Finally I got to test the Yamaha XSR 125! But should you buy one?

[@RichardAllen-pk3mk]

Ive got the XSR 125 LEGACY edition and its a great bike

[@themario7462]

Me too, thankfully a quieter exhaust too

[@Bassjunkie_1]

I really wanted the Legacy, but i couldn't afford it straight out of my bank, and luckily Yamaha said no to finance lol.. I ended up with a 2019 Honda cb125r which i am happy with. Still, wasn't and XSR Legacy 🥲

[@GillyBikes]

That would be much better 👍

[@birchvand]

Got an XSR 125 a couple of months ago, for a flat £3000, only 2600 miles, perfect condition, private sale, bit of a bargain. I needed a bigger bike being 6'3. It was a bit of a stretch money wise, but my take is that it'll be better to learn on as it has proper ABS btakes rather than linked brakes, and it'll hold its value better than a Chinese bike, so I'll need to spend LESS when going for my full license, I'll hopefully have about 2500 to go towards a bigger bike in 6 to 9 months when I sell it. A little Keeway or Benelli might be okay, but I might only have a grand to put towards a new one buying a cheaper bike. Plus it rides beautifully I love the looks!

[@GillyBikes]

It makes sense buying a used one compared to a new one. If you had bought it new you would have already lost £2000 which is pretty much the price of one of the cheaper bikes. So if you were buying new then it’s a bad option. But used bikes make more financial sense when it comes to these expensive ones. Let someone else take the hit for you. 👍

[@simonhewitt9805]

Agree 100%. I recently bought a year old example with 1100 miles on it from a Yamaha dealer for £4200 and have absolutely no regrets👍

[@birchvand]

@@GillyBikes absolutely, it'd be hard to justify a standard 125 for nearly 5k

[@themario7462]

@@simonhewitt9805similar price myself and do love the bike

[@ramblingimbecile2295]

​@GillyBikes new bike buyers are almost always getting them on a finance plan so if that's 0% interest or low interest then it makes more sense than taking out a loan to buy a used bike. If you don't have the money to hand then you are going to have to borrow

[@brucegroom1929]

I've had Lexmoto, Keeway, UM etc and they are not bad.Mixed quality and reliability though.. Residual value is terrible. I had an MT125 from new, but I'm in my 50s and too old for a teenage naked look. I have bigger bikes , but Rarely ride them. Whereas my XSR125 looks and rides brilliantly. The sell on value holds through numerous owners too. And service intervals are much better spread. So overall, if you can afford it, always buy Japanese. Peace of mind and enjoy the ride 😊

[@GillyBikes]

I agree if you buy a used one. A new Yamaha £5000+ but you trade that in a couple of years later you won’t get £3000 for it. So it’s going to lose over £2000 where as a new Voge / Benelli might only cost £2200 new. You will lose that on a new Yamaha 😳🤔. So for me if you’re buying new then I would go for the Benelli or Voge.

[@brucegroom1929]

@@GillyBikes Maybe - but that assumes you want to trade in 2 years. Not all do and not all 125 riders (like myself) are youngsters. If you keep longer than a couple of years, you are definitely better off with XSR125 (or MT125) residual value with fewer service intervals and much greater reliability. But more importantly, you are also having fun, riding a much better bike... But each to their own, their financial means and their own priorities'

[@adrianwhitfield6656]

Great bike, for those looking at buying one, dont be put off the price listed. There are many dealers with these taking up room in their showrooms that you should be able to negotiate down over the next few months. Tried to px mine and they offered a very lowball price, and said they didnt want to add another to their inventory. Decided going to keep mine, and mod it.

[@mrsimonamon]

I have just purchased an XSR125 Legacy; it is being delivered next week and I am unbelievably excited.

[@GillyBikes]

Congrats on the new bike. 😎👍

[@mrsimonamon]

@GillyBikes much appreciated. My first "proper" bike, as I had a little super socco for a while. That was a fun little machine. Happy to have something a little bigger though.

[@themario7462]

Glad to see you review this bike, my xsr was expensive also compared to the others but I just fell in love with the look and the height as I am a bit of a giant but totally agree with what you say regarding the price, especially after the vogue 125 you compared to the MT

[@GillyBikes]

I love the looks of these bikes. If I really, really wanted one then I would pay the money. I can see why people would. They are great bikes. But you do have to love them to pay so much for one.

