Yamaha YZF-R125 (2008-current)

Probably the best bike on the Planet ,as much fun as my 03 CBR600RR I had , but with much lower running cost and less worry. Brilliant Bike. A piece of biking Genius…Keep tucked in and get 100MPG

I have had this bike for 3 months now and have had my first service. Overall it has treated me well. For starters, it looks great, although this is somewhat impaired by my 'L' plates, which do look out of place on it . I have had a comment from a biker who thought it was a restricted R6 (because of the plates), and a couple of others who just thought it was a larger capacity bike. Performance wise, whilst i'm not very experienced, I understand that this is the best you can expect for a 4 stroke which is learner legal. I agree with a comment here that the 1st gear is a bit short, and the sixth gear is unresponsive, and is purely for cruising- although cruising isn't something one does much on a 125cc bike - traveling in a straight line at 8,500 revs for any prolonged period isn't much fun at 70mph. The gearbox does wind me up at times - i have had to ask twice recently on a couple of occasions. On the flip side gears 3 and 4 are very responsive in particular. The handling is fab - i am very comfortable as a novice learner turning into corners with speed, and it feels safe. I put 4 for handling because of the suspension which isn't very forgiving of bumps. The seat and ride position are comfortable for me and i'm 6'2. Fuel economy is great, and the trip computer and fuel gauges are really nice touches. I try to look after the bike, but already some of the bolts are looking a bit worse for wear. Overall, a great bike. It's looks are deceiving, and they make you expect more out of it than you should expect. I'm 24 now, and should be getting my DAS done soon. Although expensive for a 125, the plus I'm taking from having one of these is the experience of the frame and chassis, which is very similar to the next bike I want (an R6)

Had mine now for a couple of months and i must say i love this bike, (well i would it being my first ) but still, i ride my bike every day up and down the a2 from london to kent, its not that great up an hill but that would be the only downside to this bike, or im a fat git :), iv had 85mph at of her, for anyone looking for a first bike, this is it, handles great on the corners and takes of great at the lights.. looking forward to my r6 next year (if the wife lets me )

I feel qualified to do a review on this bike, as I have had mine since May 08 and have done over 2,500 miles on it. I have a 52 mile commute a day on A roads which are a lot of fun. I brought this bike for two reasons, one it looks amazing and secondly as it is a 125 I was hoping to get a good MPG out of it. The bike did not disappoint on both occasions. The bike looks so much better in the flesh and the comment I get most from people is how big it is, think R6 size and your very close. The MPG is amazing on this bike a full tank cost me £14 to fill and will get me 300 miles if I treat it nicely around 270miles if I thrash it. So that around 100 mpg!! The engine is a 125cc 4 stroke built my Yamaha so it should be reliable, no problems yet, though I will say this gears 1 through to 4 are brisk and have good acceleration for a 125, though 5 is a bit of struggle and 6 is gutless just a cruising gear. To speed on A roads you’ll be hanging around 60pmh – 70mph and if you have a straight road, down hill will your head down your get 80mph at 10,00rpm. Not bad for a learner machine. Handling is great light and nimble, you can chuck it round corner which is great fun, and brakes are mind blowing but they do the job. The price was always a sore point £3000 I spent on mine, but with the amount of miles I was doing a year 12,000 there was no point in getting a second hand bike. The best colours to go for are either black of blue, mines black. The yellow is just sick and the white is for all the boy racers. Insurance well I’m 28, married I had a car license for 10 years with no points, my bike is garaged over night and I pay £240 fully comp!! I take my test next month so I can get rid of the L plates hopefully. Will I be trading up for a bigger bike? No though my dream bike is an R6, I wouldn’t get the mpg out of it that this gets which is the main reason I brought it. A great bike, not many people have them, I’ve only seen one on the road so far and hopefully give it a year of two there will be some lovely extras coming out for it, third party exhaust are just coming on the market now. Positives - Looks great, reliable 125 engine, goof handling, amazing 100 mpg Negatives – Price £3000, 5 and 6 gears are a bit gutless.

this bike is perfect 125 for any 17 year old im 20 but it brilliant power speed ive not been off mine in weeks people love it to look at and always have good comments about it.brilliant bike