By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Aprilia RS4 125 (MY2011) vs Honda CBR 125 R (MY2012)
Aprilia RS4 125 vs Honda CBR 125 R: which one to buy for the riding you do.
You'll feel the Aprilia RS4 125 bite at turn-in, and it's eager to tighten its line toward the apex. The Honda CBR 125 R's bars stay neutral as you turn it in. It slots onto whatever line you pick, at any pace.
What makes each one tick
RS4 125
There's big-bike feel in the RS4 125, from its aluminum perimeter frame to a single that loves to rev. The chassis reacts quickly to every steering input. The single's happiest spinning high.
CBR 125 R
Comfort comes first on the CBR 125 R: a low seat and a relaxed reach to the grips leave little weight on your wrists. The fuel-injected single's power comes in smooth and predictable. The brake lever wants a firm squeeze, since the single front disc doesn't grab with much feel on its own. The front end follows any nudge.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The CBR 125 R has the lower seat: 31.2 in (793 mm) vs 31.9 in (810 mm).
- The RS4 125 has the lower wet weight: 265 lb (120 kg) vs 302 lb (137 kg).
- The RS4 125 makes more peak power: 15 hp (11 kW) vs 13 hp (9.8 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
These two run dead level on commuting, twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike. Sit on both in the showroom and trust what your body says.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
RS4 125
What owners say
Strengths
- Top-tier sport bike
CBR 125 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Honda Build Quality and Reliability
- Comfortable, Upright Ergonomics
- Exceptional Fuel Economy
Trade-offs
- Limited Top Speed and Power
- Basic Braking Performance
- Soft, Budget-Oriented Suspension
Known problems to check before you buy
RS4 125
- Fuel pump reliability issues Fuel pump failures have been reported, which can cause loss of fuel pressure, hesitation under acceleration, or engine stalling.
CBR 125 R
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Displacement
- 125 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 100/80-17
- Rear tire
- 130/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| RS4 125 | CBR 125 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 31.2 in (793 mm) |
| Wet weight | 265 lb (120 kg) | 302 lb (137 kg) |
| RS4 125 | CBR 125 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 15 hp (11 kW) | 13 hp (9.8 kW) |
| Peak power at | 10,500 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 8 lb-ft (11 Nm) | 8 lb-ft (10 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 8,500 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| RS4 125 | CBR 125 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 US gal (14.5 L) | 3.4 US gal (13 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| RS4 125 | CBR 125 R | |
|---|---|---|
| Quickshifter | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
