Can You Remember All the 125cc Motorcycles from 70s & 80s ?

A very casual look back at 125cc market in UK from the best retro channel on You Tube for classics 1970s and 1980s motorcycles

[@porkscratchings5428]

Yeah 1980 Suzuki TS50. My first bike, bought it from a s/h dealer in north London, never ridden a bike before, had a back bald tyre, no front brake, no insurance, got it home riding through central London lol. My dad went ballistic, took the bike back and got them to sort it out etc and I got insurance. Loved riding it, stuck a Peco exhaust on it and it went faster by 1 mph. Lol . Brilliant times!

[@moncktonhotmail]

Happy days 😁

[@musoseven8218]

Lovely blast from the past, happier times💜✌️😊👍

[@terraplane49]

I have a CB125RS, which turns 40 on the 27th September. It has a 150 barrel and piston, and has done LEJoG, NC500, and a tour of Wales, all from Hertford. I have had it 6 years, and it is some of the best fun I've ever had. As the wise man said, it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than s fast bike slowly.

[@andysmith2417]

Great nostalgic video,I bought my first "bike" as a 16 year old in 1976 A Yamaha FS1E-DX, then as soon as I was 17 I bought a brand new Yamaha DT 125 Enduro for £425 living in South Wales it was amazing so many hills and mountains to explore,It was light,easy to control and would go anywhere, even through mountain streams, Loved it,did 7500 miles on it before passing my test and upgrading to a Yamaha DT 400 Enduro,then later on to road/sports bikes up to 1000cc from Yamaha,Kawasaki,Suzuki and Honda..but the DT 125 def gave me the most fun, coz it could go anywhere,and the off road riding experienced really helped my on road riding skills,balance ,control and confidence...happy memories...Great video..hope theres many more to check out 😊👍👍👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

Firstly great comment , interesting stuff , thank you yes I have started making a few videos again next one at Christmas, thanks fir your support 👍

[@stevenmontague841]

I was born in the early 60s and remember a lot of those bikes. My journey strarted with a Honda ss50 5 speed in 1978. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Have a good Xmas 🎄 Steven

[@markcoldrick469]

Fantastic vid. Brought back many memories.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Merry Christmas 🤶 very grateful

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

I had a Honda CG125 bought brand new in (I think) 1976 as an economical "get to work & back" ride. The CG was the pushrod version, while the CB was OHC. It did about 110mpg and (after running the engine so the oil was warm) I could do a full service on it, including an oil change in 20 minutes with nothing more than the tools that came with it plus a feeler gauge. A lovely little bike that did exactly what it said on the tin !

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great knowledge and great experience with Honda then Kevin that's why so many still about today 👍

[@AnthonyToth-t5v]

I had one too in 1986 bloody good reliable bike loved it and was bullet proof

[@Kevin-mx1vi]

@@AnthonyToth-t5v Yeah, easy to look after and did everything I asked of it. "Saddlebum" was a literal PITA if I did more than about 70 miles in a single trip, but it was never designed for that anyway. Loved how light and nimble it was in traffic, and it even got me home (1,000 feet up, in a Pennine village) when there was a massive snowstorm while I was at work in the valley bottom. The road to the village was impassable so I got up the hill using paths and trackways through the woods - less snow in the woods and more grip on the rough paths. Couldn't have done it with anything heavier.

[@limpjaffacake]

my first bike was a DT125LC, then upgraded to a DT125R which got stolen out of the shed, then i had a YZ125 with a DTR engine in it which i swapped for an XL125R, great fun and memories riding around all day with my mates

[@moncktonhotmail]

Sorry missed your comment before , sounds great great mix of bikes

[@robertorr5222]

Great video, back in the late 70's you wouldn't touch a MZ or CZ, now 40 odd years later you spend Saturday nites on eBay trying to get hold of one!! How times change! 😄👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

I felt the same back then 😁 nostalgia is a great feeling , merry Xmas 🎄 Robert

[@andrewonmyway8184]

I had Suzuki GS125 S 1983. Small nose fairing. Whole 12hp. 4 stroke. 12V. Light blue. Went all over London with it. Great bike.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Think that told you what gear you where in I could be wrong , first bike I ever seen small capacity with this feature , merry Xmas 🎄

[@scottwheeler1641]

Yes the Suzuki GP125 and GP100 were best selling bikes i think. They seemed to be everywhere. Ive had both, the 100cc seemed to be more common. They were great fun bikes

[@rogerkay8603]

Was my first bike, a GP100, B895 UCK, loved it. Had 30 bikes since but never another Suzuki yet. GSX8S?

[@priestland1]

My first bike, GP100 in 1980 red tank and panels, loved it.

[@thomasscott199]

You beat me to it. Suzuki gp125. I think the frame used to break on them?

[@rogerkay8603]

@@thomasscott199 broke my downtube hump-backed bridge jumping, local shop welded it back up :)

[@waverunner3911]

1985 c reg GP 100 in blue think it cost around 600 pounds I rode that bike for miles

[@jamesmills4931]

.....I used to have an early 70's Yamaha AS 3 , 125cc twin 2 stroke . Spoked wheels , a dark red tank with white strips and an unforgettable sound when accelerating . Nice comfy ride .

