YAMAHA YZF-R125 (2008-on) Review

Brilliant first motorcycle; looks looks like a real sports bike; and much admired by those not in the know.

It's best features are the looks, style, brakes and sound of the bike with a custom exhaust, who would ever know a 125cc would spit flames! It's worst features are the plastics/fairings can brake very easily and there is no aftermarket mirrors and the stock ones are huge.

very comfortable ride, sporty looks but not too sporty in the way of riding position, which is perfect if youre like me and have legs equivalent to the size of the boom over the top of wembley stadium. Nubuck seat makes it easy to dry off after rain, as opposed to my last bike that soaked it up like a sponge.

the bike looks great and it has a smooth gearbox altho it has higher bars which make it less race focussed and it drinks engine oil like a dehydrated elephant, this is because of its small oil reservoir. But overall the bike is a great bit of kit for any 17 year old and with a good exhaust on it the bike it will growl..

A good bike ' very reliable and easy to ride ' I was so impressed it's the second one I'v had now :-)

the sound of the bike is nice only if you buy a custom exhaust, whereas if you stay with the stock exhaust it doesn't sound the best.

This has been my 1st bike, being 6'5" and 17stone, I should have picked a trails/adventurer bike, having said that I've wanted a sports looking bike for the past 17 years (that's right 40 year old born again biker) and this bike ROCKS. I have since passed my test and rode numerous bikes but i have to say she'll always be a favourite. Best features - looks, handling, sound (when kitted with a turbo kit exhaust she's LOUD! sounds better than an R6 and they're pretty much the same size.) Worst features - NO CLOCK!!!!

I have had this bike for about a month now, I bought it sixth hand and it has 20,000 miles on the clock but it has been looked after well and was in great shape when I got it. I bought mine for £2500 and by god it was worth it. I would say that this bike really is the premier 125 out there. It gets a solid 14.6 bhp which is right on the limit of 15 bhp. Its acceleration is really fantastic at the low end, I personally have reached 80 mph on it. The riding position is very comfortable and I have done a 100 mile journey on it with no problems. It also handles well in the rain I have ridden in all different types of rain on it. Finally its mpg is really quite impressive I was commuting it daily and it lasted 7 days before I needed to fill it up. Overall a great bike.

fantastic bike, have enjoyed riding it. i have taken mine up to 78mph

Just spent a year with this bike while on my CBT. I'm in my mid 20s and finally free of parents and girlfriends stopping me getting a bike and the YZF R-125 has been fantastic as an induction to biking. It looks great and feels quality and non bikers get very confused about the L plates -- even a copper asked me why I have L plates on a 600). The engine is as good as you will find on a 4 stroke 125, I've had no problems in the 3,000 miles I've done on what is now a 12,500 mile machine. I rode it through winter and kept on top of the cleaning and the finish is still great -- no furry bolts. The ride and handling are good but the suspension is a little squishy sometimes when pushed hard. The frame is much better and more rigid than other 125s I've ridden, giving a much more planted and secure feeling. Overall the only gripes I have with this bike is the poor(ish)fuel economy (around 55mpg for me - not horrific but the CBF125 will do 135mpg) and the price. It's bloody expensive new and secondhand prices are still high but as long as you can afford the initial outlay it will give you the means to jump on a bigger bike without too much expense once you've passed your test.

Good bike, nice power, would like a little bit more top end but for a 125 what do you expect? only niggle is the lack of clock but this is easily remidied, lock it up well!

Firstly, It's a 125, the official MCN review irked me a bit because 3/5 engine score does NOT do this bike justice! No, it isn't an arm ripper, what 125 is? It should be compared to other 4 stroke 125's, and under this comparison, the YZF R125 comes out easily on top (I have ridden CBR125's, they are nice little runners but small and slower, much slower). Onto the main review. Only downsides are the handling and the value. The stock michellin tyres are LETHAL, change them as soon as you get the bike, and recoup the cost selling the stocks online, personally pirelli sport demons are great. The bike costs a lot, nearly £5,000 brand new this year, BUT, you get what you pay for. Equipment is perfect, it's only missing a clock, everything else is there that you would need. Quality and reliability is perfect, I ride all winter, and as a tired commuter I didn't strictly obey all anti corrosion advice 2 years in a row now and not a speck of rust or damage so far. Over the 2 years I have clocked up nearly 16,000 miles, it has never broken down or given me any issues. Gearbox is ridiculously clunky from day 1, but hey, it's a Yamaha, they're notoriously renowned for it. If you have the cash and will be happy with a 125 for years, buy it now! If like me, you accidentally pass your test first time as you had nothing better to do a couple months into owning this bike and now cannot afford a bigger bike due to the finance payments, buy a 2nd hand one, or a CBR125.

