The Yamaha YZF-R125 is a small sport motorcycle designed by Yamaha and manufactured by MBK Industrie since 2008. It replaced the two-stroke TZR125 and became a popular first sport bike for young riders.
Yamaha YZF-R125 at a glance
| Maker | Yamaha, manufactured by MBK Industrie |
|---|---|
| Class | 125 cc sport motorcycle |
| Introduced | 2008 |
| Predecessor | Yamaha TZR125 |
| First generation | 2008–2013 |
| Second generation | 2014–2018 |
| Second-generation changes | upside-down fork, LCD dash, optional ABS |
| Third generation | 2019–2022 |
| Third-generation changes | new swingarm, frame and bodywork, VVA engine |
| Fourth generation | 2023– |
| 2023 changes | 26° caster, 110 mm rear travel, 5-inch TFT dash |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Yamaha YZF-R125
The YZF-R125 appeared in 2008 as a four-stroke replacement for the TZR125. It entered the small-displacement four-stroke sport bike market and quickly became a popular choice for young riders, offering full-size sport styling in a 125 cc package.
In 2014 Yamaha facelifted the model with a slightly tweaked fairing set, an upside-down front fork and a full LCD dashboard. It was launched without ABS, which became an option for 2015, and from 2017 ABS was required on all new motorcycles sold in the EU, so later bikes differ slightly in weight and electrical specification.
The third generation arrived in 2019 with a new rear swingarm, changes to the frame and bodywork, and a new engine with Variable Valve Actuation. A small 2021 update added a vapour canister to the fuel system, presumably to meet Euro 5 emissions rules. The fourth generation came for 2023 with minor suspension changes, including a 26-degree caster angle and rear swingarm travel reduced from 114 mm to 110 mm, plus reworked front fairings and a new 5-inch full-colour TFT dashboard with smartphone connectivity.
Design and features
- Four-stroke replacement: the model that took over from the two-stroke TZR125.
- Full-size styling: sport bike looks and equipment in the 125 cc class.
- Running updates: upside-down forks and LCD dash in 2014, VVA engine in 2019.
- 2023 generation: a TFT dashboard with smartphone connectivity.
Yamaha YZF-R125 versions
- First generation (2008–2013): the original four-stroke R125.
- Second generation (2014–2018): facelift with upside-down fork, LCD dash and ABS option.
- Third generation (2019–2022): new swingarm, frame, bodywork and VVA engine.
- Fourth generation (2023–): revised suspension, fairings and a 5-inch TFT dash.
The R125 is the smallest of Yamaha’s YZF-R sport bikes, below the YZF-R3 and YZF-R6. More models are in the Yamaha collection.
Sources
- Yamaha YZF-R125, English Wikipedia: manufacture, generations, equipment, 2023 changes
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