-----Introduction------

I spent allot of time looking at what bike to get and reading reviews. Whilst researching into what bike to choose I came across the Honda NSR125 and knew instantly I wanted one! After looking around for a few weeks I eventually bought a 2001 model in Red white and Blue, from a local motorbike dealer for £2200.

Wow! was my initial thought...the bike looks like a 600cc! Stylish curves and fat wheels. The only give away is the smaller exhaust (and the fact I’ve got 'L' plates). The bike is a definite head turner. The fairings also do their job well, keeping rain and wind to a minimum, though you do have to duck your head down a bit to optimise the effect of the screen. The fat wheels are very reassuring and allow you lean round any corner with confidence. One thing which looks out of place on this bike is the rear indicators, they stick out for miles...so much so you could hang you washing on them and dry it whilst you ride! But this is only cosmetic, and let’s face it the longer indicators make you more visible and therefore safer. Universal rear indicators are available from most motorbike shops (as well as Halfords) for about £10 if you do decide to change them. Any way enough about how it looks, you can see that for your self...on to the bike it’s self...

Its a two stroke, which means it doesn’t have the grunt of most bike, but don’t worry it doesn’t sound like a hover mower, the engine makes quite a purr which is very unique and distinguished (I think so anyway). Because it is a two stroke it means that this bike is sportier than 4stroke bike of the same cc, however it does take a while to warm up. This also means that it requires toping up with 2 stroke oil every 3-4 fuel fill ups. Because of the sporty set up of this bike I recommend using good quality fully synthetic 2stroke oil, this can be expensive (appx £5/litre) but it will ensure the engine remains healthy.
Toping up the 2stroke oil, and tinkering with the engine requires the tank to be propped up, there is a single bolt locking the front of the tank down, this requires an Allen key and can be a bit fiddly (especially with cold fingers). Once under the tank routine maintenance can also be a bit fiddly as there is little room for manoeuvre. I have had not problems with the engine at all, it starts every time…first time…even when cold or when I have left the bike standing for a few weeks. There is not a great deal more to say about the engine, it is liquid cooled, single cylinder and very straight forward. Stock bikes have restrictions in place (in the carb and the exhaust) which limit the bike to 12BHP, these can be legally removed after passing your bike test and have been reported to more than double the power out put to appx. 28-30BHP.

Now we are talking....this bike moves!!! As soon as you pull back the throttle and let out the clutch you forget that this bike is 125cc. Acceleration is fantastic. I regularly ride this bike on duel carriage ways and it has no problems keeping up with (and overtaking...he he!) traffic. I get some funny looks of people who have just been overtaken by a bike with L plates. At low revs the bike potters along blissfully, high revs the power band is breathtaking...it makes me smile every time! Its has been reported that the bike will achieve a 0-60mph speed of around 5 seconds and a top speed of 100mph+ when the bike is fully de-restricted, and a 0-60 of around 10seconds and top speed of 85-90mph when fully restricted.
The brakes work...there is not much more to say, they are not the best brakes in the world but they do their job more than sufficiently for the weight of the bike.
The riding position can be a little painful on the wrists (especially when riding for long periods of time). However it is very sporty and makes you feel a part of the bike, which is excellent when leaning into corners. Due to the respectively light weight of the bike it is great to manoeuvre. Unfortunately at low speeds the turning circle is huge and this makes things difficult if you have to do anything like a U-turn.

www.nsr125.com is a great website with lots of helpful information and chat forums where friendly advice is given about any problems you have.