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ADV NewsHonda’s CB125X Concept Bike One Step Closer to Production?

Honda’s CB125X Concept Bike One Step Closer to Production?

A patent filing for Honda’s CB125X concept shows it may be on its way soon.

Published on 06.11.2019

It was just seven months ago when Honda showed off its futuristic-looking CB125X concept bike in its ‘Design Studio’ area at EICMA 2018. The mini-ADV bike featured a tall windscreen, ultra-compact LED headlights, hand guards, wrap-around skid plate, 19”/17” wire-spoke wheels, and a sweet rally-inspired look to match.

When first put on display in Milan, Italy, the CB125X concept seemed like it might only be an exercise in design by Honda’s Rome R&D center. Honda surely took notice though of the resounding positive feedback toward its concept going around the internet. Smaller, lighter ADV Bikes are the trend of late as well.

Honda CB125X Adventure Motorcycle Patent


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Honda CB125X Adventure Motorcycle Patent

Now the red marque has gone a step further and recently registered the CB125X design with the European Patent Office, which could indicate this concept may be on its way to becoming a real production bike. Even better, the detailed photos included in the patent filings look almost identical to the concept – a promising sign that the final design may also be a close match.

Moreover, the CB125X is based on an already existing platform, which makes its exit from concept purgatory an easier escape. Specifically, Honda’s concept shares the engine and frame with the ‘overseas only’ CB125R naked bike, featuring a 125cc water-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed transmission. Weighing in at 277 pounds wet, the CB125R offers a worthy platform for an entry-level adventure bike.

Honda concept Adventure Motorcycle Patent

Honda concept bike Adventure Motorcycle Patent

Honda 125cc adventure bike Patent

While most in the online adventure riding community have been happy with the look of the machine, many were not so enthusiastic about its 125cc capacity. Such a small engine would not be ideal for North American highways, yet there may be some potential as fun, affordable, transpo that can get you out on weekend adventures.

Clearly a small powerplant hasn’t stopped Honda’s Grom from being a huge sales success here in the US. A brave few are even willing to take the Honda Grom on serious adventures, so why not a CB125X? Compared to the Grom with its 9 horsepower, 125cc air-cooled engine, 4-speed transmission and 63 mph top speed, the CB125X would offer a better platform. Based on the performance of the CB125R, we can assume something in the range of 13 horsepower and an 80 mph top speed. Larger wheels and ergos would also make it more practical for longer distances than the playbike Grom.

Honda CB125X Adventure Motorcycle concept

Most likely, the CB125X would be slated for European and Asian markets but you never know when Honda might throw caution to the wind and make it available here in the states. This bike could be Honda’s next planned model in their popular miniMoto lineup, making an appearance at this year’s EICMA in November. As of now, we can’t be sure if the CB125X will ever make it to the production line but at least this patent filing is another step in the right direction. Our wish would be for Honda to turn this into a 300 and deliver it worldwide. But if Honda does not end up building it, we can only hope that they take the look of this concept bike and apply it to another production model. The plane-jane CB500X would be a perfect candidate for a makeover!

Author: Rob Dabney

Rob Dabney started a lifelong obsession with motorcycles at the age of 15 when he purchased his first bike – a 1982 Honda MB5. Through his 20’s and 30’s he competed in off-road desert races, including the Baja 250, 500 and 1000. Eventually, his proclivity for exploration led him to dual sport and adventure riding. Rob’s never-ending quest to discover what’s around the next bend has taken him on Adventures in Latin America, Africa, Europe, Asia, and throughout the American West. As a moto journalist, he enjoys inspiring others to seek adventure across horizons both near and far.

Author: Rob Dabney
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21 Comments
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Thomas
Thomas
June 11, 2019 11:00 am

Love it! Put the 300 engine in it, it will be an instant hit!

Matt
Matt
June 12, 2019 4:35 am
Reply to  Thomas

I completely agree. The idea of a small adventure bike is brilliant, but it really needs to be bigger than a 125. 300 would be a great sweet spot.

