Should You Start on a 125? (Yamaha YZF R125)

[@michaelm2502]

A 125 is the best way to get riding experience, learn handling and build your skills. You can always keep it as a back up ride when you are ready to upgrade . Cheap to run and insure. Perfect to run errands or a frugal commute bike if you don’t need to go on the motorway. Fun to ride, also!

[@RokyRode]

Well said! I kept mine. They're fun and cost next to nothing to run 👍

[@jonkinnear-mt1yk]

I think its better to start on a 125, just dont make the mistake of buying a new one, as you may grow out of it fairly quickly especially if youre older. I started on a CB125R which was a nice bike but i needed to upgrade after about 5/6 months due to the limited amount of power.

[@RokyRode]

That's interesting. I have heard a few people say similar because of the depreciation. I like the idea of a brand new bike but probably wouldn't do it and you're right, definitely not worth it with a 125 because most of the time, they're just a stop gap bike.

[@balouasouafinal]

Oh really? And why shouldn’t I buy a new one? I’m planning to buy this same bike this year and I was thinking that if I buy a new one and after a few years upgrade on a Yamaha R7, I could sell the R125 for a good price since I bought it new

[@jonkinnear-mt1yk]

@@balouasouafinal I already said why?? you will lose 20-30% if you buy a new one when you sell it, as new bikes depreciate in value fast, if you buy second hand you will be better off. Depends on your age, as i said if your older 30+ you will likely outgrow a 125 fairly quickly, i did and i lost money because i got a new one. just trying to stop others making the same mistake i did, I ride a fireblade now so dont actually give a fuck what you chose to get, it wont affect me in the slightest.

[@balouasouafinal]

@@jonkinnear-mt1yk well I’m 20 so if I get one I’m definitely going to keep it for the 3/4 years coming.but thanks anyway for the feedback

[@TonyMotana_]

@@balouasouafinal you can get a r7 now, id suggest not buying a brand new 125 as its just something to learn on. Im certain though that you can do your A2 licence as you're above 19. That restricts you to bikes with 35 kW power. The r7 has 54 kw but you can restrict it so technically there's no need to wait to get an r7 unless you want your full licence.

[@corbkuroski1558]

Great vid mate informative detail keep it up👍

[@RokyRode]

Thanks. Glad you liked it. I really enjoyed making that vid.

[@xZenoRides]

Great video! Iv'e decided to go with a 125, just put a deposit down on a yzfr125 and cant wait to get my cbt done, i'm a little nervous tho :)

[@RokyRode]

Thanks. I've done 2 CBT's over the years and enjoyed them both.

[@cr4me799]

I currently riding a 50 cc as a 15 year old

[@RokyRode]

That's the way to do it mate. I wish I'd started riding sooner. I was 38 when I got this bike.

[@TonyMotana_]

tbf in the uk you dont really get much choice, i know you have a2 direct and DAS but most bike schools ive spoken to as i want do do my a2 direct access require prior riding experience. I.E 50-125cc

[@RokyRode]

I've heard of a lot of schools wanting prior riding experience but if you do decide to go direct access or A2 with no prior experience, some schools just insist on 2 days on a 125 rather than 1 and then 4 days on a 600+.

[@thepennydreadful95]

Best to make mistakes on a 125 in my opinion, doing a few days and then riding around on a 600rr is questionable. I haven't seen any statistics but I would assume when you account for demographics the 125 is safer. I would like to see new riders doing 1 year on a lower powered bike, the problem has always been, then your 21+ age group are less likely to get into bikes. The laws will have to change at some point as some of these electric bikes are more like a 250 in terms of performance so expect a 8kw cap in 10 years time.

[@RokyRode]

I agree. I made some mistakes on my 125. Mostly slow speed control mistakes because it didn't come easy to me if I'm honest. I'd rather make a mistake on a 125 than a 600.

