Top 10 125cc Motorcycles 2022! The BEST new 125 motorbikes for beginners on a CBT

In today's video we take a look at the very best 125cc Motorcycles available in 2022! From naked to sport there's a great mix of options in this video! Make sure to let us know your favourite in the comments!
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Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:41 Keeway Superlight
1:38 Lexmoto LXR SE
2:46 Zontes ZT125-G1
3:53 Husqvarna Svartpilen 125
4:49 Suzuki GSX-R125 + GSX-S125
6:23 Aprilia RS125
7:34 Kawasaki Z-125 + Ninja 125
8:38 Honda CB125R
9:25 KTM RC 125 + 125 Duke
10:39 Yamaha MT 125

[@BikeMatters]

What's your favourite 125cc Motorcycle? Let us know in the comments section below.

[@scorpion12469]

RS aprlia

[@oligerges8996]

I'm picking up my Honda cb125r today ; )

[@poq7837]

the orcal sk01 it's from France

[@ZinoAmare]

I've always loved the Kawasaki motorcycles, from 6 years old and so I have to answer to that little kid that is jumping about the idea to get a bike :D

[@brucegroom1929]

I've stopped riding bigger bikes and now have Yamaha MT125 and Monkey 125. Yamaha is best in class, feels and rides like a bigger bike and tops out at just below 80....it never gets a look in! Monkey every time! Quite simply the greatest, most fun bike in the world.

[@brucegroom1929]

We shouldn't assume 125s are just for youngsters - it's not the 80s and 90s when every kid got one. Most bikers nowadays average 40-60 ( with a little more money) and often either want to start on CBT, or like myself, downscale to 125 because they are cheap, light, fun and hold their value

[@zinno01]

48 years old here and I just restarted after a 25 year break with a brand spanking new Honda CB125R, those things are so much fun to ride in urban and curvy environments... No need for a larger bike at this time to be honest

[@brucegroom1929]

@@zinno01 Just take A1 test on your Honda. No need for lessons if you are competent. 1 stage at a time and cheaper than CBT. Then no L plates, pillion and motorway if you want; as well as cheaper insurance.

[@zinno01]

@@brucegroom1929 No need for that (at least here in Belgium) My B license for cars is valid to drive A1 as well. I can go to A by taking mandatory lessons and exams .... maybe in the future.... got my eyes set on a Honda NC750X with the idea of touring and traveling cross-border which is restricted now with my license

[@SJG1957]

@@zinno01 I'm in a similar situation to you. My one and only bike was a brand new Honda SL 125 which I bought in the mid 1970's and loved for a few years until I got married . I'm almost 65 and live alone now but the biking bug has bitten me hard for the last few years now! So pumped to get back on the road on two wheels.

[@elvinrillo5842]

In many countries like tje Philippines, 125cc bikes are daily used for daily commutes.

[@chrisholmes644]

Thanks So Much for providing this video as a New sport Rider!

[@jaimehumbertoribeirosaldan6955]

It is cheaper, to see your videos than buying a news-paper! I owned a Vespa 200, but it makes me fill bad in the back! Good work and everything else!

[@Bob-ts2tu]

I bought a one year old new model CB125F for £2400 in immaculate condition with only 300 miles on the clock, including it's first dealer service & love it, so it's hard to see how i could have justified spending almost double that on an MT125. No 125cc bike is going to rock your world performance wise (especially if you carry a few extra pounds like me), but i'm getting over 170mpg, have done loads of 100mile plus rides in a day (the most was 200 miles), I find it's comfy if you take a break every 90mins, and it's fast enough to buzz around the lanes where i like to go. If/when i come to sell it i won't lose much if at all, so it's a perfect fun bike for me with bullet proof reliability - maybe i should become a honda salesman, but i like it that much. GL

[@BikeMatters]

Glad to hear it, a great 125!

[@clivegoodman1149]

The G1 is an amazing machine - recommend anyone considering a big brand 125 checks it out - like me you'll realise you don't need to spend the additional £1,500- £2,000!

