Yamaha YBR 125

The bike of the week

• BikeOfTheWeek
• Yamaha
• YBR125

The Yamaha YBR 125 may not be the motorcycle for those with a need for speed or an irresistible desire for motorways.  It is however a consistent top seller, particularly in big cities. Over 95,000 have been sold since its launch in 2005 and here is the reason why:

The YBR 125 compromises of a single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine displacing, yep you guessed it, 125cc. This little and extremely light-weight motorcycle manages to punch out 10hp at an accessible 7,800 rpm (with pre 2010 models boasting 12hp).
As well as being learner-legal, the YBR 125 is an extremely popular commuter bike due to its easy handling, durability and fuel efficiency.  It is a smart little bike, with models from 2010 onwards riding on five-spoke cast alloy wheels that not only look good but contribute to the bike’s lightweight and agile handling. A basic but useful dashboard is provided with a speedometer and fuel gauge. The duel seat is comfortable, even for long distances, and the rear luggage rack and grab rail for accompanying riders are a useful addition.

Another great feature of the YBR 125 is undoubtedly its price. It is not only cheap to buy but generally cheap to insure. It is a reliable ride, but if anything does go wrong with the YBR 125, replacement parts can also be found at a reasonable price. Moreover, this motorcycle has been praised for its simple build that makes it relatively easy to service at home.
Small, agile and with surprisingly supple suspension - the YBR 125 is an easy-handler for corners, not only making it a great bike to practice on but a fun ride as well. It boasts excellent stopping power which is useful on a busy road during the morning rush hour, though like all motorcycles, the standard tyres might be worth replacing once the tread gets low. It is non-the-less a great bike for use in big cities where frequent stop/start traffic is a given. A commuters heaven? Maybe. But a clock on the dashboard would have been a handy addition when trying to make it to work on time...

Although the pre 2008 models use a carburetor system, the YBR models since then use a fuel injection system that is impressively smooth. It may not be the fastest motorcycle, but it doesn’t struggle to maintain it’s speed once it has been reached. It is able to reach 60mph against strong winds and around 50mph going up steep hills.  It corners well at a high speed and can take quite a bit of abuse from those who want to push their bike to its limit in both acceleration and speed. All looking splendid so far but what, if any, are the draw backs to this trusty motorcycle?
Apart from the obvious speed restrictions that come with a 125cc motorcycle, it is important to point out that the YBR is a little bike. That is to say that it probably wont be suitable for riders of the taller variety (around 6ft and over). However, for those who are able to ride the YBR comfortably there should be very few issues, and the popularity of the bike reflects that.
Obviously, being primarily a commuter bike, the YBR 125 is likely to be out in the elements a lot. As is the case with a lot of motorcycles that make their daily commute, they are often left outside for long periods of time. Thus it is important that frequent applications of anti-corrosion formulas such as ACF-50 are applied to prevent this bike from rusting. That said, the YBR is generally forgiving in all other aspects, and a little bit of bike maintenance is always to be expected.
So if you’re looking for a low-cost, efficient and reliable motorcycle that will help you pass your test, and stand the test of time afterwards, look no further.
Do you own or have you ever ridden a Yamaha YBR 125? What are your thoughts on this motorcycle or do you have a much loved motorcycle that you would like to tell us about? If so we would like to hear about it so contact us on [email protected]  
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