Honda CBR 125 - confused - advise please

Zascar

Ok looking at my first bike, was considering the Aprila RS125 and Honda RS125, but it was suggested I look at the CBR125 instead.

There seems to be different versions but I can't get my head around it.

There is the R, the RR and the RW. Anyone know the difference?

From what I can gather, the standard CBR125R is only a two stroke with 13bhp, whereas the CBR125RR is fur stroke with 33BHP.

I'm looking at this one: http://www.isleofman.com/motors/pauldedman/popup.asp?Noti_Id=10042 - says it is the RR but I can't see or tell any difference.

But then a search on Autotrader for RW gives me this: http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/bikes/HONDA/Ne-2-4-7-8-27-64-104-133-146,N-117-4294967196/search.action

Can anyone enlighten me?
Thanks

batman_oh

u have things all backwards there man
the cbr125 is a 4 stroke with about 13bhp, different r's rr's rw's are just versions all run the same engine, you woultn get 33bhp from a 125 four stroke
the honda rs125 is a race only bike
the honda nsr125 is a 2 stroke with about 28bhp
id say take an nsr if u can find a clean good one, reliable for a 2 stroke and better for a learner(and i learned on an aprilia rs125!)

Wossack

theres only such thing as a cbr125r, the rr / rw Ive never heard of, but could refer to the engine at batman says. The model is consistantly 'cbr125r'. Facelifted once, last year, but still cbr125r.
All 4stroke, ~14bhp. No such thing as a 2stroke cbr.

Maybe worth noting, that a fully restricted nsr (some of them sold after 2002, makes them group 2 instead of group 7 with Aon) have just 12bhp. Not 100% sure, but I think Quinn consider all the nsr125's to be group 2.

Zascar

Thanks. I emailed the guy selling he said the RR was a typo. It's just an R. Facelift as you say with 14bhp. Does anyone here have one, or have you ridden one? I think at the moment it is the bike most suited to my needs. I want a 4 stroke rather than a 2 stroke as they are more reliable etc, and the 2 strokes like NSR and Aprilia are a little to 'racerey' for my needs, I'd perfer somehting a little more comfortable etc. However I'm concerned that the CBR will be 'slow'. I know its only a 125 and they are all slow in comparison to big bikes, can anyone here tell me what they thought after riding it?
Cheers

Wossack

I own a 04 cbr125r, and have done for about a year now. This convo came up on biker.ie, where I post under the username 'kal'. Was started by yourself? You might want a different opinion, rather then my same one rehashed under a different username :P

csm

actually the cbr250 is around 40-45bhp ish.

the R (or mc-19) is the older version and the RR (mc-22) is the newer one. you can spot the difference most easily by looking at the front disks. the RR has 2, the R has one. the R had a more upright seating position iirc.

had one a few years ago. enjoyed it. very 'flicky' so was good for bendy roads but lacking a bit in straight line. only went for it rather than a bigger engined bike because of insurance issues. back then it was group5, don't know what it is now.

there are lots of them around but most are in an awful state to buyer beware. go to cbr250.com for advice. there are also 4 stroke 250cc engines from the other japanese manufacturers but they aren't as common

csm

totally got that arseways. thought you were talking about the 250, not the 125


time for sleep methinks....

Zascar

I can;t seem to find any CBR 250's at all at the moment!

Zascar

Is the CBR250 provisional legal?

Steffano2002

Zascar wrote: »

Is the CBR250 provisional legal?

AFAIK, all bikes are "provisional legal" (once you get an A license and not a stupid A1 which, IMO, should be scrapped altogether).

The only thing that might restrict you from getting any bike you want is:

- 33bhp restriction (required by insurance companies for the first 2 years as you probably know)
- cost of insurance

I don't think there's anything else restricting you from getting any bike you want.

Zascar

Cheers, so i can get any bike I want and put a restrictor on it? Then when I pass my test I can take it off?

Wossack

Zascar wrote: »

Cheers, so i can get any bike I want and put a restrictor on it? Then when I pass my test I can take it off?

you're still restricted to 33bhp upon passing your test for 2 years. So after 2 years, nothings stopping you getting your bike derestricted and having, effectively, a whole new bike

any bike can be restricted to 33bhp (afaik), but the insurance companies generally dont take the restriction into account when making quotations. (Except for Aon, who give discounts for factory restricted bikes).

Zascar

I've been researching solidly for nearly a week and there are just so many possible options, between 125cc, 250cc and bigger bikes that are restricted, but I think I'm going to find myself going back to my original choice. The CBR125R may only be 125cc and may only do 70mph, but I think for a first bike and for my needs it's a pretty good fit.

This is a very good review that made me realise it does the basic very well, and that's enough for me right now. I'll see how I get on with that and think about upgrading to something much bigger next time (after passing test etc). I've found a few that I want to look at of varying ages and prices etc, and I'm going to take a look at them soon. Will let you know!

KTRIC

Why not go for the new Kawasaki Ninja 250R, its learner legal and looks like its big brother. Its a sexy little machine as well, I'd nearly get one myself.

Zascar

Cause they are probbaly about 6k!

EDIT: Actually I ws just down in Gorey Bikes there and the guy said he has a load of them coming in from the US in Feb - between 3k and 4k but all low milage and great nic etc.

Perhaps I can get one that is slightly older and cheaper? Any idea where I should be looking?
Thanks

ambasite

Zascar wrote: »

I can;t seem to find any CBR 250's at all at the moment!

selling mine -MC19 - if you are interested:

http://www.biker.ie/forum/showthread.php?t=30623

KTRIC

Zascar wrote: »

Cause they are probbaly about 6k!

EDIT: Actually I ws just down in Gorey Bikes there and the guy said he has a load of them coming in from the US in Feb - between 3k and 4k but all low milage and great nic etc.

Perhaps I can get one that is slightly older and cheaper? Any idea where I should be looking?
Thanks

The US one is actually a GPZ250, not a Ninja in the true sense. Not a patch on the Ninja 250R thats coming to the EU in March/April.

Zascar

I think I'm going to stick with a 06/07 CBR125R - in Red and Black. There is one in Autotrader for 3k in cork. I think its too much as they are €3500 new. There are very few around though. Still think if I bargain downt he guy in the Isle of man it would be a good deal...