[@RR98guy]

Just stumbled across your channel. Subscribed. I have been riding for 45 years. I am on the rather short side. 25 inch inseam. I am 5ft 5 inches tall. My last bike was an 01 Yamaha r6. I was able to manage it without a lowering kit. I have not yet actually seen a r125 but It seems like a good match for a 62 year old man who does NOT want or need a ton of power. Am I going to need a lowering kit or can I manage the r125? I have ridden more than 200K miles I would estimate.

[@RokyRode]

Welcome aboard. I suspect you would need a lowering kit for one of these bikes. Whilst they are an awesome 125 that looks like it's bigger siblings, it does also have a seat height of about 820 I believe.

[@bobwhitton678]

Did you do your test or have you stuck with cbt? Ive now done my 3rd cbt been driving 125 for 4 years im on my second yzf r125 i now have a newer moder 2021. Tge only reason i have considered doing my test is not being able to go on motorways to be honest i prefer A roads they are more fun but it woukd be much quicker on the motorway. But my bike does the speedlimit so think its not worth doing the trst just to drive in the motorway and doing A1 is just as expensive as doing the test so if i decided to do that i may as well do the full test. Im happy with the yzf might even get the new gen 4.

[@RokyRode]

I got my YZF in 2018 and rode on CBT for a while. I did 2 CBT's in total. I passed my full test in January 2023 and bought a Triumph Daytona 675 but because I love the YZF so much, I kept it and now run both bikes. The YZF 125 is great for Commuting 👍

[@TickleMouse1923]

do you think this bike is too small for me im 15 years and 196cm (6,4ft)

[@RokyRode]

No, not at all. The seat height is between 815mm and 825mm. I'm 6' 2" and it fits me really well. Been riding this bike on and off for almost 5 years now.

[@noneitwasreal]

id understand but i want to take first bike r125 should i? sorry for my english :))

[@RokyRode]

If I started riding again, I would always choose the YZF R125. In my opinion, although it doesn't have much power, it is the best looking 125.

[@noneitwasreal]

@@RokyRode oh, k thank you bro

[@calvinprovido8769]

what is the insurance like?

[@RokyRode]

I pay about £11 a month but I'm 42 and have had the bike about 4 years. It all depends on how old you are, where you live, where you store the bike etc. Even 4 years ago, my insurance was only about £17 a month.

[@michalgorny6831]

@@RokyRode so i assume age is the biggest factor? im 16 and i have to pay 66 a month to insure a little 50cc bike.

[@aka_senior_8427]

@@michalgorny6831 how long you’ve had a license for is a big factor (experience) and you’re only 16 so obviously not had hardly any experience. Age is a bit of a factor as generally the older generation will be riding with care and not like a lunatic 😂

[@thepennydreadful95]

@@RokyRode true but you drove for 20 years which is the biggest factor. My daughter got a quote for a 125 at 68pm we left a week till she was 18 and it went to 42pm strange but true.

[@damo1140]

yeah bro it does look filth.

[@Rocket-Y-T]

👍

[@andrews152gaming5]

What a cool video dude as for the bus remark I’ll put me push bike away 😂🤣

[@RokyRode]

Haha. Saying that mate, I wouldn't mind you getting a motorbike, you'd be sensible with it.

[@andrews152gaming5]

@@RokyRode yeah definitely I would

[@ante4672]

Can this bike overtake?

[@RokyRode]

It sure can. Of course it depends on what it is you want to overtake and at what speed? It's not powerful but it is light and so the acceleration is good for a 125. If you're talking about overtaking at 30 for example, not a problem but at 60/70, or uphill or against the wind, then no. There are times you have to be patient with 125's.

[@ante4672]

So if you can compare it to a car ,is it faster then lets say renault 1.5dci 66kw/90hp(i mean 0-100km/h)

[@RokyRode]

He has better acceleration than my 106 Quiksilver which is a 1.4 75 HP

[@ante4672]

Tnx on the answer

[@gedasg1655]

@@ante4672 0-100 is about the same, r125 might be a second or two faster, depending on the year model and some mods made. Tho top speed is lower on r125 obviously