[@RealUKBlackMetal]

I was fixated on the MT 125 2024 build until I tested it. The seat I found to be very uncomfortable for me. I then tested a new XSR 125 and now I own one in yellow. I pick it up from the Yamaha dealer next week. Great bike in every way in my opinion. Beautifully built too.

[@GillyBikes]

It’s good that you did the research and found the bike that fits you. So many just buy on looks and then swap them after a very short time. It’s a costly affair not to do the research 👍

[@honeyyeti5292]

I’ve got an xsr125… getting 140 mpg …. Great bike, never fails…but was torn at the time between the set and the cheaper ones…. No regrets as it’s great fun…but the keeways etc do look good..

[@GillyBikes]

Wow 140 mpg is impressive. I really do like the XSR. If you can afford one then it’s definitely a great option

[@brianmahon8704]

The 2024 Yamaha XSR 125 Legacy has been voted best 125 on the market. As a previous owner of a quality Chinese bike I can state that in my opinion the Yamaha, which I recently bought new, far outperforms any Chinese and Japanese 125 bikes that it was compared with and these include Keeway, BLUROC, KTM, Honda, AJS and a few more. I have been a fan of Gillies reviews for some time now and was torn between the Keeway V Cruiser 125, which I wanted after watching his recent review, and the Yamaha. I had actually ordered one but then cancelled after viewing the Yamaha - it is beyond any other 125 out there and I am so happy that I purchased it. Perhaps, Gillies Reviews should focus only on Chinese bikes because he does have, and I can understand it, a strong bias towards them.

[@GillyBikes]

You make a very good point. I know I have a bias towards the good Chinese bikes. And I do stand by my comments that at half the price of the XSR lots of them make more financial sense than buying an XSR, But if money wasn’t an issue and you could buy whatever you wanted then yes these are better bikes. But not everyone can afford the cost of a new one but they can afford a new Keeway or Voge etc. my next few videos that will be coming out are from Honda, Yamaha, KTM so I am trying to show more for the people with bigger budgets. 😉

[@brianmahon8704]

@@GillyBikes You are correct people should only buy what they can afford and some of the Chinese manufacturers are producing quality bikes. For instance the Keeway V Cruiser 125 cc is a very good bike, but it is similarly priced at £4,400 as the Yamaha XSR 125 Legacy and the quality of the V Cruiser is reflected in that price - as you make a point in your review of saying it is a 'premium quality bike' Keep making your great reviews as they are both informative and inspirational.

[@1990-t1j]

It is an XSR155 in Thailand. The extra 30cc makes such a difference. I have a scooter with the 155cc engine: Yamaha Aerox. I am thinking of getting rid of my Aerox and replacing it with a small motorcycle: Kawasaki KLX230SM. Only 134 kg, it's an two-valve, air-cooled single made in Thailand for the American and Australian markets, as well as here. No way would it get through Euro emissions.

[@GillyBikes]

It’s such a shame that we miss out on the slightly bigger cc’s. 😭

[@BecomeAthletic]

Looking at one of these as my first bike!

[@GillyBikes]

A very good option if you can afford one. 👍

[@maskedavenger2578]

If you can afford a good used one in factory spec . Keep it in good mechanical & cosmetic condition & sell it a year or two on after passing. your test , you could end up getting as much as you paid for it. As Japanese badged bikes ,even those built in China tend to hold higher used market prices . Persons buying bikes from brand new tend to take the biggest initial financial hit . A good noted reliable used bike in mint condition low miles for age , one careful owner , that’s not been dicked with , is the holy grail when it comes to obtaining a good value for money used motorcycle . Let the mugs who buy new take the initial big hit , is now my motto .

[@GillyBikes]

That’s my Moto now. Let someone else lose the money. I’ve lost far too much over the years. Time to be sensible

[@maskedavenger2578]

@@GillyBikes My last three bikes have been pre owned , one a demo bike . All low or average mileage for year , in mint condition , running as sweet as a nut & 100 % reliable , at a very good price . The one I bought before it was brand new , Italian & blew 3 rectifier/ regulators in 2 years , auto choke had a mind of its own , issue after issue & over priced & unreliable . I would have been better off buying a cheap generic base Chinese machine from 15 years ago ,it would have been more reliable . Good used bikes with a proven engine owned by a responsible previous owner , who has taken the initial hit on the bike , is deffo the way to go . 👍

[@Darkhorse1978-c6w]

i wasnt too keen on the exhaust but i like to throw it about a bit and the exhaust sounds better as you get used to it. i have the legacy after buying a lemon brand new wk scrambler

[@fatange]

I’m with you. They are great bikes but you can get the same experience from a bike half the price.