i had this motorcycle for 4 months in australia before moving to germany, it isn't a common bike in AUS because you normally start out on a 250, i'm glad i didn't get a ninja 250, my friend had one and we whent on rides together, everyone was interested in mine and kept asking if it was a 600 and couldn't believe me when i said it was a 125(shows how rare they are down under) rode great, cornered hard and zero reliability issues in 10,000kms+ sold it for more than i baught it (baught it leading into winter and sold leading into summer) if i hadn't dropped it and had to pai for the repairs, i would have actually made money out of it. highly recomended!!!

i have a 2011 one, bought it brand new and it had its first (600mile) service this morning, my first bike so i cant exactly compare it to anything except the CG i did my cbt on (this one's better). i get about 150 miles out of half a tank of fuel so i believe 150miles a tank is wrong. :D bike is really good - accelerates quickly for overtakes and doesn't make moped sounds when you're overtaking (which was top of my list when looking for a first bike "must not sound like moped") looses a bit (a lot) of power on hills. not very forgiving with the gears if you dont know what your doing. have had a few tantrums where it won't change up a gear until you start being really deliberate with the clutch and gearshift. this is probably me though (a) because i rarely know what i'm doing. bike looks great. taller than people expect and it doesnt "look" like a 125 from first glance, so generally get approval from other road users on bikes and jealous glares from everyone in the college parking lot. apparently doesnt weigh anything, and so far everyone that isn't me has been able to push it into akward spaces with zero difficulty. one person even managed to pick it up and move it when id left it somewhere stupid with the steering lock on. hint - you'll want an alarm or a big chain or something (y). so yeh. very nice bike.

Had a YZF for around a year and used it to commute on 5 days a week. Having covered 9000 miles its very reliable with no breakdowns, the only downside is the chain, with it being a smaller bike I needed to replace it at 7500miles along with the sprockets and I needed to adjust the chain every 500miles which was an inconvenience. The turning circle was laughable but that's too be expected on a sports bike. Compared to the competition I am glad I chose this one, and at second hand prices it was a bargain for around £2300. Great display, looks and brakes. Highly recommended bike for the newbies. With more top end power & speed it would be perfect. It was my pride and joy until a taxi decided to pull out in front of me, its not that he didn't see me, he didn't even bother to look!

you cannot fault this bike its every teenagers dream its reliable it looks great handles like a big bike and so what the price is £4000 i was happy to pay that. alot more confident on that then a skinny cbr 125 fuel on a full tank is more like 250 not 150mpg 0-60 ive had in 7 secs and top end on the tank ive done 86mph thats all standard apart from a double bubble screen by puig due to recieve the scorpion can in carbon at £350 but improves bhp by 5bhp haha and is alot lighter then standard can really mean this but il keep this bike till the day i die it really is special and even when i do get another bike 600 wise il still have fun from time to time on this =]

As a 6' 16 stone 38 yr old I was surprised just how good this bike feeels to ride. Lacks bit of power after 50 mph but will make 75 even with me on it. The only trouble is you forget it is only a 125 and will soon be wanting a bigger engine. Bike size is good tho and you don't look like the proverbial swan on a ducks back. Mpg is excellent and would say more like 250 miles from a tank not 150 as stated

Had this bike for around 5 months now and loving it so far. I want to get a big bike in the future so thought it best to learn on a smaller 125cc before wasting money on something i might not ever use or end up wanting. Bought brand new and love the thing from day one. Its great for city riding, back roads country lanes and dual carriage ways, and i get so many looks cos people believe it to be a r6 on first sight. The bike is perfect for anyone wanting practice on smaller sport bike and it is great on fuel and parts. Cant sing this bikes praises enough and hopefully it will teach me more about riding before i move onto a bigger bike. A must for anyone young or old who wants to start off on a sports bike.

