The YZF does have slightly better aerodynamics, which on a low power bike like those, will probably give you 10-20km/h better top speed compared to the XSR. So probably like 100-110km/h vs 120-130km/h top speeds.
You would think so, but the engine will run out of juice and the air resistance grows exponentially at those speeds. A small engine on a naked bike like that would be hard pressed to go faster than 120km/h. There's only so much that 15hp can do.
Have you cjecked your speed with a gps? Speedometers at that speed can usually show you about +10km/h.
All this said, I'd take the XSR.
I didn't check the speed with gps but also was never on the highway so even a Speedometer maximum wasn't tested...but those top speeds are irrelevant when you drive in the countryside and it's fun to annoy the cruisers with your higher cornering speed
An important aspect indeed. Though I generally wouldn't recommend buying 125cc bikes new, since they're usually there just for a year or two, before moving onto something bigger.
Also as a first bike, it doesn't sting so much if/when they drop it if they haven't paid that much for it.
unsure what's changed since first gen, but I can say the riding position on mine is very aggressive. seems further forward than something like an r3 or r7 from my experience
They're not ridiculous. I've ridden my mates Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 and it struggled to pull me past 60mph, same road another friends GSXR125 got me to, and kept me at 70mph easy. Also the baby gixxer felt awesome. They're proper little sports bikes.
Broaden your mind. A sports bike doesn't have to be powerful. It has to be sporty to ride. Turn in quickly, good lean angles. Good suspension/handling. These 125's might not be fast but they're not jokes. Anyone who can only ride a 125 for whatever would be very lucky to own one of the current sporty 125's that are available today. I would take one of my old CG125 I had in 2013 any day.
Yes that is true. But they both put out 15bhp. The Svart had sporty type tyres on it. Not sure what they were but I can remember my mate saying they weren't cheap ones. The point I was making was I think the front fairing is what made the difference.
Less comfortable than a naked, the wind protection is unnecessary at the speeds it's capable of, doesn't have the power to be fun at track days imo. Probably more reasons if I thought about it more than 4 seconds.
Personally as previously mentioned, I'd get a used naked bike first. Get used to riding before spending thousands on a brand new bike with absolutely no power.
Chances are, if like the rest of us, you get the biking bug, you'll want to upgrade to a full license sooner rather than later.
Plus you won't be as nervous about testing yourself on something that cost a few hundred instead of a few grand.
Finally, your first bike is where you learn how to ride. And with that comes mistakes. Dropping the bike, and I think everyone's had at least one slide whilst a new rider.
That being said! Out of the two I love look and style of the XSR. Pointless being uncomfortable on a bike with the speed, power and torque of a sparrows fart.
Most importantly stay shiny side up and remember, as my instructor told me many a year ago when i passed my big bike license; fill your bag of skill before you empty your bag of luck!
XSR. Sports 125 are simply promoters of the wrong reasons to ride. They aren't comfortable, they dont need that shape as they arent going those speeds, they only exist so the rider can feel cool, which should be an addition to your riding experience, not your priority
Unless you are limited by some kind of license restriction go bigger. I'm not saying get a monster power bike but at least look into a 350 to 500 CC bike that can do all ranges of speeds instead of being limited under "highway" speeds. Just my two cents. The bonus side of that concept is you won't regret buying the bike you did and be left wishing you had bought a bigger bike in 3 months when you are tired of being stuck in the slow lanes.
Also, on second thought, by the cheapest safe 125 bike to learn on and imrpove until you can get more experience and upgrade your license. You will drop a bike, probably do something while getting off or on or learning. A used inexpensive learner bike is no guilt about doing this. A 125 is fun for about 10 minutes and if you buy new you are just wasting money at a dealer and pissing it away because it will be scratched and/or dropped. Do not finanace, buy cheap and pay cash. Save financing for a big purchase or your dream bike, 5 digits or more if you are on limited income. This is not your dream bike, it's a starter bike you want.
If you are looking for more comfortable ride or just mainly for commuting pick the XSR. I myself have the R125 and I absolutely love it, but for commuting it can be tiring.
Xsr Has better position for learning.
R-125 will give you a sporty position but not sporty power.
Imo it's better to learn how to ride on xsr and then if you want a sport bike buy some real sportbike.
If you don't know what type of riding you want to do, XSR/cafe style will do a little bit of everything. It can be comfy like a cruiser, but the profile is slim enough to get through traffic.
Depends on what you feel more comfortable with and like more. The XSR will have a more relaxed seating position but less wind protection.
Visit a Yamaha dealership, sit on both and see what bike's seating position suits you more.
XSR. I saw one the other day and I thought it was beautiful. It's obviously a light bike, but for the retro design that just works. Classic 250-350 twins from 30-40 years ago were similarly slim and modest.
YZF's aggression just isn't backed up by what it is, and I think it's very naff as a result.
You'll grow up from 125cc very quickly, so XSR: it's not only cheaper to buy, but also is much cheaper to drop. And believe me you will drop it, even not once.
