Honda CB125 Ride Review - Riding a vintage Honda!

[@timp1051]

My brother bought a brand new CB12S in 1980. He taught me how to ride on that bike, lots of adventures, great memories with a great little bike.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Awesome, Tim! Thanks for sharing the fun memories. Cheers!

[@stiggy186]

My first bike was an '84 CB125S. Even with all 6'7" 235lbs of me on it, it would still take me to work at 55-60mph. Well, unless there was a headwind lol. Something magical about the old small displacement Hondas. Just pure fun.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Riding a small displacement bike is often more adventurous than riding a larger bike. Thanks for sharing, Peter!

[@paulquigley2524]

I started riding in 1973 here in Australia with a CB175. My bike was very worn out but had twin ‘ hot dog’ mufflers on it so it sounded great. My best mate had a brand new red CB175 which I was of course envious of. We would go on long rides together. My bike was always that little bit faster than his(61mph vs 60mph!) but his was always so much more economical. This video takes me back 50 years to where it all started for me. Thank you for sharing about the wonderful little 125 with us. It’s not the speed that matters but the freedom of the journey.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool Paul! Thanks for sharing the great memories.

[@timkis64]

americans forget soichiro honda filled the world with bikes that size & smaller LONG before the first cb750 was ever designed.that little bike is in great shape.little bikes remind us of why we love bikes in the first place.im sure you had a blast.thanks bud.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Well said!

[@mortdk]

Perfect weather, beautiful landscape. And nice camera work. You really captured the sensation of riding a motorbike spot on. And that gorgeous little Honda really sounds sweet. Who needs more?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! Thank you.

[@larryg.9187]

... Wow, at 70 y/o now, a buddy just offered me a '77 CB 125S to buy from him ... We are in a rural mountain community... So, mainly this will save mpg from being used in my truck or other cars ... And hopefully, will make for a nice summer toy ... Thanks for your assessment of this Honda ... Regards ...

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

You're welcome Larry! Just remember to get a running start at the long hills! 🙂

[@martron1962]

My dad bought this exact same bike in 1973, I was 11 years old, he picked me up from school the day he bought it, I was so excited! We had it about a year, then one day my dad asked us kids if we wanted to keep it, or sell it and buy the three of us 10 speed bicycles, I wanted to keep it of course but I was outvoted by my older brother and sister. I was in love with that bike and thought one day it would be all mine but, it wasn’t to be. I watched the new buyer ride off into the sunset with MY motorcycle! It was the saddest day of my 11 year old life! I’ve been looking to buy the same bike with the candy orange paint but they are very rare. That sure is a nice example you have there!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@martron1962 Thanks for sharing the memories! It's my friends bike. I will pass along your comment. He doesn't usually sell things, but if he's interested, I'll let you know. Cheers!

[@Robert8455]

Gorgeous little bike. I first learned to ride when I was 13 or 14 on one of these when I lived in Indonesia. A group of us rented 4 or 5 of them one Saturday and rode them all over the private compound where we lived. It was the most amazing experience to be on it and I was immediately hooked on motorcycles. I had to wait two more years before I finally got my first bike.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

That's so cool Robert! Thanks for sharing the awesome memories. I vividly remember my first ride on my dad's small Honda. I have been hooked ever since!

[@ironcast]

I had one just like it back in the '90's. Mine was not in quite that beautiful condition but was quite presentable. It was one of the many bikes that I picked up through the years just to fix and resell and earn money. I remember having it licensed and on the road for awhile.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool!

[@flexjay87]

My first 3, single cylinder bikes were Honda, 50, 100, 500 cc. They were all super reliable :)

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Nice!

[@rickiejacobs5910]

My first motorcycle was a 1973 Honda CL 125 bought new. It was fun on and off road. It would just do the 55 mph limit back in ‘74 unless going uphill, lol.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Awesome! I think the CL125 made even more sense because the lack of straightline speed doesn't matter as much when off-roading.

