KAWASAKI J125, the little maxi chasing motorists [ROAD TEST]

Kawasaki J125 – The entry into the scooter market with the J300, tested by us a couple of years ago, had raised some doubts, partly due to the discontent of motorcycle purists, those who (rightly) get excited when someone talks about their scooter calling it a "motorcycle", but also because the choice was to take an existing product, the Kymco Downtown , dress it better, refine its suspension and "rebrand" it. All with a reasonable increase in the list price. To date the results prove Kawasaki right, given the moderate success of the J300 (in 2015 close to 4 figures in sales volumes and first among the Japanese company's models). Thanks to a well-managed operation, starting from having chosen an excellent product such as the Taiwanese scooter, with a skilful customization that leads it to be a valid competitor of the best high-end competitors. The J125 tries again in the 125 segment, the one that has always been dedicated to sixteen-year-olds (A1 license), but above all to motorists since you can also drive with a B license.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

It confirms the characteristics of the 300, quality and sporty look

The look is what most distinguishes the J125 from the scooter from which the project starts. Exactly as in the case of the 300th century, from which it inherits the practically identical shapes, the "Kawa" soul emerges from the headlight which recalls the sports cars of the Asashi brand, with taut and sharp lines as well as accurate finishes which put it a step above the model from which it derives. Choose it in this one Special Edition coloring (+ 150 euros), it's almost a must if you are an avid fan of the Japanese brand. The appeal to "green bucks" is strong, without excess, because the look of the J125 however remains sober, with the right amount of personality. Even on the bike, everything is impeccable, from the comfortable saddle to the instrumentation with the two circular elements for speed and rev counter and a central display with other information. Data on consumption, now increasingly widespread in this area, is missing, while the only real flaw we found concerns the difficulty in using the three classic buttons under the display, especially while wearing gloves. However, they are beautiful and comfortable waisted footrests, which allow safe support on the ground even for those who are not very tall, as well as giving a pleasantly more aggressive appearance to the lateral portion. The area where, in our opinion, it takes the greatest advantage compared to the Downtown, is that of the final part of the sides, with a decidedly more slender and less "gnucca" line. In conclusion, the design is promoted with excellent marks, people like it, it has personality, but not too much, therefore remaining sober as a scooter should be. Perhaps it pays off for the fact that it derives from a model that is starting to have its age and that improves a lot with the completely redesigned superstructures, but from which it inherits some details that are no longer current (see the mirrors, or the instrumentation buttons).

Engine and performance:

rating:  

An almost "full power" 125 compared to the legal limit

Despite being very park, the 125 4-stroke, 4 valves and liquid cooled, it is capable of 14 horsepower at 9.000 rpm, having a maximum torque of 11,5 Nm at 7.000 rpm. Not bad if we consider that by law engines of this size cannot exceed 11 kW (15 horsepower). The mechanics are inherited without modifications from the Kymco one, which, contrary to what some might think, is one of the best ever. The Taiwanese company has in fact specialized in scooters and the competition struggles to achieve similar results. The 27mm throttle bodyfor example, it is managed by a control unit that evaluates a variety of data in real time, including intake air temperature and pressure, coolant temperature, crankshaft position and more, to optimize the amount of fuel you use. The transmission is also well calibrated and allows for good starting point, while acceleration becomes more lively as the maximum torque speed approaches. From 6.000 onwards the accelerator response is quicker, and the J125 reaches well over 110 km/h indicated. The entire delivery curve is free of gaps which, among the 125 opponents, are not so uncommon. It does not suffer at all from the "tonnage" limits, given the large dimensions and the 182 kg weight. We found it excellent both in the city and on extra-urban routes, where the only limit is precisely that of the current standard, which limits its use on the motorway, where the J125 would instead be perfectly at ease.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

