SACHS XTC125 (1999 - on) Review

Item: SACHS XTC125
Rating: 3
Author: MCN Staff

MCN rating 3 out of 5 (3/5)

Owners' rating 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)

Sachs XTC125 motorcycle review - Side view

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£100
Power:	15 bhp
Seat height:	Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm)
Weight:	Low (287 lbs / 130 kg)

Prices

New £2,999

Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

A fun, tough little bike that, in looks alone, can certainly hold its own next to the Aprilias and Cagivas of the 125cc world. Performance is pretty good: that Suzuki engine’s smooth and grunty and the handling’s great but it’s painfully uncomfortable and really quite basic. A good laugh for a first bike, though.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The suspension’s pretty basic but it works well enough to match the engine’s capabilities. Handling’s very sharp, with brilliant cornering and decent stability at higher speeds. The brakes are particularly good and, while it lacks the all-out insanity of a two stroke, it’s still good fun to ride and not too wild to put off newer riders.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

A four stroke, Suzuki engine in a machine you’d expect to be a two stroke (as it once was). It’s strong and very reliable but remember, this is a learner-legal bike and it’s never going to be a rocket ship. As it is, it’s super-grunty down low and manages around 80mph without complaint (but no more). Lovely, smooth acceleration.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

4 out of 5 (4/5)

Well, the engine’s a good one and, being a Suzuki part, spares won’t be hard to find. However, the fairing and other plastic bits are prone to cracking easily, bringing down the otherwise-not-at-all-bad quality of the finish. Much easier and cheaper to maintain than a two stroke.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Sachs have had a tumultuous year in 2006 but are still going; the cautious may want to investigate further before they purchase. The XTC is reasonably priced and quite a bit less than the delightful RS125 but then it hasn’t got the Aprilia’s badge, nor its USD forks, alloy frame, radial calipers… And then there’s the similarly-gorgeous (and pricier) Cagiva Mito… Find a Sachs XTC125 for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Large analogue clocks, but no fuel or temperature gauges, and the speedo’s main dial is in kph (mph is there but it’s secondary and smaller). The tiny screen’s useless and the bike’s cripplingly uncomfortable with a madly high back end, pushing all your weight on to the bars. The tank’s huge, though.

Specs
Engine size	125cc
Engine type	4v single cylinder, 5 gears
Frame type	Steel tube trellis
Fuel capacity	20 litres
Seat height	800mm
Bike weight	130kg
Front suspension	None
Rear suspension	Preload
Front brake	316mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	150/60 x 17
Rear tyre size	150/60 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	65 mpg
Annual road tax	£25
Annual service cost	£100
New price	£2,999
Used price	-
Insurance group	7 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	15 bhp
Max torque	9.6 ft-lb
Top speed	80 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	19 secs
Tank range	285 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

1999: Sachs launched the two stroke, XTC125 Supersport.
2002: The bike had a redesign. Although still very much based on the original bodywork, it got a new, four stroke engine, an underseat exhaust and five gears. They lopped off the Supersport bit and it became the plain XTC125.
2006: After a difficult year, Sachs give the bike another major overhaul including the use of a new four stroke engine from Italian manufacturer, Morini.

Other versions

XTX125 Supersport: The original, two stroke bike with six speed transmission (see above). Ran from 1999 to 2002.

Owners' reviews for the SACHS XTC125 (1999 - on)

6 owners have reviewed their SACHS XTC125 (1999 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your SACHS XTC125 (1999 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Engine:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Reliability & build quality:	4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Value vs rivals:	4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Equipment:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£100

4 out of 5

14 January 2021 by Birb

Year: 1999

Annual servicing cost: £100

Almost no way of finding parts if anything breaks. No original partd at least. Nothing other that that, it's a great one for its category.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Breaks are amazing, those are really good. I love them! But seating position is for me - 180cm/6ft really laid. Lot of weight on arms in particullar and trust me it hurts.

Engine 5 out of 5

Just excellent, never gave up on me

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Gasket behind water pump failed. Water was slowly dripping in oil and because of that my clutch was gone too. It was a tough one to get it repaired. No original parts. But riding on it is excellent and I love it!

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

It eats through petrol really fast. At least mine. About 6-8liters. But be aware that I have 20kw one so 5l/100km is real.

Equipment 3 out of 5

Bike's really basic and that speaks for itself.

Buying experience: I bought privately. Advertised - 23000 czech crowns = 880 eur. I paid 20000 = 750 eur. Fair price.

5 out of 5 What a learner

07 January 2008 by

Had this bike from new and love it. a 125 leaner with amazing looks, had no trouble with it what so ever, could of done with a fuel gauge, will do between 90 - 100mpg. great first bike. will reach top speed of around 85, would Recommend this bike to anyone who wants a race style when passing test, as this bike looks and feels bigger than a 125.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

5 out of 5 What a learner

07 January 2008 by

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 3 out of 5

5 out of 5 What a great little first bike. As a standard 125, beats all the rest!

29 July 2006 by dom_183

If you want a LEGAL 125 on L plates then this is your bike. 15bhp with a wicked 4-stroke engine. Sod the 2-strokes, my lawnmower sounds better. Obviously this bike doesnt beat a de-restricted 2-stroke, but then again I dont want to be laughed at for a crap sounding bike. Plus you get the nods from big bikes. Strengths: Underseat exhaust, trellis frame, beefy tires and brakes. 4-stroke! Weaknesses: No accessories, could do with a double-bubble.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine 5 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5

5 out of 5 A good 125 that looks and sounds bigger, good build quality that makes it feel slower.

06 September 2005 by briannicole0

Not the fastest 125 but as standard with 14 stone on will stay at 80 and 87 down hill. Sounds very beefie and looks to mach' with no 125 stickers on when you through those l plates away you still look good. Only problem with these machines is the plastics crack and no hugger!!!! Strengths: The 125 4 stroke oil cooled engine, 15 bhp not fast but powerfull, only drops 5mph going up hill, and does not sound like a hair dryer. Weaknesses: PLASTICS AND NO HUGGER and I cant find a way to tune up any one got any ideas please let me know.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5

4 out of 5 Best looking learner paid £3200 £1000 Rizla paint scheme 2004 model

23 March 2005 by elenegha

Looks fantastic does not set the world a light with speed but if you take the baffels out of the exhaust it sounds like a moto gp bike. Brakes are so good and the balance of the bike is good you can brake so late and bike does not move. 24 litre tank goes on forever. Strengths: Brakes, big fuel tank, reliable 4 stoke engine just looks so good. Weaknesses: My bike the seat cowel cracked and some parts of the fairings cracked and a leak in the fuel tank has kept of the road, so the build quality could be better.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Engine 4 out of 5

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Equipment 4 out of 5