Honda 125 V-men Chopper sold in Chile. Anybody ridden one?

**realmc26** · #1 21 Oct 2011

I'm thinking of buying a small bike in chile for my S.A trip.

Was initially thinking of a Honda CGL 125 but just saw the retro-cool looking Honda V-men Chopper.
At about $1,900 U.S it seems like a sweet deal and it looks like it comes with a windshield and saddle bags. I'd just add a giant loop bag over the pillion seat and when in town its a comfy ride in back for the senoritas should one be so fortunate

You can check it out here-

http://www.honda.cl/motos/calle-mode...n-chopper.html

Anybody ridden one, seen one, thoughts ?

cheers,

James

**realmc26** · #2 22 Oct 2011

I think the bike is also sold in mexico as well.
Anybody living there know anything about this bike?

cheers,

James

**anaconda moto** · #3 22 Oct 2011

Holla realmc,
If you can"t find that Honda V man ,just go for a Suzuki gn 125.
They are more common and sold in all South America.
But they dont have that sadle bags, but those easy to put on.

Good luck with your choice.

**bigalsmith101** · #4 22 Oct 2011

Those two bikes are the only 125cc bikes I would even BOTHER considering. You're going to ride that bike all over the place, why bother with that Chopper except for the "chicas?"

I met an Austrian while I was on Ometepe Island, in Nicaragua, who lived in Chile for 4 years. He bought a Honda CGL 125, and hadn't done anything but change the oil for 12,500 miles.

His goal was to arrive in Texas. He'll likely have made it there by now.

He was averaging 74 miles per gallon, and just has his hiking backpack strapped to the back.

That Giant Loop is going to be perfect for your needs.

I'm partial to Suzuki's as well however, as they are EVERYWHERE in South and Central America. Parts/Services/Help, are everywhere and cheap.

The Suzuki GN 125 has my vote.

--Alex

**realmc26** · #5 23 Oct 2011

Thanks for your responses guy's.

Yes the CGL and GN 125's were what was coming up most positively in my research.
The chopper style looked pretty similar to the CGL and looked so retro 70's that I was just thinking out loud really.

Im guessing the CGL and GN would be similar in terms of spare parts availability from what I have read.
If so just wondering if you guys knew if there was any real difference in terms of top speed or general performance? I believe the GN is fuel injected ? So riding at altitude is going to be easier than with the CGL.

I notice the CGL PRO model (a little more expensive than the CGL)
has some extras like a rudimentary looking engine bash plate and a small carrier frame just above the front light

Any reasons apart from availability of spares that you might go for the GN over the CGL?

I appreciate your input.

cheers,

James

**anaconda moto** · #6 23 Oct 2011

The suzuki gn125 has a 13 liter tank,the honda 10 liter (i think)
Suzuki 12.5 hp and the Honda 9.6 hp
That is why the suzuki seems a bit better.
Maybe in Chile the gn125 has injection,but in most countrys it doesnt have it.

Good luck !

**realmc26** · #7 24 Oct 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaconda moto

The suzuki gn125 has a 13 liter tank,the honda 10 liter (i think)
Suzuki 12.5 hp and the Honda 9.6 hp
That is why the suzuki seems a bit better.
Maybe in Chile the gn125 has injection,but in most countrys it doesnt have it.

Good luck !

Thanks for that. The GN seems to be the more likely choice then.
I know a couple of young guys from Belgium bought a couple of GN's in Ecuador last year and went down to Argentina. He raved about their performance.

cheers,

James

**bigalsmith101** · #8 24 Oct 2011

The Suzuki GN125 is not fuel injected.

The extra 3 liter capacity of the Suzuki means up to 60 more miles per tank. (YMMV)

I've already met two people traveling on them. They already knew they were committing to top speeds that hovered around 90kmph (55mph), with average speeds of 70kmph. They averaged 75mph (80% better than my Dr650), and had only ever changed they oil. They did 15k miles on the first rear tire...

Buy a BRAND NEW, GN125, ride it up here to Azoques, Ecuador, and trade it plus $1500 for my Dr650....

--Alex

**realmc26** · #9 24 Oct 2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigalsmith101

The Suzuki GN125 is not fuel injected.

The extra 3 liter capacity of the Suzuki means up to 60 more miles per tank. (YMMV)

I've already met two people traveling on them. They already knew they were committing to top speeds that hovered around 90kmph (55mph), with average speeds of 70kmph. They averaged 75mph (80% better than my Dr650), and had only ever changed they oil. They did 15k miles on the first rear tire...

Buy a BRAND NEW, GN125, ride it up here to Azoques, Ecuador, and trade it plus $1500 for my Dr650....

--Alex

Hey that sounds like a sweet deal Alex but I'll wait and see how that beauty of yours comes together after you get it out of the lock up. LOL
Hope thats getting closer for you.
If they try and charge you I'll ride that Gn up there and break you out myself, we can hightail it to the border maybe doing 70kmh

You guys have sold me on the GN.

cheers,

james