[@gregh1853]

My first street legal bike was a 72 cl125 also....blue and white....before that i had a hone sl 70.......which was way to small......so i traded it for a new 72 Kawasaki 100cc g5 yellow.....which i rode 5k miles of pure hell.....im surprised it would even start.i sold it for 150 bucks. it was 465.00 new.....the Honda had 300 miles when i bought it for 525.00..

[@rickiejacobs5910]

@@gregh1853 my new ‘73 cost around that amount.

[@frios011]

My first bike was a 1975 Honda xl 175, man was that a cool little bike.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@facelessdiy]

perfect condition 💯

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on! It is a beautiful bike and well kept by my friend John. Cheers!

[@marknice2793]

I had one of these in 1981/2, it was around 9 years old and I paid around 125 or 150 GBP for it. I used it as daily transport in and around Eastbourne England. The longest trip I took was a round-trip to Brighton approximately 55 miles. Performed flawlessly. Very reliable and economical. I rode along the A27 main road. The ride home was late evening in the dark and I was quite chilly when I got home. My wife and Son had taken the train and we had a fun day out in Brighton.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Awesome Mark, thanks for sharing the memories!

[@thenexthobby]

Would love to have any of the smaller models. These smaller models also came in CL (scrambler) trim. There was even a CB100 which managed to actually look more like a bicycle. This summer, as my first bike, I bought a 1982 CM200T. The CM185T and 200T were part of a narrow run that only needed one carb for both cylinders, which is a plus in my opinion. The smaller CMs were the predecessors to the 250 Rebels, and were also the junior models to the larger "muscle bikes" you usually feature on your channel. Drums have plenty of stopping power so long as the down hill isn't long. With regular riding brake fade isn't an issue.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool! That sounds like a great first bike. They don't get much simpler to work on. My brother had a nice little CB200 years ago. The funniest/dumbest thing he did was race my other brother (who was driving a Rabbit diesel) on a narrow back road. Traveling at about 70mph down a steep hill, he passed the Rabbit while laying stomach down on the seat, legs straight out behind the bike. It looked like Superman flying slowly past at window level. It's a wonder any of us survived the idiocy of our teen years!

[@thenexthobby]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 One carb, no vacuum assist. No hydraulic brake lines, all very simple. For my first, that appeals to me. These CMs have the ape hangers and mine has a small smoked windscreen and Hondaline tail rack. It's all so dorky I just decided to keep it as-is and make use use of both.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@thenexthobby Nice! Some bikes just have that dorky-cool vibe. 🤓

[@brucebirnbaum6152]

Beautiful classic Bike TO ride on a sunny day. What more can we ask for. Thanks again for the Ride.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@brucebirnbaum6152 You're welcome !

[@nancypotterf5043]

I can't believe the fabulous condition it's in, did John restore it ? I have a 1970 Honda CL 100 and I can get it up to 60 mph so I bet that thing Will go 65 mph easy. How long has John had the bike ? From the looks of it it's hard to believe it's exactly 50 years old. You meet the nicest people on a Honda, as their slogan goes . To me their is nothing more reliable than a Honda as far as their engines go. Have had many Honda cars and have three motorcycles now. I have a 2021 Honda Monkey 125 cc and a 1972 Honda CT 70 Mini Trail, and my blue Honda 1970 CL 100 . They are so much fun, your scenery was beautiful, where is that ? Blessings

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

The CB125 is in beautiful shape. It is unrestored but very well kept by John (not me). The scenery is southwest of Harrisburg, PA. Cheers!

[@nancypotterf5043]

Lovely

[@1990-t1j]

I remember these. There was a CB175, as well. I had a CD175. Why not compare it to a modern 125? There are lots around.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It would be a good comparison. If I got the chance, I'd gladly do that comparison. 🙂

[@davidanderson4500]

gd vid jon. gd wee bike . i had one of these way back when. remember it well.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks David. Very cool!

