Yamaha R125 2019: the little one is full of adrenaline! [ROAD TEST VIDEO]

The brand new 2019 Yamaha YZF-R125 winks at sixteen-year-olds looking for an easy-to-ride, fun and aesthetically aggressive bike. Yamaha, with this new model, is inspired by the look of the R1 and makes some nostalgic for small displacements feel the desire to get on the saddle.

Unfortunately or fortunately the world has moved on and so have the interests of young motorcyclists. There are those who prefer the latest smartphone or those who prefer to dream big, with this new version from Yamaha. In the 80s and 90s the very famous Sport productions were king. Today all this has changed, but Yamaha offers a new model created with the R-Series DNA, the most advanced small supersport ever developed by the Iwata company.

Easy, fun but above all designed for riders looking for strong, top-level thrills both on the road and on the track. Yes, because this 125 is capable of entertaining even the "grown-ups" like us. We tested it in Valencia, in an exciting context, both on the road and on a circuit suitable for this type of bike.

Design
The front view has a strong family feeling with the YZF-R1 super sports car. The bike is extremely compact and aggressive with a look inspired by its older sister, like the R3 that we recently told you about. It is a motorbike suitable for everyone, with an aggressive design and angular lines.

The bold and aerodynamic fairing houses instrumentation inspired precisely by the MotoGP of Valentino Rossi and Maverick Viñales, to guarantee a dominant and extreme image that illustrates its potential on the track. The 2019 Yamaha YZF-R125 responds to this requirement and wants to do so while having fun with a model that is also nice to look at, especially for younger people who are very demanding when it comes to aesthetics. The instrumentation is complete and easily readable, consisting of a multifunction display which includes all the information necessary for sporty driving. There is even an indicator of the VVA system, i.e. the variable actuation system of the intake valves, a decidedly technological solution, a gem of this 125.

The headlight, strongly characterized by twine eye LED headlights, strengthens the link with the R-Series family. The rear light has an excellent finish, is of quality and is made up of 12 LEDs.
Good care has been taken both in the plastics and in the fairing couplings, which underline the excellent Yamaha finishes. Streamlined tail and sculpted tank are the protagonists. The latter, completely new, has a capacity of 11 litres, and connects perfectly with the plastic parts. The exhaust features a linear and clean design.

cycling
Its chassis is excellent, very stable and communicative. To combine comfort and at the same time ensure sporty riding, Yamaha has paid a lot of attention to the riding position which, thanks to an excellent shape of the handlebars, guarantees good ergonomics. This setting favors an increase in handling, with the final result of a motorcycle that is easy to handle and reactive through the bends.

Speaking of dimensions, the 25° steering head inclination, together with the 89 mm trail, make this bike capable of both agility and stability. This little one from Yamaha has very small dimensions, with a length of 1.955 mm, a wheelbase of 1.335 mm and a width of 680 mm. To guarantee maximum control of the vehicle and facilitate maneuvers when stationary, there are both the aforementioned small dimensions, but also the reduced height of the saddle, 825 mm from the ground. The bike is in fact compact and light, we are talking about 142 kg in running order, with a Deltabox frame combined with a new aluminum swingarm.

The ergonomics are good, the bike feels tight between your legs and you are quite comfortable on the saddle.
The suspension compartment includes a 41 mm upside-down fork with a single 292 mm hydraulic disc at the front, while at the rear there is always a 230 mm hydraulic disc. The 2019 Yamaha YZF-R125 is equipped with the ABS system. To offer stability and handling at the same time, Yamaha has introduced a new 140/70 rear tire for this small bike.

Motor
Important updates also for the engine. The beating heart of the new Yamaha R125 is the 125 cc 4-stroke engine, which adopts a series of features, such as the new 4-valve cylinder head, which has introduced new oversized intake and exhaust valves. We are talking about a 124.7 cc, single-cylinder 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine, which delivers a power of 15 HP at 9.000 rpm and a maximum torque of 11,5 Nm at 8.000 rpm. To increase torque and performance, along the entire delivery curve, Yamaha has adopted the VVA system, i.e. a refined variable valve timing, which guarantees more linearity and torque, both at low and medium speeds, without any "step" being perceptible.

