), $a hundred lower than the earlier model. The dangerous information is that itll most likely compete with Honda’s own CBR250R, which lists for $4,499 without ABS and is a way more versatile motorcycle.
Of course, when considering that the majority riders which might be interested in the CBR125R are most likely just out of high school and working a summer job to pay for additional studies, $1,000 dollars can go a great distance, not to mention the money saved insuring the bike, which falls into the least costly premium bracket.
One curious remark made by Honda Canada’s staff throughout a special presentation they hosted to introduce the CBR250R to current 125R owners was that they have been extra interested within the updated 125R than the 250R. This was attributed to the 125R attaining a kind of cult following amongst owners who had a passing curiosity in motorcycles before it came alongside, and had been nudged into making the 2-wheeled leap by the bike’s simplicity, low value, ease of operation and unintimidating presence. It’s believed that these riders are usually not more likely to trade as much as one thing greater or sooner, but they might commerce up to a flashier 125R.
How nicely the brand new CBR125R does is yet to be seen, but one factor is definite, it has carved its niche in the motorcycling world, or at the least the one north of the border.
The business needed newer, youthful blood, and the cheap, approachable CBR125R succeeded in drawing the eye of people that would not otherwise have thought-about a motorcycle. It even introduced a brand new generation of young racers by means of the CBR125R Challenge, a spec road racing collection open to riders aged thirteen and up.
Except for totally different shade variations between mannequin years, the bike has achieved comparatively effectively within the showroom without any changes. However with CBR125R sales flattening, it was time to rejuvenate the tiny sport bike, so for 2011 it got an important facelift.
The most obvious change is within the bodywork, which now carefully resembles the new CBR250R (itself taking styling cues from the VFR1200F). Though its bodywork appears an identical to the 250’s, its in reality unique to the 125. This is largely as a result of beneath the plastic is a steel, pentagonal-section twin-spar frame, as opposed to the tubular-metal twin-spar body on the 250.
Additionally new is a one-piece exhaust with an angular, CBR1000RR-reproduction muffler, which incorporates a catalytic converter. Like on the CBR250R, the one hundred twenty five’s muffler contains a protecting cover that’s less expensive to interchange in a tip-over than the entire system.
Though the body is unchanged, numerous other significant tweaks have been made to the chassis. These embrace a lengthened swingarm that stretches
wheelbase from 50.9 to 51.7 inches, and a move to wider 17-inch wheels, up from 1.eighty five and 2.15 inches entrance and rear to 2.5 and 3.5 inches, respectively. The broader wheels mount wider tires, going from an 80/ninety-17 and 100/80-17 front and rear to one hundred/80-17 and a hundred thirty/70-17 rubber. Suspension journey has also elevated from 4.three and 4.7 inches front and rear to 4.7 and 5 inches, respectively.
The above-mentioned modifications have remodeled the littlest CBR from a toy-like novelty to a real-bike-like riding tool. The longer wheelbase allows for more roomy ergonomics, and the wider tires have eliminated the earlier bike’s tendency to fall into turns, whereas growing stability and grip.
We had the opportunity to trip the bike at Georgia’s Roebling Road raceway, and it did certainly really feel much more like an actual motorcycle than its predecessor. Handling was rather more impartial and planted, and it was easier to maneuver around on the bike thanks to the improved ergos. The bike nonetheless feels smallish, even when compared to the CBR250R, however it exudes a way more substantial presence than before.
A part of the bike’s extra substantial really feel derives from its increased weight. In some way, it has gained 21 lbs, now tipping the scales at 302 lbs moist, though about 5 pounds could be attributed to the extra gas the 2011 model carries, as its gas tank has grown from 2.6 to 3.4 gallons. One other change that will enchantment to those who perform their own upkeep is that the gasoline filter has been moved from contained in the fuel tank to outside.
Its 125cc liquid-cooled, two-valve Single is unchanged, although EFI mapping has been revised for improved bottom-end response. Two enamel have additionally been added to the rear sprocket to shorten the overall gearing for higher acceleration, although the shorter gearing is countered by a 21mm taller rear tire.
Regardless of these adjustments, a CBR125R rider will still hit the throttle-cease mo
re typically than not, as its claimed thirteen horsepower at 10,000 rpm is just enough to maintain the machine flowing with city traffic. Doing my best to tuck every inch of my winter-plumped physique out of the windblast, I did see 74 mph on Roebling’s entrance straight.
The adjustments to the bike have been deemed by CBR125R Challenge organizers to offer an unfair benefit at the racetrack over the previous model and it will not be eligible to compete within the collection this coming season.
On the positive aspect for street riders, fuel consumption is claimed to have improved by seven to eight percent, which when mixed with the bigger gas tank, supplies a theoretical cruising range of about 335 miles.
The good news for our northern neighbors is that despite all the adjustments, the 2011 Honda CBR125R lists for $3,499 (CDN), $a hundred lower than the earlier model. The dangerous information is that itll most likely compete with Honda’s own CBR250R, which lists for $4,499 without ABS and is a way more versatile motorcycle.
Of course, when considering that the majority riders which might be interested in the CBR125R are most likely just out of high school and working a summer job to pay for additional studies, $1,000 dollars can go a great distance, not to mention the money saved insuring the bike, which falls into the least costly premium bracket.
One curious remark made by Honda Canada’s staff throughout a special presentation they hosted to introduce the CBR250R to current 125R owners was that they have been extra interested within the updated 125R than the 250R. This was attributed to the 125R attaining a kind of cult following amongst owners who had a passing curiosity in motorcycles before it came alongside, and had been nudged into making the 2-wheeled leap by the bike’s simplicity, low value, ease of operation and unintimidating presence. It’s believed that these riders are usually not more likely to trade as much as one thing greater or sooner, but they might commerce up to a flashier 125R.
How nicely the brand new CBR125R does is yet to be seen, but one factor is definite, it has carved its niche in the motorcycling world, or at the least the one north of the border.