This Comparison Changed Completely in Late 2025, and Most Articles Still Don't Say So
When a Pakistani rider is ready to move up from a 70cc bike, the 125cc class is the natural next step, and two names have always stood out: the Honda CG 125 and the Yamaha YBR 125. One is the no-nonsense workhorse that has ruled our roads for decades. The other was the smooth, refined ride that always felt a class above. But there is one fact you need before spending a single rupee on either: Yamaha is no longer a Pakistani manufacturer.
This is not a YBR-specific story. Yamaha ended motorcycle manufacturing in Pakistan entirely in late 2025, and every locally built model, the YBR 125, the YBR 125G and the YB 125Z, was discontinued at once. Yamaha has said parts, service and warranty support continue through existing dealers, but no new units are being assembled here. That single fact reshapes this whole comparison.
Honda CG 125 vs Yamaha YBR 125: The Numbers
| Spec | Honda CG 125 | Yamaha YBR 125 |
|---|---|---|
| Status in 2026 | In production, Atlas Honda | Discontinued, used market only |
| Price | PKR 238,500 to around 297,000 by variant | Around PKR 424,000 to 471,500 in its final months |
| Engine | 124cc OHV air-cooled | 124cc SOHC air-cooled |
| Transmission | 4-speed, 5-speed on Self Start trims | 5-speed |
| Fuel average | 35 to 40 km/l typical, up to 45 well maintained | 42 to 45 km/l |
| Parts network | Extensive, every city and roadside workshop | Existing dealers only, long-term supply unconfirmed |
CG 125 pricing varies by trim, kick start, self start and self start Gold. YBR figures reflect its last active pricing before Yamaha exited manufacturing. Confirm exact current asking prices on listings, since the YBR is now used-market only.
The Price Gap Has Become Enormous
As of 2026, the Honda CG 125 starts around PKR 238,500 for the base kick start model, rising to roughly PKR 283,000 to 297,000 for the self start and self start Gold trims. The Yamaha YBR 125, in its final months of local production, was priced around PKR 424,000 to 471,500 depending on the exact variant.
That is a difference of well over PKR 200,000, close to double the price for the Yamaha. A few years ago this gap was small. Since the economic turbulence from 2022 onward, Yamaha's import-heavy pricing pushed it into a completely different bracket, and that pricing pressure is a large part of why the company withdrew from local manufacturing altogether. For most Pakistani buyers, price alone settles this comparison in Honda's favour.
Engine and Riding Character
On paper and on the road, these two bikes have always had different personalities.
Honda CG 125: 124cc four-stroke OHV air-cooled engine, around 11 hp, known for strong low-end pulling power. Four-speed on the base model, five-speed on Self Start trims. Character: punchy, eager, rewards being ridden hard.
Yamaha YBR 125: 124cc four-stroke SOHC air-cooled engine, smoother power delivery through a five-speed gearbox. Character: relaxed, stable, built for comfortable cruising rather than quick acceleration.
The Honda feels livelier, which is why younger riders have always preferred it in the city. The Yamaha felt smoother and more planted at higher speeds and on longer runs. If raw commuter energy is what you want, it was always the Honda. If refined comfort mattered more, the YBR still has the edge, on a used example.
Fuel Average: The One Category Honda Doesn't Win
Despite being the cheaper bike, the Honda CG 125 was never the fuel economy champion in this pair.
The CG 125 realistically returns 35 to 40 km per litre when well maintained, dropping if neglected. The YBR 125 often managed 42 to 45 km per litre thanks to its engine design. With petrol where it is, that gap matters, though the YBR's much higher purchase price means you would ride a very long time before fuel savings closed the difference. Work out your own numbers with the fuel cost calculator.
Comfort and Ride Quality
The Yamaha YBR 125 has always been the more comfortable bike. Softer suspension, a better seat, and ergonomics that favoured longer rides. Many riders specifically chose the YBR for trips up north because of how composed it felt over distance.
The Honda CG 125 is firmer and more basic by comparison. It is entirely comfortable for daily city commuting, but on a long journey the YBR's refinement used to show. If comfort on long rides matters most to you and you find a good used YBR, it can still deliver that.
Parts, Maintenance and the Real 2026 Reality
This is where the exit from manufacturing hits hardest.
Atlas Honda's parts and service network for the CG 125 reaches every city, town and roadside workshop in Pakistan. Spares are cheap and everywhere, and any mechanic can service one without hesitation.
The Yamaha YBR 125 was always somewhat more expensive to maintain, with pricier parts than a Honda. Now, with local manufacturing ended, there is a genuine open question over parts availability several years out, even though Yamaha has committed to supplying spares through authorised dealers for now. For a bike you plan to keep long term, that uncertainty is a real consideration, not a small one.
A new YBR 125 is not really an option anymore
Since Yamaha ended local assembly of every model it built here, the realistic choice in 2026 is a used YBR, not a new one. That changes what this comparison is actually asking. It is no longer new versus new. It is a new CG 125 versus a used YBR of unknown history and an uncertain long-term parts future.
Resale Value
Historically the YBR 125 held its value well, second only to Honda in this class. The CG 125's resale has always been near unshakeable, because demand is constant and parts are everywhere.
In 2026 the picture for the Yamaha is mixed. A discontinued bike can become sought after by enthusiasts who like it, which can support resale. Equally, buyers worried about future parts availability can soften demand. The CG 125's resale remains the more predictable of the two. Compare real asking prices on used bikes any time.
Who Should Buy Which
Buy the Honda CG 125 if: you want the most affordable practical 125cc by a wide margin, you value parts availability everywhere and easy servicing, you want dependable resale, and you ride mostly in the city.
Consider a used Yamaha YBR 125 if: you find a clean one at a fair price, comfort and smoothness on long rides matter most to you, and you are comfortable with the parts situation now that Yamaha has exited local manufacturing.
The Verdict
The YBR 125 was, in many ways, the nicer bike to ride, smoother, more comfortable, slightly more fuel efficient. If this were purely about ride quality it would still be close. But buying decisions in 2026 do not happen in a vacuum. With the YBR costing close to double, no longer manufactured locally, and carrying genuine long-term parts uncertainty, the Honda CG 125 is the simpler, safer buy for the vast majority of Pakistani riders. It costs less to buy, costs less to run, gets fixed anywhere, and holds its value with confidence.
A clean, fairly priced used YBR can still be a good bike if you love how it rides. For a new purchase with years of worry-free ownership ahead, the CG 125 takes it clearly.
Ready to buy?
Browse current new Honda CG 125 listings, including self start and Gold trims.
Hunting a used YBR? Check used Yamaha listings and run the 30 point checklist before you pay.
Work out the full on-road cost with the price calculator before you decide.
Prices and specifications in this article reflect 2026 figures compiled from Atlas Honda pricing and multiple Pakistani auto news sources on Yamaha's exit from local manufacturing. CG 125 trim prices and YBR's final pricing vary slightly by source and by dealer, so confirm the current figure before buying. Byke Lelo has no commercial relationship with Honda or Yamaha.
