I am slightly biased when it comes to the Yamaha YZF-R125 because I’ve always wanted one. The 2014 update put the bike head and shoulders above the competition at the time and it’s only really now that the likes of Suzuki and Honda are catching up.There’s a hundreds of second hand YZF-R125s on the likes of gumtree, ebay and autotrader but the MY2014 update made those look really rather dated - the new front air intake and styling is still fresh and modern years on and even though competition in the market like the KTM RC125, Suzuki GSX-R125 and Honda CBR125R have recently had an update the YZF-R125 still holds its own as a premium learner legal sports bike.
Filled to the brim with kit that you’d expect from a 125cc at this price the YZF-R125 has ABS, upside down forks, liquid cooled single cylinder engine, multi-function LCD instrumentation, and lightweight wheels and body components. It’s a laundry list of good things you want on a bike and goes some way to explain the £4,499 price tag. Understandably though as this is the top end of the market for 125s and this bike, even if its deserving of some refreshed styling, is still the king.The engine is one of the best on the market in this category - 11KW at 9,000 rpm - coupled with the full 6 speed gearbox it has a proper set up for a sports bike.
WIth the Honda CBR125R and KTM RC125 both getting or having recent updates you’d expect a shiny new coat of paint is due for the YZF-R125 fairly soon. Especially as the R125 still retains Yamaha’s last gen styling motif compared to the likes for the Yamaha R3, R6 and R1. I’d personally welcome an ultra aggressively styled R125 - I think that’s something that’s missing from the market.
You can pick up a YZF-R125 fairly cheap on gumtree or autotrader but if you're looking for the most recent model year the bike will set you back £4,499. It's a premium bike after all and for that price you are at least buying a well engineered and reliable bike.
Model year reviewed: 2019
