Yamaha R125
2026 Yamaha R125 (YZF-R125): 15 hp 125 cc sports bike, A1 licence, 141 kg, €5,999. Full specs, press reviews, maintenance and rivals.
At a glance
The Yamaha R125 (formerly YZF-R125) is a 125 cc, 15 hp sports bike with R7-inspired styling, accessible on an A1 licence. Priced at €5,999, reviewers rate it the benchmark of its class for its variable valve timing engine, chassis and equipment. Its high price, optional quickshifter and frequent oil changes are its main drawbacks.
World press review
Meta-score
6 sources
Press ratings
Styling and equipment on a par with the R7, great fun, soft but well-balanced suspension, precise gearbox; a little more front preload would have helped on track.
Agile, quick and stable at high speed, ideal for learning and discovering the track; imprecise switchgear wheel.
Non-adjustable suspension that is excellent for the class, effective brakes, cautious ABS, switchable traction control; fork a little soft under hard braking.
One of the best 125 engines, formidable chassis, convincing instruments, discreet rider aids; fiddly switchgear wheel, sharp price rise, optional quickshifter.
Press synthesis
What the world’s press says
No test of the 2025 or 2026 model years has been published: reviews cover the fourth generation introduced in 2023. MCN and BikeSocial rate it 4/5. Visordown, Moto.it, MOTORRAD and Le Repaire des Motards tested it without a numeric score.
What reviewers like: a variable valve timing engine among the best in the class, a precise and reassuring chassis, styling and equipment worthy of bigger sports bikes (connected TFT, traction control), good build quality and very low fuel consumption.
What they criticise: the highest price in the class, the optional quickshifter, an imprecise switchgear wheel, a wrist-heavy position in town and a slightly spongy front caliper.
Key quotes
"It might be the most expensive machine in its class by a few hundred quid, but it would be a bike to be proud of for those starting their sportsbike riding career."
"It’s a complete package of guaranteed entertainment with style, build quality, precise handling, economy, and strong performance to boot."
"It’s good value, great fun to ride, surprisingly comfortable and can genuinely do the things you see in the press and marketing pictures."
"The non-adjustable suspension components are, for this class, beyond reproach."
"Good for the ego, rewarding and generous, the R 125 even benefits from options previously reserved for bigger bikes, such as the quickshifter."
Pros
- Lively, flexible variable valve timing engine
- Precise chassis
- Big sports bike styling and equipment
- Very low fuel consumption (2.1 L/100 km claimed)
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Highest price in its class
- Optional quickshifter
- Oil change every 3,000 km
- Imprecise switchgear wheel
Our review
What is the 2026 model year?
The current R125 is the fourth generation of the model, launched in 2023. It received an R7-inspired front end, a connected colour TFT screen and traction control. The 2025 model year brought Euro 5+ compliance, a revised exhaust, navigation through the MyRide app and a weight reduced to 141 kg. The 2026 model year only adds a white and red anniversary livery for Yamaha’s 70th birthday.
Yamaha has sold it as the R125 since 2019; it was previously called the YZF-R125.
How much does it cost?
Yamaha France lists the 2026 R125 at €5,999 in Icon Blue or Tech Black, and at €6,299 in Anniversary White. It is not sold in the United States.
How good is the engine?
The 125 cc single makes 15 hp (11 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 11.5 Nm at 8,000 rpm, the maximum allowed on an A1 licence. Its VVA variable valve timing switches to a more aggressive cam at high revs, around 7,400 rpm according to MCN and MOTORRAD. Reviewers rate it among the best in the class, flexible low down and lively at the top.
How does it ride?
The chassis is its strong point: Deltabox-type steel frame, aluminium swingarm and 41 mm KYB upside-down fork. MOTORRAD finds its non-adjustable suspension excellent for the class, Visordown finds it surprisingly comfortable and Moto.it stable at high speed. Braking uses a 292 mm disc with a radial caliper and standard ABS; MCN finds the front caliper a little spongy. Traction control can be switched off, and a quickshifter (upshifts only) is offered as an option.
Fuel consumption and maintenance
Yamaha quotes 2.1 L/100 km, giving a range of over 500 km from the 11-litre tank. BikeSocial recorded about 2.9 L/100 km riding hard, including track sessions. Maintenance is frequent: the owner’s manual calls for an oil change every 3,000 km and a valve clearance check every 6,000 km. Yamaha France’s warranty is 5 years with unlimited mileage.
Recalls
In April 2025, Yamaha recalled 2025 model-year R125s and MT-125s in Germany and Austria for an undersized backup fuse, replaced free of charge. No recall has been published on RappelConso.