[@moncktonhotmail]

Another great bike 😁

[@martinnaylor]

Good old KZbin algorithms brought me to your channel and so glad it did,my first bike was a Yamaha RS100 in 1987 then a MK2 RD125LC after that bought from Allan Jefferies motorcycles so was luckily to be friends with the late great David Jefferies. So glad I was born in the two stroke era too.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Yes we are lucky to experience the golden age of the two stroke motorcycle, , great comment thanks

[@dazronch5450]

I had a lot of the bikes shown in this video hard to pick the best one really enjoyed the video so thank you for that these days as a 55 year old I’m still riding a ZX10R lol.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Appreciate your comment thankyou

[@Jer0867]

1:45 Passed my test on one of these, in January 1985! Great little bike!

[@nicnak4475]

I loved the YAS-1 Yam 125 twin and the Suzy Stinger 125 twin with upswept pipes, both great little two nippy two strokes.

[@mySelf-yx4hw]

i had a YAS1 Yam that i tuned and turned out to be a very fast bike , i never owned a Suzy Stinger but would have loved to have a go on one

[@thelastgeneral4482]

I had a stinger in 1980 impossible to get spares in the UK and it liked to sease up all the time. Got rid of it and brought a Suzuki X7

[@stevehalling816]

I had an MBX125F the red white and blue one when they first came out. It was a great little two stroke that handled like a dream. Also had a 125 superdream which was a fantastic bike 100mpg brilliant

[@moncktonhotmail]

Steve great comment ,great bike appreciate your support , keep watching 👍always featuring great bikes ,

[@davidchiarletti4648]

I had same bike great choice ,

[@infinitemass4475]

I had the same one, all my mates had rd125lc's with microns on and i couldnt get anywhere near them until i put a micron on mine and boy oh boy did it make a difference.....i was cock of our gang then!! Loved that bike.

[@stevehalling816]

@@infinitemass4475 yeah Honda made an amazing bike that did everything apart from going fast, the handling was amazing and and you said all it needed was the speed to get the best from the chassis. Once unleashed it was and incredible little bike. As far as I was concerned it was the best 125 sports 2 stroke of the era

[@braikka]

Oh yes. I remember those. That's what I was craving after 😁 My first bike was a CG125, then I traded that for an RG125(gamma) then I passed my test & went on to bigger/better things😁

[@LabRat6619]

The pocket rockets made my late teens great fun, I went from Honda 4-strokes to 250-350 LC Yamaha 2-strokes . Before going into 4 cylinder bikes.

[@deanrobertnoble138]

Just seeing the Z250c above your shoulder. My Dad had one new when it came out. Went all over on the back of that bike. Always thought it a lovely looking bike!

[@mootpointjones8488]

Thanks for the video, I remember most of them and a few you've forgotten 😉 I also owned a few you mentioned, MZ TS 125, the CZ 125 but off road version, a Kawasaki KMX 200, Suzuki GS 125 and several Honda CG's. All the best 👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou for your comment, I have missed a few 😁😁😁 glad you liked it

[@garymcteer7620]

I was 16 in 1975 and had a Gilera 50, then a C90, then I got a ‘big’ bike which was a Honda CG125, I loved that machine 🙂

[@moncktonhotmail]

Happy days Gary 😁👍

[@jhareng]

14 then had a Gilera Enduro until 16 then had a Honda CR125, 2 British Rival 125's and 3 KX125 amidst a KX250A5

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@jhareng decent collection of 125 cc , very nice 👍

[@jhareng]

@@moncktonhotmail All new at the time Think Gilera Enduro just shy of £350 whereas the SL125 barely any dearer. KX250 in 79 £1250 + Fox Air Shox still got another £280. 81 KX125 A7 £1100

[@liverpudlian6205]

Great video I had a vespa px125 and the engines are solid very reliable I had the scooter over 20 years and put over 70 thousand miles on it I would definitely have another one

[@moncktonhotmail]

I agree 👍 you get a good one keep it

[@martinwall212]

Fantastic video still got my MBX 125 86 black and red Good day’s. Thank you

[@moncktonhotmail]

Cheers Martin 👍

[@andybest1495]

I'm german and i remember my youth of the 80's. In Germany was only 80cc in age of 16 allowed with a maximum speed of 80 km/h, 50 miles. Thank you for the video. Kind regards from Germany.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou , for your comment appreciate it 👍 all the best from England

[@midnightcowboy3611]

RD 125 LC , in red…I really miss that bike. The sound, the smell ….marvellous.

[@moncktonhotmail]

😁

[@AnthonyToth-t5v]

Loved the rd 125 lc ❤

[@HueyLionsheart]

I had the GP100U, cheap, reliable and fast for what it was, the front brakes were drum though and that made for some hairiness when it was time to stop. After that got stolen I had a Honda NS125RK and that little thing went like stink and really loved to lean for the corners.... Thanks for the video which brought back great memories. 👍😁

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou for your comment, appreciate your support No brakes 🤪👍

[@cabester77]

I had an 89, Honda NS 125R.. Red with white wheels, still restricted, the inner diameter of the exhaust at the manifold had a big washer welded inside to reduce the exhaust flow...Also the Carb intake had a aluminium plate with a smaller hole to reduce intake air volume. I left it as is, as I was only 17....very reliable, went from Lanarkshire to Glencoe for a weekend camping and back again, great fun, that would of been '89...

[@moncktonhotmail]

Very nice motorcycle , made 125 cc so much better back then 👍

[@charlesgallagher1072]

Great video, very nostalgic. Bikes had so much character then.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thanks , happy new year 👍

[@nickhill3362]

Enjoyed vid 👍 what about the Suzuki GP 125 and the Honda NS 125 if my memory serves me correctly

[@moncktonhotmail]

Well done Nick brilliant mate

[@nisseht]

And the GP eventually became TR at least in Sweden. Btw I got my driver license with an MTX 125 and then i owned an RD 125 LC for two years. That's 35 years ago and I will miss that bike for the rest of my life it seems.

