125cc motorbikes list

Post-CBT questions

What’s the fastest 125cc motorbike?

The horsepower limit for a 125cc motorcycle is 14.8bhp. Power and gearing make for a higher top speed. Even though bikes like the YZF-R125 and MT-125 share the same engine, the YZF-R125 has a fairing which makes it more aerodynamic and it also has taller gearing, so it can achieve a higher top speed before it revs out.

That said, the fastest 125cc sportsbikes will achieve a top speed of around 75mph, while the slower air-cooled 125s will probably nudge 60mph, so there’s not much in it.

The fastest 125cc motorbikes include:

• Aprilia RS4 125
• Kawasaki Ninja 125
• Yamaha YZF-R125
• Suzuki GSX-R125
• Rieju RS3 125 Pro

All modern 125s use a four-stroke engine. If you want a faster 125, then look for an older 2-stroke model, like Aprilia’s RS125 or the Cagiva Mito 125. These can be tuned to make around 30bhp and will nudge 100mph but they’re knocking on twenty years old now and good ones are quite rare.

The cheapest 125cc motorbikes

You can pick up a brand new 125cc motorbike for around £2000. Be cautious as some of the cheaper Chinese brands are not built as well as their Japanese or European counterparts.

You can buy a Superbyke RMR125 for just £1795 or a Lexmoto Valiant for £1999.

Spend a bit more and you can buy a Honda CBF125 for £2829 or a Yamaha YS125 for £2899. They might cost a bit more but they’ll be worth more when you come to sell, too.

You might be better off buying a second-hand 125 from a quality and reliable brand like Honda. You can pick up a two-year old CBF125 for around £1700 second hand.

What’s the difference between liquid cooled and air cooled?

The bikes that tend to make the most power are liquid cooled, as the additional cooling allows the engine to rev faster and create more heat, which the water helps to keep under control. These bikes are heavier as they require a radiator, cooling fluid and additional piping. Air-cooled bikes usually have a smaller oil cooler which circulates engine oil and helps keep the temperature under control.