Should i buy a yzf r125

It took until for Yamaha to make a racey road-oriented which would be lusted after by another generation of teenagers desperate for a slice of performance biking. Designed, developed and produced in Italy, the R is aimed at the European market and the more European sized rider — which is good news for us Brits. Just like the two-stroke TZRs of the 90s, the baby YZF has an enthusiastic following of performance-minded learners, not to mention a healthy aftermarket supply of cosmetic and power enhancing add-ons.

Engine: The engine in the R is manufactured by Minarelli and has earned a reputation for being a strong little unit — even with the majority being thrashed by performance seeking first timers. Performance from the 15bhp motor up to mph is more than respectable.

Taken in context, the engine performance is very good and is one of the best s out there from a thrills perspective. Both cc and cc big bore kits are available, and provide a noticeable increase in power.

The cc Malossi kit requires a different exhaust and a Dynojet Power Commander to get the fuelling right. Ride: The R experience is one of capability. If you want a bike which takes you away from the feeling of being on a moped or learner machine, this is the one. The limited steering lock can make life interesting when doing a u-turn on a narrow road, so you might want to practise before taking your test on it.

This front tyre size will also rub on the front mudguard. Equipment: The dash sports a digital display which includes speed, fuel level and distance on reserve as well as the normal trip meter.

The mirrors are vibey and have a habit of coming loose. The most common mods are a tail tidy and noisier exhausts. Finish: Top notch. A bike which has never had the fairing off could well be a festering corrosion pit under the shiny panels.

Expect nuts and bolts under the fairing to be seized, so go for the best looked-after machine you can find. Check for the stamps in the book.

The good news is it takes less than a litre of oil. Suspension: Front 33mm telescopic fork, mm wheel travel. Rear monoshock preload adjustable, mm wheel travel. Get MoreBikes delivered through your letterbox every month. The maximum torque figure of The YZF weighs 2kg more, so in theory, it might be a fraction slower off the line, before gaining the edge due to its superior aerodynamics, which allow a slightly higher top speed of about 75mph. That resulted in the YZF having slightly less racy steering geometry than its predecessor.

Owners report average fuel consumption of roughly mpg, despite the fact that any small-capacity sports bike is likely to be ridden hard. Recommended service intervals are 3, miles or every year for an oil change, and double that for spark plug and air filter replacement.

Perhaps the one time to be wary is when buying a second-hand example, as small-capacity sports bikes are likely to have been owned by young riders with more enthusiasm than cash or mechanical sensibility. Hard use, combined with infrequent servicing or a failure to maintain oil levels, could lead to trouble with any bike, so caution is required, especially if buying privately.

Like most Yamahas, the YZF comes with a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty. Compared to its naked sibling, the YZF-R has not only lower, clip-on bars, but also slightly higher, more rearset footrests and a seat that is 15mm higher, at mm. In fact, all A1-learner legal motorcycles are restricted to around Luckily, the requirements do not specify a maximum torque, so if you are looking for an advantage in this highly competitive segment, this is the area to exploit.

Within the head is a single camshaft that operates two intake and two exhaust valves via two independent rocker arms. Then when the revs hit rpm the VVA system is activated and the magic happens. Shorter than the main rocker, this arm follows the cam but does not act on the valves at low rpm.

When rpm is reached and the VVA is triggered, a solenoid pushes a metal pin through the main rocker arm, connecting it to this secondary rocker arm. When the revs drop below rpm the pin is retracted and the rockers move independently again. So why is this important? Less overlap gives good low and midrange torque as well as better fuel economy. More valve overlap created by a high-lift cam delivers improved performance at high revs.

According to Yamaha the VVA system is simple tech that is reliable, effective and, for a , an efficient and low-cost way of boosting its low-down torque while retaining its top end. Keep an eye out for first impressions soon. One buyer had a noisy exhaust can, but that's the extent of the issues reported.

We don't forsee any serious issues. Although gaining no additional cost over the outgoing bike - despite a new engine and styling - the Yamaha is priced towards the premium end of the sports class. Yamaha released a number of new optional extras for , ranging from larger screens, to a rear seat cowl.