2017 Suzuki GSX-S125 review | L-plate riding thrills with added bonus of comfort and practicality

Having ridden the GSX-R version of Suzuki's 125 motorbike on its launch the day before, I was convinced it would be the better of the two new bikes, however the addition of upright bars makes the Suzuki GSX-S125 that much better. You still get similar performance and handling to the R, only with more comfort and flickabilty at low speed, perfect for nipping round town or having fun in the twisties.

The naked 125 market is hotly contested these days and the little Suzuki doesn't have the exciting branding and image of a KTM 125 Duke or the grown-up looks of a Yamaha MT-125. And while the low new price was a great weapon in the Suzuki's arsenal back in 2017, the market has since been flooded with incredibly cheap Chinese models.

That's a shame, because this is a bike that's fantastic for those looking to pass their full UK motorbike licence - it's geared and fun, yet accessible and cheap to buy and own. In fact, our Online Editor Gareth Evans learnt to ride on one back in 2019.

The Suzuki GSX-S125 will live on through 2022 thanks to a Euro5 update for the engine.

Much like the Suzuki GSX-R125, the suspension on the naked GSX-S125 is well-damped and firm enough to be competent both in town and out in the twisties. We spent an afternoon on the bike exploring nadgery B-roads and it was a pleasure to ride – not once feeling too soft for rutted countryside routes.

There is also plenty of ground clearance to inspire a good degree of lean, which is helped by the aggressively placed foot pegs, which give the riding position a little added flair. Dressed in grippy Dunlop D102 rubber, it is more than capable of taking the punishment both in the dry and in rainy conditions at faster road-going speeds.

In town, it’s also brilliantly flickable thanks to its lightweight steering. A 40-degree turning angle either way also means even the tightest of bends can be pulled off with ease, and it also helps for practicing those all-important U-turns for your big bike test.

Coming to a stop, the Bosch ABS system will kick in if you give it a big handful of front brake at low speed, but it is otherwise unobtrusive and ample for a bike of the size.

Launched at the same time as the fully faired GSX-R125, the naked GSX-S125 receives the same 124.4cc single-cylinder lump as its sportier brother and offers a similarly linear power delivery all the way to its 11,500rpm redline.

As well as being punchy, the DOHC motor is also incredibly free revving. Accelerating through the gears, the bike will happily do a speedo-indicated 40mph in second gear, with revs to go and, flat out, the clocks will show an indicated Suzuki GSX-S125 top speed of 80mph. It will do all of this while returning an indicated 80+mpg too.

Throttle response is also good. Coupled with an ultra-light clutch, the bike offers well-balanced, trouble-free slow speed control, which is ideal for learners. Like many low capacity Suzukis though, the gearbox can be stubborn when clunking into first and false neutrals can creep in between first and second gear if you’re particularly ham fisted.

The motor also offers a mild degree of engine braking as you shift down gears, which helps bring you to a standstill fractionally quicker.

The GSX-S125 feels like a quality product. Stacked up against its rivals, it looks just as aggressive and just as modern. Much like the faired bike, the conventional forks help drive down cost, but it would be good to see an upside down setup in place for better handling due to added rigidity in the fork.

The front end may not be to everyone’s tastes either - the assembly looks a bit squashed and compact and would really benefit from a larger fly screen to tidy up the area between the lights and clock stay.

Suzuki GSX-S125 owners have rated the bike an average of 4.3/5 overall with a 4/5 for build quality and reliability. One owner has found that corrosion is an issue, though, so make sure you keep it coated with a protectant spray.

The Suzuki GSX-S125's list price in 2022 stacks up favourably against its main competition - the KTM 125 Duke, Yamaha MT-125 and the Honda CB125R. It makes a fantastic used buy too, with prices starting under £3000 on MCN Bikes for Sale.

As well as a brilliant optional extras catalogue, the GSX-S comes with a unique secure shutter-key lock system, which hides the ignition barrel until the separate receiver next to it has been triggered, using a unique magnetic fob found at the top of the key.

The Suzuki GSX-S125 is available in blue, black with blue wheels or white with red highlights in 2022.