I am 6 foot and 15 stone I owned this bike for 3 months an 4500 miles. It is a very good 125 it is fun looks great and attracts quite a bit of attention. It managed between 95-100 mpg it reached 65mph easily then gradually built up to 75mph. I used the bike regualrly to do my commute of 60 miles daily on mainly A roads. I eventually got fed up of having to plan my overtaking moves so far in advance. In my opinion this is a great everyday bike though is it really worth the hefty price tag?

I have owned mine for three months now, use it everyday to and from work just clocked 3K miles. Firstly I am getting 300 miles out of every tank of fuel, I calculate that as 100MPG not the 50 quoted. My insurance full comp is approx £150 and with the road tax at £15 a year this is a great little toy thats also cheap to run. Im 5'8" and the bike was a bit high when new but now the rear spring has settled I have no problem with the height. This bike is definately recomended and everyone wants a second look even the boys on the R6's n R1's even if it is just to double check the 125 sticker. I used to own a TZR125 and this is right up along side it for fun. It is much more civilised than a 2 stroke pulling from 30 in 5th right up through the revs, I know my TZR wouldnt of done that.

overall:right put this why i park my bike up by the shops .sudnley gye pops out asking me loads things about it......that alone is anth to make u want this bike. ride and handling:lmao 1 word amazing lmao equipment:amazing clock...also at night time woooot like a disco<3 quality="" and="" reliabilty:okies="" i="" rag="" the="" tits="" of="" my="" bike="" allways="" switching="" gear="" befor="" redline="" never="" broke="" down="" never="" neeeded="" oil="" topping="" up="" nothing="" ...gotta="" be="" best="" ov="" the="" best="" value:125cc="" 3400="" pounds="" now="" i="" payed="" 3000="" new="" yellow="" 1="" ....bargin="" to="" me="" also="" stil="" cheap="" imo="" now="" engine:best="" 4="" stroke="" 125cc="" in="" its="" class="" nothing="" will="" beat="" it="" if="" its="" 4="" stroke="" sound="" it="" makes="" is="" lovley="" ....iv="" done="" 10.000miles="" on="" my="" yzf="" r125="" best="" engine="" no="" lies="" just="" like="" to="" say="" my="" true="" top="" speed="" is="" 84mph="" on="" the="" clock="" no="" lieing="" no="" bsing="" its="" true="" little="" 4="" stroke="" engine="" is="" basicly="" bullet="" proof="" best="" bike="" iv="" owned....sorry="" about="" spelling="" grammer="" but="" cuz="" iv="" done="" 10.000="" miles="" on="" it="" i="" feel="" i="" hav="" right="" to="" submit="" my="" review="" quality="" and="" reliabilty:okies="" i="" rag="" the="" tits="" of="" my="" bike="" allways="" switching="" gear="" befor="" redline="" never="" broke="" down="" never="" neeeded="" oil="" topping="" up="" nothing="" ...gotta="" be="" best="" ov="" the="" best="" value:125cc="" 3400="" pounds="" now="" i="" payed="" 3000="" new="" yellow="" 1="" ....bargin="" to="" me="" also="" stil="" cheap="" imo="" now="" engine:best="" 4="" stroke="" 125cc="" in="" its="" class="" nothing="" will="" beat="" it="" if="" its="" 4="" stroke="" sound="" it="" makes="" is="" lovley="" ....iv="" done="" 10.000miles="" on="" my="" yzf="" r125="" best="" engine="" no="" lies="" just="" like="" to="" say="" my="" true="" top="" speed="" is="" 84mph="" on="" the="" clock="" no="" lieing="" no="" bsing="" its="" true="" little="" 4="" stroke="" engine="" is="" basicly="" bullet="" proof="" best="" bike="" iv="" owned....sorry="" about="" spelling="" grammer="" but="" cuz="" iv="" done="" 10.000="" miles="" on="" it="" i="" feel="" i="" hav="" right="" to="" submit="" my="">