It all comes together well, with a new slipper clutch that prevents the rear wheel from locking, for example. In short, the standard equipment is rich, superior to any of its direct competitors. This new single-cylinder also benefits from electronic injection, redesigned and equipped with a more generous throttle body, which offers a perception of greater progressiveness and good delivery.

There is also an advanced cooling system which reduces operating times
heating and improves cooling efficiency at elevated engine temperatures. The superior efficiency allows for a lighter and more compact radiator.

Our test
The time has finally come to get on the little Yamaha YZF-R125 and start our road test. We sit down and find ourselves with an unquestionably comfortable driving position, which allows a firm foot on the ground even for those who are no taller than 170 cm. The knees hold the tank well and the correct arrangement of the footrests gives the rider greater safety.

In front of us we find a well-kept high-visibility LCD display. There is enough space on the saddle, aesthetically beautiful and comfortable. The bike has great attention to detail. We turn on the engine and set off. It is an engine that runs smoothly and without vibration, is particularly generous at all speeds and which, thanks to the variable valve timing, offers linear delivery at every speed. At 3.000 rpm the little Yamaha is ready and convincing with greater tone just above 4.000. The engine is elastic and starts to regulate even at low revs, digesting a possible extra gear well. You can have a lot of fun with this 125, especially if you keep the rev counter needle at the top. The gearbox shifts smoothly and is precise. Not even in the most dynamic driving, when changing quickly, does it have any uncertainties. It has a rather long gear ratio, which allows it to be driven well even on state roads or ring roads (where permitted for a 125...).

The chassis convinced us, because it manages to offer the sensations of a larger displacement motorbike. The R125 is very well balanced, it drives well and, through the bends, it moves with great ease. Changes in direction are rapid and the set trajectories are perfectly maintained by the little girl from Yamaha. The suspension calibration is very comfortable and suitable for tackling even less than perfect road surfaces. Braking proved to be powerful, but also extremely adaptable, thanks to the effective ABS system. We make a small note about the brake and clutch levers, which are not adjustable and, in some cases, this is a detail that can prove really useful.

Once the road test is over, it's time for the little R125 to hit the track too. After a couple of laps of adaptation with the smallest of the "R-Series", we launch onto the small straight of the Circuito de la Ribera. The bike is really compact and allows us to move back on the saddle to lie down sufficiently on the tank. From the first laps, as on the road, the R125 allows us to concentrate on the fastest trajectories. Given the limited power, at the legal limit of 15 horsepower, to go through the curves faster the only way is to brake less, it seems trivial but it's true. And the Yamaha 2019 YZF-R125 transmits an excellent feeling right from the first impact, both due to the reduced weight and the good balance of the bike. The chassis is also reactive and fast on the track, especially when changing direction. We make no secret that we would have liked to mount an engine with a few more horsepower on this delta box frame, because with this excellent chassis there is room to have fun, even raising the performance bar.

Braking is excellent and adaptable and the ABS is not invasive at all. The engine, despite its 15 HP, has a nice character, stretches and has a nice, clean and linear delivery. The support of the 140/70 rear tire (Michelin Pilot Street tires) offers good balance and at the same time offers great handling. In conclusion, it is a practical vehicle in the city and capable of having fun on the track too. Available immediately, its list price is 5.090 euros.

Tester clothing:
Helmet: Vemar Hurricane Laser blue/fluo yellow
Gloves: Dainese Full Metal 6
Boots: Dainese R Axial Pro In
Suit: Dainese Kyalami
Undersuit: SIXS Carbon Underwear Integral

Jacket, trousers and gloves used in the road test are always Dainese