Honda 125
The Pakistani Motorcycle - Honda 125cc Supremacy
I was born in Lahore, the second largest city of Pakistan. 90’s was the time when Pakistani people were converting their traveling conveyance from bicycle to Motorcycle. At the same time, in 1992 Honda Japan introduced CG 125cc in Pakistan as they were targeting developing countries like Brazil, Turkey and Pakistan. Growing up in the same era, I have memories of going out with my father on his motorcycle sitting on the bike tank. First we had a Yamaha 100, then the Honda 70 and ultimately the Honda 125. He sang the songs of the 70s and 80s movies while riding the bike. I have similar fond memories of riding with my uncle who would weave and meander to make us laugh when we went to his place on holidays or weekends. He took my sister and I to the nearest market for lollies.
I learned how to ride a motorcycle when I was 14 years old (2003). I started using my Dad's bike on a daily basis when I was 17 years old. This is illegal in most countries, riding on the city roads when you are not an adult yet. This is very common in Pakistan and mostly boys learn riding of motorcycles in their teenage years. What about girls? This is a big question mark which travellers often ask when I tell them my story. The answer is well - no… but… some do, but they are few and you can count the number on your fingers. However it’s changing now and this new generation are open minded and want to explore things. I want to see girls riding motorcycles in Pakistan like they do in Vietnam and Thailand. Like a Grandma dropping kids to school on a scooter. A young girl going to her office. This will be a good change for Pakistan.
Honda 125cc was my dream. The black one. My dad gifted me this bike when I was in university in 2013. The sound of the silencer is the therapy. When you give the throttle and wait ’til the silencer sounds back to stable. 200 million people feel the same. This is how this motorcycle connects all.
What next now? Let’s plan a motorcycle trip to the Mountains of North Pakistan. This was another dream. Riding the motorcycle on the Karakoram Highway and Himalayan mountains. I don’t remember where this came from. I was travelling in the mountains from my mid school years. Travelling was always a thing but this motorcycle riding in the mountains definitely changed my perspective of life. You don’t know what’s happening next. It’s challenging, it’s exciting and every single next curve on the road gives you a new and amazing view.
We started from Lahore Grand trunk road to Islamabad and then entered Kashmir. Crossed Noori top which combines Kashmir with Naran valley. After crossing Babusar top we ended up in Deosai National Park, the second highest alpine plateau on earth also known as the roof of the world. We now take people from all over the world to experience some of these amazing locations on our Adventure Motorcycle Tours with Karakoram Bikers.
When some travellers ask us, do we have bigger engines for hire? We don’t (other than the Suzuki 150 - another great locally made bike). The Honda 125cc is a locally manufactured Pakistani Motorcycle. It is not just a motorcycle, it is an experience. This motorcycle is part of millions of Pakistanis daily life. Hunza to Karachi, you will find it everywhere. Every single mechanic on the side street knows how to fix it.
If you are planning to come to Pakistan and experience the culture, lifestyle and hospitality of Pakistani people and also wanting to rent a motorcycle. Rent the Honda 125cc from Karakoram Bikers because Honda 125 is the Pakistani Motorcycle.
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