[@nisseht]

and the NS was succeded by NSR.

[@maskedavenger2578]

I bought the Suzuki GP 100 U instead ,as the 125 had been reduced to 12 horsepower due to new 125 leaner laws & the GP 100 had the same 12 HP but only slightly less poke from lights. Also the front drum brake on the GP 100 U was excellent. The Norwich Union rider policy insurance for bikes under 100 cc was peanuts ,the GP 100 was 98 cc & just as good if not better than most 125 cc bikes ..

[@stephenhurst2631]

@@maskedavenger2578 yes the Gp100 was fantastic value and abale to. Take some Tuning and Racing fettling to. dish lot of 125s😁

[@brunanburh937AD]

Great video… I had a ‘78 TS100 then an ‘83MTX125R… passed my test on a CG125… 👍👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

Very nice!

[@MrSimonmcc]

Did my part one training and test in a day at the motorcycle centre in Bristol. I went on the train from Cardiff and was picked up at the station in Bristol by one of the staff. I did the training and test on one of their CB125s. I owned a DT125LC and an IT125, both of which were nicked out of my garage by a POS known to the rozzers. He actually crashed on my DT125 and tried to run away from the scene with 2 broken ankles. I did my part 2 test on my IT. Plastic tank and knobbly tyres! Who remembers Boyesen power reeds? I'm 55 now and still ride having moved to Canada where it's like off road heaven. I now have an Africa Twin, a Vulcan 1600 and, for nostalgia's sake as it was the bike I really wanted when I was 17, a 1986 XL250R.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great comment, great memories, decent bikes too 👍

[@themotorcyclehistorian8099]

A few notable that are worth mentioning, Honda CBX125 18bhp (most powerful 4 stroke 125 ever), also the NS125 a late eighties 2 stroke built by Honda with impressive performance from its 2 stroke single cylinder engine.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou for your great knowledge some decent bikes in that selection , never knew about the 18 bhp , well done

[@peterchapel572]

What about the rd 125 induction valve power band wow

[@danandsarah2026]

I had passed my test back in 98 on a honda cm 125 v twin on a 86 c plate sounded great it did

[@moncktonhotmail]

Merry Xmas 🎄 Dan appreciate your comments

[@mineblock9024]

Nice trip down memory lane! I had the Yamaha DT (but 50cc not 125), the Honda MTX (but 80cc not 125), then I had the Honda NS125F (which isn't in your video), and I believe there was also an R version which was sportier. My last 125 before I passed my test was the RG125 Gamma - what a bike!

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thanks for your comment happy 🎄 Xmas my latest V , 4 days ago youay appreciate, 125cc featured at the end 👍

[@colinfuidge8660]

I had an unrestricted RG125 Gamma too. An epic bike!

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@colinfuidge8660 sort after today nice bike 👍

[@fostexfan160]

Great video. A real blast down memory lane! I had some of those bikes in the 250cc versions because back then in the 70's you could ride them on a provisional licence. The CZ was an interesting bike, extremely rugged and basic. I remember a friend having a 175cc version where the kickstart would also be the gearshift by swinging it forward after starting the bike. Can anyone elaborate on that hazy memory?

[@CZ350tuner]

My son owns two CZ 125-488 Deluxe bikes. They never seem to wear out!! The gear lever was also the kickstart and an emergency foot clutch. The 1970's CZ 125-476 Sport was faster, once the metal intake restrictor pipe in the airbox was removed, giving it a top speed of 76 MPH.

[@fostexfan160]

@@CZ350tuner Thanks....I'd buy one today without a second thought

[@bbb11293]

Chelsea Bridge, here we come fantastic fun, the Oakdene cafe, the merry Chest, all bike meeting places,all gone.

[@katywalker8322]

Started riding bikes in Northern Ireland where insurance was silly money, so started on a 100. Moved to the mainland and landed up with an mbx125 - great fun bike. Passed my test, bought a cb400n, got bored and bought an Aprilia AF1 - still got the Aprilia.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Merry Xmas 🎄 Katy, appreciate your comment

[@daisychainsaw4978]

I Road a Z250 Scorpion as a 1st bike, at a wobbly 14yrs old (with a memorable, silver 'Nude Woman' keying - which has always stuck with me !) - then i financed my 'life-away' on a new showroom fresh Suzuki TS125ERZ, after I'd part-ex my FS1e at 17yrs old - I Loved my TS, despite its maintenance, free, Love-free abuse times & 3 crashes, before moving on to a RD350LC in 1982 Good memories !

[@moncktonhotmail]

One of my early bikes was a Suzuki ts 100ER , bike was great , only thing you at to paint front part of exhaust alot with black heat resistant paint , other than that loved it ,

[@daisychainsaw4978]

Nice One - Was your's the era of the 'Full-Floater' Suspension ? My numerous girlfriends of the time always complained about numb feet (because of the pillion footrest directly mounted onto the swing arm) and smelly hair because of the poor aerodynamics, meaning they always smelt of 2-strole fumes Mmmmm, Sexy !!! 🤣😂🤣

[@daisychainsaw4978]

the difference between the TS100ER and the TS125ER was only something like 3hp anyway . . . . . Ha ha ha ha, such innocent times !!!

