Home
Ren's Biking Blog
They Joy Of 125
Blog Date - 01 May 2013
Spent the best part of a day out on the bike this weekend. 2 up. On a CBF 125. You can't convince me you need a 600cc bike to have a darn good ride out.
The gf decided she wants a new back protector so the mission was to find one. Preston has the most bike gear shops around here so that's where we headed for. The 125 is perfect for town work and can manage a little countryside fun for good measure. We had a blast at 55 mph, curved some dry roundabouts and dodged the showers. Town riding is easy, light, fun and the little motor has no problems keeping up with all the traffic.
I remember those rose-tinted days of my youth, my first bike was a Honda H100. After a childhood where the definition of speed was going downhill on a Raleigh Grifter a mere 10ish bhp felt like being strapped on top of a space rocket. The wind in my hair, the first taste of adolescent freedom, being able to get to mates houses without being out of puff for an hour and the thought of all those girls getting excited at my big throbbing motorcycle. Looking back I know I was a spotty oik on a chicken chaser, but as far as I was concerned I was half Barry Sheene, half Dennis Hopper.
As the years went by I got larger and more powerful bikes although I never did manage to keep up with the rest of my peers on 750's, 1000's and even 1400's. The most powerful bike I've ever owned is my current 95 bhp Fazer 600. Yet now I also run a 125. Why? Those who know me will immediately say because I'm tight, because it does 130 mpg, because tyres and chains are cheaper. It's true and I don't deny it. But I don't have LESS fun on the 125. On the contrary quite often I have MORE fun on the 125. How can this be?
The 600 is a wonderful bike. To have power wherever and whenever I need it is satisfying. Keeping within the law I just think of the speed I desire and dial it in. Yet it is frustrating too. In the towns and the small patches of countryside around here if you value your licence and your life there is nowhere it can be opened up fully and allowed to breathe freely. It's a 10 pound sledgehammer to knock a small nail in.
The 125 is the right tool for the job. Small light and nimble around town and in the almost extinct 60 zones I can thrash the motor mercilessly. I enjoy the challenge of getting it up the hill then the thrill of whizzing down the other side. The 600 is too capable, it's all too easy. The 125 requires input, energy and thought. It needs to be ridden in an involved manner not just pointed and squirted. When I tire of being involved I switch on "just passed test" mode. I can bimble along keeping in lane and flowing with the traffic. Being a small bike no-one challenges for a race at the lights or pushes me above the speed limits.
I've often heard people say they'd like to go back to their youth but only if they could keep the knowledge and experience they've gained over the years. I'd like that young body back, the one where endless pies and chips did not cause middle aged spread and the one that could stay awake all night. I would not like to go back to the nervous, image conscious, shy, lazy and selfish mentality though. My 125 reminds me of the best parts of my youth, my age keeps me from the worst.
The best tool for the job...ridden by a right tool.
Reader's Comments
John said :-
Now you can understand why I love the vespa..................though its not been on the road for ages. But my sentiments are the same Ren. :)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Tom McQ said :-
You always manage to put forward a convincing argument for 125s to the point that I wouldnt mind spending a day on one, so I'll collect yours this weekend :-)
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
You'd be more than welcome Tom...be sure to fill it up before you bring it back though.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
CharlieBoy said :-
Great read! Thank you. I've been riding a CG125 for the past year, it's my learner bike, but I'm totally in-love with it and have very little desire to get a bigger bike when I pass my test this summer. Glad to see I'm not the only person with an appreciation for 125s!
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Name
Comment
Add a RELEVANT link (not required)
Upload an image (not required) -
Uploading...
Home
Ren's Biking Blog