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

[JSH]

Looking at the Mexican site it looks like they only get the 110 Wave today. Bummer. 4-5 years ago I was following a thread were a guy was trying to bring a Cub into the USA.

That first bike is similar to the bike I'm talking about but not quite it. A picture is attached. It is the 150 Cargo in Mexico, the GL150 Cargo in Costa Rica. Back when these little air-cool bikes were sold in the USA they were CBs. I looks like the 125 version is called the CB1 or Looking at the Costa Rican and Chilean site they have the GL150 WS. Same as the Cargo but with a double seat, disc brake and cast wheels.

Add a high fender and change the headlight on the CG 125 and you get the CB1 TUF which looks interesting as well.

[Grant-53]

I bought a 1988 Honda 50cc moped this year at a yard sale for $40. The local shops price an overhaul at $200. I can make a streamlined body for under $100. My best guess is that it is capable of up to 150 mpg at 50 mph with the right modifications to porting and exhaust inside a low drag shell.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

It is the 150 Cargo in Mexico, the GL150 Cargo in Costa Rica.

The same CG 150 made in Brazil.

Back when these little air-cool bikes were sold in the USA they were CBs.

But the CB had always relied on OHC heads, and then Honda developed the CG to be less maintenance-intensive in order to cope with harsher operating conditions and some degree of neglect that have favored its 2-stroke counterparts in Southeast Asia.

[Daschicken]

Originally Posted by JSH

Back when these little air-cool bikes were sold in the USA they were CBs. I looks like the 125 version is called the CB1 or Looking at the Costa Rican and Chilean site they have the GL150 WS. Same as the Cargo but with a double seat, disc brake and cast wheels.

The CB-1 sold in the U.S. that I know of was a 4 cylinder 400cc standard bike. I would rather have a CB400 Hyper VTEC over a CB-1 though. Carburetors suck.

Originally Posted by Grant-53

I bought a 1988 Honda 50cc moped this year at a yard sale for $40. The local shops price an overhaul at $200. I can make a streamlined body for under $100. My best guess is that it is capable of up to 150 mpg at 50 mph with the right modifications to porting and exhaust inside a low drag shell.

Pics or it didn't happen. Two smoke?

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

The same CG 150 made in Brazil.

Yes, but your CG gets upgraded to a disc brake

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

But the CB had always relied on OHC heads, and then Honda developed the CG to be less maintenance-intensive in order to cope with harsher operating conditions and some degree of neglect that have favored its 2-stroke counterparts in Southeast Asia.

I understand you now. The CG is a pushrod engine.

Originally Posted by Daschicken

The CB-1 sold in the U.S. that I know of was a 4 cylinder 400cc standard bike. I would rather have a CB400 Hyper VTEC over a CB-1 though. Carburetors suck.

CB1 in Latin America today is a 125cc single cylinder:

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by JSH

Yes, but your CG gets upgraded to a disc brake



I understand you now. The CG is a pushrod engine.

Not every version of the CG has a front disc brake. Some still have all-around drums here too. And not every CG is OHV, because that nameplate grew so strong in the Brazilian market to a point that Honda wouldn't even dare to get rid of it once it switched to OHC.

[woodsrat]

Originally Posted by JSH

A shame they don't have a mail order department...

[Grant-53]

Now have two similar units, one for each twin son. Both need work before running. I'll work on pics after replacing Photobucket.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/gzEWiuiA7ZQDGne93

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

In the end it seems to exist an actual demand for such small motorcycles there. OTOH either the manufacturers would try to sell them as some sort of "lifestyle" deal at unrealistic prices (given the absence of any sort of tiered licensing for motorcyclists) or the crude utilitarian models available in s#!thole countries like mine would be neglected by the dealers.

[woodsrat]

Whether because of a lack of advertising or the crucifixion of them by the U. S. motorcycle media 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.

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