[@kerryjones1508]

I agree. 63 years old here. Had a 1975 honda 125s in the early 80's. CBT in July. Plan to get the CB125R

[@seriousmysterious]

Learned today on a Yamaha mt125, nice wheels, got some power to it

[@jochenschrey2909]

Your video would have been of more shopping assistance if you had pointed out if panier racks are available for each bike or not. I'm 52, have a real license and bought a CB125F. Quite happy! My primary need is for an ultra fuel efficient commuter but I can see myself traveling on that comfortable bike too.

[@tony-ce7qp]

now this is a good video!

[@SJG1957]

Great video and really informative. On the verge of jumping back into biking and I have been seriously considering the Zontes 125. Either the G1 or the U1. Ideally, I would love Triumph to venture into the 125 market. Pretty sure that they could corner a sizeable chunk of the UK market.

[@BikeMatters]

Glad it helped!

[@christopherclemson1278]

Agreed a triumph 125 would be sexual! I also have been looking at a zonte 125 and it's beautiful and has good tech, just wondered about reliability

[@SJG1957]

@@christopherclemson1278 From all the stuff I've seen and read, they're a quality bike from China - at last!. I was talking to my local dealer last week and managed to check out both bikes. Very good. Especially for the price. Colour me impressed,! lol.

[@TM-kf1nz]

Did you start biking again?

[@SJG1957]

@@TM-kf1nz Not at the moment. I'm unemployed now, my health is crap overall and like everyone else here, getting screwed over by the cost of living crisis. But, I keeping thinking about next spring/summer and that keeps me hopeful of being able to find a way to get two wheels back on the road 🫰🫰🫰

[@ezekielgskeen8607]

I just got a second 125CC Duke 2022, and you are so right, I thought I was getting the same bike, But! it Feels liter By Miles, Thinking are they cheapening it, No! Loving the ride and new color Gray, would Have been still riding my 2018 But! got Stolen at Petrol station, so Please Put on your D-locks for anything that you eyes are off it for inside of a minute. Awesome breakdown B.M

[@takyu1297]

Hyosung gt and GTR is pretty cool too. Heavy and not too fast but it has a size of a 600cc bike wide tires V2 and in my opinion one of the best sounds in the 125 category

[@deanadams4129]

Got a ztu1 zontas and love it to bits

[@geoffhawkins1459]

Love the zontes range with the U1 my favorite!

[@LoloMotoVlog-tr2jj]

Nice information

[@RJHMotorbikeTraining]

Great Video. We use the Honda CB125F, Suzuki GSX125, Kawasaki Z125cc and the Yamaha 125cc. It doesn’t get much better than those 4.

[@Labgorilla]

I own the older cbf125. Bought for £1,000 and has been a great ride to get me to and from work. No need to go stupid with spending money.

[@linepulse]

@@Labgorilla this is what I needed to see. It looks to be most refined and unassuming. It has such a polite presence. Especially for a me being an absolute novice.

[@rossseymour4888]

@@Labgorilla was that bought new or second hand?

[@jocky1027]

Hey i'm happy, i have the Duke 125 so happy days

[@veczz2509]

I got the original LXR, iit's awesome. Looking forward to my A2 bike but I'll certainly miss my trusty ol' lex

[@BikeMatters]

NIce to hear the feedback!

[@scottfitz6563]

Zontes has equal looks and performance to a Yamaha Mt and svartpilen for a fraction of the cost. Extremely pleased with mine.

[@arthur-san2250]

what do you think about the megelli 125r?

[@lucaf3304]

good morning I wanted to ask you a few things, do you happen to know where I can find a motron nomad 125 exhaust pipe? because I can't find anything specific for this engine, also are you if the original ecu is remappable? I wanted to elaborate it a minimum since the original makes me type 90km/h real

[@davidbentley4099]

Great review of the best of the 125's. I'm looking at a 125cc for my son and now my head is spinning with some seriously good looking smaller bikes, wish there was this sort of choice when I was 17 years old. Thanks for some great picks of the 125cc best of bunch.

[@BikeMatters]

Glad we could help!

[@K-FOREST_Original]

Hi! How are you? It good. Tomorrow is already the weekend. I hope you have a healthy weekend/holiday.