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@daisychainsaw4978 no my suspension was twin shock early model , x reg 1982 , my younger brother rode the later motor technical models , good value for money , suzuki range good looking too , my opinion 👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@daisychainsaw4978 the insurance was difference my choice was also based on budget, , 100cc worked out more affordable for me , but 125 cc had more about them , this sounds odd , did early video on 100cc , bikes will update at some point with better sound and graphics 👍

[@martinmoss378]

Hi brought back fab memories I had A BSA TRACKER 125 i think it was yamaha workings ,suzuki gs 250 tt, then a cx500 euro sports in white.

[@jim-bob-outdoors]

Still miss my RG125. Rare import model. Full power and in red, white and black.

[@rickiejacobs5910]

My first street bike was a 1973 Honda CL125S. Passed my motorcycle riding test back in 1974.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great Rickie rare bike today 👍

[@timp1051]

I learned to ride in 1980 on my brothers 1980 Honda CB125S. Many great rides on that bike.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Good bike Tim , well built , becoming a classic 👍thanks for comment

[@Botticknickers]

No problem, I had a black SUZUKI GP125 before that I had a Silver YAMAHA RS125. When I passed my 2 part Test in 1985 , I Jumped on to a YAMAHA RD350 LC

[@moncktonhotmail]

Black slightly rare, most blue or popular red, great bikes, many had micron pipes etc, great value for money, both your yamahas very decent bikes, by favorite LC was the white with red stripes, but all looked brilliant 👍

[@fretwinder]

Brings all the memories back, I had a Honda CM 125, XL 125, CG 125, CB 125 and a Kawasaki AR 125! The Honda CM 125 was slow and the Kawasaki AR 125 was fast.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Sorry missed your comment before great knowledge impressed , thanks for comment

[@AwSso-x6j]

I had 1986..RD 125 LC black bran new was very nice I also had 1990 DT 125 .LC new blue

[@aceofspades5786]

They were great years, and Linda Lusardi on page three.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Motor head too 😮 great music , thanks for comment 👍

[@christaylor5332]

Well done remembering my old bike the RG Gamma, i had one when I turned 17 after owning a DT 50 for a year it felt like a rocket ship 😂

[@moncktonhotmail]

Hi Chris it features briefly on my latest V , released 4 days ago , merry Xmas 🎄

[@christaylor5332]

@@moncktonhotmail cheers chief I’ll have a look later, 30 years to the day today I first rode my RG on the road as I had it before my 17th birthday counting the days down 😂 47 today looking for another RG 😂

[@martintierney9656]

I had the Honda CB125T2 and the Suzuki GT125 and the Yamaha DT125 1979-82 great memories from those days

[@moncktonhotmail]

I like every bike you have mentioned, thsnkyou 👍

[@thefdlord]

Very informative video. Thank you so much!

[@shin-pad1052]

I bought myself a brand new AR125 Kawasaki, 21hp unrestricted and put an allspeed expansion chamber on it, absolutely loved it..

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great bike , real agree with you !

[@AnthonyToth-t5v]

Great bike went well good engines

[@davehemus4421]

always wanted an rd125 lc but never got around to having one :(

[@Mr.Grimsdale]

My first bike was a second-hand 50cc made by Casal, a portuguese manufacturer who i believe produced 125's, models K270, K270 and K276 although i've never saw one in England, just thought you might want add it to your rare list. i went onto get a KE100 then a CB125T, great video btw.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thanks 😊

[@thomasscott199]

I had a Casal 250

[@barryfoot7105]

Great little video I have a mk1 rd125lc and a dt125r 👍👍👍

[@Jones-xx2gc]

Bought a brand new Honda XL125 in 1979 after an SS50. Got hammered for about 18 thousand miles before selling it for an ER185. No problems with it over the time I owned it other than user error. Even rode it to Birmingham from Lancaster and back in a day just for the crack with a mate on an RD200.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Jones all classic bikes Never had a go on ER 185 , probably had a good power to weight ratio at the time , same frame has 125cc version at a guess , happy Xmas 🎄

[@Jones-xx2gc]

@Born Again Biker A great power to weight ratio for the time.

[@sambrooks7862]

There was a lad a couple of years older than me who had a 1980 cb125 twin on a V plate. I used to love riding that, it was incredibly quick for a 125cc four stroke

[@moncktonhotmail]

Sam very good bikes the twin many people say the same, great to hear from you 👍

[@sambrooks7862]

@@moncktonhotmail hi mate, another well researched video.

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@sambrooks7862 thanks Sam, I always miss the odd one 😁

[@sambrooks7862]

@@moncktonhotmail not really mate, where do you draw the line? No matter how many bikes you feature there will always be some obscure two wheeler that sold in really low numbers but someone will undoubtedly have owned one? Keep up the good work mate,

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@sambrooks7862 thanks missing improves my knowledge its only fun 😂

[@kathrynwhitby9799]

following on from the previous video, I PX'd a CB50J (T-reg) for a CB125T2 when i turned 17.

[@smerd1]

RD125LC my first bike in 1982 from John's of Romford, loved it 😀

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great first bike , 👍

[@grahamariss2111]

Had a CB125RS, I recall Susuki having a range of 100 and 125 2 stroke singles in the early 80s which was a throw back from the 70s, where as the GS 4 stroke was a bit more expensive and sold against the Honda's.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Well remembered Graham , have a good Xmas 🎄

[@richardpearson4248]

Great video my mate still has a mz blue and silver he loves it stay safe looking forward to more videos 🇬🇧👍

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou Richard has ever mate 👍

[@Nooziterp1]

I had a blue and silver MZ new in 1977. A TS150. Same as the TS125 except obviously a slightly bigger engine and chrome side panels. My first real motorcycle, and I passed my test on it in 1978.

