The Honda Owners Club

My local Honda dealer has a Honda CBF125 demonstrator that I can take for a test ride.
Only problem is its to cold and icy for me at the moment.

I found another review
http://www.superbike.co.uk/news/Honda_C ... 73599.html

I have just been to sit on the new Honda CBF125.

The tyres are not the same as the pictures I have seen.
In the pictures they are Continetal ContiGo tyres.
The ones in the show room were not the same I thought they were unbranded rubbish.
Saying that the sun was in my eyes so I could have made a mistake but they were not ContiGo for sure.

When I sat on the bike the half fairing feels massive around your knees.
After a CG it was really massive when you look down and made you think you were on a large heavy bike (even though they weigh about the same).
The last thing a learner wants on a CBT is a bike that frightens them so I mark it down for that.

The half fairing looks aerodynamic head on. But I can see why one person who reviewed it said it suffers in side winds as a result (unlike the CG).

The riding position is good. Nice and upright like a CG.
The screen is miles to low. I assume Honda or third party companies will make a taller one.

I sent the following private message to Dibble (Chairman of the Honda Owners Club) 10 days ago.
I can see he has read it and never replied to it.
I am sorry for any offence he has taken to it and any of my posts on this thread.
I never intended to cause any offence to anyone.
I can see I am not welcome in Dibbles forum so I will never post hear again.
I wish you all the best and hope this new Honda will bring a new generation of people in to the Honda family.

Private message to Dibble
I don't know if you remember my posts about the Honda CBF125
new-models-out-f9/honda-cbf125-t2474.html

You posted about you have reviewed the bike and it would be in the next Golden Wing magazine.

Well I have waited and waited for it.
Only to find that the Summer 2008 edition has just been put online.

So am I correct in assuming that online is 3 to 6 months behind what membership people get?

If so you should have mentioned that in your posts.
You can not expect people to be members of the Honda Owners club when they have not even purchased their first ever motorcycle.
The Honda CBF125 will be like the Honda CG125 as in its often the first motorcycle that a person owns.

If I was you I would put you review in that post or some ware else that potential new motorcyclists can find for free.

The last thing we want is all the potential new motorcyclists to go to Yamaha!
Or even worse to the Chinese clones.

hondaarebest wrote:I sent the following private message to Dibble (Chairman of the Honda Owners Club) 10 days ago.
I can see he has read it and never replied to it.
I am sorry for any offence he has taken to it and any of my posts on this thread.
I never intended to cause any offence to anyone.
I can see I am not welcome in Dibbles forum so I will never post hear again.
I wish you all the best and hope this new Honda will bring a new generation of people in to the Honda family.

Private message to Dibble
I don't know if you remember my posts about the Honda CBF125
new-models-out-f9/honda-cbf125-t2474.html

You posted about you have reviewed the bike and it would be in the next Golden Wing magazine.

Well I have waited and waited for it.
Only to find that the Summer 2008 edition has just been put online.

So am I correct in assuming that online is 3 to 6 months behind what membership people get?

If so you should have mentioned that in your posts.
You can not expect people to be members of the Honda Owners club when they have not even purchased their first ever motorcycle.
The Honda CBF125 will be like the Honda CG125 as in its often the first motorcycle that a person owns.

If I was you I would put you review in that post or some ware else that potential new motorcyclists can find for free.

The last thing we want is all the potential new motorcyclists to go to Yamaha!
Or even worse to the Chinese clones.

Hi hondaarebest

IMO I think you're getting a little bit excited over nothing.

Firstly your comments towards Dibble are unnecessary, he is only offering help.

Secondly the Golden Wing magazine is published online 3-6 months after members receive their copies. Members after all are entitled to benefits, one of which is an up to date magazine. If it were simply published on line it is possible some members wouldn't bother to pay their annual subscriptions anymore.

Thirdly this is not Dibble's forum. This is a free forum for anyone to air their opinions. There are administrators and moderators who, if necessary, will remove posts and or ban posters. This rarely happens even when debates get heated as that would be undemocratic.

Fourthly there are many members of the HOC who do not own a Honda motorcycle but just have an interest in them.

If you feel you do not wish to continue to participate on this forum, be my guest and leave, but trust me the rest of us will not lose any sleep over it and it will be your loss as there are a great deal of resources available here.

You are most welcome here and I hope you continue to contribute.

Regards

Chimpy

Newbie putting us back on topic.

Hi all, I have been watching Honda 125's for a while now - it would be my first bike, I have a scooter at the moment (sharp intake of breath from you bikers! ) ... so anyway, have been looking at CBR's but they rather frighten me after the ex-chaps CBR 600, in the sense that they are pretty big and heavy. So when I saw the CBF125 I thought that would be perfect for me as a first bike, upright riding position but still looks like a sports bike (well to me anyway) - it seems to be marketed at learners / commuters and I have been reading the reviews but would also be interested to read an experienced bikers thoughts it too.