[@kimetogo]

This is one of them bikes when younger I couldn't afford but wanted one. A great little bike. Thanks for bringing back memories of my younger riding days. That example is in perfect condition. Cheers

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

You're welcome! Cheers

[@tombartram7384]

My friends brother had a motorbike when I was 2nd year comp and took me on the back. I felt really hard & really brave. Really fast scary and exciting. Only later did I learn that this mean bike was a cb125s. It seemed a lot bigger back then!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on Tom! It's amazing what a change in perspective will do.

[@postersm7141]

10:14 I'm pretty sure the N is the neutral indicator. Like the high beam and turn indicator.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It is the neutral indicator. I was making a joke because the 125 would never see 70 mph. Cheers!

[@petev.9357]

Wow! one immaculate 125! Notice the long, wide, flat seat. Most more modern bikes pale in comparison. New plan, I need to get you on my 81 Yamaha QT50 Yamahopper. It's hopped up, does 45 mph...eventually. That would be your new smallest.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on Pete, I'm good with that!

[@aorakiboydog]

Awesome bike I’m rebuilding a 1974 now .

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool!

[@gilbertreeves2084]

first bike was a 71 cb-100...it was a screamer as it only had power at 9k.These early singles had terrible charging systems..no regulator.They also required a battery to run.if you didnt keep the cam chain adjusted regularly they ended up rattling alot at idle.Small centrifugal filter spinning on the end of the right side crankshaft was all you got, so frequent oil-changes are a necessity. have a 1980 cb-125s (very similar) an 1980 xl-125s w/a slick 6-speed and cdi ignition (no batt required) w/ a full size frame.....Fun vid thanks..!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Gilbert and thanks for sharing! I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the positive response that the CB125 is getting since so many people got their first taste of motorcycling on similar machines!

[@postersm7141]

Oh my god that thing is so clean. It was made in July 1972. I was made in May 1971. I think the bike is in better shape then me!!!! Super cool!!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@anthonyryan9706]

I had a cb125s ...mine had a revcounter and was very well handling and would out accelerate any other 125

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Nice Anthony! The CB125 may have been the fastest, best handling 125cc four-stroke bike of its day.

[@Gail_Lee]

These are still being made in EFI version here, carbs are the best tho

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It's amazing that they're still being produced!

[@Gail_Lee]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 exactly but Honda rebranded it in different names to suit the local culture. For instance, in Taiwan it’s called Wolf 125, but it remains CB125 in China.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@Gail_Lee Right on!

[@jokenab2002]

Wow, such an amazing little bike! Currenlty to young to get a moterycle license but in about a year i might pick up one of theese!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool! It would be a fun first bike!

[@ItalicAlec]

completely off topic here but you live in an EXCELLENT area for astronomy. nice level land, clear open areas. wow.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It is even better just a bit north of us with very little light pollution.

[@lancenorton1117]

Just bought a 1975 CB125S that has the CL exhaust on it.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Nice!

[@constantin1959]

Thanks; I had the same in 1976 and loved it!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@billbert7927]

I had an almost identical cb125 and it was my first bike I legally had on the road I rode the wheels of that little bike. Such a blast of a motorcycle I regret selling it everyday!!!!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

So cool! There's something adventurous about riding a small bike. Cheers!

[@billbert7927]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 couldn’t agree more!!!

[@spiralni]

Beautiful place for a ride

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

No doubt! Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to ride.

[@robertnoble3768]

used to have one k reg

[@Lar308]

My dream bike when I was in my early teens - it looked like a rocket compared to my Dads Honda 50 scooter that he used to allow me to use. It turned out my first personal bike ( I was a police biker at this stage) was a new 1990 Honda 100 two stroke for zipping around the city. The I had a Bandit 600 for a few years and now have very high end stuff (BMW S1000RR M package, Panigale V2) and a few other bikes.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Sounds like you've got some nice ones there! It's amazing the perspective we have on things and how that can change over time.

[@marieandersson6655]

Honda CB 125 is the bike of my dreams ❤

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool 😎!

[@Hamzakhan-wv2tf]

It's still being manufactured in Pakistan by atlas honda and its called cg 125 here with some cosmetic changes.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

It's amazing that it's still in production!

