Yamaha R125 2021 — Specifications

Who would have bet, fifteen years ago, that the little Yamaha R125 would become such an object of desire? Since the first YZF R125 appeared in 2008, the lineage has never stopped moving up in the ranks. The 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 versions each brought their share of refinements. But with this 2021 Yamaha R125 vintage, Yamaha strikes a real blow. The Yamaha R125 no longer settles for imitating its big sisters, the R6 and R1: it claims their DNA with a confidence that commands respect. The fairing, carved with surgical precision, borrows from the brand's supersport lines without falling into slavish imitation. The sculpted air intakes on the tank, the full LED optics, the tapered tail: every detail betrays an ambition to play in the big leagues. In black, this Yamaha R125 noir exudes a presence that few 125cc sportbikes can claim against a KTM RC 125 or an Aprilia RS 125.

Beneath the fairing, the 124.7 cc single-cylinder four-stroke engine has undergone a serious overhaul. Yamaha has integrated a VVA variable valve actuation system, a first in this segment. The widened throttle body, the redesigned cylinder head with four shorter and wider valves, the compact combustion chamber with an 11.2:1 compression ratio: everything works together to beef up torque in the mid-range. The result is 11.5 Nm available from 8,000 rpm and a more responsive feel at mid-rev. Power remains capped at the regulatory 15 horsepower at 10,000 rpm — nobody escapes that. The Yamaha R125 top speed maxes out at 125 km/h, like any honest 125. But it's in the way those horses are delivered that the difference is made. The assist and slipper clutch, added on this version, brings a riding comfort that A1 license holders and BSR certificate holders will appreciate on corner exits. The claimed fuel consumption of 2.1 liters per hundred kilometers gives a comfortable theoretical range with the 11-liter tank. Here's a sportbike that won't bankrupt its rider at the pump.

The steel Deltabox frame, a signature of the R family, benefits from revised geometry for added agility. The 41 mm inverted fork, the shortened and stiffened cast aluminum swingarm, the rear tire widened to 140 mm: the package inspires confidence. At 144 kg wet weight, with a 1,355 mm wheelbase and 155 mm ground clearance, the R125 remains nimble in the city while offering reassuring stability on winding roads. The seat perched at 825 mm may exclude the shortest riders, but the redesigned thicker seat pad and more open clip-on handlebars make the riding position less extreme than on the previous generation. Yamaha has kept daily use in mind without sacrificing the track-day spirit.

The LCD dashboard packs all the essential information: speed, bar-graph tachometer, fuel gauge, gear indicator, VVA status. A huge leap from the old instrument cluster that looked almost toy-like. The brake lever guard and knurled fork top clamp add a racing touch that isn't purely cosmetic. On the used Yamaha R125 market, the 2008, 2010, and 2013 YZF vintages remain affordable for tight budgets, but this 2021 version justifies its €5,499 price tag with a genuine qualitative leap. Against the competition, the Honda CBR125R looks almost tame, while the KTM RC 125 plays more to the raw temperament card. The 2024 Yamaha R125 will carry over most of this technical foundation, proof that the work done here laid solid groundwork. For a young rider dreaming of uncompromising sport, or an urban motorcyclist looking for a lightweight, easy-to-maintain machine, the R125 remains the most credible entry ticket into the Yamaha sportbike universe. The six-speed chain-drive gearbox does the job with precision. No Yamaha R125 automatic version on the agenda: here, you learn to ride for real.