Terrific tiddlers

It’s a case of flat-out fun with a brace of the latest Suzuki 125s. Much more fun that you’d expect.

With the sporty new GSX-R125 and its naked GSX-S125 counterpart, Suzuki wanted to create A1 licence-friendly bikes that are lighter, more powerful, cheaper and more accessible than the competition, and aim them at teens and first-time buyers. The two bikes share the same engine and chassis, with the only differences being the fairings and handlebars, as well as the flashy keyless ignition on the R, while the S relies on a good old-fashioned put-it-in-and-turn-it key.

The engine is brand new and everything from the bore and stroke ratio (62.0 x 41.2) to the lightweight pistons, large 4.3-litre airbox and Euro 4 compliant exhaust system has been designed to get the most out of the 125cc four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine. The result is peak power of 14.6bhp at 10,000rpm, and 8.48lb-ft of torque at 8000 revs. Riding the GSX-R125 on track, the power delivery felt smooth and predictable, with a good level of pull across the rev range. The bike feels surprisingly stable for such a small thing, with suspension and brakes both adding to the competent feel. The only problem I had was that the front brake lever is not span-adjustable, which made two-fingered braking difficult without crushing the rest of your fingers resting on the left-hand grip.

The ergonomics of the GSX-R125 are quite impressive. The seat is low (785mm), there’s plenty of leg room and although the riding position is sporty, the bike still feels comfortable. After a full day of riding the GSX-R125 on the Silverstone Stowe circuit there’s very little that I can criticise: the bike handles and performs well within the restraints of the category, it’s confidence-inspiring and fun to ride and it looks like a ‘proper’ sportsbike. If the bike was mine, I would fit an aftermarket span-adjustable brake lever. Other than that, the bike’s good to ride as it is.