[@BrianAdams-dt1ks]

What state is that you're in? You really hug that center line.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

PA, with little traffic and lots of deer 🦌!

[@BrianAdams-dt1ks]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 Thanks, never realized so much corn in PA. And with so much cicada noise, I would've thought the South.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@@BrianAdams-dt1ks Right on! Lots of corn for the dairy cows. Cheers!

[@lucianosilveira3945]

Muito legal seu video , parabens , tenho uma CB 125 S 75 aqui no Brasil , foi toda restaurada , sempre dou umas voltas com ela moto muito divertida , a minha tem os dois painéis , contagiros e velocimetro . faz mais videos dela , saudações do Brasil ....

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Olá, Luciano. Gostei muito de pilotar esta CB125 que meu amigo possui. São bicicletas divertidas e parece que você tem uma ótima. Divirta-se montando. Saudações da Pensilvânia, EUA!

[@romeparrilla8307]

im in bakersfield california

[@alexsbikesandmotors]

man a 250 ninja can do more than light highway work. ive got mine up to 103mph

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

No doubt. However, if I'm out on highway 81 or 95, I want ample power to quickly get out of dangerous situations. At an average speed of 75-90mph on those roads, the Ninja 250 is too close to maxed out for my comfort.🙂

[@danielretana8943]

You think is worth buying it?? I found one in sell, thinking about getting it

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I'm not sure what the NADA value is, but if you like it, you can decide what it's worth to you. Good luck with it! Cheers

[@danielretana8943]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 You think it would work good as a working bike or should use it as a fun bike??

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

@danielretana8943 You can use it for whatever you want. However, a 125cc bike is not quick or usable for highway riding.

[@loscheninmotion9920]

Looks exactly like my bike!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very cool!

[@romeparrilla8307]

HEY IVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THAT BIKE,U WANT TO TRADE FOR MY 1976 HONDA CB400F?

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

I think it has too much sentimental value to the owner, but I can ask. Are you local to central PA?

[@jonathanmellish4439]

Lovely. Quicker than my 90cc Cub 😂

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Jonathan! It's hard to imagine that the 125 was quicker than anything else but it makes sense that it's faster than the 90.🙂

[@ayoyai8163]

We are not lucky enough to taste how reliable Toyota bikes

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Very true!

[@ajarnolaf9034]

A beauty!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@64fairlane305]

You need to rev up small engines, all the way up!

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Since I was riding a friend's classic motorcycle, I rode it respectfully. Cheers!

[@64fairlane305]

@@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538 then you should keep the revs betwwen 3 & 6k, lower than 3k is the best way to damage the bearings

[@azaralamouri5140]

China makes knock-off's of the Honda CB125 to this day and they sell like hot cakes all over the world. I know the copyright infringement is sad, but I mean making identical copycats to a 50 year-old bike is a testament to how good it was designed at its day.

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Right on!

[@plusblood5101]

This is the cheaper version of cb125 No tach version.

[@barricadeish]

Mine would do 75mph😊😊😊😊

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Wow! Did you modify it?

[@robertprice7859]

The CB-125 was/is a really cool bike. The primary market wasn't the U.S. but temperant Third World countries. Philippines, Thailand, India etc. Honda visited these countries and their Dealerships. They found owners weren't changing oil, lubricating chains etc. The lack of oil changes caused the bearings in the overhead camshaft to fail early. Honda changed the engine from OHC to OHV using pushrods. The chain was then enclosed in a shroud to keep dirt/dust off it. The Honda CG-125 was born. It was sold in Third World Countries and the U.K. They are still made today in Pakistan. The CB-100 was legal in some states for 14 year olds to get a motorcycle license. 100cc and below. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CG125

[@aorakiboydog]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks Robert!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

The 74 had a tacho and a cable operated front disc. Fun video !

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

Thanks!

[@mistermister8]

My CB125 used to almost break your leg if you tried to kick it on the wrong stroke 🙂

[@jonsmotorcyclerescueandrev3538]

God bless the inventor of electric start!