[@tonioriginal3215]

The issue I always have when thinking about bikes is, are they two seaters? Because if needed, I'd like to bring a friend with me

[@alandavies55]

Yes, quality of Chinese bikes has improved a lot in recent years. I bought a Lexmoto ZSB the cheapest of them all to use as a runabout. I have been riding for a long time and the little ZSB is the only new bike I have ever bought that did not have to return to the dealers to have some little niggle corrected. Two years service so far with no problems.

[@BikeMatters]

That's great to hear!

[@sebix790]

it be nice if e could get affordable bike for the newer riders who don't want to go bankrupt. Nice video though.

[@gary1047]

The most expensive bike is this video is 5k How you gonna go bankrupt? Get a second job, work more hours and you will have it in no time

[@camdavey5690]

second hand mate

[@am-dh9lv]

Buy a 50cc moped then lol

[@Dragonborne223]

@@gary1047 just get a second job bro, just give your life to work and nothing else

[@brianrenteria9181]

Bruh 3k for a bike is already a steal..

[@tompayton84]

I’ve recently bought a svartpilen 125 for my first bike. There was an offer on £800 off so it was a complete steal! Can’t wait to get out on the roads in spring

[@BikeMatters]

What a deal!

[@AlexandrCechrak]

have you tried it ? I an loooking for bike aswell abd i cant figurre out what bike is best my top 3 bikes are ktm rc 125, husqurna 125 svartpilen or yamaha mt 125

[@tompayton84]

@@AlexandrCechrak I haven’t know as it’ll be my first bike after passing my cbt. There’s loads of good videos to watch though

[@stevenbray9777]

I have got a kawasaki 125cc ninja 2022 what is this motorcycle like

[@M4TR1X5Z]

I completely understand the keeway superlight as the budget friendly cruiser but I feel like the hyosung aquila gv125s deserves a honorable mention

[@fireplaysgames6145]

The sinnis hoodlum too

[@way2drunk]

im from Israel, and here all the bikes you listed get a raise in price by about 1.25k. Do you think i should get the duke 125 as a 16 year old listed for 5550$?

[@k9skull_hunter607]

Im turning 16 in a few weeks,I will buy the Yamaha MT 125.I can't wait.

[@SarilarinKaan]

I live in Germany and just bought the Honda CB125R for 4590€. It feels the most comfortable beginner bike to me (32 years old) and has very high built quality. The only problem is its not available yet. My bike comes in June to the dealership!😩

[@meradosa5316]

abi eve köpek lazımsa geliyim hayatım kurtulur

[@abyssal9168]

Do you have the 2022 version or the 2021?

[@anthonyellison4737]

The fact you can currently get a brand new svartpilen for 3.5k it wins this table hands down.

[@AuroraDarkStar]

What warranties are offered for these? I'd like to know if the manufacturer stands behind their product or if they are made of wet paper.

[@rapufanatyk2196]

every year you miss Aprilia sx/rx 125 E4 and new E5 with rebuild top end for more torque

[@kingkal81]

When are you releasing your best 125 scooters of 2022

[@doogystyle101]

Pick up my XSR on the 1st! Cant wait to get out there a join my fellow riders

[@Spongee-w1g]

I've a 2014 CBR125R and I don't know how they come up with the stated performance figures, my bike will do 70mph all day, even up a slight gradient and given a long enough stretch it will get up to 80mph on the flat... Downhill with the wind behind me I've seen 88, so with a bigger hill and more wind I'm hoping to see 90... maybe my speedo is just off ?🤔

[@johnluna2329]

I wish those bikes would be sold here in the United States.

[@JagoTFC]

What about Fantic? They have the Minarelli 4T done in collaboration with Yamaha, which I suspect it's powered by the Minarelli 125 4T. I like the CB125R the most, and it's also very light. 126kg wet. The Fantic XMF Competition is a Motard with Yamaha frame reworked by Minarelli and Minarelli engine. Should be the lightest 125 with the strongest engine.

