Honda CB125R (2018-2020) Review | Top Speed, Specs & Prices

The Honda CB125R was introduced as Honda’s stylish, well-equipped, top-of-the-range A1 125cc class offering in 2018. It was a replacement for Honda’s previous, best-selling, fully-faired sports-styled CBR125R – which just goes to show how popular racy, 'naked' learner 125s have now become.

• Related: this bike appears in our Best 125cc Motorbikes article
• Related: from mountain bike to motorbike with the Honda CB125R
• Related: 2021 Honda PCX125 review

It’s been a big hit, too. With its retro/modern 'Neo Café' styling echoing that of Honda’s bigger middleweight CB300R, sportier CB650R and monster CB1000R, the CB125R is one of the smartest looking 125s on the market.

Being an upright roadster it’s manageable and learner-friendly. And it also benefits from quality touches like beefy, 41mm, 'upside down' front forks, a four-piston, radially-mounted front brake caliper and also has a flashy digital LCD dash. Together, these all give the CB125R a layer of sophistication not really found elsewhere in this class.

Its liquid-cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke motor, although not the most powerful in the class, is a reasonable performer. Being a Honda the CB125R is well built, it is also comfortable and easy to ride, has a reputation for durability and reliability and benefits from a great dealer network. While on top of all that – and amazingly so considering that it’s a 'quality Honda' – the CB125R is also impressively affordable, although prices have risen since its launch.

The sum total of all this makes the CB125R one of the most attractive and popular of all A1 class learner machines. That said, it’s not without fault: the slightly underpowered original engine has led to a significant update for 2021 with an all-new, now 14.8bhp engine while, its seat height, at a fairly lofty 816mm, is taller than many rivals and may be off-putting for shorter novices.

A further occasional complaint is that, despite its impressive spec, the CB’s front brake lacks a bit of bite. But those are mere niggles. This is a great bike for a first time rider that no one will be disappointed with.

In 2021 an update was announced for the CB125R, which saw the bike receive a new engine and 41mm Showa Big Piston forks. We're just waiting to ride the new model, so keep an eye out for the 2021 Honda CB125R review coming soon.

Watch: Honda CB125R video review