[@stuartlloyd4892]

Enjoyed this and brought back a lot of fond memories Omissions might include the Suzuki Stinger and the Yamaha YAS1

[@moncktonhotmail]

Well done I missed many 🤔 , they made so many , look out for latest V , few on there extra to this list, appreciate your comment

[@southendparaquest]

I had a few 125's in the early 90's including that Honda CD125 Benly. My favorite 2 was my TS125X, and an RD125DX. They were really quick for 125's Suzuki did replace the RG125, with the RGV. Which I think was the late 80's Honda did the same with the MBX125, which was the NS125. I'd ridden a couple of these, they were excellent.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great comment, Southend Guy , some classic bikes in there .👍

[@andybowie8590]

My first bike was a Honda cb100n, no idea why they made a 100cc when they also did a 125 of the same bike but my pal was selling it cheap so it got me into biking. My other friend has a Honda ns125, there's one that's not on your list, looked a bit like the mbx 125 you showed, maybe thats what they called it in different markets. Its funny when you ride a 125 now after having big bikes for years, they feel so slow but when you're 17 you just love them. Happy times. Thanks for the trip down memory lane

[@moncktonhotmail]

I like CB 100 , it was significantly cheaper to insure 😳 uk strange rules , I had a suzuki TS 100 ER , because the 125 version, better by the way , was lot more to buy and insure , great comment Andy merry Xmas, feature 125 cc in my new offering released few days ago cheers

[@andybowie8590]

@@moncktonhotmail cheers for the reply. Have a great Xmas.

[@brendanenglish6350]

am looking for parts to restore cb125n..

[@johnboy4067]

My first bike was rs 100cc then was cb 100n then a ar 125 derestricted but the tzr 125 was the most fun then I went onto the trail bikes I remember all those bikes you showed such fun , unfortunately I then settled down and had to get a van

[@moncktonhotmail]

Excellent bikes every one my pick TZR 125 , classic, thanks for comment

[@johncallow22]

I think that the first 2 stroke Kawasaki you showed (in 2 tone green) was a KS125, which was later replaced, around 1976, by the KE125. My first bike was a brand new Suzuki B120P, (£230, £250 including delivery and a Stadium Project 6 helmet) which my Parents bought for me in September 1975. I still remember trying to balance it and learning how to use the clutch and gears in our back lane. You could get an MZ TS250 for about the same price, but my Dad said it was too powerful for me. I've never been without motorcycles since and currently ride a 2021 Guzzi V7 and a 2017 MT-09.

[@moncktonhotmail]

What a great selection of bikes john , great comment you are proper petrol head , I get bit of criticism for not featuring Italian bikes , it will come ,I have a 5 day old series at min, when that's over mid spring will do some , happy Xmas 🎄

[@rogerkay8603]

My mate had an RD125LC, in candy blue, I lusted for that until he got an MBX125, fast and class.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Hello Roger great to hear from you mate👍👍, there was great bikes in our memories back then something honest and quality about the market, no Chinese imports riding about, you heard a bike stopped looked to admire them pass by, some right crap on the roads today 😂😂

[@erkkihamalainen8891]

I had MBX 125 F 1986 in black/red, and that was a bit slower than my friend RD 125 LC. Great memories. I still own that MBX but hasnt seen it after 1993 when I sold it and the buyer forgot? to register it to himself.

[@anemone104]

Started with a CG125 bought third hand with low miles, oarents, having frobidden a moped went halves on the price. Pushrod single four stroke, 11BHP and sipped fuel - you could get 100mpg even if you thrashed it, which as a student and then on the dole in Thatcher's Britain was a good thing. It got ridden on the stop everywhere, of course. It wasn't quick, it wasn't 'cool', but it was a kind of freedom. It got its oil changed every 1000 miles and the centrifugal oil filter cleaned every second change, tappets checked each oil change and the points checked and changed if needed. Still running like a slightly rattly clock when I sold it with 72 thousand miles on it. Mates had CB125s, GP125s, RD125s, and (illegally) things like Z650s and then traded up when they got their tests to CB200s various 250s and that Z650 until he lunched it. I stayed with the CG due to lack of funds but where mates' bikes broke down, the CG just went on and on and on. Rattliness due to push rods and big standard tappet clearances was 'reduced' when the baffle in the silencer rotted out, but as it wasn't offensive, went through MoTs okay with a wad of steel wool up its bum and the outside never holed, it stayed like that. Never broke down once and the only fault was a speedo that would go right round to the stop if you goosed the bike over 60 mph - you could watch it 'accelerating' as the needle got over 60, though you got no faster at all. Under 60 it worked as it was supposed to. Sold it when I got the 250K4 rebuilt (on the dole) and on the road.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great comment , look out for my latest vid, 4 days ago will appreciate with your background merry Xmas 🎄

[@artisticgoose2609]

Growing Up, RD's everywhere . A few AR125's, A few Gamnas and a few NS125F's I loved my NS slow as a duck flying backwards compared to an RD's but loads of fun.

[@moncktonhotmail]

All good fun them bikes Philip 👍 cheers for comment

[@tendrosstoodross2976]

My NS used to eat RD's for breakfast. Whoever had it before me had obviously done some modifications.

