YAMAHA YZF-R125
The best 125cc sportsbike gets a radical redesign and VVA for 2019
Ever since Yamaha launched their R-series styled entrylevel sportsbike a decade ago it’s loitered menacingly at the top of the sales charts, and McDonalds drive-throughs. What has made it so popular is its blend of sharp big brother-aping style, roomy proportions, great handling and pleasing performance.
But just look at this new one. The YZF-R125 has evolved, and it looks stunning. It might even be gorgeous enough to tempt fidgety 17-yearolds out of their shonky Fiestas. Beneath those sharp but sinuous fairings is an all-new liquid-cooled 125cc 4-valve single that now boasts Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), which optimises the inlet and outlet valve positions to improve power and torque across the rev range. In essence, it’s filling in the midrange without hurting top-end delivery. The 4-valve head is all-new with larger and shorter valves and a squatter combustion chamber, which Yamaha say delivers a more efficient burn. A next-gen Assist & Slip clutch makes for featherlight but positive action and allows for downshifting hooliganism, too. Wrapped around the mill is an all-new Deltabox chassis with revised geometry for more stability and control, but not at the expense of its sporting pretentions. A new aluminium swingarm is shorter and lighter than before, and holds a wider rear tyre (a 140/70-17, up from 130). The seat is a bit more padded now, the bars more splayed and flatter, and the 11-litre fuel tank reprofiled – all in the name of boosting comfort and versatility for a wider range of rider shapes.