YAMAHA YZF-R125 (2019 - 2022) Review

The outgoing Yamaha YZF R125 was already a fantastic introduction to motorcycling, winning MCN’s 2018 sports 125 group test and widely regarded as one of the most desirable 125s on the market.

For 2019, Yamaha made it even better, with a purposeful new face, better engine and class-leading handling to boot. It subsequently went on to win our Best 125cc Award in the same year.

With an 825mm seat height, the European-built bike will favour the taller rider, however remained perfectly manageable for this 5ft6in tester.

With more mid-range, no longer are you constantly chasing the higher RPMs to keep up with the traffic and out in the twisties, the improved ergonomics, wider rear tyre and boosted top-end make it a pleasure to chuck around.

In May 2019 Yamaha unveiled a race-livery version of the 2019 YZF-R125 that matched the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP bikes ridden by Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales at the time.

The YZF-R125 Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Edition hit showrooms by the end of May 2019 priced at £4699, which was £200 more than the standard model.

Ever since Yamaha launched their R-series styled entry-level sportsbike a decade ago it’s been at the top of the sales charts, often to be spotted at McDonald's drive-throughs.

In November 2020 Yamaha announced the YZF R125 would now pass Euro5 emissions standards.

Watch: Yamaha YZF-R125 video review

In this film Dan Sutherland gets to grips with Yamaha's smallest sportsbike, the R125.

Cradling the new engine is a revised chassis with new geometry, which has been developed to inspire smoother handling characteristics.

This is combined with a more rigid aluminium swingarm, complete with a wider pivot, housing a fatter 140mm Michelin Pilot Street rear tyre and rim, which replaces the outgoing 130-section design. The bike feels planted and predictable at all speeds, allowing you to tip into corners with confidence and apply throttle on exit with no movement from the rear.

We also had the opportunity to test the YZF R125 around the tight Ribera Circuit. Used by locals for pit bikes and go-karts, the dinky Yam felt perfectly geared for the short track, with plenty of tight and fast bends to achieve maximum lean, only helped by ample ground clearance.

The Michelin tyres didn’t once break traction and the confidence inspiring front end allowed you to stuff it into every apex whilst chasing the hallowed scrape of slider of tarmac. The bike also felt stable through fast changes of direction, helped by the fatter rear tyre and stiffened chassis parts.

Despite the sporty stance and slightly forward riding position, the bike remains comfortable on longer journeys and provides plenty of leg room. What’s more, the well-damped, non-adjustable suspension soaks up the majority of bumps in the road with ease, while remaining stiff enough to feel planted in the turns.

The bike gains a new engine for 2019, complete with Variable Valve Actuation (VVA). The system consists of low-lift and high-lift cams, which work on separate rocker arms. At lower RPMs, the low-lift cams will operate the valves, with the valve timing then switching at 7400rpm.

The aim of this is to achieve better acceleration, a higher top speed and a more torquey feel from the engine. As a result, there’s more bottom-end and power delivery is strong and consistent from the middle of the rev range, with the motor pulling all the way to 11,000rpm. The shift in timing is seamless, and allows you to be lazier with gear changes when you’re not in a hurry.

Exploring the VVA system in the Yamaha YZF R125

It’s a tough time for kids these days. As if the stress of ten thousand exams wasn’t enough, they don’t even get the pleasures of eye-popping two-strokes. In fact, all A1-learner legal motorcycles are restricted to around 14.5bhp (11 kW) with a power-to-weight ratio of not more than 0.1 kW per kg and a max of 125cc.

Luckily, the requirements do not specify a maximum torque, so if you are looking for an advantage in this highly competitive segment, this is the area to exploit. Which is exactly what Yamaha have done with the 2019 YZF R125 and its Variable Valve Actuation (VVA).

Within the head is a single camshaft that operates two intake and two exhaust valves via two independent rocker arms. Shaped like a ‘Y’, these rockers are activated by the cam’s lobe and push directly on the valves to open them before they are shut again by the valve springs. Then when the revs hit 7400rpm the VVA system is activated and the magic happens.

Alongside the intake rocker arm sits another arm that is moved by the cam’s second intake lobe. Shorter than the main rocker, this arm follows the cam but does not act on the valves at low rpm.

When 7400rpm is reached and the VVA is triggered, a solenoid pushes a metal pin through the main rocker arm, connecting it to this secondary rocker arm. Thanks to the more aggressive profile of the second cam lobe, this rocker then takes over the control of the valves' movement because it is moved by the cam’s lobe before the primary rocker arm is, effectively changing the YZF R125's intake valve timing.

When the revs drop below 7400rpm the pin is retracted and the rockers move independently again. So why is this important?

"At low revs the cam profile has a low lift, which gives less of what is called 'valve overlap,'" says Leon Oosterhof, Product Management for Yamaha Motor Europe.

"Valve overlap is the period both the exhaust and intake valves are open at the same time. Less overlap gives good low and midrange torque as well as better fuel economy. More valve overlap created by a high-lift cam delivers improved performance at high revs.

"With VVA we have given the YZF-R125 both high and low-lift cam profiles, significantly increasing its torque throughout the low and midrange without sacrificing top-end performance."

According to Yamaha the VVA system is simple tech that is reliable, effective and, for a 125, an efficient and low-cost way of boosting its low-down torque while retaining its top end.

As with any 125, if you’re buying one used be sure to check for crash damage and signs of neglect as many of these bikes will have been owned by new riders.

It’s a crisp two degrees here in Valencia for the 155km road ride of the 2019 @YMUKofficial YZF-R125. Keep an eye out for first impressions soon. pic.twitter.com/DmaefnfkID

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) January 11, 2019

Our Yamaha YZF-R125 owners' reviews show nothing to worry about in terms of reliability. One buyer had a noisy exhaust can, but that's the extent of the issues reported. We don't forsee any serious issues.

Although gaining no additional cost over the outgoing 2018 bike - despite a new engine and styling - the Yamaha is priced towards the premium end of the sports 125 class.

At £4800, the bike was a whole £300 more than the Suzuki GSX-R125, £600 more than the standard Kawasaki Ninja 125 and £300 more than the KTM RC125.

Unlike some of the less expensive options, the R125 exudes quality and will stand out as the poster bike for many budding biking teens, thanks to the quality components and styling mimicking more powerful sports machines in Yamaha’s range. What’s more, it also offers some of the best engine and braking performance in this class, as well as an impressive claimed fuel economy.

Yamaha released a number of new optional extras for 2019, ranging from larger screens, to a rear seat cowl. Prices range from £57 for a set of LED arrow indicators, to over £800 for a full titanium Akrapovic exhaust. Pay a bit more and said pipe can be finished in black, too.

The can makes little to no difference in performance or noise, thanks to a fused baffle. Yamaha will also sell you a Sports Kit consisting of a larger 'Endurance' screen, number plate bracket, side-mounted crash protection and LED indicators.

Another welcome addition to the bike is the inclusion of a new LCD display, replacing the previous bike's three-part unit, which could be hard to read on the move. In its place comes a much cleaner, more logical device, housing all of the features you would come to expect for a modern machine, alongside a VVA actuation indicator and a personalised welcome message when the key is turned.

Yamaha YZF-R125 colour options

For 2020, the Yamaha YZF-R125 is available in an M1-aping Icon Blue, stealthy Tech Black and Competition White, complete with fluo yellow wheels.

To celebrate 60 years of Grand Prix racing, Yamaha unveiled a special livery for the R125 in 2021. The bike is finished in a classic red and white speed block livery with a yellow numberboard on the nose fairing.