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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.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 4 Aug 2008
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Honda CG125
Hi All

Ive been seriously thinking about doing a big trip on a cg125 or similar (city fly etc. There seems to be a lot of plus points Cheap to buy which also means cheap carnet /100mpg/ reliable / light/ easy to work on/ spares available world wide etc etc . Most of my previous trips have been on large bikes the last being N/W Africa on a 1100gs . Just wondered if any of you have any experience with these bikes or suggestions for mods .

Cheers Kev
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  #2  
Old 4 Aug 2008
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similar boat
hey there Kev, done a few 'warm up' trips (week long) on a derbi cross 125. derbi have a 125 adventurer model (derbi terra adventurer) but in all honesty the lighter bikes are great for touring. been off road on mine and apart from bad rear suspension it was almost enjoyable! had a hard time getting panniers, actually never got any hard ones, although alu cases are available for the adventurer model. (still to be priced for uk market but the bike is on sale). given the huge range of 125 bikes available on the market there shouldnt be any probs finding a suitable type.

good luck!
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  #3  
Old 5 Aug 2008
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I used one as a commuter bike for a few years. They are very solid and there is a chain case from the CG110 which fits, if your 125 doesn't have one. Multiplies the life of your chain and sprockets.

There is one weakness: if you don't engage the kickstarter gears before kicking it the crankcase can be blown apart. (Mine did it twice before I bought it.)

In NZ years ago they sold a CG145, which might be better, don't know anything about it and have never seen it anywhere else.
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  #4  
Old 5 Aug 2008
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Yeah, they did sell a 145 model here, but called the GL145 Luxury Tourer! It was an import from Asia, probably somewhere like Indonesia. They are nice motors, with most parts from the small Honda single OHC range from the '70s and '80s fitting each other. For example, there is a race class here in NZ and Aussie called Bucket racing (because they are all buckets of shit... pieces from all over, the rules being max 150cc four-stroke and 110cc two-stroke, and road bike engines only). One of my Bucket bikes has a CB125 engine case and barrel, XL125 6-speed gearbox, XR185 cylinder head, GL145 crank, GL145 carb, CB100 rolling chassis, RD125 Yamaha front wheel and disc brake and sundry other bits. They all just bolted together. Years of racing abuse and it's never been apart.

I think it's a great idea.

Kind regards

Nigel in NZ
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Old 5 Aug 2008
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here in blighty we race cg125 engined "lash-ups". The motors are seriously strong. the swingarms can flex in extreme situations, but you are unlikely to encounter that!

the cg engine is the ohv pushrod type, later models having cdi and were built mainly in brazil. the early japanese points motors are rumoured to be better quality metal in the engine internals, but I have seen neither blow up.
unlike the chinese 125 pitbike motors which are grenades looking for somewhere to go bang..
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Old 5 Aug 2008
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Must admit i like the idea of the simple pushrod engine of the CG125 dose anyone know which other models share the same pushrod engine . Am i right in thinking the cityfly is a OHC engine ?
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Old 6 Aug 2008
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I rode a Honda CLR 125 (Cityfly) over 8000 miles from London to UlaanBaator. Good bike, but really lacking in the sand. My companion took a Honda XLR 125 with the same engine.


Engine was rebuilt for the trip but gave no problems whatsoever, even when pinking on octane 70. Never used a drop of oil between 2500 changes.





Not very good at taking crashes or lots of weight.


Mods: re-enforce the frame, get some suitable tyres (the cityfly can only take pirelli mt60 i think, pants in sand), consider some lever protection, otherwise good to go.

Martin
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  #8  
Old 10 Aug 2008
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Honda 125 cargo
Hi, Honda Brazil (Manaus) build a single seat work 125, the Cargo. I bought mine new in Veracruz, Mexico, rode it south to Tierra del Fuego and back to New York. I replaced the sprockets and chain twice. No other problems in 45000 Ks - started first kick every morning. Honda have upgraded the motor to 150 cc and fitted a guard to the silencer so you don't burn your leg. I burnt mine badly falling on a dirt track in Guatemala and wore a leather gaiter from then on. Advantages: spares available throughout South and Central America. Uses little gas. Totally reliable. Light enough for an old man of 75 to hold upright and lift after a fall. Not a flag of affluence.
You can find an account of my journey at home
Harper Collins publish the edited account the end of this month: OLD MAN ON A BIKE
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Old 28 Aug 2008
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125's
Great pics Martin, a real inspiration
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  #10  
Old 28 Aug 2008
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Hello Kev!
Hi Kev,

Well wuddya believe it, another home grown Ashfordian !

Glad to make your aquantance. I'm interested in the CG idea too. The Honda CG125 is a remarkable little bike indeed. If I were to do a RTW on a 125 then this little baby would be top of my list. It's Cheeeeeeeep and reliable and the parts are readily available.

Bearing in mind we both hail from the same area perhaps it would be good to meet up sometime? If you need some more bike buddies then I know a few decent friendly guys in the area. I'm a fair weather biker so my bike only comes out after April. It goes back in October covered in WD40.

My email is clarkneil(at)live.co.uk

Neil
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  #11  
Old 26 Apr 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ukKev View Post
Hi All

Ive been seriously thinking about doing a big trip on a cg125 or similar (city fly etc. There seems to be a lot of plus points Cheap to buy which also means cheap carnet /100mpg/ reliable / light/ easy to work on/ spares available world wide etc etc . Most of my previous trips have been on large bikes the last being N/W Africa on a 1100gs . Just wondered if any of you have any experience with these bikes or suggestions for mods .

Cheers Kev
Saw this old thread and was wondering if you got that 125 and did your trip?
Would love to know how the bike held up.
Im thinking small and light for South America as well.
Cheers,

Jimmy
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  #12  
Old 1 May 2011
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Yeah, I'd certainly like an update too. Being a not experienced rider the smaller, reliable bike sounds like the go for my South American trip too.
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  #13  
Old 3 May 2011
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Ive done over 40000 km on both coasts of Africa and lots of Europe on a CG, half of that two up.

I wouldnt use any other bike. I love Harri, she is almost part of me after two years of travel. I even have another which I cannibalise for spares, not that she needs many. Even buying two of them, I had lots of change from 1000 Euros. So easy to maintain, fix, ride, hide, blend in. There is practically nowhere you cant either get parts, or cannibalise local stuff. I needed to change tyres and sprockets in Nairobi, so did a German couple on 650 BMWs - it cost me 12 dollars for tyres, 10 for sprocket and chain, and half hour of my time to fit them, the germans had to wait a week to receive the parts, and pay several hundred for their production and fitting.

Buy one. Travel on one. Fall in love with one.

No mods necessary. Its already perfect! The frame is strong enoguh for two up dirt riding without snapping, the swingarm sufficiently bendy not to break. I put a bigger tank on, but you can use jerry cans just as easily.

Birdy

(Currently farming in Toledo, and waiting a royalty check for his first published book, but thinking of riding down to Aus again. The idea keeps nagging at me.)
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  #14  
Old 4 May 2011
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Thanks for the update I wondered too
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  #15  
Old 9 May 2011
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Hmm, have also been reading a few posts/reviews on the Euromot GXT200, so maybe another option? A little more power versus a little less reliability I guess is the choice, no?
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