Well I thought I would see if I could throw some words together about the experience so far.
Got my 2008 Honda CBR125R the day after getting my M1. Just dropped off for me to enjoy, without ever riding a motorcycle before. Beautiful little bike, and at the time it was enjoyable. Quick off the line compared to a bicycle, but the little guy would corner like a dream. However, you needed to make sure that you were riding in the right gear all the time or the bike would chug like an asthmatic one legged pirate trying to play soccer (football).
Fast forward.
There I was getting ready to drop off the little guy at the dealership. Took the nice slow highway to get there, of course I had the bike full throttle. Don't even think about passing on a 125 unless you're prepared to ride in a full tuck
for at least 7 seconds full throttle, after you make sure the oncoming lane is clear for about three days. Starting to feel a little sad because I knew I wasn't going to be able to beat up that little bike around town anymore. Definitely had a emotional connection with it.
Pulled into the dealership parking lot. Took one last look at the CBR125R before I walked into the door. Met the sales manager and proceeded to exchange ownership papers. He brought me outside and around the building to the garage area where the R3 was sitting.
As he pulled open the door to the garage I immediately remembered what it was that I loved initially about the R3. Just the silhouette of the bike in the corner waiting for me got my heart racing. It was the bike I've been stalking online for months on end, finally mine. I could finally take it home.
The sales manager was talking to me about something, unfortunately all I could pay attention to was the Yoshi exhaust on the bike and how badly I just wanted to start it. When that moment finally came, I had the biggest dumb grin on my face. Turned that key, press the starter button ... and fell in love with the nice raspy grumble of the engine idling.
The entire lot of the dealership was super loose chunky gravel so I had to take it extra easy. Then the road was right in front of me. Clicked my turn signal over to the right and set off.
As soon as I twisted the throttle I was infatuated with the increase in power off the line. Yeah ... I know, a John Deere riding lawnmower probably has more grunt than that little CBR. It wasn't until I got to a little town that the highway goes right through and came to the first set of lights that I found out just how much more I had to play with. I took off from the light "gradually" and looked behind me, let out a laugh that caught me off guard and shouted "God my CBR was terrible" lol.
Got back into the city and started seeing how much passing power I had compared to the CBR. 5th gear at 4k rpm roll on to get around someone on the R3 felt like 9500rpm on the CBR in 2nd gear. Couldn't believe that I actually road that little guy on the highway. Kept riding around and was enjoying it so much that I ended up two towns over without any idea where I was.
NEVER!! ever had that many people wave to me on passing bikes, it was like going through puberty and ending up with the most beautiful girl at school that no one ever could get (yeah, little dorky but still).
I would recommend this bike a thousand times over. I do suggest heavily that if this is your first bike, please for the love of Paula Deen's love for butter that you take a MSF course so that you're prepared when that lady in the SUV texting on the phone while doing her makeup decides to pullout of her driveway. You'll know how to stop properly, and that's probably the most important thing that you can learn if you're brand new. Without it I would probably be another statistic already. Too many close calls, but I was prepared with the skills I learned from the course.
Wish you all the best if you decide to get this bike. Honestly fantastic and extremely comfortable. Plus it doesn't move like the speed of smell breaking CBR125R
