MONDIAL HPS 125 Ubbiali Limited (2023 - on) Review

There’s no denying it, the Mondial HPS 125 ABS Ubbiali Limited (yes, it’s a mouthful of a name) is a stylish rascal. Based on the more familiar HPS 125 ABS, the Ubbiali is, as the name suggests, a limited-edition special that pays homage to Mondial’s 1951 125cc Grand Prix world champion Carlo Ubbiali. Just under 1000 will be produced, only 42 of which are destined for the UK market.

For the uninitiated, F.B. Mondial were a household name back in the late '40s and claimed their first of five 125cc world championships with Nello Pagani in 1949. By the late '60s and with founder Count Giuseppe Boselli leaving the business due to health reasons, things were looking bleak.

2001 saw the creation of the Honda SP1-powered Piega but it would take until 2014 for the firm to be fully revived with Giuseppe's nephew Pierluigi now at the helm. The HPS 125 hit the market in 2015 before being joined by the 300 version in 2017. Then in 2019, the Sport Classic joined the line-up.

The brakes – a dual piston caliper up front and single rear (both ABS assisted) biting down on 260mm and 220mm discs respectively – are perfect for a machine weighing just 130kg.

Ride quality isn’t so impressive; despite funky looking upside-down forks and twin piggyback rear shocks, the suspension set up is basic, non-adjustable and where Mondial has saved on production costs.

Pair that with a thin seat and comfort isn’t great, especially on poor surfaces, but it’s bearable around town where the Ubbiali is most at home.

The HPS's engine looks bigger than it is, but in reality this liquid-cooled, SOHC, four-valve single is packing just 124cc, and identical to that found in the cooking HPS model.

It's fuel injected and drives through a slick six-speed gearbox; the clutch is light and easy to operate. Power is a modest 13.4bhp, but low gearing helps in-town acceleration. Top speed is around 70mph, depending on conditions and rider size/weight.

The overall build quality has an air of class about it, despite budget suspension. It’s doubtful the many exposed metal surfaces will take well to the rigours of a British winter, however. Reliability will be on par with a stock HPS. There’s a two-year warranty, servicing is every 4000 miles.

Almost £4500 is a lot to pay for something that barely tops the national speed limit, limited edition or not. Residual value could well hold better than a standard HPS, however, given the low numbers entering the UK.

There are plenty of manufacturers making interesting 125s these days and if you're in the market for something with a retro feel like the Mondial then consider the £4800 Yamaha XSR125, Honda Super Cub or quirky Dax 125 minibike (both £3749).

At the cheaper end of the market, there are bikes like the Herald Brat 125 imported from China by British firms.

There’s not much, but what the Ubbiali does come with is good. All the controls are light and easy to use, the instruments – a mobile phone sized TFT display that shows speed, rpm, fuel level, temp, time, mileage, trips and warning lights – are neat, clear and easy to use. Likewise, the mirrors.

The lack of a rack may be a pain for commuting - although one can be added as an accessory for the princely sum of £138. The non-existent weather protection is a tougher problem to look past for year-round riders, though.

Shotgun twin exhaust pipes and diamond pattern leather seat aren't the sort of thing you expect to find on a 125 in 2023 and they're a welcome distraction from the drearier end of the commuter and learner market.