MOTORINI MT125RRI (2017 - on) Review

If your budget can’t stretch to nearly £5000 for a new 125cc motorbike, Chinese-built machines like the Motorini MT124RRI could act as a viable alternative, costing half the price and proving almost as capable as the premium-priced competition.

Getting on the gas, the Motorini MT125RRI has a very long action throttle, which can cause wrist ache after long periods. The bike also feels soft and easily unsettled over bumps and ruts in the road. This is made worse by the budget Cordial tyres.

To help it comply with Euro4 the MT uses a linked braking system, which to an experienced rider can feel unnatural. Pull the front brake on and you’ll feel the rear lever move. Apply the rear first and you can feel the front lever being squeezed.

At the heart of the MT125RRi lies a peppy two-valve, air-cooled, single producing just 9.4bhp. Though nothing to marvel at, the bike is capable of a genuine 58.4mph.

Although having a standard pipe, the bike we tested also sounded brilliant; offering a characterful warble and popping delightfully on the overrun.

Unfortunately, our time spent with the bike wasn’t without its problems. The first thing we did was fill the bike with fuel to measure the MPG figure. This immediately lead to an airlock in the tank, causing the bike to splutter and refuse to go faster than 45mph. The bike rectified itself after a few miles, once the fuel level had dropped, however started again once refilled at the end of the day.

Our Motorini MT125RRI owners' reviews don't indicate anything concerning on reliability in particular, but there is a mention of the kickstand flipping up every time you take pressure off it. One to keep in mind for the test ride...

If you’re in the market for a cheap 125 that looks the part and delivers generous fuel returns, then look no further. Priced at just shy of £2200, the Motorini MT125RRi sits in direct competition with used premium machines like Yamaha’s YZF-R125, the Suzuki GSX-R125 and KTM's RC125.

Ridden in isolation, the MT is a perfectly acceptable entry point to motorcycling. It’s also very frugal, delivering 84.11mpg and 212.6 miles of range from its 11.5-litre tank.

The fully digital dash is also easy to read and something not found on alternatives like the £4700 Aprilia RS125, however the rev counter has around a second of delay.