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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...
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Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 27 Apr 2002
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honda cg125
well i wondered if i could do a little touring on a honda cg125 and after reading these pages all seems fine, you people have given me the will to try thanks
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  #2  
Old 16 Jun 2002
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Go do it, I used one for work which was about 40 miles a day for a year and it refused to die . maintenance was changing the oil, plug and check the points thats all so pack the tent and enjoy it.

regards
Adam
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  #3  
Old 16 Jun 2002
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The CG 125, and the XL 200 and 250 would have to be the most common bikes on the whole damm planet ( at least the parts I´ve seen anyways ). This means service and parts will NEVER be a problem, and also quite cheap.

I met a couple doing all of South America on 100cc 2-stroke scooters, and I reckon a CG125 would be miles more capable and reliable.

Look forward to seeing your web site !
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  #4  
Old 15 Jul 2002
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There are, as outlined, many advantages to a small bike, not least the 100 plus m.p.g.
The problems start when it rains and is windy, you are tired and need to find a place to stay - and bike is struggling to hit 50 m.p.h. If you are a very, very patient person, then no problem!
Remember, too, that the 125 is slow at all times, throwing you at the mercy of cars and trucks in a hurry. Bigger bikes can drop a gear and get out of there...you cannot. Let us know how you get on!
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  #5  
Old 4 Aug 2002
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small bores rev to the moon, hondas are close to bullet proof, some things that can cause problems with them if you are stressing the motor, such as mountain passes , loaded, combine it with crap gas etc.. you can have a problem, this would be trouble with other bikes too but you are stressing it harder.
keep an eye out for low grade gas, pinging on a high reving single is bad news, bring octane boost or adjust your timing if only low grade fuel available. change your oil often, use high grade racing type. some honda singles have a centrifigal oil filter on the clutch side, check it out. I did a couple 3-4000 mile or so trips over numerous 2K, some 3k meter passes, no worries. Hell fire gas mileage! check your gearing, can you pull anything higher? maybe bring a 1 tooth larger countershaft sprocket for flat countries, revert back for mountain passes.
in the event of problems these are cheap to fix!

funny thing some of these old hondas ('71 SL100) have really thick, well padded seats, more so than many high $$ touring bikes. or aftermarket seats. Have fun and post your trips!
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  #6  
Old 16 Sep 2002
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Cg 125 PUSHROD POWER
I used to run a fleet of these for a dispatch company, Hard to kill.Only big trouble was with the "Brazillian built square tankers" the rear wheel bearing used to spin in the hub, factory tolerances were too big. also plastic front mudguard/fender would pick up stones and jam when I tested them off road.
Have fun and remember if your out of power just push.
Zippy
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  #7  
Old 16 Sep 2002
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Colin;
Been on a farm and having had a lot of experience with small Honda singles I suggest,if you do not already know,learn how to adjust the timing chain tension.Simple procedure,may cure a rattley engine if the problem occurs.Suspension on 125 could be better,the 185 etc are much better.
Have fun; Ben
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  #8  
Old 16 Sep 2002
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Colin;
Opps,your bike may be pushrod,therefore you won't need to worry about loose cam chains.
Different models down here.
Ben
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  #9  
Old 16 Sep 2002
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Hi,
Go to Brazil. The Honda factory in Manaus (on Amazon) recently celebrated it's 3 millionth CG125 off the production line!!!

A friend of a Brazilian friend has a CG125 which has done 500.000 km! I must also mention that it has had 8 head/piston ring rebuilds too!!!

Take the slow road, meet the locals.
good luck.
ChrisB
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  #10  
Old 16 Mar 2009
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If you want a little more power you could fit the engine out of an XL/XR200, just need to do a minor frame modification on the right hand side as the casing is slightly bigger on these engines due to the kickstart mechanism. You may have to modify the top engine mount slightly as the barell might be slighty taller, but I am not quite sure as have only fitted a 125cc version so far. Am working on a 200cc project at the moment as a touring/adventure bike. Wouldn't mind 12V electrics either if possible.

Won't be quite as reliable as the CG engine though as has the overhead cam with timing chains and all that jazz, but will be much better for higher speed use and much more powerful.
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  #11  
Old 17 Mar 2009
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the only issue is the cam running directly in the head. get a good top end to start with, and do plenty of good quality oil changes, before the cam starts rattling!!!
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