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Honda’s alternative to scooters

With almost daily reports of people going from SUVs to scooters, I’m very happy to say that while scooters are an alternative to SUVs, Honda has an alternative to scooters. It looks like a motorcycle, it rides like a motorcycle, you can race it like a motorcycle, but it costs like a scooter, both purchase price and running costs including gas. That’s the Honda CBR 125. Not yet available in US, it became available in Canada first - while we had it in Europe for years.

Here is some spec:

  • Engine Type Liquid-cooled 4-stroke 2-valve SOHC single
  • Engine Displacement 124.7cm3
  • Bore & Stroke 58 x 47.2mm
  • Compression Ratio 11: 1
  • Carburation PGM-FI electronic fuel injection
  • Max. Power Output 10kW/10,000min-1 (95/1/EC)
  • Max. Torque 10.6Nm/8,250min-1 (95/1/EC)
  • Ignition Fully transistorised with electronic advance
  • Starter Electric

Now, Lynn Saxberg from The Ottawa Citizen made a quite nice review on the bike’s purpose, target market and joy of ride. “Best suited for solo travel in urban and suburban areas, the 125 has been available in Europe for years. In a bold move, Honda Canada introduced the 125 last year without waiting for its American counterpart to express interest in bringing it to the U.S.”

“If you’re sick of waiting for the bus, goes the narrative on the Honda Canada website, you can hop on this bike, outfitted in most of the protective gear you’ll need, for just $149 a month.

With a fuel-sipping 2.4 litres of gas per 100 kilometres and a three-year warranty, it’s not only economical but also reliable. Heck, Honda will even throw in a half-day rider-training course.”

Here is the rest of the report. See some Honda CBR125 pictures.

11 questions for motorcycle owners

Rick from “Keep The Rubber Side Down” got questioned about his riding, so I decided to answer the same questions, even if I have nobody to ask me the questions :(

  • Favorite brand of bike? Well, I do have a Honda blog, and 2 Hondas in my backyard. I would say, it’s Honda.
  • Favorite color of bike? Blue, black or a combination.
  • Do you always wear a helmet? Always - it’s requested by the law here also.
  • Most miles ridden in a day? Around 400, small country.
  • Do you belong to a riding club? Well, no big/real clubs around here (Romania)
  • How many bikes do you currently own? 3… I’m a buyer not a seller ;)
  • Do you wave at passing bikers? Always.
  • How many brand t-shirts do you own? None! I don’t understand clothes (and colours).
  • Do people think you are obsessed with motorcycles? Not sure about people, but I do think I’m obsessed.
  • What is your favorite type of riding? Touring.
  • Do you have any riding superstitions? Ha? What’s that?

Here is how Stephanie aka IowaHarleyGirl answered the questions. And Connie from One Big Harley Family.

Let’s see if someone else is picking up the questions.

Honda to Strengthen the motorcycle production

Good news, fellow bikers, Honda’s CEO Takeo Fukui announced in the Mid-year speech that: “Demand for motorcycles as a means of transportation is expected to continue to grow mainly in Asian and South American nations. In addition, considering the global high price of crude oil, there is a good chance that motorcycles will be considered not only in developing countries but on a global basis.

Honda will create motorcycle products which reflect the unique characteristics of Honda and exceed the expectations of customers while striving to develop another model which creates a new motorcycle category and market as did the Super Cub. ”

If you want to have an idea about what “exceed the expectations of customers while striving to develop another model which creates a new motorcycle category”, have a look at the Honda DN-01 videos and you will get the point.