Yamaha R125 2024 — Specifications

Who would have thought a 125 cc motorcycle could pack as much technology as a higher-category sportbike? With the 2024 Yamaha R125, the Iwata manufacturer pushes the envelope so far that you have to wonder whether the youngest member of the R family doesn't suffer from a slight superiority complex. This is the fourth generation of the YZF, which has reinvented itself since its debut in 2008, and the current model year marks a clean break from previous versions, whether you think of the 2018 Yamaha R125, the 2019 Yamaha R125, or even the 2021 model.

On the styling front, Yamaha has redesigned practically everything. The front end is slimmer and unashamedly borrows from the R7, with a sharp gaze that gives this Yamaha R125 a striking visual presence for its size. Reworked side fairings, a redesigned tail section, a new 11-liter fuel tank, and a fresh front fender — only the 17-inch wheels fitted with Michelin Pilot Street tires (100/80 at the front, 140/70 at the rear) carry over from the previous generation untouched. The black Yamaha R125 remains the most popular color choice, even though the palette stays fairly conservative. A bit more boldness on that front would have been welcome.

The dashboard is one of the real surprises on the spec sheet. A 5-inch color TFT display, Bluetooth-connected and compatible with the Yamaha app, lets you view phone notifications and review riding data. Two display modes are available: a clean, readable Street mode, and a Track mode with built-in lap timing, a configurable bar graph, and memory for 25 laps. For a 125, this is simply unprecedented. Yamaha also includes a disengageable traction control system and pre-wiring for an optional quickshifter. On paper, the equipment list would put some much larger-displacement machines to shame. The question of real-world usefulness remains, though: with 15 horsepower at 10,000 rpm and 11.4 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm, delivered by a 124.7 cc single-cylinder engine with VVA variable valve timing, it's hard to imagine when traction control would kick in on dry asphalt. It's more of a selling point than an everyday riding tool.

Where the 2024 Yamaha R125 truly convinces without reservation is in the chassis department. The steel Deltabox frame has proven itself across generations, from the 2010 YZF R125 to the 2013 R125, then through the 2015 and 2016 versions up to today. The 41 mm inverted fork with 130 mm of travel and the rear mono-shock deliver composed and predictable handling. Braking relies on a 292 mm radially mounted front disc with a two-piston caliper, paired with a 230 mm rear disc. The setup brings the 144 kg wet weight to a halt with confidence. The 30 mm shorter wheelbase compared to the previous generation makes the bike livelier on corner entry — a real asset for young riders discovering sporty sensations. The seat height of 825 mm may, however, intimidate more compact riders. The 6-speed gearbox is precise, and the slipper clutch remains part of the package.

Priced at 5,999 euros, the Yamaha R125 sits squarely against competitors like the Aprilia RS 125 and the KTM RC 125. It stands out through its electronic features and the quality of its instrumentation, though its rivals sometimes offer a more expressive engine character. The used Yamaha R125 also remains a solid option for tighter budgets, particularly in Switzerland where the used Yamaha R125 market is thriving. With a top speed capped at 125 km/h, this machine doesn't claim to rival larger-displacement bikes, but it offers A1 license holders and beginners a genuine concentrate of sporty technology. Perhaps a bit too much for its own horsepower, but Yamaha clearly prefers to err on the side of ambition. And on that front, the R125 has very little to envy from anyone.