The bike did show signs of rust in some places (particularly the exhaust) but held firm in other more important areas. MCN ran a CBF125 as part of the long-term test fleet in 2009 and senior reporter at the time, Steve Farrell, ran it through a UK winter commuting 80 miles every day. Our huge array of Honda CBF125 owners' reviews show that corrosion can be a problem if the bike is left outside over winter, so investigate a can of ACF50 to go with your new bike. If the CBF has inherited anything from the CG125, reliability shouldn’t be an issue. Plastics are flimsy, with easily broken grommets. We have also heard people unsatisfied with the longevity of that matt black finish. An MCN test bike was showing rust after a few weeks of winter use. So perhaps it’s not surprising, if disappointing, that the finish on the exhaust doesn’t seem fit to last. The CBF125 was replaced by the 2015-2020 Honda CB125F.Īt this price something has to give. As a thrifty commuter there’s none better.” MCN said at the time: “Characterised most by its 83mpg single-cylinder engine, its useful half-fairing also has more style than most rivals. While more glamorous newcomers such as Triumph’s then all-new Tiger Explorer 1200 may have grabbed the headlines in 2012, Honda’s CBF125 commuter held its spot as one of the UK’s best-sellers. It was doing a great job at the time of recruiting new riders and planting seeds of a lifelong love of riding. In 2009, the CBF125 took the MCN Award for Best Machine for New Riders due to it being economical, fun and stylish. It's a cheap-as-chips replacement for the venerable CG125 and offers the same kind dependable utilitarian transport but with a dash of style. The only question seems to be: Why doesn’t everyone have one? It’s a Honda, it’s good looking, it’s cheaper to run than catching a bus, it may be the only transport you need and it cost just a shade over £2000 on the road brand new, with far cheaper bikes available on the secondhand market. The 2009 Honda CBF 125 (or CBF125 - the space is optional) has flown out of showrooms since its introduction – so much so that dealers complain of not being able to get hold of them quickly enough – and we’re not surprised.