Grand tourism for the city and beyond

We have said it, while waiting for regulatory changes that have been talked about for years, we can tell you in advance that the J125 is not afraid of extra-urban routes or even motorways, where however it cannot currently circulate. Both its maxi size and the performance it is capable of also make it perfect for a trip, perhaps to have a practical two-wheeler on holidays at the seaside, avoiding queues and fights for car parking. Stable on fast roads and easy to handle on narrow roads and in traffic, it benefits from the expert refinement work that Kawasaki technicians have dedicated to the suspension sector, where the Downtown sinned a bit. The driving position is comfortable, even if substantially imposed by the presence of a generous central tunnel and the impossibility of stretching the feet forward. Better from certain points of view, because this is the only position in which the legs can best help "manage" the vehicle while driving. The saddle is comfortable and theground clearance of just 775 mm puts all drivers at ease. The passenger seat is also comfortable, to which an excellently sized portion of the saddle is dedicated, while the feet rest on folding footrests, the only flaw of which is the length. In fact, they deviate quite a bit from the shape of the J125, a detail that must be kept in mind when slaloming between cars stopped at traffic lights. The underseat compartment has a good capacity and is very well finished, illuminated (LED) and equipped with a piston that keeps the saddle raised. However, it has limited development in the front portion, so it is difficult to accommodate two helmets, unless the second is very small in size. Another small compartment is located in front of the legs, with a manual closure, without a lock, but with a practical 12 volt socket. In the rear shield the J125 also has a hook for attaching objects that can be placed above the central tunnel. When driving, the low center of gravity is appreciated, thanks also to the tank (13 litres) placed under the feet. ABS is excellent, as standard, never becomes invasive, however the effort on the levers is not modest in the event of braking at the limit. The discs are petal (260 mm front, 240 rear) to make the J125 more aesthetically appealing, but they also perform their task very well when braking. It is appreciable that both mild are adjustable.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

It costs a lot, but is economical in terms of consumption

The Kawasaki brand comes at a high price, because the first comparison obviously goes to its less noble "cousin", the Kymco Downtown 125, which can be purchased for 3.700 euros. THE 4.590 required for the J125, 150 more if you want it in the Special Edition color of the example we tested, therefore they seem a little small, although it must be said that it is an excellent product, with ABS as standard and that the value retention on used vehicles is quite evident, will be better than that of the Downtown, given the charm of the brand to which belongs to the J125. A second comparison, given that the price is identical to the euro, should instead be made with theHonda Forza 125 (which we tested last summer), perhaps by far the best direct competitor (along with the Yamaha XMax 125) which, in our opinion, deserves a few more points. Just to give a few examples, full LED headlights, Start&Stop, greater capacity of the under-seat compartment, superior performance, or compare the mirrors of one and the other (the 125 Honda has them with integrated direction indicators and much better studied in design). Which is why we believe it is reasonable to expect an extra "discount" from Kawasaki when purchasing the J125. Consumption, however, is to be commended, thanks to a top-of-the-range engine in terms of efficiency. Even if Kawasaki has not made the data official, we are “in the area” 30 km/l with limited use, therefore with the throttle always wide open or the brakes on. Aligned with the best competition and able to go up to around 40 with a liter without much effort, with more delicate use of the accelerator. The autonomy is also excellent, because before filling up to evaluate consumption, the indicator had dropped by only 2 notches (less than half a tank) after almost 200 km travelled.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Comfortable and powerful (we are close to the legal limit for 125), negligible consumption, well finished
We do not like it:
High price, stowing the second helmet under the saddle is almost a utopia, low screen

Kawasaki J125: the Motorionline Report Card

Motor:
Handling:
Gearbox and transmission:
Braking:
Suspensions:
Guide:
Pilot comfort:
Passenger comfort:
Equipment:
Quality price:
Line:
Consumption:

Test clothing:
Jacket: Alpinestars Motion Waterproof Jacket
Trousers: Alpinestars Denim Pants – Raw Indigo
Shoe: Alpinestars Vulk Shoes
Gloves: Alpinestars Polar Gore-Tex Gloves
All these garments are part of the Alpinestars 2016 collection which you can find described in this article.

Helmet: Nolan N21 Visor