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Yamaha XT125R motorcycle review - Riding

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Yamaha XT125R (2005-current)

Detail	Value
New price	£2,999
Used price range	View Yamaha XT125R bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	124cc
Power	12.5bhp
Top speed	71mph
Insurance group	5

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

Once upon a time the learner motorcycle world was only filled with two-strokes. And once your eyes had stopped running the only quality trailie was Yamaha’s DT125. And it was madly expensive. Nowadays the place is full of four-stroke cheapies like Yamaha's XT125R and we should be grateful. But we’re not because de-restricting two-stroke learners was a piece of cake - you’re stuck with the XT125R’s 12.5bhp. Boo.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Yamaha XT125R's motor has just 12.5bhp rather than the full 15bhp legal limit Yamaha ‘unleash’ in the identically-engined YBR125. Why? Who knows, but the SOHC air-cooled single tries its hardest all the same. This motorcycle is helped particularly by its low weight – just 111kg. The Yamaha XT125R is cheeky enough in its allotted element, namely the town, but it can bustle along OK along light trails providing the going’s not too sticky.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The beam/cradle hybrid chassis is great and combined with the Yamaha XT125R’s wide bars you can sling this motorcycle about like a terrier with a soft toy. The only limiting factors are the tall, narrow tyres. The XT125R's brakes are fine – striking a balance between usable bite and new-user friendliness.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Yamaha XT125R is well presented and well equipped, with the exhaust tucked high up out of harm’s way and a bash plate to protect the motorcycle's sump. The bars are sadly made of bend-o-matic monkey metal and even gentle drops wreck them.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Yamahas enjoy some of the best build quality in the 125 sector – they’re nicely screwed together and well-finished and the XT125R is typical of the breed.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The Yamaha XT125R is cheap to buy new, coming in around the same price as Honda’s super-popular CBR125RR. But do you really want to be dropping so much cash on a motorcycle you’re realistically only going to have for a year or two at most? Secondhand DTs are cheaper, offer more bang for your buck and cost less to repair if the motor goes pop. Running costs are higher for the stroker, though. Find a Yamaha XT125R for sale

Insurance group: 5

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2005: Yamaha XT125R introduced.

Specifications

Top speed	71mph
1/4-mile acceleration	21.9 secs
Power	12.5bhp
Torque	7ftlb
Weight	118kg
Seat height	860mm
Fuel capacity	10 litres
Average fuel consumption	55mpg
Tank range	120 miles
Insurance group	5

Engine size	124cc
Engine specification	4v single, 5 gears
Frame	Tubular steel cradle
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload
Front brakes	Single 245mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	90/90 x 21
Rear tyre size	120/80 x 18

See all Yamaha XT125R motorcycles for sale

Yamaha
XT125R

2766 miles

£1,995

Yamaha
XT125R

13996 miles

£2,125

Yamaha
XT125R

1500 miles

£1,800

Yamaha
XT125R

1079 miles

£2,295

Yamaha
XT125R

18100 miles

£1,695

Owners' Overall Rating (4 reviews)

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My Yamaha xt 125r

Tobia Wallis

Average rating

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Had this bike just over 8 months, got it new for 2,599 at Padgett's in Batley. I do enjoy my bike, but its slow in comparison to other 125 in the similar price range, the build quality is shocking, its starting to rust everywhere, i had a serious fuel leak a few months ago which made me out of action for 1 month of riding, maybe its just my bike but my mate had very similar problems so i think its just the bike its self, i would seriously recommend a CBR125 and i wish i had of picked that in the first place.

14 July 2008
worst bike I've ever riden

cassandra 2

Average rating

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Yamaha XT125X. My first Yamaha motor cycle but own 4 motorcycles. This replaced a Honda XR125L we had for 2 years and was brilliant but fancied a change! big mistake. Collected new 29th March 2008 from Shepherds Bush dealership. 10 mile journey home. This is the worst bike I have ever riden in my life, it's horrible. Faults found but dealer not interested nor is Yamaha. Told to call out Yamaha assist to repair it. Ride one before you buy, I didn't find a dealer locally who had a demonstator to test one and regret not doing so. Appalling (customer care) from dealer. Will never buy another Yamaha.

01 April 2008
Great for 12.5 BHP

whaleboy7

LONDON , UK

Average rating

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I brought my secondhand XT125R in June 2007 and have used it prety much every day. I mostly ride it round London and find it great fun. I once rode it back from from Nottingham to London which is when I discovered it can go a bit when you have long enough road to crank it up, but your ass will probably be broken by the time you get to your destination! The seat is comfortable for riding round town but not for 3 or 4 hours in the saddle! Overall very happy with the bike. It was great to learn on and I passed my test on it.

04 November 2007
not a bad 125 at all !

blm1989

Average rating

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i have an xt125r and i think its a nice bike to ride it is far superior to a cbr125 as its a full size bike and looks very rugged and moto-x. the top speed is around 73mph but is very slow from 60 onwards but very quick to 60mph. i have a full uk motorbike licence but have a restriction for 2 years and think this is a spot on bike for learners and would recommend one hope this helps brett

24 September 2007