[Dwayne Hicks]

Hi.

I had a thought. We get a lot of newbies and oldbies coming in here asking what type of bike to buy. My thought was, even thought most here ride a GSX-R, each forum poster does a mini review of their bike - handling, how comfortable it is to ride, how well the brakes work, how it sounds, and also RRP in your part of the world (and best possible price if an older bike) We could even start our own little in house forum e-zine!

With these little gems of literary brilliance, we could twist a new member's arm to buy a Katana as opposed to a GSX-R, or maybe a Volusia to a Marauder.

So come and share your wisdom! (Unfortunately no toaster can be provided to the best review, but we will all give you a virtual pat on the back)

And if its successful, could I have a sticky?
Regards
Dwayne Hicks

 

[Louis]

Why don't you start with yours Dwayne. By the way, welcome back.

 

[Dwayne Hicks]

The Honda CGL 125

At first glance, this bike looks like a chemist delivery bike. Bikes of this style are used a lot in South Africa for efficient and reliable delivery bikes. But once you get on, you are amazed at how easy it is to ride. The seat is wide and comfortable, and all the controls are within easy reach, except for the choke lever which is located under the fuel tank, in the top-centre of the engine.

Although it’s only a 125, acceleration is smooth from first to fifth gear. From a standing start, you can easily leave the morning cars behind at a traffic light. The engine is high revving, and redlines at 10,000 RPM. It gets a bit sluggish on inclines, but a drop in gear to fourth gets you to the top of a steep incline.

The brakes are smooth and solid feeling. A light touch is all that’s needed to feel the bite in front brakes.

The gear shifting is the simplest available. The lever works on a toe heel shifter, and each gear is below the next. Changing up is a simple method of stepping down with your toe, and changing down means stepping back with your heel. The gearbox is a rotary, with five gears, and neutral below fifth. Stopping from fifth gear at a traffic light is a simple task of stepping down with your toe to neutral, then down again to find first gear again. Down-shifting with the heel shifter proves a bit tricky on times, especially if you have tightly laced up boots on. I tend to lift my foot from the footpeg, and step down on the heel shifter with my toe. Riding with a passenger forces you to use you heel to change down, as if you reach your foot back to change down, you end up standing on your passenger’s toe.

The speedometer console is large, with easy to read speed demarcations, and also has recommended gear settings for the speed you are riding. It also has a large rev counter. Located between the dials is a large fuel gauge, and located beneath the gauge are the “idiot lights”- a large readout that tells you what gear you are in, and the neutral indicator next to that.

Mounted at the rear of the bike is a parcel rack with bungee points to strap down a bag or other parcel. I have removed this to make the bike look more “biker” and less “delivery”.

For a beginner rider, this is a perfect bike to learn and practise on, as it all seems too easy when riding this bike. You have to wonder if there is something you are missing.

Specifications:
Dimensions
Overall Length – 2010 mm (79.1 in)
Overall Width – 795 mm (31.3 in)
Overall Height – 1055 mm (50.4 in)
Wheelbase – 1280 mm (50.4 in)

Weight – 111 kgs (244.7 lbs)

Fuel Tank Capacity – 10.5 litres (2.77 US gal)
Fuel Tank Range – 400 km (248 miles)

Engine
Bore and Stroke – 56.5 x 49.5 mm (2.23 x 1.95 in)
Compression Ratio – 9.0 : 1
Displacement – 124.1 cm3 (7.57 cu-in)

Performance
Top Speed – 120 kmh (74.56 mph)
0-100 – 15 seconds
Quarter Mile – Three Weeks :lol:

And a picture of the bike