Perfectly formed

Relive your formative years, entice your offspring and rediscover the joys of maintaining momentum with a delicious one-two-five. Small ones really are more juicy…

£1999 Yamaha TZR125

» If you were a 17-year-old in the late ’80s on a tight budget, you got a TZR and fixed the inoperative powervalve in the ‘open’ position (releasing the top-end but making it a dog low down). If you were serious about topping a ton you forked out for the powervalve servo, got the cylinder bored to take a Nikon 140cc piston, bought the fanciest exhaust you could and made John Robinson’s two-stroke tuning book your bedtime reading. This online bike with ‘patina’ has been recommissioned after a time parked up and already has the servo. Get the needle files out.

£3750 Aprilia Futura

» No, not the V-twin sports-tourer. Aprilia’s AF1 was their first sportsbike, launched in ’86 with a two-stroke Rotax motor and singlesided swingarm. It was (and is) cool, but it’s the ’90-on AF1 Futura update that’s the gem with upside-down forks, adjustable chassis, Brembos and hot looks. Replaced by the less exotic RS125, the AF1 is rare in the UK but this one at Wallace and Barr (01580 891736) is the SP. Only made for two years, in ’92 we said it’s ‘furious fun’ that makes ‘a KR-1S feel as agile as an aircraft carrier’. Yes, that good.

£4199 Cagiva Mito II »

I nearly wet my teenage undercrackers when the Mito appeared in 1989. Not only did it look like the firm’s 500cc Grand Prix bike, but it had a seven-speed gearbox – yes, seven – to keep the two-stroke single in its claimed 33bhp sweet spot. Good for a tested 98mph, things got even hotter with the Mito II a few years later, fitted with 40mm upside-down forks. Phwoar. Surely the most desirable 125cc sportsbike ever made, this 1992 example with 17,200 miles is at Earnshaws (01484 506928). And yes – if I had the money, I’d go and buy it.

£3995 Yamaha WR125X »

Modern 125s aren’t all cheap commuters and flappy race reps. Launched in 2009, Yam’s WR125X (there was a trail R version too) is a pukka high-quality bike that happens to be a 125. Capable of shrugging-off abuse and neglect, the 15bhp four-stroke is fitter and way better looking than rivals like the Suzuki DR and Yam’s own XT, and demand means solid values. This 2010 model at KH Motorcycles (0115 6849397) has only done 6500 miles and is all original – so no loud pipe or energy drink stickers to show that an enthusiastic teen was a previous owner.

£1350 Honda CB125TD »

These were uncool when new. But as with anything deeply ’80s it’s now bang on-trend (ask anyone in high-waist jeans and listening to Tears for Fears). Those Comstar wheels, Pro-link rear and sci-fi graphics of the mini Superdream… it’s surely the most affordable way to get a full-on ’80s vibe. My brother Nick had one and the 124cc four-stroke twin sounded like it was doing 24,000rpm as he thrashed away. This one’s had lots of fettling (powder-coated frame, new pipes, sealed tank, fork rebuild and more) and is offered on ebay with a £1350 start price. Nice fence.

£7000 MV Agusta Sport »

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, it’s over in Germany rather than being just up the road. But imagine how you’d feel rocking up on this MV 125 Sport for sale at Lupus Classics (+49 1511 4971730). Only made from 1975 to 1977 and echoing the iconic look of the 750 Sport America launched at the same time, the 14bhp pushrod single used typical quality Italian chassis parts including Ceriani forks. This one has the optional fairing and has only done 6500 miles. Despite all the Brexit silliness they’ll sort all the import docs and bring it to your door for £250.

£3000 Suzuki RG125

» When I was a youth one of the older lads (name was Orton, and he lived in Coleorton) bought an RG125. Compared with the Suzuki GP100S that others smoked around on, the super-slim RG was pure exotica with its 16-inch front wheel, fairing and liquid-cooled engine. This example on an auction website is a Swiss import, totally original (bodywork, pipe, the lot) and unrestricted, meaning a zingy powerband, a giddy 25bhp and 90mph. And it says ‘Light Sprinter’ on the side, which is surely worth the entry fee alone.

£4995 Yamaha RD125LC

» First shown in 1982, the timing for Yam’s liquid-cooled two-stroke was spot on. UK learner law changed in 1983 meaning you could no longer ride a 250 on L-plates, and so the RD was the perfect solution for young speed junkies. Especially as it was almost as fast as bikes like the Suzuki GT250 X5 of a few years previous – Performance Bikes got 21bhp and 91mph, which was wild for a 125. Roadhouse Motorcycles (017804 37594) are selling this later YPVS model (introduced in ’85) which is an unmolested fullpower UK bike. And things are only original once.