[@GillyBikes]

That’s pretty much my thinking as well. 👍.

[@skalarfreak]

I´m going to do my license for 125cc bikes in february. I´m keen to get an XSR125, MT125 or a Honda CB125R. Yes they are more expensive and I´m no loyal brandfan, because like I mentioned it will be my first bike. The thing that turns me over, is that I want to have a good dealer of shop near me to help with the bike when something is of. I have a Yamaha dealer and shop 6 miles from me. With these chinese bikes there is the problem that there is no licences shop whithin 100 miles. Also I dont know how well you will be able to get parts for them in a few years. I plan to get a 125cc and drive it for years and years due to the fact that I´m 36 now and just want to have a nice commuter bike. therefore the security of having a trustworthy dealer near home is for me a big factor. I like your videos a lot. keep them coming. Greetings from germany

[@GillyBikes]

Thank you. What you say makes perfect sense. You have to have the dealer network to support you. I would do the same. Buy local. Out of your 3 bikes I would go for the Honda CBR. Definitely the best looking and fastest out of the 3.

[@lukesaunders412]

Should look at a yamaha yzf-r125 they are very good bikes

[@GillyBikes]

One of the fastest 125’s out there 👍

[@leegreveson]

Yamaha are missing a trick by not using this styling on a 300/400cc version, especially in the original colour ways of their bikes from the 80's (I don't claim to know the exact model names) As someone who rode a cheap Chinese 125 and regretted it, I would have paid a premium in retrospect and they hold their value better, especially if you only cover a couple of thousand miles while you're on L plates. I'm sure every 125cc bike has it's throttle pinned no matter the mileage 😂

[@GillyBikes]

I think they would make more money if they lowered their prices.

[@lukesaunders412]

I have a blue one with gold wheels very good bikes and with an aftermarket exhaust sound pretty good only issue is with me being 19 stone the suspension is pretty bad for me. Need to burn off some fat lol

[@GillyBikes]

You and me both. I’m on a diet. I need to do something to speed up all these 125’s I’m riding 😂

[@taffy2wheels577]

I like the end can . It looks great .Reminds me of a small Yam LC back in the day .

[@GillyBikes]

It looks ok and sounds ok for a short journey.

[@ianwilkinson8886]

I am currently looking for a 125cc for commuting and I understand you theory of spending less on a Chinese bike (I have no issue with them ) but as a sell on point do yamahas not hold their value better so your not really losing that much just spending more at the start ??

[@GillyBikes]

If you buy new then you will likely loose more than the full cost of a Chinese bike. So that doesn’t make sense, However if you buy a good used one that has already lost a big chunk then yes they are a much better option. Let someone else take the initial hit.

[@anthonybrown4874]

Nicely styled 125 and tge brands quality is the best mainstream Japanese brand, the prices look steep though would be torn between this and other mainstream Japanese bikes Honda cb125f looks like a slower but cheaper bargain.

[@GillyBikes]

They are great bikes, I just couldn’t ever see myself buying one when you can buy a Voge or Benelli brand new for less than half the price.

[@typhoontim125]

Sounds like a leaf blower with that awful exhaust. Original exhaust looks and sounds much better.

[@GillyBikes]

I would prefer a standard exhaust as well.

[@mrwiggy25]

All of the other bikes you mention from China all seem to be very under powered for 125's at least this one has some decent power which is one of the reasons people go for it.

[@GillyBikes]

The Voge R125 has the same HP as this and in a performance test I did with the Voge and an MT125 the Voge performance was better than the MT. And it’s half the price 🤔

[@Hazmatti]

they're lovely looking bikes, just wish they'd made them a little bit smaller seat height wise

[@GillyBikes]

Yes. They are quite tall for a 125.

[@maskedavenger2578]

I reckon there is not many 125 cc bikes ,still actually manufactured in Japan . I think most Japanese 125 ‘s are now built in Italy ,China Thailand & India . If I am looking for a used 125cc bike , I tend to pick the sort of Japanese logo bikes , that a more sensible mature rider would have owned to pod & bimble about on . This loud aftermarket can on that XSR , suggests to me that it’s a good bet that bike has been ridden everywhere & back at full throttle by a young rider , even though it looks in good nick . I don’t think I would pay more than 2 grand for any used 125 in any condition . 👍

[@Peroxide-Mark]

I think the prices for 125's are kind of crazy at the moment

[@chris-en4xu]

Hi, would you recommend a zontes Gk...