I can't really compare this to other bikes as it's the first I've owned - but I do know a fair bit about two wheelers and I can recommend this. My R125 is now past a first service and handles extremely well - it'll also burn off most cars from the lights. I've had no problems whatsoever other than user error, though it definitely does feel skittish in the wet if you haven't worn in the tyres and brakes (you definitely want to do this on any new bike). I've had it up to 75mph and I'm quite satisfied that I'd be able to get the full 85mph out of it, perhaps whether you'd want to is another question. Suspension at first appears quite firm until you get used to it, though remember the R125 has a 'supersports' shape. This means it's designed to have a very high seat (may cause problems for anyone below 5 foot 6) and you'll be wringing your wrists at the lights. However, you'll look extremely cool when speeding along. First gear I don't find short, I do find it a bit gutless though. Second gear is great when you get to the 9,000 rpm. Brakes are brembo and are actually quite high spec for a 125 - stopping power (given the acceleration) is very impressive. Don't yank on the front! I got mine for £300 less than the list and I can certainly recommend buying one. I'm looking to fit the new Leo Vince exahust system from Moto GB over winter and I'm looking forward to the boost in the mid range.

as im only 17,it has to be said im not the most expieranced rider in the world.but this bike is just incredible.my 2nd bike and i love it.it copes on the back roads perfectly and although sluggish on hills at times with a head on wind it still keeps up with many cars on the back roads.but that said..its a small 125 engine.what else can be expected?im on L plates so i cant use the motorway but dual carriage ways it manages 70mph and will stay there all day long. off the lights it will beat any car up to a 1.8.tryed and tested up to 40mph! then just forget about it..... if a nippy,reliable and econimical bike is what your after....buy this...if you want the opposite but more speed.....the aprilia rs125 is for you... ive had this bike since februaray and mine has not posed any rust threats on the frame or exhaust and mine has done 8000 miles. the petrol range up there ^ ^ ^is wrong.if your sensible e.g not caining it then you will cover 247 on a full tank. ( with the fuel indicator flashing ) thats rare but even when caining it i still manage 207 miles on a full tank. its got the big bike look,the nice engine note at 8000rpm and a town friendly clutch making it easier to crawl around town this bike turns heads...even in kirby lonsdale! hope this helps future buyers!

Got this bike october last year. Loved it ever since... overall i coulden't ask for more in a first bike. Handelling great. this thing is SO easy to ride! having past my cbt to this i loved it. I have had some rust on my exhaust but this is the same with them all i heard. saying that i've rode this bike in al weather conditions and its always came through for me! This looks like a big bike... i've had people asking me if it was a r6! the only thing i would change style wise would be to give it upside down forks. not something it need but i think would go towards the "big bike" looks. Engine... wot can i say?its only a small 125. this engine was designed to meet CBT restrictions IT WILL NOT GO FASTER like old aprillia 2 strokes and the like! it can't be deristricted! saying that i'ma lot quicker off the mark than any of my mates cars. Great town bike. finds it hard on roads above 60 tho... i tend to burn the fuel on motorway travel so best to avoid it!

I have had one since march but im chopping it in this week for a ducati monster :D I had a problem with my frame rusting even though i garage and clean and waxed the bike every week? The bike was reliable and good on fuel but it was gutless compared to my previous 125 a derbi gpr 125 nude (no fairing version). If i was a 17 year old again i would buy something cheaper than this bike and save for the second bike with the cash i had saved. The problem with the bike for me was it looked great (apart from the frame rust) but the bike seemed pretty slow even compared to other 125's. Someone aslo mentioned in one of their reviews that they can get 100mph out of it tucked into the fairing that's a complete crock this bike wont get anywhere near that speed. try to imagine a cg125 with good looks and that's pretty much what you are getting. If you go to buy one with that in mind you wont be as disappointed as i was with mine.

The Yamaha R125 bike is lovely I have had it for one year now and no problems, it's light but when it comes to performance...It lacks a hell of a lot, it's my first bike and i'm already taking it to it's limit, but yeah if your new to the bike scene this is a good bike to have but if you want some pull then I'd go fo the R6.

ive had my r125 for a year now and ive had 300 miles to a full tank only once but looks like its going to do it again and that 100 mpg and thats reli good for just under £13 pound its great on fuel neva seen nefink like it

At the start... it was easy to ride i had only passed my CBT and two months later i got on this bike and it was VERY easy to jump on it and ride... i took it easy for the first week and thing is you just cant help but want to thrash it! it is such a good bike for your first and i am in my early 20's wish i had this when i was 17!!!!

