2024 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:13
The Yamaha YZF-R 125 has it all. The Japanese motorcycle may only have 125 cc, but the little super sports car really gets down to business on the road.
The fact that Yamaha is so serious with its small racer in the price range under 5000 euros is particularly appreciated in Great Britain and Germany. Both countries are the main markets for the mini racer.
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916 new registrations in Germany in 2018 were the reward - Yamaha, ranked sixth on the registration chart, led its class by a large margin last year. The light motorcycles, which are even better sold in this country, all belonged to the naked bikes.
Third generation of the Yamaha YZF-R 125
The YZF-R 125 should enjoy its outstanding role this year too, because the Japanese have just presented the third generation of this model: The latest edition is technically significantly more complex and even more powerful than before. A special feature of the new Yamaha is a variable valve control of the engine, which guarantees an even better power output.
A day of driving on the Spanish country roads around Valencia as well as on a small racetrack showed the potential of the eight-liter super sports car: The small single-cylinder engine pulls in with enormous torque and quickly gives young people a MotoGP feeling.
The reasons for the impressive power development are larger valve seats and enlarged throttle valves, an airbox that has been enlarged from 2.9 to 5.5 liters and the variable control of the two intake valves via the overhead camshaft. At 7,400 revolutions per minute, the sharper cam becomes active, which results in sharper valve control times with the result that the combustion chamber is better filled.
Japanese woman with a wide speed range
Overall, this results in a wider usable speed range, which is why the final ratio could be shortened. This in turn results in better acceleration values and a higher top speed of at least 120 km / h. A positive "waste product" is the optimized combustion with the result of lower fuel consumption: According to the WMTP test, just 2.2 liters of petrol are sufficient for a distance of 100 kilometers. In practice we could not measure, but the gasoline meter remained firmly on "full" even after 150 kilometers.
But that's not all: the technicians have been able to reduce the friction losses inside the engine. In addition, the radiator thermostat has been revised; it now controls the engine warm-up phase more efficiently and at the same time increases the cooling capacity of the cooler, which has been reduced by 26 percent and is therefore lighter. The rear silencer also received a donation: Yamaha now describes the sound as "more emotional" than the previous model. It fits the vehicle perfectly. The slip clutch that is now available when shifting down is also very appealing: the risk of puncturing the rear wheel when the clutch is hard is eliminated, and the clutch is easier to operate.
Several changes to the chassis
Yamaha has also changed a lot on the chassis: the steel bridge frame has been redesigned, as has the torsionally stiffer and slightly shortened cast aluminum swing arm. The aim was to increase handiness through improved weight distribution. Yamaha raves about "greater lightness, increased stability and increased precision". We simply say: The little super sports car is easy, precise and stable to drive. Any change in direction or inclination is easy and the driver's wellbeing is excellent. Which the Michelin Pilot Street, which fits very well with the chassis, should definitely have their share.
Yamaha has also thought of the driver: the redesigned seat is more upholstered, and there is space for the feet on a new footrest made of cast aluminum. The new 11 liter tank, which allows a range of 400 kilometers, is also practical. In front of such a distance, the driver does not stretch back, because the seating position is balanced and there is enough space to "exercise around". And on country roads you are fast enough with the 125cc super sports car to achieve respectable average speeds and, with a little foresight, to be able to complete clean overtaking maneuvers.
Easy to read cockpit
A word about the new cockpit: Of course, you shouldn't expect a full-color TFT display on a small motorcycle in the 5,000 euro category. But at least the new LCD instrument is easy to read and properly equipped: it includes a shift light, a gear indicator and a status indicator for the valve control. A fuel level indicator and a timer are also included.
Because the mirrors also offer good consideration and the wind protection of the small windshield is not bad, there is basically no room for criticism of the Yamaha YZF-R 125: For 4995 euros, the Japanese offer a very successful motorcycle that is now 50-year-olds wish to be 16 again.
35 years ago there was nowhere near that much motorcycle for manageable money! And the possibility of screwing on an Akrapovic exhaust without complications, as it is available from the dealer - along with some other pretty accessory items - is not available either. (SP-X)
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