2026-on Honda CB125F review: Frugal and fuel efficient

Honda's CB125F saw a new engine for Euro5 in 2021, which brought with it their enhanced Smart Power (eSP) design carried through into the 2026 model with little changes. It is a low-friction engine design with efficiency at the fore front of the build; components include needle bearings for the roller/rocker arms along with offset cylinders to reduce energy loss.

Honda have continued with their Alternating Current Generator (ACG) for 2026 which does away with a conventional starter motor and combines both starting the bike with generating electricity all at the crankshaft end. Helping to save weight across the bike leaving the 2026 CB125F model with a 117kg kerb weight overall.

The main addition for 2026 is Idling Stop technology, which can already be found on Honda’s Vision 110, SH125i and PCX125 scooters, all popular choices. The CB125F is the first of Honda’s bikes with a manual transmission to receive the system. Helping it to achieve high mileage claims whilst meeting Euro5+ regulations. The idle system switches the engine off at standstill, in any gear, and restarts it as the clutch is let out and reengaged. It’s seamless when a positive input is applied.

The big question here is whether the start/stop system helps the small CB achieve that wild fuel economy figure. While I didn’t manage that heady 188mpg, my riding to and from work necessitated a little more national speed limit work than the average 125 rider would endure. I did achieve a calculated 100.2mpg, though, which given I’m an 18-stone, 6’1’’ bloke, is impressive stuff, in my opinion.

Overall, the engine is silky smooth, you struggle to hear if its running with its faint tick over made so by the low friction and idle systems in place. It will happily spin up and produce enough torque to get the drop at the traffic lights and usher you out of the way, as well as helping you to maintain plenty of city riding progress.

Drop the CB125F into the semi-rural and outer city environment, you can easily keep up with the 40-50mph A-roads linking towns together, however, you really are in its top rev range when the road opens to national highway speeds. It will do it, it will get you from one town to the next but prepare to negotiate with the engine for those upper mphs, carrying your speed and using gravity to its full effect is advised.

You can easily see why lots of people have crossed paths with this little 125 in their riding career; it can meet the demand of multiple environments and provide a reliable footing into the motorcycle world.