AMERICANS: Would you buy a 125cc motorcycle for the street?

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

the full sized smallbores available (other than the 12" street minis)--consisting of the SYM 150 Wolf and the KYMCO K-Pipe--just aren't selling here.

If KYMCO was trying to snare the youth market they failed miserably as every owner I've "met" on line has been 50+.

Both also suffer from a lack of dealers, something that has to worry a potential owner.

This begs the question--with Honda's established dealer network and reputation for quality would a simple, basic 125 offered for two grand or less actually find a market here? I'm extremely biased as a confirmed smallbore fan but I think they would.

Besides beginners, kids, the financially challenged and old ducks like me who are tired of big heavy bikes there would have to be a market for those who would buy and use them for motorcycle training.

Gotta have to agree with you on that. Even though a novice rider could feel tempted to pick a "racing replica" because it looks more like its peers' crotch-rockets than gramps' pig of a Harley, there is a much greater demand that may also include older folks who are tired of Harley boat-anchors, college students looking for the cheapest commutter, or the average Joe looking for something easier to ride in congested cities.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by woodsrat

C'mon Honda, take the risk and bring in a CG-125 motor'd bike!!

The CG-125 would not pass US emission standards. By the time Honda adds EFI, a catalytic converter, and pays for CARB and EPA certification it won't be a $2000 bike anymore.

Honda already sells a 125cc street motorcycle in the USA. Is called the GROM and retails for $3500. It has quite the aftermarket following and apparently Honda sells a bunch of them because Kawasaki has introduced their own version called the Z125 Pro.

It is actually a great time to be a beginner rider in the USA with all the new 250-400cc bikes that have come out recently.

[woodsrat]

My 125cc K-Pipe managed to slide by the EPA sniffer test with a carburetor. "Controlled leaks" aren't dead quite yet...

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

The CG-125 would not pass US emission standards. By the time Honda adds EFI, a catalytic converter, and pays for CARB and EPA certification it won't be a $2000 bike anymore.

The entire Honda range in Brazil is now fitted with EFI and catalytic converter. Carburettor-fed models are now only available for some export markets.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

The entire Honda range in Brazil is now fitted with EFI and catalytic converter. Carburettor-fed models are now only available for some export markets.

How did that affect the prices? Just curious, as I responded to a YouTube comment yesterday saying how emissions standards were to blame for the loss of 4 cylinder 250cc bikes. I said price had way more to do with it than emissions. They could probably make them today and meet emissions with fuel injection and a cat. The problem is if they have a sufficient market as to not lose money.

[Daox]

Just saw this, didn't even know they existed. They are fuel injected. Only a 4 speed trans though seems odd.



https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy...510178162.html

https://www.kawasaki.com/products/2017-Z125-PRO

[jkv357]

Originally Posted by Daschicken

How did that affect the prices? Just curious, as I responded to a YouTube comment yesterday saying how emissions standards were to blame for the loss of 4 cylinder 250cc bikes. I said price had way more to do with it than emissions. They could probably make them today and meet emissions with fuel injection and a cat. The problem is if they have a sufficient market as to not lose money.

You would be correct.

The cost to produce a 4 cylinder 250 comes close to the cost to produce a 4 cylinder 600, and not many people will demand that type of performance from a 250. Most will just buy the larger bike.

Pretty sure it was all driven by the Japanese home market license restrictions, as well as a quest for bragging rights.

[Daox]

Interesting read on the Grom vs Z125.

Kawasaki Z125 Pro vs. Honda Grom

[Grinder74]

My last bike was a '05 DR650 with SM wheels. Decent mpgs and a blast to ride. I had an early '70's Honda CB100 25 years ago. Had a blast on that also. No way I would spend that kind of dough on a smallish bike when cheap small bike are everywhere. Too bad you're limiting yourself to a water cooled fuelly.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by Daox

Just saw this, didn't even know they existed. They are fuel injected. Only a 4 speed trans though seems odd.



https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/mcy...510178162.html

https://www.kawasaki.com/products/2017-Z125-PRO

Did you at least know the Honda grom existed? There is an aftermarket 5 speed transmission available for the grom for around $500.