The best looking and top performance machines you can get
The 125cc market is emerging rapidly, and we are more than happy to see the motorcycle manufacturers taking things more serious. I remember when I was 16, there were only three or four bikes to choose from, but now the offer is booming with every big name in the motorcycle industry delivering at least two A1 friendly machines. The big highlight about this bike segment is that the engine power is restricted to 15 hp (11KW), and they all have ABS, so the main difference is the price, looks, weight figures and additional features.
Kawasaki Ninja 125
The Ninja range gained a new member for 2019, the Ninja 125 that features a steel trellis frame inspired by the famous H2 and the sleek Kawasaki Racing team looks. The kerb weight figure stands at 148 kg, and Kawasaki offers some options like a lowered seat, a racing exhaust or a set of crash pads. The starting price is $4990.
Kawasaki Z125
The Z 125 goes along with the Kawasaki Z concept offering a comfortable and engaging riding position together with cool looks. The bike is ideal for traffic use offering a good fuel economy, an 11-litre tank while weighting 2 kg less than the Ninja 125. The price tag is around $4500.
Aprilia RS125
The Italian manufacturer goes back a long time with the 125 cc market. I still can feel the smell of the 125 cc two-stroker that I had as my first bike. Unfortunately, the new RS125 is a lot different because the company switched to a four-stroke single cylinder engine. The looks are just the same as its bigger brother the RSV4. Performance-wise the bike features aluminium beam frame, aluminium swingarm and up-side-down forks. The RS comes fitted with a 14.5-litre tank tipping the scale at 134 kg wet. Optionally you can add a quick shifter making the RS125 the most exotic 125 money can buy.
Aprilia Tuono 125
The Tuono 125 derives from the best super naked on the market, the Tuono V4 1100 so it inherits the looks of its bigger sister and the same performance of the RS125. The small Tuono offers a relaxed riding position, and it even offers a USB port underneath the saddle to juice up your electronics.
Yamaha YZF-R125
The YZF-R125 just got updated for 2019, and it got a variable valve actuator that enhances the power delivery throughout the high and low range rpm torque. Look-wise the new YZF-R125 features now R1 lines, a bigger rear tyre and LED lights. The wet weight of 142 kg makes it a performance machine that might make it a favourite between its peers.
Yamaha MT-125
The Ray of Darkness spreads to the 125 cc segment with the MT-125 that features a small displacement naked derived from the YZF-R125. The bike features an LCD dash, USD front fork and an LED tail light.
Suzuki GSX-R125
When you hear the word gixxer, you immediately think about the new GSX-R1000 with the MotoGP livery. The cool fact about Suzuki is that they came up with a small displacement 125 cc machine that looks just the same. There’s nothing fancy about it featuring classic forks, the lowest seat height between its peers and a kerb weight of 134kg.
KTM RC 125
Everybody know KTM is very good at building single-cylinder engines and it would have been a pity if the company wouldn't come up with the astonishing RC-125. The bike is a true sports machine inspired by the KTM RC8, but with a more relaxed position. This Euro 4 machine weights only 135 kilograms and it features WP up-side down front suspension and LED lights.
KTM 125 Duke
The Duke name goes back with KTM for more than a decade now, and the Austrian manufacturer came up with a wide line-up even a 125 cc single that looks just like its bigger brothers. The bike features LED lights and performance suspensions while allowing the rider to ride for long due to its relaxed upright position.
Honda CB125R
The last on our list is the new-for-2018 Honda CB125R that shares the company’s Neo Sports lines. This bike is filled with all the goodies a big displacement bike offers and a very slick look on top of all. On the features list, you get a TFT dash, USD forks, LED lights and radial callipers while being the cheapest in this segment.