Cheers all

Totty

Chimp Boy wrote:there are many members of the HOC who do not own a Honda motorcycle but just have an interest in them.

Really? Just as long as they have had one in the past, then!
I thought one of the rules was: "The Honda Owners Club (GB) is open to any person who owns, or has owned, a Honda powered motorcycle. It doesn't matter if it's a grey, parallel or officially imported machine and if you sell your Honda you can still stay a member."

Merely having an interest does not 'qualify' you for membership!
(I'm only quoting the rules.......)

Yes I read your PM Hondaarebest. Not sure what reply I could have given you. You never said you were not a member you had told us you were looking at the CBF ----- A damned fine bike.

A condition made by Honda when taking part in their press day was to publish the result in our magazine which as yet has not come out so to publish it elsewhere would breach that condition to some extent. When the magazine is out it will eventually be on the website and I can publish my report to the forum if needed.

Echo others in saying you going away would be your loss as you obviously value other peoples opinions and perhaps will need their help in the future.

Hi Dibble, nice to hear from you, your explanation all makes sense now.

I am sure lots of people are looking forward to reading your review.
Its just a shame its taking such a long time.

Many people have already bought one.
147 were sold in December (even though it was not available until 4th December).

Its looking like it will be the biggest seller of any size and type of bike in 2009.

So far there is not a rear rack available from Honda or Givi so looks like its not yet a real commuter bike (wait a few months and I bet someone will make one).

It looks like all the Honda CBF125 in the dealers have TVS tyres (India firm).

Whole bike is made in India that would explain the tyres. The one I rode was literally straight out of the box and apart from looking like small tyres compared to the fat radials on all the bigger ones it stuck to the road even on the damp day had for testing.

Golden Wing now out and should be on members doorsteps.

Had a seat on a CBF125 at the MCN London show the other week. Tidy wee bike and certianly a lot more comfortable and sensibly sized than the CBR. I learnt to ride on an XR125-L so even the CBF felt quite small but seems nice enough and will be a decent competitor to the Yamaha YBR-125.

I've added the CBF125 to the Wallpaper gallery.
So if you want to put the mini-beast on your computer, go to http://www.hoc.org.uk/gallery and click on wallpaper.

Dibble's review of the CBF125 is now available for free.
http://www.hoc.org.uk/goldenwing/winter08.html

Its on page 24-25 (actually 22-23).

Looks like he should have read the other professional reviews in my earlier posts.
Especially the one http://www.ashonbikes.com/hondacbf125

Dibble's speed claims with his weight is unbelievable until you add on the 5mph over reading speedo like the professional review claimed.

I assume Dibble was not used to 125cc bikes so did not realise something was wrong.

I also got the feeling his review could have been far more detailed.

I also worked out from the Honda Press release that at 60mph in 4th gear the engine would have been just over 1,100 rpm past peak power.

I thought the review of the CBF125 was good. I've heard so many good things about the bike. I'm a learner myself and it, the Varadero125 and the Yamaha R125 were my shortlist. The R125 was out as I needed a commuter and the lack of weather protection and the fact I'm 6 foot tall meant the fuel econmy of the CBF couldn't tempt me enough.
That said, it is a pretty little beats.

I enjoyed Dibble's reviewn nicely summed up the 2009 models, though being a Varadero 125 owner (even though its a pre '07) I would prefer it to get more attention

I've seen a tested 134 mpg and the Honda 2009 125 brochure claims 129mpg, just a shame that because of the useless £, the CBF125 has tipped the £2k barrier. Anyone who buys one gets no disrespect from me.

A friend of mine has had a CBF for just over a month now and is extremely pleased with the bike apart from the tyres, which have given him a couple of scary moments on wet roads. I haven't ridden it yet although he has promised me a go, so I can't comment on the tyres.

Remember though all testers reviews are subjective and what one person finds good another may not. This doesn't mean any product is good or bad, it's just one person's view. Try yourself before forming an opinion is the best way I find.

Regards

Chimpy

I am (or was) very used to smaller bikes having covered many thousands of miles on them including touring Scotland and Northern Britain loaded with camping gear on a regular basis. My 125 Superdream easily did a proven 75MPH even with the 12 BHP restricted engine.

My figures quoted are based on what the displays showed and being as they were in Kilometres with conversion sticker as accurate as could be done. Now bearing in mind legally the speedo should be within 7% then there should be some reasonably accurate figures.
As to your power calculations power and speed are not always directly related. As I never put any timings on as to how soon the speed was reached you are rather over critical of what I actually saw ----- or were you there?

As to 'Professional review' what is that? I am a very experienced rider with over 35 years riding on many types and sizes of bikes riding them most days of the year in all weathers. What makes someone paid for their words any better than mine?

I wrote an honest review of what I was presented with if you dont like it then try one yourself as Chimpy says but dont call me a liar because I dont agree with your calculations or someone elses opinion.