[@xRawSidex]

Miss the Fantic caballero 125 Deluxe Here

[@iIVIakeitRainXO]

2 questions…. I’m torn between the aprillia rs125 gp replica and the ktm rc 125 which one would you recommend? And 2 let’s face it I won’t be keeping the stock exhaust is there any aftermarket exhaust you’d recommend for either the aprilia or ktm?

[@BikeMatters]

Make sure to check them out in person, and see what one you like the most, two great bikes all down to personal preference.

[@iIVIakeitRainXO]

@@BikeMatters I have and im still torn between the two but thank you. For me it comes down to the fun factor more than anything else on a 125, which one would you say is the most entertaining? I need something to keep me entertained for a good couple of years until I have the money for an a2 bike

[@aaa11128]

I think you should make essentially the same video but for nikes under £3000 because not everyone will want/be able to spend much more than that.

[@fredretter9780]

interesting you chose the lxr instead of the lxs... the lxs is lighter and faster and better looking imo

[@Helpsomeoneout]

I had a keeway super light and it was a lovely daily

[@BikeMatters]

Great to hear, do you still have a bike at the moment?

[@user-vm7yw3mb6p]

Para el mercado de puerto rico llegan esas125cc de calle

[@cityrocker4450]

Nice one!

[@myhaytzamyhaytzaable]

Best tayers for 125 cc?

[@thartiustheslayerofthots7088]

I heard keyway are terrible so I went and bought a Sinnis hoodlum and I love the hoodlum. It’s faster, cheaper and better

[@reflexjonathan8989]

Which of these would you recommend for taller riders? I’m 6’5 and looking at getting a bike post CBT

[@mathiassymons8602]

Also a tall guy here, what did you end up choosing?

[@yannisgreekmanofficial4330]

g125 abs ...top

[@AlexandrCechrak]

I am loooking for bike aswell abd i cant figurre out what bike is best my top 3 bikes are ktm rc 125, husqurna 125 svartpilen or yamaha mt 125

[@BikeMatters]

Best go check them out in person! All are great 125s I'm sure you won't be disappointed with any of those

[@AlexandrCechrak]

@@BikeMatters okayy thank you for advice

[@charleybentley6358]

April is sx125 by far the best 125

[@darrenwall8720]

I love the MT-125 I am going to do my CBT and then I want the Yamaha M-125 is it a good choice..

[@gezaerdelyi4476]

are the bikes automatic?

[@LeeO_22]

Guys, I need advice. I’m looking to get a 125. Would you choose a 15 year old Honda / Suzuki or a 1 year old Keeway?

[@emmajones8715]

This is exactly where I am!! I love the look of the Keeway but I have had very mixed reports about them!! Have you bought one yet?

[@LeeO_22]

@@emmajones8715 I’ve been asking around, and the response I’m getting is that the keeways just aren’t built to last, so the more reputable builds are recommended more, even 20+ years old. I haven’t bought one yet, I just haven’t had the money 😔

[@Shutouts]

I am 26, only have a £2500 budget to get licence + motorcycle and insurance. What motorcycles do you recommend? I am 5 feet so any suggestions would be appreciated.

[@BikeMatters]

Are you hoping to have a full A license or a restricted A1 license? (On A1 you can only ride up to 125cc bikes)

[@scable-eq7bp]

Great video, sadly, none of these bikes are available in the USA.....

[@BikeMatters]

Sorry to hear that

[@joshharding1950]

I bought a CB125F about 6 months ago and now going to sell it and buy a CB125R instead 😎👍🏻 Good video

[@BikeMatters]

Thanks, enjoy the CB125R, quality bike!

[@neilmcbain411]

you left out the AJS CADWELL and AJS TEMPEST ROADSTER

[@jakob7013]

just bought mt 125 2022 the new color, because I wanted something don't have.

[@anthonywood9632]

Ktm duke or Yamaha mt if I was going to ditch the car

[@vanitas-5276]

First I wanted KTM Duke, but the height of the seating (81cm) is too high - I'm a short person. So I thought maybe Kawasaki Ninja as the seating is 78.5cm. But the price was pretty high for a used one which had 40k kilometers done. I ended up with a brand new Benelli BN125 (78cm height of the seating, legs still dangling a bit, I can place only 1 foot steady on the ground lol) and I don't regret it. Price was basically the same as for used Kawasaki. Very good for a city stroll and short-medium journeys, speed is alright for a 125cc. I love it but damn those brakes at the beginning, they barely worked and made me fall 2x.

