GUIDES23 OCT 2026 · 7 MIN READ

Is a 125cc Motorbike Still Worth Buying in 2026?

Are 125cc motorbikes still worth it in the UK? We examine 2026 prices, insurance, fuel costs, CBT, historical sales data and the real cost of ownership.

A 125cc motorcycle parked on a British street — A small motorcycle can still make plenty of sense, but the real costs go beyond petrol.

There was a time when buying a 125cc motorbike felt like the obvious cheap way to get around. A small engine, hardly any petrol to buy, low road tax and a relatively affordable bike. Simple.

But is that still true in 2026? Petrol prices have climbed, new bikes aren't necessarily cheap, and insurance can be a nasty surprise, especially for younger riders. So I've been digging through current prices, government figures and motorcycle sales data to see whether a 125 still makes financial sense.

The answer is yes, in the right circumstances. But it's not quite the bargain it first appears.

Buying a 125cc isn't as cheap as it used to be

Take the Honda CB125F, one of the most sensible commuter bikes you can buy. Back in 2015, it launched at £2,499. The 2021 version was £2,799, while Honda lists the 2026 model at £3,299 on the road.

That's £500 more than in 2021, an increase of almost 18%. Of course, the latest CB125F isn't identical to its predecessor. It now gets features including a colour TFT display, USB-C charging and an idle stop-start system.

If you fancy something a little more premium, the 2026 Honda CB125R costs £4,799. That's a lot of money for a motorcycle you're legally limited to riding on a provisional licence, particularly if you already know you'll want something bigger.

Buying used can make far more sense. But remember that 125s are popular with learners and commuters, so check the service history, tyres, chain, crash damage and MOT records carefully.

The fuel economy is still brilliant

This is where a 125 starts fighting back.

Honda claims fuel consumption of approximately 1.4 litres per 100km for the 2026 CB125F. That's exceptionally economical, even allowing for real-world riding being less efficient than an official test.

According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, average UK unleaded petrol cost 174.57p per litre in the week beginning 19 October 2026.

At that price, riding 4,000 miles a year on a CB125F, using Honda's claimed consumption figure, works out at roughly £157 in petrol. That's around £13 a month.

For comparison, the government recorded petrol at 191.55p per litre during the week beginning 4 July 2022. Even at that higher price, the same theoretical mileage would have cost about £173.

The point isn't that petrol prices don't matter. They absolutely do. It's that an economical 125 uses so little fuel that the difference is smaller than you might expect.

Insurance is where the costs can really hurt

Unfortunately, the fuel savings can quickly disappear when you start looking at insurance.

Compare the Market's June 2026 figures show that 51% of customers looking for 125cc motorcycle insurance received quotes below £744.43 a year. For riders aged 16-17 across motorcycle insurance generally, the equivalent figure was £1,160.07.

Those aren't guaranteed premiums or a national average. They're thresholds from one comparison site's customer quotes. Your age, postcode, riding experience, bike choice and where you park overnight can produce a completely different result.

Still, they show why I wouldn't buy a 125 without checking insurance first. A £3,000 commuter motorcycle isn't much of a bargain if it attracts an eye-watering insurance quote.

What does a 125cc actually cost to run?

Here's a realistic illustrative budget for someone covering 4,000 miles annually on an economical 125. It uses current published figures alongside a maintenance allowance, rather than pretending everyone will pay the same amount.

Annual expense	Estimated cost
Petrol, using CB125F official consumption	£157
Motorcycle vehicle tax, up to 150cc	£27
Insurance example	£745
Servicing and wear allowance	£250-£400
Illustrative annual total	£1,179-£1,329

That works out at roughly £98-£111 per month, before the cost of actually buying the bike.

The servicing allowance is a budget estimate, not a fixed annual charge. A motorcycle workshop's published 2026 prices range from £80 for a basic 125cc service to considerably more for larger service packages. Tyres, chains, brake parts and unexpected repairs add to that.

You'll also need protective clothing, a decent lock and somewhere secure to keep the bike. If you're new to riding, CBT is another cost: training schools set their own prices, with London examples I checked charging around £180–£205.

Once a bike is three years old, it normally needs an annual MOT, with the maximum standard motorcycle test fee currently £29.65.

And don't mistake a low monthly finance payment for a cheap bike. Honda advertises the CB125F from £59 a month on one representative PCP example, but the deal also has an initial deposit and an optional final payment. The listed total payable if you buy the bike at the end is £3,872.14, compared with its £3,299 cash price.

Are people still buying 125cc motorbikes?

Interestingly, the sales figures tell a mixed story.

Motor Cycle Industry Association data shows 38,145 new 51-125cc petrol motorcycles and scooters registered in 2024, dropping to 28,524 in 2025. That's a fall of 25.2%.

However, 2024 sales were distorted by the transition to Euro 5+ emissions rules, which affected the timing of registrations. So that fall doesn't necessarily mean demand collapsed.

And the market is recovering. Between January and September 2026, registrations in the same engine-capacity category reached 27,519, up 23.6% from 22,271 during the equivalent period in 2025.

Small-capacity bikes clearly still have a place in Britain, especially for riders who want straightforward transport rather than another expensive monthly commitment.

Where a 125cc makes sense - and where it doesn't

For a town or city commute, I still think a 125 is a cracking option. They're light, easy to park, economical and generally less intimidating for someone getting into motorcycling.

You can ride an eligible 125cc motorcycle from age 17 after completing CBT, provided you meet the provisional-licence requirements. But you must display L plates, cannot carry a pillion passenger and cannot ride on motorways while riding as a learner. CBT normally lasts two years unless you qualify for an exemption or progress to the appropriate full licence.

That's where the limitations start to show. If your daily journey involves long stretches of fast dual carriageway, regular overtaking or carrying a passenger, a 125 may soon feel restrictive. And if you've already got a full motorcycle licence, a good used 300cc or 500cc bike could offer more flexibility for similar purchase money.

There's also safety to think about. Government figures recorded 386 motorcyclist fatalities in Great Britain during 2025. Across motorcycles of all sizes, the fatality rate per mile was around 50 times the rate for car occupants. That isn't a statistic specific to 125s, but it's an important reminder that buying good protective kit and investing in rider training matter more than saving a few pounds.

So, is a 125cc worth buying in 2026?

Yes - especially if you're commuting a relatively short distance, learning to ride or trying to reduce how much you spend on fuel. An economical 125 can still be a genuinely useful little machine, and there's something satisfying about getting through the week on barely any petrol.

But I wouldn't automatically call it the cheapest transport option. Insurance, protective equipment, depreciation and finance can change the maths dramatically. If your main aim is saving money, I'd look at a straightforward, well-maintained used bike before stretching to a premium new 125.

My advice is simple: get an insurance quote before you fall in love with the bike, work out your actual yearly mileage and budget for everything, not just the fuel. Do that, and a 125 can still be one of the smartest ways to get into motorcycling.

Sources and further reading

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