Yamaha YBR125 (2005-current)

Haven't got a bad thing to say about this bike, no point calling it slow as most learner 125's are but what a fantastic learner bike it is. Cheap to run, insure, fun to ride and looks fairly stylish for a naked bike. Upgrade the rear tyre as the factory fitted one is a bit cheap and nasty however

I bought my 09 plate YBR125 when I passed my CBT. I was entirely new to biking at the time (I am thoroughly converted!) and didn't have any expectations. The bike is extremely forgiving on the rider and the pocket! Zips through the traffic, turns on sixpence and solid brakes. Roughly 260 miles to a tank. I put in £8-9 every six weeks and that is without riding efficiently! Easy to maintain! I was scared to do anything at first (so got stung by the dealers). Doesn't drink oil, rubber & chain last forever. Don't worry about dropping it! Nothing really breaks unless you hit something solid! Due to the age, parts are easy to obtain (not that I've needed any!). The only fault is the bulb supplied! UK winter time that bulb is as useful as hilding your phone! Recommendations: Michelin Pilot Sporty (If you want grip or speed) Sava Tyres (Will last longer! Only slightly less grip) Iridium spark plugs (lasts longer and increases range) Bosch Cap bulb (unless you don't ride at night!) Tutoro Oiler (if you go far enough, otherwise get down on your knee's and spray!) Holds it's value better than the YZF-R125 and (in my opinion) matches it for performance!

I bought a 56 plate YBR125 when I passed my CBT to get used to commuting into London with gears prior to taking/passing my DAS 8 months or so later. Ideally I wanted a Honda Varadero 125, but these are incredibly expensive for a 125, so not worth it unless you plan to keep for a long time. Also considered Honda's CG125, however, as these are no longer made, there were hard to come by + prices were over-inflated. Firstly, worth noting that I'm relatively large for a bike of this size (6'4" +16.5/17stone) and my YBR was the carb model, not the later fuel injection one. Predictably, I looked like a toad sitting on a matchbox when riding it, but what was more of an issue was the lack of power. Not sure how much this was down to my size, but the YBR was slower off from the lights than everything bar London cabs and pizza delivery bikes! Whilst you don't buy a 125 for its speed, I found the lack of acceleration got me in a few sticky situations where I didn't have the grunt to get out of the way of tight spots created by some of London's less competent drivers! I also never managed to get the bike over 50mph (my 50cc Aprillia scooter from 10+ years ago did 60mph!). Also, as others have mentioned, the very narrow wheels/tires and unsubstantial suspension for my weight made the bike very unstable over bad road surfaces and pot holes. This, coupled with the bike's light weight, made it pretty hard to hold on to in strong cross winds too. Having said all of the above, the YBR was peanuts to insure, would do 90mpg around town and never really let me down. Maintenance-wise, it just needed a couple of oil changes and regular drive chain adjustment. Finally, if you're going to by a YBR, make sure you take it out for a long test ride to check the clutch operation. Many of them have a common idiosyncrasy where the clutch cable (which goes over the engine) stretches when warm causing a snatchy take off in 1st and 2nd gear. Although I replaced the cable and frequently lubed and adjusted it, this issue was never fully rectified. Again, this issue may have been exacerbated by my weight. In summary, I would say that this bike is fine as a stopgap between CBT and DAS or if you’re a lot lighter than me. They also don’t seem to lose value – I practically got the money I spent buying it from a dealer back when trading it in against a Yamaha MT-03. I wouldn’t, however, recommend this bike if you’re large and planning to ride it for a long time – if this is how you’re intending on using your 125, it’s probably worth stumping up the extra cash for a Varadero.

Had the bike for little over 6 months now after passing my cbt. Starts every time, enough poke to get away from the lights, if you want to rev it hard. But at the top end there is nothing, always wishing I had a quicker bike to be able to pull past the open backed truck which is limited to 60 mph. Cornering is good, stock tyres aren't great, would recommend changing them for Pirelli city demons for a load more grip. Servicing at regular intervals when brought with low mileage can be an unexpected cost, but insurance is v. Cheap. Long distance riding isn't bad. Once engine is warm will do 70 mph on a straight, 60 if not. Does really struggle up hills though, but it's a 125. Would defiantly recommend getting one if 17 and passed cbt. Lots of fun to be had.

No wind protection so a slight breeze and your on the edge of the anorexic tyres, cheap build quality(Three out of four indicator caps fell off(£15 x 3 bill!), and I personally belive that anything that forces a lorry to overtake is dangerous on A & M roads and I faced atleast ten daunting overtakes a day!. 5 Weeks of hell! Only buy this bike if you plan on the occasional ride to the shops or low speed riding!

After about a 25 year break from motorcycling (family life took over) a change in my work circumstances meant I needed to look for an inexpensive commuter vehicle. Having spent my younger days on Honda's CB125 and then the legendary CB400F I was a little hesitant to get back on a lesser machine. Common sense took over, however, when I stumbled upon the YBR125. Not being a fan of scooters, and most of the larger bikes recently looking more like racing machines, I was pleasantly surprised to find a bike which "looked nice". Whilst it was second hand, with only 823 miles on the clock it was the closest I have ever come to a brand new bike. I find now that whilst working has become tedious, this is offset significantly by a fun journey at each end of the day. Not to mention, of course, the absolute convenience of using bus lanes..... DISLIKES - As I was originally after another 400F the power is somewhat limited. But that's about the only thing LIKES - The whole experience of biking, including wearing all the gear. Also it seems to be getting me close to 130 mpg. Sweet. Not had it long enough for any meaningful maintenance report, but judging from the things that other people report it would seem I have got myself a nice little workhorse. I have a strange feeling though that my lust for more power will fester inside me.......

I bought this bike after taking my CBT last year, and rode around for a year before finally taking my test. ive taken this little bike everywhere doing 200-300 miles in one go and it was my behind that suffered, the bike never put a foot wrong. its best cruising around 55mph and it struggles up hills, but then its a 125 what do you expect? the only major issue i had was when the battery died, luckily the kick start was easy to use. i loved this bike and would recommend it to anyone starting out it was so cheap to run and i had a lot of fun on it.

I have been riding my YBR125 here in Manila, Philippines for about 1 year right now and did not encounter any issues with the bike. I have changed the sprocket and chain, used a combination of 15 teeth for the engine and 48 for the wheel sprocket and it hits about 115-120 kph, carburetor version. I also removed the foam filter and the throttle response is great! Changed tyres for more confident riding. It's now 11,500 kms and it is still running great! Oil change and tune up is the key for higher mileage.

Mine's an 07, 5000 miles and still going strong. Just had the original tyres changed, which has improved it a lot. It's my first bike, so admittedly I don't have a lot to compare it to. I sat on this in a showroom after doing my CBT on a CG125 and was amazed at how much more comfortable it was, and particularly how my legs seemed to fit it where they were supposed to, as opposed to along the tank ridges on the CG. The only trouble I've had with the engine is where I've stalled it, then it likes to be turned off for a few seconds sometimes. And sometimes it wont't change gear when I've stopped at traffic lights, but rolling it slightly or getting into the right one before hand gets around this. I don't know if this is common to other bikes or not. Overall though, I'd definitely choose this bike again. My mate's just bought the new Honda 125 which he keeps telling me is better, but I don't believe him.

absolutly floorless i am riding around 1500 miles a month and it has neveer broke down never put foot worng well worth it