[@glakill9780]

how tall are you bc i’m shorter also just for reference :)

[@vanitas-5276]

@@glakill9780 160cm :')

[@glakill9780]

@@vanitas-5276 oh ok thank you :)

[@kavvinkaza4144]

Get the gsx it’s good for ur height

[@ghostshadow1794]

where the CBR at that should be right up there 3rd or 2rd, i own the honda CBR RW-6 Carb i love the bike it handles like a dream.

[@BikeMatters]

CBR125 hasn't been available new for a little while now hence it isn't on the list

[@ghostshadow1794]

@@BikeMatters true but still a cracking 125 to get hold of for your first bike, i just dont know why they stopped making them

[@chrisi7127]

@@ghostshadow1794 they make the CB125R now, which is the naked bike version of it. Kickass forks and suspensions and one of the fattest 125ccm rear wheels on the market. Really nice.

[@116tem]

Honda Varadero XL 125 any day

[@hoszz13]

Where is the Aprilia SX & RX models?

[@sailormoon2548]

Their two expensive for this list

[@abuhelal2073]

Zontes offer best quality with low price

[@edvardasmiskinis5741]

What about Benelli Leoncino 125?

[@BikeMatters]

Don't worry we'll have a top 10 naked 125cc motorcycles vehicle coming in the next few weeks and that might make an appearance.

[@hishaamiqbal8547]

why isnt the yzf125 not on here thats the best

[@owendavis690]

Stay away from KTM . very hard to get new parts , plenty in breakers yards for old parts , had too buy a 3 way fuel filter from India where the bike is made .

[@moneyhelping345]

+ not good at high rpm and is not really reliable my friend need to repair something every 4-6 months

[@oddarntnes7079]

@@moneyhelping345 they are, does he even know how to take proper care of it?

[@owendavis690]

@@oddarntnes7079 ,I ride a1200 bandit ,My wife rides a cbf 125 and my son KTM 125 , We have been a biking for over 30 years , yes we know how too maintain bikes and look after them , Over the 47 bikes we have owned over the years , the KTM is my biggest headache by far i do not write these comments lightly , raek comment say`s about every 4 -6 months ,which sounds about right ,when some thing else fails on it . Don`t get me wrong ,they look pretty , But under the skin ,very badly made .

[@moneyhelping345]

@@oddarntnes7079 yes he does but every ktm guy will tell you the same the old one were better

[@oddarntnes7079]

@@moneyhelping345 The old ones were worse than the new ones. The old ones had tons of electrical issues, but the new ones doesnt.

[@MotoTvWoodsFarm]

interesting

[@lokenilsson6820]

Do you think a ktm 125 rc is a good starter

[@BikeMatters]

Very few 125s which aren't, all designed to be user friendly so ideal for beginners

[@atechcheck]

sooo yamaha xsr 125 is not that great then or? :D

[@ytr8989]

Send the Keeway Superlight 125 to the U.S.

[@Thunderstruck69695]

No Keeway RKF 125? Now that's surprising.

[@denisadonaymenendezchacon9027]

Can you drive this motorcycles with a class d license ! ?

[@edvardasmiskinis5741]

I don't think you need any licence up to 125cc, not sure about the age tho

[@denisadonaymenendezchacon9027]

@@edvardasmiskinis5741 thank you

[@Labgorilla]

The prices of the top 3 bikes are unacceptable. You’d have to be insane to spend these amounts.

[@teamebrhane8781]

Wdym? 4-5k is Hella cheap

[@LiamE69]

@@teamebrhane8781 When a Honda CB125F is 3k, not really.

[@Ken-yp1dg]

Without watching this video I know they won't mention the Yamaha XTZ125. Cheap, fun, reliable, offroad if you want, and Motardable.

[@TheTwistedStone]

How can anyone recommend a Keyway bike ? To be honest I wouldn't recommend most of the cheaper bikes because they may look great in showroom but after a winter on British roads they will rust like crazy....

