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Continental ContiGO's On The CBF 125
Blog Date - 18 September 2012
When I purchased the 125 I'd noticed the OE TVS tyres. There's plenty of reports on the web about how terrible they are, and I can confirm they are blooming awful, especially in the wet. When you read the forums many "experienced" riders suggest that the tyres are fine, it's the novice learners that can't ride properly that are a fault. I'm no test rider, I'm no racer and I'm no speed merchant, but I am very experienced and I will support anyone who says the TVSs are indeed blooming terrible. If you're new to riding and think you're just crap on your CBF, take heart, it's the tyres.
I thought I may persevere with the OE tyres, there was plenty of tread left and being a miser I wanted to fully realise my return on investment. After a cold and damp ride to work one morning when I'd slithered and slid my way slowly around each bend, I could take no more. I organised the purchase and fitment of the ONLY alternative tyres in the unusual correct sizes on the CBF 125.
Shiny new rubber on my shiny rim. Lets hope it's an improvement.
The CBF takes 80/100 - 17 M/C 46P on the front and 100/90 - 17 M/C 55P at the rear. The only manufacturer who makes tyres in this size is Continental with their ContiGO! Range. For a pair, fitted to loose wheels, I paid £107. Obviously not as cheap as the fiver I wanted to pay, but quite reasonable compared to the £200+ price for most larger bikes. Some people suggest fitting slightly larger tyres, but I'm unsure how this might affect insurance and until I know for sure it's a risk I'm not willing to take.
So...are they any better. O...M...G...damn right! Now I'm sure that compared to the top flight radials that you can fit to larger machines, these cross ply cheapies are no match. But compared to the original fitment TVS things the ContiGO's are worlds apart. On a dry day I can attack the corner without the disconcerting sensation of feeling like I have a puncture. As the bike rides the curve it follows the intended track correctly and with confidence. In the wet like any other tyre the speeds must be reduced but the returning sensations from the bike feel quite correct.
I'm sure a better rider could tell you about feedback, grip levels and mid corner stability. I can't, what I can tell you is the CBF 125 now feels "right". I'm no longer terrified by the rain, although respect is still a good thing. I feel as though I can trust the bike to go where I ask it to and that each and every dry corner is a delight. Overbanding and ridges in the road can still be felt as you'd expect but they're not to be feared. I cannot yet comment on longevity and mileage, I've only had the tyres on for 300 miles. I shall keep you informed.
Reader's Comments
mike coleman said :-
You've convinced me. Getting these tyres fitted tomorrow.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
...I've had the tyres on the bike now for around 8,000 miles. I said I'd report on wear, my only report is what wear? I'm currently estimating the rear tyre has another 4-5 thousand miles left on it and the front looks untouched, I reckon it'll start to crack with age before it wears out.
As for my opinion on the tyres, that pretty much remains the same. They are NOT knee down in the rain super grippy. A lot of respect and caution is still required when the roads are wet but that applies to all bike tyres. They are good in being average and predictable and satisfactory.
I am still happy with my purchase and I would recommend this tyre over the original TVS any day!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Cbr125rr said :-
I crashed twice on contigo, both times it was raining. Im rather cautios rider and always trying to predict problems, so when it's raining I reduce speed, use breaks gently etc. My contigo have 20k km and only small wear.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Chris said :-
You've given sizes of - 80/100 - 17 M/C 46P on the front and 100/90 - 17 M/C 55P , what does the 46p and 55p stands for? I found much cheaper contigo tyres but they were 80/100 - 17 M/C 53P on the front and 100/90 - 17 M/C 58P on the rear, does that mean they can't be fitted on the CBF?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Chris - excellent question! According to "The Internet" the "46P", "55P", "53P" and "58P" are the load index and speed rating. What?
Load index is a number assigned to indicate the maximum weight the tyre can handle. I'll post a link that has a chart. The speed rating indicates the maximum speed the tyres is rated for, again this will be in the link.
Logic dictates that as the tyres you are looking at have higher load indexes this means they can take a heavier load which to me SUGGESTS that you would be fine. BUT...but...there are mysterious forces at play. Perhaps the higher index indicates a stiffer tyre that may upset the handling on your bike for example.
The ONLY way you can be sure is to seek expert advice and I am not an expert. I'm sure if you contacted Continental Tyres directly they would be able to advise you accordingly.
www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-tires/tire-data.htm...
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
John roberts said :-
Hi just had conti go tyres fitted to my new little runabout I'm 50 last time I rode a bike was over 20 years ago so started off small with Honda cbf 125 just wondering how to best bed new tyres in safely please
25/06/2017 11:08:19 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi John. Bedding in the tyres, or scrubbing in as most folks say these days, usually means taking it easy for the first 50 miles. I covered this some time ago, click on the link below.
Enjoy the CBF125, it's a cracking little bike. Don't be rushed into getting a bigger bike. Cheers!
www.bikesandtravels.com/biker.aspx?ride=120...
25/06/2017 21:12:41 UTC
said :-
02/09/2019 16:31:10 UTC
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