2014 Honda CRF125F, CRF125F Big Wheel Announced

Honda announced a new off-road model with two wheel size options for 2014. The new Honda CRF125F and the CRF125F Big Wheel variant replace the outgoing CRF80F and CRF100F youth models, just as the CRF110F replaced the CRF70F in the 2013 model year.

Essentially, in two years, Honda has replaced three of its long-serving youth-oriented off-road bikes with new larger-displacement models while maintaining the dimensions of the previous models to provide options for kids of varying heights.

In fact, the CRF125F and CRF125F Big Wheel have the same seat heights as the two models they replace. The CRF125F seat is 28.9 inches from the ground, the exact same seat height as the CRF80F. The Big Wheel has the same 30.9-inch seat height as the CRF100F. It uses a 19-inch front wheel and 16-inch rear wheel, both two inches larger than the regular CRF125F, while its suspension offers more travel.

The CRF125F is powered by a new carbureted 125cc Single-cylinder engine tuned for low-end torque. Honda engineers focused on increasing gas flow velocity and reducing valve overlap and lift to improve low-rpm performance. American Honda did not provide any specific figures but Honda Europe claims an output of 8.8 hp at 7000 rpm and 7.5 ft-lb. at 4500 rpm. The airbox is also new, lighter than the previous design with improved airflow. The new design also incorporates a battery tray for the electric starter, allowing the battery to site lower in the frame, helping keep the seat height down.

Suspension is provided by 31mm telescopic forks, compared to the 27mm forks used on the CRF80F and CRF100F, and a Pro-Link system at the rear. The CRF125F fork offers 5.5 inches of travel while the Big Wheel fork offers an extra 0.4 inches. The new rear shock uses a 32mm piston damper with separate air/oil gas pressurization chambers. On the CRF125, it offers 4.5 inches of travel while the rear shock on the Big Wheel offers 5.9 inches of travel.

Other features include CRF450R-inspired styling, a 1.1-gallon fuel tank, four-speed transmission, and adjustable front brake lever.

“The new CRF125F keeps the easy-to-handle body size of its predecessors but features a new, improved engine,” says Yuichi Kato, Honda’s development leader for off-road models and ATVs. “It also has a new look, fuller functionality and many other features, all at an affordable price. I hope the CRF125F will encourage even more people to try their hand at, and enjoy, both riding and competing off-road.”

The 2014 Honda CRF125F is priced at $2,799 while the CRF125F Big Wheel is priced at $3,199. Expect to see them in showrooms in September.

Also arriving in dealerships this fall are other returning off-road models, the CRF50F ($1399), the CRF110F ($1,999), the CRF150F (price to be determined), the CRF230F ($4,170) and the CRF450X (price TBD).

[Source: Honda]

By Dennis Chung