When the CBR125R was launched in 2004, few people expected it to be such a roaring success. Honda's previous learner sportsbike - the NSR125 - was a good bike, with a 2-stroke engine, but didn't have the appeal (and ease of tuning) of competitors like Yamaha's TZR, or the likes of the Cagiva Mito. And while the CBR looked amazing for a 125, with clear design cues taken from the firm's CBR600RR and Fireblade supersport range, its four-stroke single cylinder engine seemed a little dull.

But the CBR125 hit the showrooms running. It was very competitively priced - thanks to production being based in Thailand (the bike was developed from the Thai-market CBR150), and that styling gave it a real advantage in a market where sporty looks are vital. On the road, the performance was actually even better than some 2-stroke designs, because of the 15bhp learner power limit. A full-bore 125cc 2-stroke engine can make 30bhp, and cutting this in half to comply with the law often resulted in a peaky, ill-running engine design. By contrast, the CBR motor was designed from the outset to produce 13bhp (you'd struggle to get much more from a 125cc four stroke at this price), so its power curve is smooth, and what power there is is produced in a linear, progressive fashion.

The CBR's chassis offers few surprises, but again works very well. A steel tube frame apes the aluminium designs of larger models, the single disc brakes front and rear give decent stopping power, and the suspension, while a touch bouncy, copes well with the CBR's performance. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic full fairing keeps the wind off, helps with top speed, and adds loads of street cred to the little CBR.

For the cash, it could be the perfect sporty learner machine.

Specifications:

2004, Honda CBR125R
Price: £2,699
Engine
Type: a/c, 2v single, SOHC
Displacement: 124.7cc
Bore x Stroke: 58 x 47.2mm
Compression: 11:1
Carburation: 28mm VK carburettor
Gearbox: Six-speed, chain
Power: 13bhp @ 10,000rpm (claimed)
Torque: 8lbf ft @ 8,250rpm (claimed)
Cycle Parts
Chassis: Steel tube twin spar
Suspension: (F) 31mm telescopic forks (R) monoshock
Brakes: (F)276mm disc, dual-piston caliper (R) 220mm disc, single-piston caliper
Wheels/Tyres: Cast aluminium/IRC (F) 80/90 17 (R) 100/80 17
Rake/Trail: 25 degrees/88mm
Wheelbase: 1,294mm
Fuel capacity: 10 litres
Dry weight: 115kg
Contact: Honda 01753 590500 www.honda.co.uk