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Is This Beautifully Updated Honda Street Bike Simply the Perfect Entry-Level Motorcycle?

The little engine that could finds out just how much of a difference a fresh coat of paint — or two — can make.

Close-up of a black and red motorcycle's engine, exhaust, and wheels on a wet surface.Honda
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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You know that super-clichéd movie scene where the geeky female lead removes her glasses, lets her hair down, flicks her head and transforms into a Babe-raham Lincoln?

If not, check out this dead-on skewering of the trope by Allyce Beasley and Kathy Ireland in the criminally underrated Loaded Weapon 1.

Two Honda CG 160R motorcycles, one light blue and one red, parked side by side on a paved surface near a modern building.
Among the four new colorways, Zefiro Blue Metallic and Matt Pearl Diaspro Red boast the most visual pop.
Honda

Then allow me to argue that while such a simple shift creating such a huge change might be far-fetched with humans, it’s much more realistic with motorcycles. 

Exhibit A: Honda’s entry-level street bike, the CB125, which elevates to a whole new level of ogleworthiness courtesy of some pitch-perfect paint jobs for the 2026 model year.

True colors

Let’s get two things out of the way right off the bat. First off, while this bike is definitely headed to the UK market, chances are it won’t roll up stateside. 

While Honda is much better than some other big-name moto brands at delivering small-bore bikes to domestic dealers, they seem to draw the line at 300cc bikes. (Anything smaller and you’re looking at a miniMOTO such as the Grom or Monkey.)

Red and black Honda motorcycle parked indoors showing rear and side view.
Color splashes are wisely limited to the front fender, fuel tank and tail, making a statement without trying too hard.
Honda

Second, while the color makeover encompasses four new hues, the two pictured on this page — Matt Pearl Diaspro Red and Zefiro Blue Metallic — pop much more than the more understated Matt Rock Gray and Matt Lucent Silver Metallic.

With those facts settled, we can relax and admire these super-approachable beauties — and beg our local dealers to lobby the red brand to bring them stateside.

Why make such a case? First of all, these colors are pretty much perfect. Diaspro is a deep, warm red that recalls a fine Sangiovese wine, while Zefiro is a pale blue so minty you might even call it dental. 

Light green and black Honda CG 160 motorcycle parked on a wet rooftop at sunset.
While Diaspro is my favorite, Zefiro is a rare enough tone that you won’t struggle to find it in the parking lot.
Honda

Both treatments limit the splashes of color to the front fender, fuel tank and tail, while just about everything else is black, with a few silver accents, as on the tip of the tucked-in tailpipe. 

The colors are bold enough that they register a pretty striking effect — one more expected on bikes in the five-figure price range, not something coming in well under $10K.

Saddle up

Second, for a number of different types of humans — newer riders, smaller-framed types, budget-conscious folks, urban commuters and more — these small wonders are pretty dang compelling.

While they will not blow anyone away with their power and torque, they are perfect for learning to ride, zipping through crowded cities and parking just about anywhere while saving money in the process.

Red and black Honda motorcycle parked indoors with wet reflective floor.
Bikes that look this good are rarely this affordable, this side of Royal Enfield and maybe Yamaha.
Honda

That’s what you get with a liquid-cooled single-cylinder 124.9cc engine, shifted via a 6-speed gearbox and making 14.5 horsepower at 10,000rpm and 8.5 lb-ft of torque at 8,000rpm.

Approachability is assured by the bike’s dimensions alone. The wheelbase is a short 52 inches, the weight is a feathery 287 pounds and the seat height is a manageable 32.1 inches.

Performance features are competently appointed, with a 41mm Showa upside-down fork up front and a non-adjustable monoshock at the rear softening bumps and cushioning potholes. 

Red and black Honda CB electric motorcycle parked on a concrete surface at sunset.
I love this paint scheme just about as much as I hate these cruddy renderings. But, hey, what can ya do?
Honda

Helping newer riders stay safe and under control are a 296mm hubless floating front disc squeezed by a radial-mount Nissin four-piston caliper and a 220mm rear disc gripped by a single-piston caliper, additionally steadied by two-channel ABS.

The latest CB125Rs are not bereft of some modern tech either, including a 5-inch TFT display and full LED lighting. The latter feature ensures you can see just as well as you’ll be oh-so-admiringly seen.

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Honda CB125R was recently announced for the UK market at a starting price of £4,799, roughly equivalent to $6,400. There are currently no plans to bring it to the US.

If you covet the silhouette more than the size or the colors, check out the 2025 CB300R, which has a somewhat similar profile.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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