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DERBI SENDA 125 SM (2009 - on) Review

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Owners' rating 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Specs Owners' reviews Bikes for saleFor sale
Derbi DRD 125 SM
4

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Power: 15 bhp
Seat height: Tall (35.8 in / 910 mm)
Weight: Low (265 lbs / 120 kg)

Prices

New £2,899
Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

If your parents have a fair old wedge to chuck on your first bike, 125SM ownership is not only guaranteed to put a ruddy big smile on your face, but also pull the girls outside the local KFC. Nothing in its class looks as good. In 30 and 40mph limits (its natural hunting ground) it’s rapid enough. But anywhere else you’ll really need to hold on to those revs.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The quality of the ride is good enough for any budding Christian Iddon to practice his foot-out cornering on their housing estate, though feel from the front end is not the best in the world. Sizeable 120-section rubber on the rear grips well enough, and seems durable (it takes a fair few skids to show evident wear). Front suspension is forgiving, with more than enough travel to soak up jumps from kerbs and unplanned-for potholes.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The four-valve single punts out a claimed 15bhp, and the key to feeling all of those horsies is wringing the DRD’s neck. The motor, though a sprightly affair that requires you to really hold on to the revs in each of its six gears, has an adequate hit of torque at the mid-top of the rev range. Runs out of puff in the higher revs, though, making it all too easy to hit the rev limiter and lose vital seconds on the run into town.    

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Although it’s a case of time will tell when it comes to the longevity of components, there’s no reason to believe that, with regular cleaning (like that’s going to happen… have you seen the state of most 17-year-old kids’ bedrooms?), it’ll stand up well to the rigours of hard use on UK roads.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

The Derbi DRD 125 SM will see off a full (eight-litre) tank of fuel in 100 miles if you’re not careful (but who’s going to worry about fuel consumption when they’re king of the precinct?). It’s comparable on price with Suzuki’s DR125SM and £300 more pricy than Moto Hispania’s Duna SM125. When it comes to reliability, we’d figure it’s fair to reckon somewhere between the two. Find a Derbi Senda for sale.

Equipment

5 out of 5 (5/5)

This is where the DRD excels when compared with its rivals. It’s not often you see pukka upside-down Paioli forks and a whopping great 260mm front wavy disc on a learner bike. Those brakes are powerful enough for stoppies – just don’t crash it in front of the girls, you’ll never live it down. Compare and buy parts for the Derbi DRD in the MCN Shop.

Specs
Engine size 124cc
Engine type 4v four-stroke single, six gears
Frame type Aluminium
Fuel capacity 8 litres
Seat height 910mm
Bike weight 120kg
Front suspension none
Rear suspension none
Front brake 260mm wavy disc
Rear brake 220mm wavy disc
Front tyre size 90/90 x 21
Rear tyre size 120/80 x 18

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption 52 mpg
Annual road tax £22
Annual service cost -
New price £2,899
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power 15 bhp
Max torque 11 ft-lb
Top speed 77 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 110 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2009: DRD 125 SM introduced. Supermoto style for well-heeled teens.

Other versions

Derbi Senda DRD 125R: off-road style motorcycle with knobbly tyres, MX styling, but identical engine to SM.

Owners' reviews for the DERBI SENDA 125 SM (2009 - on)

1 owner has reviewed their DERBI SENDA 125 SM (2009 - 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 DERBI SENDA 125 SM (2009 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Value vs rivals: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
5 out of 5 125cc beastie
29 January 2013 by bertiem92

I use this bike as my daily commuter and weekend entertainment. This is my third 125 and my second derbi motorcycle. I'd recommend one to anyone tall enough to get on it. It's an almost perfect bike from stock.

Ride quality & brakes 4 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
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