[@malcolmism6]

One of my mates had a Honda NSR 125 C PLATE. red , white and blue. Had a belly scope on it. Cool bike. Also again my mate had a rd125 lc but he was a paint sprayer. He sprayed it in Malboro colours😂😂 of the time. White body and had the bright orange wheels.a beautiful bike. I nearly bought it. I was just turning 17. But 800 pounds was a bit out of my league back then.😂

[@44messier]

1.24 I had the unrestricted 16hp Honda CB 125 twin. Changed the front sprocket to allow 85 mph (indicated) . Only did it once as I did not want to blow up the engine. Did lots of touring round the dales and never let me down.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great memory share , like the honda 125 twin , such good bikes

[@presstodelete1165]

The cable operated disc caliper still frightens me. I only know of one other bike with something simmilar the MV Agusta 600 which had two.

[@steveh2869]

Comprehensive video, just a comment on Kawasaki 125s. The KE & KH did share the same A-series engine (56x50.6) which was powerful and reliable. However from 1982 they took the similar KH100 engine and bored it out to 125 for the KH125 upgrade (square headlight and tank) which continued for years and is still in production in Asia today. Probably done for parts commonality and economies of scale but it means that none of the significant parts currently available for later KH125 will fit the earlier ones. A big problem for a restorer like myself!

[@moncktonhotmail]

Hi Steve , I owned I Green 1981 , KH 125 , in 1989 1990 , can honestly say one of the best bikes I have had , used it to commute 18 miles each way for two years , great bike never let me down , great comment by the way 👍 cheers

[@davemonday5381]

Mint. Proper little bikes

[@evilelf5967]

only just realised how many bikes i had back in the day.bloody nora...addictive aint they.

[@overseerofyahweh7811]

Hahaha, love your channel name, I've named my boat "born again captain"

[@AprendizDeLoQueToca]

¡Buen aporte mi amigo! The GN 125 at 4:30 is still selling like cup cakes in Central America, as well as the Honda cgl125 and Yamaha YBR125 that look just like the Kawasaki at 5:42. Great looking, practical bikes 👏🤗

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great comments thanks 😊

[@melkelly6148]

Still selling here in Ireland as well cheap as chips and and go forever once you change the oil and plugs regularly .... The courier company's love them (and Domino's pizza)

[@stevelymer1051]

Brought back memories had both the cm125 and the rd125lc

[@casualchap86]

Great video mate many memories of bikes i grew up with as a young lad in the 80's. The RD is the one that sticks out for me lol. I currently own a vespa T5mk1 just now imo great looking scooter.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Good scooter , correct me I am wrong , its the early 1980s model with different type headlight , four stroke model made for the 125 law ,?? I like scooters in white , The RD yes your spot on a great bike 😁

[@casualchap86]

@@moncktonhotmail my one is a Spanish import on a D plate (87).From what i have learned the T5 was almost like frowned upon with certain ones in the scooter scene. What i do know is the T5 is sought after and is worth a few quid. Just shows how things change through the years

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@casualchap86 T5 was introduced the same time has I got interested in two wheels , hence my interest ☺ like an alternative option really , thanks fir comments

[@darrenramsay7079]

Super rare, but you missed the Fantic Chopper. Mostly 50cc, but they did do a 125cc version.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Super rare but still there , Darren well done , happy Xmas 🎄

[@darrenramsay7079]

@@moncktonhotmail And to you. Great channel by the way. 🎉

[@kevinbodnar448]

I did my part one test on my Honda xl100 s at the bovingdon Air ground in1982, good old days

[@stephenhurst2631]

Fond memories of sports 125s had a Tzr125 to pass the test on I'm 89.Brand New.. De Restricted and Ledar Carb and Filter kit it hit 108 mph easily hurtled upto a Ton 😃

[@moncktonhotmail]

, 😎fast bike 👍

[@williamrae9954]

I spent a fortune on one on the engine all ported,etc, it could leave my TZR250 off the line....nothing compared to the Honda RS125 race bikes,they were hitting around 140mph flat out...as I found to my horror at the end of the runway at East Fortune, I wasn't expecting them,what a fight I got! :)

[@Stefan_trekkie]

We in eastern Europe had different bike license laws back then. For that reason we don't had many 125cc bikes. Many 50cc for riding with car license. For the big bike, you can get full bike license at 18 but you are restricted to 350 for the first 2 or 3 years. So, we had a s**t load of up to 350 bikes.. CZ, Jawa, Izh and many 250s too.. Mostly east German and soviet block bikes. The most popular models where: Jawa 175, Jawa 350, Jawa 250, Izh 350 planeta, Izh 350 jupiter, MZ 150 and 250, CZ 350 /almost like a Jawa/ , Balkan 250. From the 50cc bikes, we had Puch Maxi, Sumson S51 and Simson enduro, Balkan 50.The most valued bike of the era was AWO 425 250cc 4 stroke with shaft drive. Similar to BMW R26

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thank you for great comment👍

[@ramishrambarran3998]

Great video. I guess that very little infomation is left of them today. We had very few models of the 125cc Japanese bikes that you highlighted, in our country. In the 60s we had Lambrettas. Generally, our population do not like motorcycles. Trinidad & Tobago. West Indies.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Hello great to hear from you you would be surprised, how many of the bikes are still around stored in the winter only out in the summer , not warm over here , like your lovely country , nothing wrong with scooters , we have many 1960s models here to but stored I the winter , tgankyou for your comment