Specifications
| Displacement | 125 cc |
|---|---|
| Power | 15 hp (11 kW) @ 10,000 rpm |
| Torque | 11.5 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Weight | 141 kg (wet) |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 9.40 |
| Seat height | 820 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 11 L |
| Fuel consumption | 2.1 L/100 km (WMTC cycle) — 47 g/km CO2 |
| Maintenance interval | Oil change every 3,000 km — Oil filter and valves: 6,000 km (Yamaha 2026 owner's manual) |
| Engine type | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 4 valves, VVA variable valve timing, liquid-cooled |
| Cooling | liquide |
| Transmission | 6-speed, chain drive, assist and slipper clutch |
| License | A1 |
| MSRP | €5,999 |
Engine detail
| Bore x stroke | 52 x 58,7 mm |
|---|---|
| Compression ratio | 11,2:1 |
| Fuel system | Electronic fuel injection (cable throttle) |
| Valve train | SOHC, 4 valves, VVA variable intake valve timing |
| Max power RPM | 10000 units.rpm |
| Max torque RPM | 8000 units.rpm |
| Starter | Electric |
| Euro standard | Euro 5+ |
Chassis & running gear
| Frame type | Deltabox-type steel frame, aluminium swingarm |
|---|---|
| Rake angle | 26 ° |
| Trail | 95 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1325 mm |
| Ground clearance | 160 mm |
| Front suspension | 41 mm KYB upside-down fork, non-adjustable, 130 mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Link-type monoshock, 110 mm travel |
| Front brake | Single 292 mm floating disc, radially mounted caliper |
| Rear brake | Single 220 mm disc, single-piston caliper |
| Front tire | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tire | 140/70-17 |
| ABS system | Dual-channel ABS |
Electronics & rider aids
| Traction control | Yes |
|---|---|
| Anti-wheelie | No |
| Quickshifter | Optional (upshifts, pre-wired as standard) |
| Cruise control | No |
| Dashboard | 5-inch colour TFT (Street and Track themes, adjustable shift light) |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth, MyRide app (navigation, calls, notifications, music) |
| Other features | Switchable traction control, Assist and slipper clutch, LED headlight and position lights, VVA variable valve timing |
Ergonomics & rider fit
| Riding position | Sporty: clip-ons, forward lean |
|---|---|
| Wind protection | Full fairing, small screen |
| Payload | 179 kg |
The R125 has a sports position, with clip-ons and an 820 mm seat. The clip-ons are more open than on the previous generation, but MCN finds the position wrist-heavy in town. Visordown finds it surprisingly comfortable. The brake and clutch levers are not adjustable according to BikeSocial. Maximum load is 179 kg, including rider, passenger and luggage.
Ownership & maintenance
~2.9 L/100 km (BikeSocial reading, test including track riding)
L/100km
Real-world consumption
~~520 km (calculated from the WMTC figure: 11 L tank / 2.1 L/100 km)
km
Estimated range
| Oil change | every 3,000 km |
|---|---|
| Valve check | every 6,000 km |
| Spark plugs | every 12,000 km |
| Chain | Check, adjust and lubricate every 1,000 km |
Warranty
5 years / Unlimited mileage (Yamaha Motor France warranty)
Yamaha’s 2026 owner’s manual specifies a first service at 1,000 km, then an oil change every 3,000 km, with the oil filter replaced every 6,000 km. Valve clearance is checked every 6,000 km; the spark plug and air filter are changed every 12,000 km. Coolant is replaced every 3 years, brake fluid every 2 years, and the chain is serviced every 1,000 km. Yamaha France’s warranty is 5 years with unlimited mileage.
Direct competitors
Compare →| Model | MSRP | Power | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha R125 | €5,999 | 15 hp (11 kW) @ 10,000 rpm | 141 kg (wet) |
| Kawasaki Ninja 1252027 | €5,199 | 14.1 hp | 149 kg (wet) |
| Aprilia RS 1252025 | €5,800 | 15 hp | 144 kg (kerb) |
| KTM RC 1252024 | €6,249 | 15 hp | 147 kg (without fuel) |
Generations
- YZF-R125 (1re génération)2008 – 2013
125 cc · 15 hp · 12.24 Nm · 138 kg (road-ready)
First R125: fuel-injected single, Deltabox steel frame and conventional fork.
- YZF-R125 (2e génération)2014 – 2018
125 cc · 15 hp · 12.4 Nm · 140 kg (road-ready)
R6-inspired styling, 41 mm upside-down fork, aluminium swingarm, LCD instruments; ABS standard from 2016.
- R125 (3e génération)2019 – 2022
125 cc · 15 hp · 11.5 Nm · 142 kg (road-ready)
New engine with VVA variable valve timing, revised frame and swingarm, assist and slipper clutch, twin LED headlights; Euro 5 in 2021.
- R125 (4e génération)2023 – today
125 cc · 15 hp · 11.5 Nm · 141 kg (road-ready)
R7-inspired front end, connected colour TFT, traction control, optional quickshifter; Euro 5+ in 2025.
| Generation | Displacement | Power | Torque | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YZF-R125 (1re génération)2008 – 2013 First R125: fuel-injected single, Deltabox steel frame and conventional fork. | 125 cc | 15 hp | 12.24 Nm | 138 kg road-ready |
| YZF-R125 (2e génération)2014 – 2018 R6-inspired styling, 41 mm upside-down fork, aluminium swingarm, LCD instruments; ABS standard from 2016. | 125 cc | 15 hp | 12.4 Nm | 140 kg road-ready |
| R125 (3e génération)2019 – 2022 New engine with VVA variable valve timing, revised frame and swingarm, assist and slipper clutch, twin LED headlights; Euro 5 in 2021. | 125 cc | 15 hp | 11.5 Nm | 142 kg road-ready |
| R125 (4e génération)2023 – today R7-inspired front end, connected colour TFT, traction control, optional quickshifter; Euro 5+ in 2025. | 125 cc | 15 hp | 11.5 Nm | 141 kg road-ready |
Manufacturer figures (otherwise specialist press). Weighing conditions differ between generations: compare weights with care.
Available colors
Manufacturer recalls
Undersized 7.5 A backup fuse on 2025 model-year R125s and MT-125s (built November 2024 to April 2025): risk of dashboard failure, battery not charging and stalling; fuse replaced with a 15 A unit
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