Yamaha YZF- R125

Take a few steps back from the new 2008 Yamaha YZF-R125 and you'd be forgiven for mistaking it for something that's a factor of ten bigger. But then that's the whole idea. Based faithfully on Yamaha's world renowned YZF-R6 and YZF-R1 superbikes, the YZF R125 is very much aimed at the wannabe rider, who, but for age or licence restrictions, would happily mount one of those mightier motorcycles.

And what a sensational place it is to start your riding career. If you spend late nights glued to live MotoGP from around the world, then this is more motorcycle than you could have ever dreamed possible. Just one inch shorter and very slightly slimmer than its bigger brothers, it really is hard to tell them apart; full fairing, remarkably similar bodywork, and short, stumpy side exhaust all adding to the illusion.

And this is no poor relation either. These new motorcycles are packed with MotoGP inspired technology to give exhilarating performance and responsive handling, despite lacking the unbridled power of the litre plus motorbikes.

Yamaha squeeze every ounce of the permissible 11kW from the fuel injected, 124.6cc liquid cooled single cylinder SOHC engine, at a high revving 9000rpm, to give you a real taste of what's to come. The steel Deltabox frame, aluminium swingarm, and telescopic forks are all massively over spec for the bike, but all add immensely to the authenticity of both the R styling and the ride.

One other advantage for younger riders of this motorbike is the considerably lower weight. At just 279lbs dry, it is a lightweight version of the superbikes in more ways than one.

Make no mistake, the YZF R125 is a great fun bike in its own right, raising the bar for restricted licence riders in quality, performance, and style. But it's also unashamedly an advert for the far bigger Yamaha motorcycles and an awful lot of people are going to be sold.

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Specifications