[@Butterfly07949]

I've had a few of these before I passed my test KE 100, RS 125 and a CB125T but not all at the same time. When on holiday in the 70s as a kid in the South of France I saw the Fanta 125 chopper very desirable. Incidentally the CZ's were very crude and had a very unusual way to change gear as the lever doubled up as the kick starter. MZ on the other hand were far superior. The chief engineer for MZ managed to escape the clutches of the Soviet run East German company and took all his two stroke racing secrets to Suzuki in Japan. I had a friend who used to race MZ and were brilliant but underrated bikes.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great selection of bikes , great memories for you , the amount of people who comment on CZ and MZ, is amazing very special bikes to some appreciate the comment

[@lukevj]

My first good bike was a 79 cr125 Elsinore. Amazing little dirtbike

[@lukevj]

I had a kawi ke125 of the same year before the Honda

[@markhooper5824]

Great video mate.

[@carltonemery173]

I had a NVT 125 trail bike. A British alternative to the Japanese offerings. I got it new when they first came out and it was a nice bike. Didn't really keep it long as I was hankering after something bigger.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Yamaha engine i think , sold on my town , around 1982 , thanks for comment

[@paulclarke1738]

I can't see any mention of the Suzuki PE series of bikes?

[@moncktonhotmail]

Well done ,👍happy new year

[@richardamner7432]

Great video, nice to see the bikes of our wild yoof again. The GP125, known as the best 125 for de-restriction as there was a plastic spacer on the carb slide that gave you full power in just 3mins of work! was missing as mentioned by Nick, also the NVT 125 with the Yam engine, not that they were that common. If you look at the CZ125 you will notice no kickstart,,,, that's because the gear lever doubled up as a kickstart!!!. the KMX125 was the most stolen bike in the UK for a few yrs but for me the CG125 was the best 125 ever made, I had a few and due to my off road childhood I made most of them into street scramblers (as I did with most bikes I owned). I had a Beta 125, Puch125. Benelli 125c and loads of Italian Enduro bikes, Wales loved Enduro bikes and still does, but... for me, as I have always loved any Laverda I will say you missed the Laverda 125 LZ sport with the Zundap engine, the Enduro 125 LH used the husky engine, the Aspes was a nice 125 but I have yet to see one.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Wow Richard just on your comments here is a video excellent knowledge and understanding, this is why I don't pretend to know everything in my videos and leave the door open really appreciate this thanks

[@richardamner7432]

@@moncktonhotmail Another brilliant video that leaves the door open for our comments, my problem is years of buying and selling mixed with an obsession for anything on two wheel has damaged my brain! lol. keep the video's coming, they are like medication to some of us.

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@richardamner7432 cheers Richard

[@Nooziterp1]

You mention the CZ125 having no kickstart and the gear lever doubling up. All CZs were the same. CZ called it the slickshift, but it was so awful it was known as the sickshift.

[@richardamner7432]

@@Nooziterp1 It was awful !! lol, I remember the huge travel in the gear changer when in use but not all CZ's had that mechanism, some had a kickstart running on the outside of the gear changer shaft, a bit like the BSA Bantam, do you remember them using that idea? the CZ motocross bikes were really good, and the 1960's road bikes.... quite fast too but things went down hill ! lol.

[@alistairshaw3206]

Interesting video, it's not my favourite size of bike as I had my full licence in 1977. About CZ, I bought an 12v system with electronic ignition for my 1972 DT250. It was made by a firm called Vape . They were originally part of CZ. By the way, it transforms the bike. Before, it kicked back on the kickstarter, now it's great, never kicks back. I'm restoring a 90's CG125, I bought it in a job lot when my son was learning, in 2005! It's just to sell as 125 bikes fetch good money now! I will ride it to the MOT station and back, that will be enough for me.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Great stuff Alastair love the comment on the MoT station, I have to keep everyone happy, I do like alot of these 125cc though mate, great to hear from you 👍

[@richardamner7432]

The CG was a brilliant bike, turn it into a street scrambler and keep it.

[@alistairshaw3206]

@@richardamner7432 I have many bikes but I'm not a fan of 125's. The smallest bike I like is my DT250. The 125 is a Japanese built retro style, it looks like the original CG125, but is a 99 model. I'm not really a Honda fan, but own a CB360.

[@richardamner7432]

@@alistairshaw3206 I have about fourteen bikes at the moment Alistair, that's my quota authorised by the Mrs, but I don't count that well as I get older, you... like myself, probably love them like pets or family. The CG125's made after 1985 are known as Brazilian bikes but some were made in Pakistan and Turkey, they are not as well made as the early Japan bikes but are still excellent rides and are in demand at the minuet. I like the CB360, is it a K model or a T, a friend has a yellow 360T, DT250 is a great bike, I will be looking for a DT400 later in the year, will go for an import that needs a bit of work, what are they like for parts?.

[@alistairshaw3206]

@@richardamner7432 My CB360 is an American import, built in September 1973, it has a twin leading shoe front brake, only fitted to the early models. My DT is a DT3 250 Enduro built 1972 for the American market. Spares aren't easy to get, it took me 3years to get the correct seat! The later models are easier to get parts. The CG125 is unusual, it's a 4 speed made in Japan, but getting spares, it seems to be similar to a 1993 Singapore model. I'm at 10 bikes at the moment, ranging from 1972 to 1994, from 125 to 1200 cc. I'm riding my 1993 YZF750R at the moment, but they are all insured. I have 4 FZR Yamahas, 2 600 and 2 1000, a FJ1200 and my winter hack gs500. What have you got?