[@BikeMatters]

Thanks for the comment. Have you owned one, and had problems yourself?

[@TheTwistedStone]

@@BikeMatters Friends have and regretted buying them.

[@Ikrusmaxim]

The LXR 125 has the same design as the TARO GP V2 / V3

[@BikeMatters]

The same thing, different badge basically.

[@Ikrusmaxim]

@@BikeMatters yeap bro...

[@moneyhelping345]

Good video but no enduro/adventure bike? :(

[@BikeMatters]

Just not many about, and they are not hugely popular especially compared to those on the list, we might well look at doing a small list of their own at some point

[@moneyhelping345]

@@BikeMatters would love It, sadly not many companies are stil producting them

[@hadcook6294]

I own a mt125☺️

[@aces567]

Is it good?

[@rtw777]

Interesting that the Lexmoto LXS never gets any love in these sort of videos but the LXR regularly appears

[@BikeMatters]

Make sure to check out our new 125cc Sportsbike video.

[@xtrmbeast]

I'm buying 125cc motor, I like cafe racers, but i'm 196cm tall (6′ 5.1654″) (100cm from heel to balls). Which bike is big enough? Thank you!! p.s.: the greatest compare vid of 2022 on tube! congrats

[@BikeMatters]

I'd start off looking at bikes with a decent seat height, 800mm plus and then try to sit on a few to see how they fit.

[@chrisi7127]

The Aprilia SX125 has a seating height lf 870mm and is considered one of the "smaller" supermotos.

[@alexandergrafvonrothenstein]

My three favorites: 1. Honda CB 125R 2. Yamaha MT 125 3. Yamaha YZF R125

[@mizzyram2561]

My favorite ytx 125

[@saylovan9993]

Coming to the States, never🤦‍♂️

[@liverpudlian6205]

The Honda quality engine and capable of 80mph

[@BikeMatters]

The Honda's definitely tick a lot of boxes!

[@gaia9394]

Zontes look like Husqvarna 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@doqtorisykero977]

Honestly, just go for the one you think looks the coolest or is in your price range. Especially once you get to the Japanese sportbikes and nakeds, there is no meaningful difference in reliability or power.

[@Bob-ts2tu]

so true - no 125 is ever going to stun you with it's performance, and most people only keep them until they pass their test, so i'd say don't lose a huge wedge of cash on the way

[@chrisashwin8548]

never understood the price point of 125cc bikes. Cheap enough to make them accessible, but also too expensive for teenagers to reach without parents help. Manufactures offer 3/4 year PCP finance, however most 125cc bike owners are likely to aim to have this as a short tern stepping gap before they pass the full test so wont want to keep it for that time scale...

[@miyumiyu7089]

How could you forget the Monkey?!?

[@sailormoon2548]

Because it's Japanese and most 17 year olds can't afford them

[@miyumiyu7089]

@@sailormoon2548 So the Kawasaki Ninja makes the list and its more expensive. Not sure I understand your logic, but hey ho, it's your list.

[@sailormoon2548]

@@miyumiyu7089 it's ok I just don't rate Chinese bikes, but most teens can't afford the proper thing

[@StansE250]

I’ve been SCOURING the net, and Still unable to find Any list of 200cc or Less bikes, weighing Very Near 100kg …. Wish that Someone would consider LIGHTWEIGHT is really Not 150+kg …. this observation comes from a Four Decade cyclist, and road racer

[@SlickMotoMike]

Lexmoto, Keeway, Zontes etc all use the same engine. Lexmoto and Zontes are the best from China

[@MrTempleton888]

Ktm duke for 2nd hahaha no thx i was not impressed with the duke at all durring my test drive

[@colbyfrancoeur3549]

No grom😢

[@BikeMatters]

Still a great bike!

[@stevejohnson1797]

Dont agree with the ktm duke.. i hated both mine! All the rest on the list apart from keway are better bikes..

[@WooDyKG]

Sad not too see any Mutts on this list :(

[@BikeMatters]

But they are on other lists that's for sure.

[@SlickMotoMike]

Don't spend over £3,000 for a 125

[@danam0228]

No Monkey?