[@GillyBikes]

The exhaust was too loud for me. By the end of the ride my ears were bleeding. 😂

[@GillyBikes]

@Peroxide-Mark for the Japanese bikes I 100% agree with you. I think they have to come down soon to compete with the Chinese bikes. As their quality gets better and better they will have no choice.

[@GillyBikes]

@chris-en4xu similar looking to one of these and much cheaper. I’ve tried the ZT but not the GK.

[@Peroxide-Mark]

awesome bike, wish I had one

[@GillyBikes]

I think it’s time to get saving then 😁👍

[@Peroxide-Mark]

@@GillyBikes 😅 don't think I can justify it I'm a tight fucker

[@lukesaunders412]

​@@GillyBikes did you find rolling off or on throttle is very jerky ?

[@GillyBikes]

😂

[@GillyBikes]

Not at all. It seemed very smooth

[@Haawser]

Five gets you ten that 'sporty' exhaust has killed a boatload of the limited torque it had to start with.

[@GillyBikes]

It’s killed my ear drums as well.

[@wombat1238marsupial]

Does the Yammie offer a £1000 more in terms of value if residuals and build quality are better then yes. I too think the Chinese manufacturers do give you more bang for your buck some like I've seen you tested have keyless go and other premium extras. But it's a mindset Japanese 4 and reliability.

[@GillyBikes]

It’s a mindset that I think will change over the next couple of years. Remember to cut costs most Japanese brands get their bikes put together in China or India so their quality will be on pair with the good bikes from China.

[@Mishka-TH]

damn what a decision here... yamaha XSR125 - around 3.5k £ within 10k miles... VOGE 125R - 2.8k-3k £ for a brand new one 2023-2024... MT 125 - 3.3k £ for 2015 with 3k miles+ or even up to 4k+ £ for 2022 with 12-15k miles :)) LEXMOTO LS-N or LS-Z around 2.2k+ £ brand new 2022 with 1-2k miles... And another one like a Zontes ZT125-U or 125GK from 3k+ £ AND the last one could be the HONDA CB125R +- in good condition for 3k £! How can we choose from this all bikes now? Anyone knows the prices of insurance for all of this bikes for provisional driving license? Its crazy to choose one...

[@GillyBikes]

It really is difficult. The best thing is to go and sit on them all and see which you prefer.

[@pstanyer1]

Looks slightly rd125lc from years ago.

[@GillyBikes]

Definitely looks like a modern version of that. 👍

[@colinmcnally5931]

Pricewise the Royal Enfield 350's would be a much better buy!! More for less!!

[@GillyBikes]

I agree with you. I would rather have The Hntr 350 than one of these. They are great bikes and quite a bit cheaper as well. 👍

[@RobLittleuk]

23 stone, 125mpg,

[@GillyBikes]

That’s impressive mpg. 👏👏👏

[@JH-ox7hn]

Obnoxious noise. True shame.

[@GillyBikes]

I know. That was the only thing I didn’t like in the end. After a while of riding I couldn’t hear myself think.

[@clangerbasher]

I have just had a look where they are built and t'interweb tells me France. I think this is a bike for the experienced rider and not the newb.

[@GillyBikes]

I would agree. I think it’s suited to someone down sizing or just wants to add a 125 to their collection.

[@jorge47960]

200 km on a full tank

[@GillyBikes]

I would have expected more

[@GillyBikes]

I would have expected more

[@loftysaltmarsh69]

My ears……🙉😂

[@GillyBikes]

😂😂. Mine are still buzzing !

[@clangerbasher]

The bike Yamamamamamaha need to bring back is the TDR-250.

[@GillyBikes]

Nice choice. I have a mate that’s obsessed with the RD250’s. I’ve never ridden one myself but he’s always going on about how fast his was. 😁

[@simonhewitt9805]

You didn't really review the bike in much depth from a riding and handling perspective but waffled on a lot and told us why you personally wouldn't buy one over a Chinese bike🤦‍♂️

[@typhoontim125]

Cheer up Simon.

[@GillyBikes]

They have been out for years and years. Didn’t see a point in repeating what’s been said many times. Hope you’re ok though. 👍