Yamaha R125 World GP 60th Anniversary 2022 — Specifications

It all started in 1955. The year Yamaha produced its first motorcycle. Named YA-1, it won races on Japanese territory from the very first year. Seven springs later, exactly 60 years ago, the brand entered the World Championship Grand Prix. It is this key date that is celebrated on the fairing of the R125, with its iconic “Speed Block” livery. An interesting anecdote: it was also in 1962 that Yamaha motorcycles were imported into France, by Sonauto.

“Speed Block” draws a large part of its identity from those famous stylized rectangles. Strongly associated with Yamaha, they have been declined in multiple combinations and projections on the manufacturer's sports models. For the tribute versions, it always returns to its original form. On the R125 60th WGP Anniversary, it tears a red stripe across the motorcycle’s immaculate white paint. On the front, a yellow plate whispers the spirit of competition. The rims are gold in a matte finish, reinforcing the special series approach. A badge on the tank completes the marking of this 125’s belonging to this significant edition.

The anniversary can thus be appreciated on both the hypersport and the more modest of the R models. Its 124.7 cm3 single-cylinder engine delivers 15 horsepower and not much torque, but it is the only engine in the range to be equipped with variable valve timing. The transmission is complemented by an assist and slipper clutch. As for the chassis, we rely on the steel Deltabox frame, the aluminum swingarm, the 41 mm non-adjustable inverted fork, and tires 100 mm wide at the front for 140 mm at the rear – my first 500 had a narrower tire.

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