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

[DKaz]

I commuted everyday in Vancouver on a Honda CBR 125R, 33km each way, half of it on the freeway. It had 11.5 HP which is a bit more powerful than the 8.9 HP Grom. The top speed was about 132 km/h indicated, 120 GPS verified. 0 to 100 km/h was roughly 20 seconds. I loved that bike though. It averaged about 3 L/100km or 78 MPG, impressive considering I was WOT on the freeway half the time and hypermiling was not on my mind. It did get more fuel efficient as winter turned to spring.

Here's my Fuelly log (I don't go here often):
Lil Sport (Honda CBR125R) | Fuelly

It looks like a CBR 250R, but a couple of inches shorter:

[Bicycle Bob]

My only MC was a Honda 65. I had to use the rear pegs and lay on the tank to go on the freeway, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. If I wanted more speed, I'd streamline something. I don't understand the point of rapid acceleration. I can always "adopt" a truck if I'm worried about getting run over from behind.
BTW, I recently salvaged a Honda 125 from a quad. It has 5 speeds + reverse and electric start, with the horizontal cub cylinder layout. I might build a 1+1 microcar for it, with the cylinder head showing out the front. I need the heat, and the directional stability. The whole power package is about 100#, though, so if I'm not quick, it may be rendered obsolete by electrics.

[davidgrey50]

I recently sold a 2015 Honda PCX125. Mostly used for a twice-a-week 100 km round-trip, Sunday afternoon rides in the countryside, and shopping. I replaced it with a Moto Guzzi V7III Special. To be honest, the Honda was more fun and way more practical. 125s only count as small in North America. How much bike do you really need?

[ByDesign]

I love the smaller motorcycles for putts'n around -- and that's what commuting is to me -- at least when I drive. I've had a motorcycle all my adult life (30+ years), until about 2 years ago when I sold my last one because I felt bad that I hadn't ridden it in more than a year. I've found the twin cylinders I call thighs get me around traffic fast enough with a heck of a lot more fun taking the MTB trails along the way. It's still 2 wheels, and really good gas mileage!

Yeah, I'd go for a small displacement motorbike again, but probably not till I get a lot more more grey hair and wrinkles.

[MetroMPG]

^ similar story.

I voted "no" just because I sold my one and only motorcycle (Ninja 250) when I realized it was competing with my bicycle for local trips.

Oh wait - I had a 49 CC motorcycle too! A got a kit and mounted it on an old mountain bike... I used it when I briefly lived in the Caribbean (A) to get to work without being covered in sweat (and then I pedaled home); (B) to outrun the pack of wild dogs on one particular stretch of road that went through the country!

[Xringer]

Originally Posted by Daox

Have you tried any Kawasaki Eliminator 125s? I know its not liquid cooled, and I'm also not sure its fuel injected. But, you can pick them up for peanuts and usually don't have many miles as people upgrade to larger bikes. I've though about getting one a few times.

Not very peanutty https://capecod.craigslist.org/mcy/d...510193509.html

But it is a nice looking bike!

[ctrlburn]

Spent my money on a 2013 Zero S electric for commuting.
Didn't have the courage like Ben Nelson to build my own.
Diesel motorcycles are too rare for me to go bio-diesel.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by DKaz

I commuted everyday in Vancouver on a Honda CBR 125R, 33km each way, half of it on the freeway. It had 11.5 HP which is a bit more powerful than the 8.9 HP Grom. The top speed was about 132 km/h indicated, 120 GPS verified. 0 to 100 km/h was roughly 20 seconds. I loved that bike though. It averaged about 3 L/100km or 78 MPG, impressive considering I was WOT on the freeway half the time and hypermiling was not on my mind. It did get more fuel efficient as winter turned to spring.

Want.

That fuel economy is still better than CBR 250R averages, and especially my CBR 250R's average. How many miles does it have on it? That 0-100 km/h time is pretty slow, a lot slower than what I have seen from videos. Did you change the gearing at all? I looked at your fuelly and see that you are a big guy, that would probably explain the discrepancy in 0-100 times. I'm only 148 lbs, so would likely get much closer to the low 10 second times.

Originally Posted by Xringer

Not very peanutty https://capecod.craigslist.org/mcy/d...510193509.html

But it is a nice looking bike!

You can find them for a lot cheaper than that, and with even less miles too.

[Ptero]

Sorry 125cc guys. I need a 250. My 250 Big Ruckus naked scooter goes 65 on the freeway. Faster, actually. 80+ on the downhill for the brave. I go for long cruises. Have to go on freeways someimes. The Big Ruckus kicks ass compared to 125s with little FE penalty. And it sounds like a motorcycle!


Look, this thread is not complete without seeing what Craig Vetter has done with the Honda 250 belt drive:

http://craigvetter.com/pages/470MPG/...20Fairing.html

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I recently salvaged a Honda 125 from a quad. It has 5 speeds + reverse and electric start, with the horizontal cub cylinder layout.

Was that quad still chain-driven? Well, that engine would be interesting to swap into something like this 50cc Chinese motorcycle:

Reverse would be great to use it with a sidecar.

I might build a 1+1 microcar for it, with the cylinder head showing out the front.

This sounds like an interesting project. I've already lurked about building some custom car or mini truck with a horizontal-single engine, but I would make it with a conventional grille (enabling some adjustable deflectors to either retain heat in the winter or allow a more effective cooling in the summer).

The whole power package is about 100#, though, so if I'm not quick, it may be rendered obsolete by electrics.

I honestly don't believe the ICE will become absolutely obsolete at all, even if plug-in serial hybrids become mainstream and start resorting to a microturbine instead of a reciprocating engine.

Originally Posted by davidgrey50

125s only count as small in North America. How much bike do you really need?

They count as small everywhere else too, however in other places where fuel prices are more of a matter of concern this becomes their main sales argument. Plus in some countries such as France, Spain and Portugal there is the advantage of being entitled to ride a 125cc motorcycle with a car driving license.