Honda CG125

The Honda CG125 or Honda CG is a commuter motorcycle made by Honda of Japan. It was in production from 1976 to 2008 in Japan and has been in production since 1992 in Pakistan. The CG was originally manufactured in Japan, but the source for the European market was eventually moved to Brazil in 1985, and to Pakistan in 1992 and to Turkey for the W and M models. The CG125 is powered by a 124 cc (7.6 cu in) four-stroke, overhead valve, single-cylinder engine that has changed little over the years.

Honda CG125
Honda CG125, circa 1983
ManufacturerHonda Motor Company
Also calledCG125 Fan and CG125 Cargo
Production1976–2008
PredecessorHonda CB125
SuccessorHonda CBF125
ClassStandard
Engine124 cc (7.6 cu in), air-cooled, 4-stroke, OHV, single
Top speed65 mph (105 km/h)
Transmission4- and 5-speed manual
SuspensionTelescopic fork
BrakesDrum front and rear (front disc from 2003 on)
TiresFront: 2.75-18, Rear: 90/90-18 (NOTE: Early production CG125s from 1976 to 1978 have a 90/90-17 rear tire)
Fuel capacity13.5 l (3.0 imp gal; 3.6 US gal)
Fuel consumption30-35kmpl

In Pakistan the original CG125 is still being produced by Atlas Honda Ltd. Except for a few cosmetic changes, the Pakistani version has remained exactly the same as the original 1980s Japanese CG125 over the past years. Two other variants, CG 'Dream' and CG125 'Deluxe' with some extra features, such as a modernized styling, were later added. The later 2019 SE model has a 5 speed transmission instead of the original 4 speed, electric start, a front disc brake and a wider rear wheel. It is one of the two motorcycles offered By Honda in Pakistan, the other one being the Honda 70 or Honda CD70, which is based on the original Japanese Honda 70.

In the UK, the CG125 is popular with learners due to licensing laws which allow a rider to operate a 125 cc motorbike with L plates by completing a Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course.[1]

In Brazil, due to emission laws from 2009, the engine has been redesigned with an overhead camshaft (bore and stroke also changed from 56.5mm x 49.5mm to 52.4mm x 57.8mm). Due to Euro 3 emission laws the Honda CG125 has been replaced by the fuel injected CBF125 in UK and Europe since 2009. Other manufacturers made overhead camshaft versions of CG125 engine with same piston bore and stroke (56.5mm x 49.5mm) to comply with Euro 3 emission laws and they are widely available.

History

The CG125 was developed from the CB125 for developing countries' markets. The two models were very similar, with many parts in common. The main difference was in the top ends: the CB had an overhead cam. One fault with many Honda OHC engines of that era (generally denoted CB), was that they had a tendency to wear the camshaft bearings if oil changes were skipped. The CG engine was developed specifically to address this problem (amongst others) as Honda realised that riders in developing countries performed little or no preventative maintenance. To make the bike more reliable with minimal servicing, the CG125 uses overhead valves with push rod, a washable foam air filter, and fully encased chain guard.[2]

Changes

Over its lifetime, the CG125 has received numerous enhancements and tweaks:

  • The electrics were upgraded from 6 V to 12 V (1985 in UK).
  • The point (contact breaker) ignition system was replaced by the capacitor discharge ignition(CDI) system (1989 in Japan) and a little later in other countries. By 1993 Honda was using only CDI ignition systems for all of its motorcycles.
  • An electric start was added in 2001, originally alongside the original kick start and replacing it completely in 2004 (in the European Market).

2004 saw a number of further changes in the European market:

  • The front drum brake was replaced by a disc brake.
  • A new instrument cluster, including a fuel gauge for the first time, replaced the old square unit.
  • The fuel capacity was increased from 12 l (2.6 imp gal; 3.2 US gal) to 13 l (2.9 imp gal; 3.4 US gal).
  • The styling was modernised.
  • The chain casing was dropped in favour of a simpler chain guard.

This last change is one of the very few changes that sacrificed functionality (longer chain life) in favour of aesthetics.

References
  1. "Compulsory basic training (CBT): when and how to take it". DirectGov. Retrieved 15 March 2012.
  2. Honda Corporate Web Site "CG125 1975"
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