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CGL 125 TOOL or GN 125 CGL 125 TOOL or GN 125
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Which Bike? Comments and Questions on what is the best bike for YOU, for YOUR trip. Note that we believe that ANY bike will do, so please remember that it's all down to PERSONAL OPINION. Technical Questions for all brands go in their own forum.
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  #1  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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CGL 125 TOOL or GN 125
Sorry for so many threads that I´ve started...it´s just that for me $1,200 and up is quite a bit of money to spend at one time. So I want to be pretty damn certain before I make a purchase. Anyways....

I think I´ve more or less finally got down to these two bikes. The Honda CGL 125 TOOL and the Suzuki GN-125.

The biggest pro with the honda is that it´s almost $600 cheaper and I think it´d be easier and cheaper to find repairs-parts. However the Suzuki comes with a front disc brake, slightly bigger fuel tank, better gas milage, cast rims (no inner tube on wheel) and most importantly 2.5 hp more. Now the question is, is the gn 125 really worth another $550 usd?
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  #2  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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I have both of these bikes. I like the Suzuki GN125 and use it most days to come to work on. I don't feel much or any difference in the power between the 2 bikes. They both seem to have the same build quality although the Honda has a couple of nicer features- Gas gauge and lockable side panels.
If I had to buy again I would get the Honda as I don't think the Suzuki is worth the extra money.

Garry
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  #3  
Old 7 Mar 2013
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gnosis89 View Post
Sorry for so many threads that I´ve started...it´s just that for me $1,200 and up is quite a bit of money to spend at one time. So I want to be pretty damn certain before I make a purchase. Anyways....

I think I´ve more or less finally got down to these two bikes. The Honda CGL 125 TOOL and the Suzuki GN-125.

The biggest pro with the honda is that it´s almost $600 cheaper and I think it´d be easier and cheaper to find repairs-parts. However the Suzuki comes with a front disc brake, slightly bigger fuel tank, better gas milage, cast rims (no inner tube on wheel) and most importantly 2.5 hp more. Now the question is, is the gn 125 really worth another $550 usd?
I have a Brazilian GN125 and because of that I would choose the GN, but you need to considered that the GN's rear tire is more expensive (at least in Brazil) and even with cast rims you gonna need to use Inner tube. The front disc brake isn't really necessarily, but I would prefer a bike equipped with disc brakes.
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  #4  
Old 8 Mar 2013
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Many thanks for the replies. I think I´m pretty much set on the Honda CGL 125 TOOL. Mainly because of the price difference, and I cannot even really use the ¨pros¨ that I personally see in the GN to justify paying another $550 usd. If I were to spend another $500 or so, I´d go up another $800 or so and simply purchase a double purpose bike, which is what I´d really prefer, but don´t want to spend that much money. (ie $2,000 plus). The Tool here is around $1,200 usd, whereas the cheapest DP is around $2,300

Also Gary what do you mean when you say lockable side panels? And what do you think about traveling long distance on the CGL and pretty ¨iffy¨ roads?
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  #5  
Old 8 Mar 2013
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The Honda side panels can only be removed by the ignition key whereas the Suzuki side panels are just a push fit. This is not a big advantage as there is not a lot behind the side panels.
The bike can handle pretty much anything. Mine (or I should say my wife´s) was left here in Mexico by an English guy who rode it for a year in Lima,Peru and then rode from Peru to Mexico City. It now has around 25,ooo kms and runs fine.
The Suzuki is much the same and would probably go anywhere too. I have never taken it out of the city but in 28.000 kms it has never failed me.
Parts for both are cheap and easy to find.
The Honda has a strange (at least to me) gearbox where all the gears are down ie you shift down from neutral into first and then down again into second etc. This is easy to get used to and as my wife had never ridden before totally normal for her.
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Old 8 Mar 2013
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So your CGL is from Peru then? What year might that be, because from what I understand that after 2009 even the south american ones are chinese parts, however before that they were brazilian.
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  #7  
Old 8 Mar 2013
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it seems like you have 5 threads going simultaneously on this topic :-)
Makes sure you update us down the track whatever you choose.
i will be making the same decision bn those 2 down the track.
cheers
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  #8  
Old 9 Mar 2013
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Great to hear the Honda's still going strong and that your wife is using it, Gary. No hesitation in recommending one. Gave me no trouble at all on the trip.
Now back in Lima and i'll be buying another. I believe the Suzuki has a comfier seat and an extra 2 hp. Go and sit on them - the Suzuki felt quite cramped to me - i'm 5 "9.
And yes, made in China if that's important to you.
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Old 9 Mar 2013
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That´s just it, I´m worried on ¨long trips¨ the CGL 125 TOOL is going to feel rather uncomfortable. I´m no giant, but I´m about 6ft even and although I´ve never riden one I have both seen them and sat on them (in the dealership) and it feels quite small....I much prefer the elevated design of a trail bike, but being as the cheapest double purpose bike is the Honda XR 125 L which is twice the price of the little CGL I´m not sure I can justify buying it. So I suppose I´d just bite the bullet and tough it out with the CGL because it´s much cheaper. Also, like I said, I cannot really justify paying another $500-600 usd for something like the Suzuki GN 125, or the Yamaha YBR 125 because I don´t really see much of a difference between them and the CGL either...maybe 2 hp more, a front disc brake and perhaps a ¨cooler¨ design, but that´s about it.
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Old 7 Apr 2013
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Gnosis: the CGL has a "sit up straight" seating position, while the GN125 is a bit more of the cruiser "sit back and relax" position. I've read of both models being used for extensive riding all over Latin America, so I don't think you can go wrong with either one - it's just a matter of which is more comfortable to you.
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  #11  
Old 14 Apr 2013
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Well, which is more comfortable to me and the added cost of the GN...which is around $500 usd more. Still not sure, I sent you a pm clarke.
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