TK4
TK4
June 12, 2019 1:54 pm
Reply to  Thomas

Yes, it would be fairly easy for Honda to upgrade with the CBR250/300 powerplant.
Come on Honda, you know you want too… 🙂

Michael massucco
Michael massucco
June 11, 2019 12:06 pm

Um, this is super tempting….I am all about downsizing bikes…. Would it be insane to replace my f800 gs with this?

Rob Dabney
Rob Dabney
June 11, 2019 3:54 pm

It would not be insane but better as a second bike. How fun would it be to explore the backcountry on this?!

Szilárd Schaffhauser
Szilárd Schaffhauser
June 12, 2019 12:36 am

I’ve recently got my A2 licence here in Europe and bought the 250 cc Suzuki V-Strom. I love it but it is more commuter/tourer than adventure. I am not really interested going over 500cc/35 kw but also fan of downsizing. This concept is optimal as it is: light ,well built for any type of use, futuristic design and can be driven with a B125 licence.

Norman Hamilton
Norman Hamilton
June 12, 2019 1:10 am

i love the look so much but wish i could have it with more grunt the idea of using the engine from the CB500X (which i own) would be great or hell even the engine from the 450L would also be a nice treat and sexy look.

Ronald
Ronald
June 12, 2019 9:25 am

A larger engine (than 125cc) wouldn’t be needed due to the 6-speed trans and take wheels.

A Grom is already easily modded to go over 70 mph by opening up intake/exhaust and changing the fuel mapping. This thing will probly hit 70 mph by just opening intake and exhaust*if* it doesn’t hit that when stock.

JennyM
JennyM
July 19, 2019 6:50 pm
Reply to  Ronald

The issue with a 13hp 125cc engine is going to be once you reach higher altitudes (and the power drops) – fortunately the 300cc engine is dimensionally the same bottom end (the CB300R and CB125R share the same frame), so there is no reason why Honda couldn’t make a 125cc for the European learner market, and a 300cc version for rest-of-world.

Augusto
Augusto
June 12, 2019 5:22 pm

I see an Africa Twin design iteration. Honda can run this design on a 450 to 800cc engines …21 and 18 inch tires front/back..it would be a winner…

Daman Johnson
Daman Johnson
June 12, 2019 8:50 pm

Screw you honda. Make a 450 that looks like it’s ready to do Dakar and doesn’t cost a fortune. This what people want. Not a f#$% mini bike.

S Green
S Green
June 13, 2019 6:22 am

if only this were a 450cc bike!

Juharris
Juharris
June 15, 2019 12:07 pm

Any idea of the tires on this mock up?

Jonathan R Burnes
Jonathan R Burnes
June 17, 2019 9:18 pm

So, Lets drop a 6 speed cr250 2 stroke in it and compete a little with KTM. I’m riding my 2001 cr 250 on the road legally in California!

Jim Furrie
Jim Furrie
June 25, 2019 9:54 am

Looks excellent, but with the new line of flexible motors I think 5 gears is more than enough.

Ishan Lamsal
Ishan Lamsal
August 11, 2019 9:05 am

i think about 200 cc engine it will be sweet

Paulo Portugal
Paulo Portugal
October 13, 2019 1:25 pm

Bonita máquina. Enche-me praticamente todas as medidas. Muito elegante

jojo
jojo
September 3, 2020 1:20 pm

This would be a great 300 or even better 450cc bike at 300lbs and 6k service intervals. I’d buy one.

trackback
7 Adventure Bike Concepts We Can't Wait To Get Here | | Canada Electric Bike
October 2, 2020 12:43 am

[…] Honda’s CB125X, which debuted on the 2018 EICMA present and hasn’t been seen since, could possibly be a […]

Randall W Zook
Randall W Zook
October 29, 2020 4:24 pm

awesome bike Honda please bring it to the US. This may be one of the only internal combustion engines we can buy especially if the leftists get into power here. We will all be riding battery powered scooters

Robert Happel
Robert Happel
January 29, 2021 4:09 pm

That would be great on the back of my Motorhome. Sigh me up!

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