[@martinrobinson9651]

In 1974 Honda made a SL125 which was a 125 single with knobblies and a raised scrambler style front mudguard.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Very good Martin 👍

[@worldofameiso5491]

That CB125J was exactly the same as my first bike back in 1979.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Happy new year 👍

[@Milo_Minderbinder]

I like your videos. Especially the first bike on your show, the Honda TL125. It remembered me to lovely Joanna Lumley, who rode this bike regularly in The New Avengers series. What great times then.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Thankyou I didn't realise she did ride this bike, but yes certainly lovely lady, thankyou for you again, you commented before, really appreciate.

[@richardamner7432]

I met Joanna Lumley at Brechfa when she was doing a TV ad for BT, she was really nice... so the Honda slogan " you meet the nicest people on a Honda" must be true! lol.

[@davemonday5381]

@@moncktonhotmail I raced school boy motocross. For the legendary Alex Read at kawasaki. When I was 12 I still have my Kawasaki 1976 kx125a3 sat in my garage with the kx250/kx400 and ke250 all same year. Love the blogs they make me smile. I’ve also own some of the others on your the dt125’Lc ‘s XL125 & TL& MTX125&200R used the Honda NR125R and RD125LC for going to work. Most of these bikes. You could fit 180 or 200cc cylinder kits with higher competition and trick expansion chamber exhaust Thanks 😊

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@davemonday5381 what an intresting blog, dave you certainly a bike man, great to share your memories 👍 intresting bikes there.

[@davemonday5381]

@@moncktonhotmail hey your right I’m probably a bit strange I have a immaculate DT250MX to ride at the moment And a 1975 DT400B in yellow. And a couple Honda MT250 Elsinores And the ke250b1 if you press on my name you’ll see a videos of a couple of my bikes If you go on pin treat you’ll see a lot more. Cheers

[@pdtech4524]

I had the Suzuki DR125s a single cylinder 4 stroke trails bike style, my mate had the Honda mtx 125 a really nice sounding single single cylinder 2 stroke.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Both amazing bikes , thanks for comment 👍

[@pdtech4524]

@@moncktonhotmail I like how in that era there was often a 50cc an 80cc or sometimes a 100cc, a 125cc and a 250cc of each model. So my fiist bike was the suzuki er50, I could have upgraded to the er125 model.

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@pdtech4524 part of success of the high sales in the late 1970s was exactly this, we can learn alot from the manufacturers, business model , from this era , technology was also a factor , obviously today technology comes with software etc, but never the less pure trational pure engineering was massive in this period , mono shock better brakes , cast wheels exclusively , paints graphic, that still with us today

[@anderslennqvist6168]

You forgot one bike from Europe, the Zündapp KS 125. That one and the Honda CB125 twin, a blue one, like in your video, was my craving when age 16 in the seventies. Today I ride a Triumph Tiger 800.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Real appreciate your support, enjoy Xmas 🎄 thanks

[@thelastgeneral4482]

The two stroke twins Suzuki GT125 and Yamaha RD125 where both great looking and performing bikes

[@martinholmes1493]

Still remember the reg of my GT125 (DFR 163S) don`t know why it was at least 36 years ago when I owned it, and probably the 1st time I've thought of it in decades..how odd :)

[@gort742]

In 1972 i bought a brand new Yamaha 125cc twin the AS3 RD125 in red for the princely sum of £285 . Manufacturer quoted top speed of 78.9 mph at 9800 RPM but would regularly get 90mph plus . If my memory serves me right think it was about about 16hp . It blew most off the old bikes off the road at the time including Royal Enfields , BSA's , Matchless and most of the Triumphs .

[@999danden]

I had a variant of the RD125LC called the RDZ125, it could be fitted with a powervalve but shipped with a blanking plate so as to conform to learner power restrictions.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Interesting Daniel, RDZ I have seen them on groups ect , don't know a lot about them , sounds a great bike like the RD

[@999danden]

@@moncktonhotmail I was a bit naughty and got the powervalve for mine, I had the quickest bike amongst my friends, great days

[@martinjohansson7365]

My first bike was a Yamaha AS2J 125cc from 1971. Big difference to my Puch Dakota 50cc Moped. The Yamaha had 16 hp compared to 1 in the Puch.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Two classics bikes 👍 both good on fuel

[@richardcaine4938]

I had an mbx 125 , great bike brings back memories

[@moncktonhotmail]

I used to like the ones with red seats , wheels looked cool if I remember, quality finish too 👍

[@andyward8336]

I had a Yamaha TY125 a Honda SL125 , CB125 and a CJ125 . Friends had a Honda CJ125 , Suzuki TS125 , Yamaha DT125 and a DT125E which was a electric start.

[@moncktonhotmail]

Good selection there Andy great point about the electric start unusual on small capacity but all the yamaha Rd 200 came with an electric start too around the same time appreciate your comment

[@andyward8336]

If I remember right the RD200's had a separate starter motor but the DT125E's starter motor was the generator and it would only work if the bike was warm and the battery was not so old . Also for the list there was a bike the you could not pass your part one on because it couldn't go around the cones that's the Frantic 125 chopper . So when we had someone turn up for lessons we would have to lone them one of our bike's.

[@moncktonhotmail]

@@andyward8336 wow great interesting comment, DT 125 e then was very unusual, with that type of starting system , , merry Xmas 🎄 Andy enjoy , thanks for your imput