Dreaming of Off-Road Motorcycling? This Super Affordable Honda Is Worth a Long, Lingering Look

No brand offers more entry points to trail riding, and, for starters, this big-wheeled mid-spectrum option could be just right.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published 4 hours ago

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Here in America, we’re a bit obsessed with, for lack of a better term, “big-ness.”

How else can you explain Supersizing, the Ford F-450 or the multi-platform success of The Rock (to name a couple of examples)?

2026 honda crf125f big wheel standup — The new Honda CRF125F checks major approachability and affordability boxes.

However, when it comes to off-road motorcycling, the reality is that the biggest is not always the best, especially for those just getting into the sport.

After all, as rad as something like Honda’s Africa Twin Adventure Sports ES looks, it has a curb weight of 535 pounds and a seat height of 33.7 inches. Not exactly what you’d call “approachable.”

The power-to-weight ratio is confidence inspiring, as is the impressive 10.3 inches of ground clearance, which makes surmounting off-road obstacles relatively easy even for beginners.

For first timers (and shorter riders), a much better option comes from the very same brand and costs less than a quarter of the price.

Give your size-obsessed ego a rest and consider the new CRF125F. (Big Wheel edition, of course.)

Hitting the sweet spot

As trail bikes go, this particular Honda — designed for teens but just large enough for small- to mid-sized adults — strikes a nice Goldilocks-level balance of approachability and power.

Regarding the former, it weighs a super-manageable 199 pounds and has a seat height of 30.9 inches.

2026 honda crf125f big wheel clearance detail — While a 125cc engine may not seem small, it can provide plenty of zip to a bike that dips under 200 pounds.

(That seat height spec is for the aforementioned Big Wheel, featuring a 19-inch front tire and 16-inch back tire. The standard edition’s specs are 17 inches front, 14 inches back and a 29.1-inch seat.)

Regarding the latter, you get a 125cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, which offers just enough oomph to power you and 200 pounds of bike through the backcountry at satisfying speeds.

The power-to-weight ratio is confidence inspiring, as is the 6.7 inches of front suspension travel, 6.6 inches of rear travel and impressive 10.3 inches of ground clearance, which makes surmounting off-road obstacles relatively easy even for beginners.

2026 honda crf125f big wheel front — Thanks to generous shocks and ground clearance, you can tackle big obstacles off the beaten path.

That last figure also just crushes the 8.4 inches offered by another bike I am crushing on, Kawasaki’s KLX230 Sherpa S ABS.

That’s particularly noteworthy considering the Sherpa posts much higher weight (439 pounds) and seat height (32.5 inches) numbers, among other things.

Go big or … go small

If this bike doesn’t make sense for your personal geometry or level of experience, never fear.

What’s cool about Honda is that the brand makes a whole spectrum of bikes in this family, meaning there are options for a wide array of riders.

2026 honda crf125f big wheel action — The CRF125F sits right in the middle of Honda’s off-road spectrum, which truly offers something for everyone.

On one end is the downright adorable CRF50F, perfect for kids courtesy of its 49cc engine, 21.6-inch seat and 111-pound wet weight.

On the other end is the amped-up CRF450X with its 450cc power plant, 37.9-inch seat and 275-pound weight.

Honda also offers 110cc and 250cc options to round out the lineup and help almost anyone get into off-roading at just the right size (and price).

Availability and pricing

The 2026 Honda CRF125F Big Wheel hits dealerships in October at a starting price of $3,999. (The standard CRF125F starts at $3,599.)

2026 Honda CRF125F Big Wheel

Starts at $3,999

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.