Probably the best bike on the Planet ,as much fun as my 03 CBR600RR I had , but with much lower running cost and less worry. Brilliant Bike. A piece of biking Genius…Keep tucked in and get 100MPG

I have had this bike for 3 months now and have had my first service. Overall it has treated me well. For starters, it looks great, although this is somewhat impaired by my 'L' plates, which do look out of place on it . I have had a comment from a biker who thought it was a restricted R6 (because of the plates), and a couple of others who just thought it was a larger capacity bike. Performance wise, whilst i'm not very experienced, I understand that this is the best you can expect for a 4 stroke which is learner legal. I agree with a comment here that the 1st gear is a bit short, and the sixth gear is unresponsive, and is purely for cruising- although cruising isn't something one does much on a 125cc bike - traveling in a straight line at 8,500 revs for any prolonged period isn't much fun at 70mph. The gearbox does wind me up at times - i have had to ask twice recently on a couple of occasions. On the flip side gears 3 and 4 are very responsive in particular. The handling is fab - i am very comfortable as a novice learner turning into corners with speed, and it feels safe. I put 4 for handling because of the suspension which isn't very forgiving of bumps. The seat and ride position are comfortable for me and i'm 6'2. Fuel economy is great, and the trip computer and fuel gauges are really nice touches. I try to look after the bike, but already some of the bolts are looking a bit worse for wear. Overall, a great bike. It's looks are deceiving, and they make you expect more out of it than you should expect. I'm 24 now, and should be getting my DAS done soon. Although expensive for a 125, the plus I'm taking from having one of these is the experience of the frame and chassis, which is very similar to the next bike I want (an R6)

Had mine now for a couple of months and i must say i love this bike, (well i would it being my first ) but still, i ride my bike every day up and down the a2 from london to kent, its not that great up an hill but that would be the only downside to this bike, or im a fat git :), iv had 85mph at of her, for anyone looking for a first bike, this is it, handles great on the corners and takes of great at the lights.. looking forward to my r6 next year (if the wife lets me )

I feel qualified to do a review on this bike, as I have had mine since May 08 and have done over 2,500 miles on it. I have a 52 mile commute a day on A roads which are a lot of fun. I brought this bike for two reasons, one it looks amazing and secondly as it is a 125 I was hoping to get a good MPG out of it. The bike did not disappoint on both occasions. The bike looks so much better in the flesh and the comment I get most from people is how big it is, think R6 size and your very close. The MPG is amazing on this bike a full tank cost me £14 to fill and will get me 300 miles if I treat it nicely around 270miles if I thrash it. So that around 100 mpg!! The engine is a 125cc 4 stroke built my Yamaha so it should be reliable, no problems yet, though I will say this gears 1 through to 4 are brisk and have good acceleration for a 125, though 5 is a bit of struggle and 6 is gutless just a cruising gear. To speed on A roads you’ll be hanging around 60pmh – 70mph and if you have a straight road, down hill will your head down your get 80mph at 10,00rpm. Not bad for a learner machine. Handling is great light and nimble, you can chuck it round corner which is great fun, and brakes are mind blowing but they do the job. The price was always a sore point £3000 I spent on mine, but with the amount of miles I was doing a year 12,000 there was no point in getting a second hand bike. The best colours to go for are either black of blue, mines black. The yellow is just sick and the white is for all the boy racers. Insurance well I’m 28, married I had a car license for 10 years with no points, my bike is garaged over night and I pay £240 fully comp!! I take my test next month so I can get rid of the L plates hopefully. Will I be trading up for a bigger bike? No though my dream bike is an R6, I wouldn’t get the mpg out of it that this gets which is the main reason I brought it. A great bike, not many people have them, I’ve only seen one on the road so far and hopefully give it a year of two there will be some lovely extras coming out for it, third party exhaust are just coming on the market now. Positives - Looks great, reliable 125 engine, goof handling, amazing 100 mpg Negatives – Price £3000, 5 and 6 gears are a bit gutless.

this bike is perfect 125 for any 17 year old im 20 but it brilliant power speed ive not been off mine in weeks people love it to look at and always have good comments about it.brilliant bike