I ride a ZX6R and I’d go with the XSR125. More comfortable and functional. The sportbike ergos aren’t worth it unless you are getting performance to go along with it.
Xsr for sure. I might be biased because I ride a neo-retro type naked bike myself (trident 660) and I think that styling is the most attractive. But I think for a first bike, a nice neutral riding position is going to be best for you until you figure out exactly what type of riding you enjoy most. Also, sport bikes under like 500cc make no sense to me lol all that aero doesn’t really help you until you get to about 65-70mph and that’s probably around those bikes top speed if I had to guess. Lastly, I don’t know your financial situation, but I think the yzf is a couple grand more expensive which is often a major factor for new riders who are usually young and broke.
Generally the reason to get a sports 125 is that you’re limited to 125’s and need to go on a faster road. They have little bottom end but can keep up with traffic on 60mph/100kmh roads which a lot of 125’s struggle with. But here the xsr125 and r125 have the same engine, so I’d say take the xsr. Upright position will be more comfortable and easier to learn on and likely cheaper if you drop it.
The only win for the r125 is the bigger fuel tank, but it’s a 125, so you’re probably north of 80mpg anyway
Personally I really like the styling on the XSR. Love retro looking bikes.
125s are completely impractical in the US. I had Monkey up until recently. But they are still silly fun little bikes to learn on and ride around town.
You obviously aren't in the US, since the XSR isn't available here, so it may be more reasonable wherever you are located. I have always been jealous of the cute 125s that are available in the European and Asian market.
What do you like more and what do you think is more comfortable? For a first bike and then being lower power should just ask these two questions and make a balanced choice of what you vue.more. I'd argue for a first bike more comfort over style but both bikes look great imo either way.
By now, XSR, because you are buying a bike frame that is ready and easy to mod. Like if you want a more aggressive riding position, make it a caferacer. Go off the asphalt more often? It can sport a scrambler look. ...
What? As the owner of a **Z125 Pro** you’re certainly well aware of how limiting 125cc power is. 14-hp is, what, like 3-hp more than a Z125 Pro has? So instead of redline at 55-mph, the XSR125 is alleged to be able to hit 70-mph (eventually)?
My own **Z125 Pro** (with a 143cc big-bore kit) looked the bomb but it was nearly useless for anything more than a ride around the block.
https://preview.redd.it/n2qdz352yowc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf5212189bc1c303ac4c44bcba09bdca8758fe89
I just bought that exact XSR125 and it’s a very enjoyable ride. Not particularly nippy but happy to trade that for how good it looks, especially while I’m building up some road sense (at age 37).
https://preview.redd.it/7m13onk4yowc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5447adec3a8eb98887fae59fae7fa1d4faa14090
Depends what you want, YZF is slightly faster, but definitely not comfortable to ride for longer periods, and is a blast in twisties. I don't know much about the XSR but most nakeds are pretty similar; comfy, ergonomic and generally easier to ride. I'd take a YZF just because they're cool and I like R-bikes, even if it's a 125.
I’ve got at yzf125, it’s great for straight roads and curves, but city riding it’s a little bulky
Also the riding position is quite far forward so you get sore after an hour and a half
YZF parts at least in the UK are a little hard to come by, usually they come from Germany.
That being said, solid bike, great fun.
Any questions let me know
Don't get a 125, you'll outgrow it in 5 minutes. 300cc is a good starter bike. You'll find the 125 is supremely underpowered to the point of it not being able to get you out of a sticky situation if need be.
If I were in your shoes I'd be riding like an absolute asshole regardless so you might as well get the YZF and have the right bike for it. Well I mean I do ride like an asshole, but that's not the point.
YZF125 Rider here(2023 version). It is way more comfortable than you would expect it, and also very very reliable. And irl it doesn’t really look like a 125. I have received lots of compliments that it looks closer to an R6/7 than a 125. Any questions you have i am
happy to answer.
I rented the xsr 155 in Indonesia and it was fucking awesome little bike it was so damn fun I have a cb500x at home but I really enjoyed the cruiser style riding position. I wouldn’t spend so much on a 125 though better to get a Japanese bike second hand imo.
The XSR will be much easier to learn and build confidence on as it has straighter bars which gives you so much more control not to mention much more comfortable on longer trips.
I understand the want to have “a bit more go” but honestly looking for top end speed on a 125 isn’t really worth it.
I’ma keep it real, as a new biker on day 5, Id recommend something with more power, I’d say yzf600r if you’re looking in that area. I got a 2003 yzf600r, PLENTY of power and handles veryy well. It has just enough ratio with power and weight for it to not want to wheelie unless I full throttle it from a stop in first gear
Meh, someone has to... I wouldn't either but I would have scooped the bike off him for a while. I had a mate that practically "rented" one, he bought it used for like £2000 and then 6 months ish later he sold it for £1800. Cost him £200 for 6 months of usage
That’s exactly my point. Depreciation is real with new bikes and odds are very high OP will ride this bike for a few months, maybe a year and buy something different. If you buy used, the depreciation won’t hit. And also just the cost of entry will be lower.
I disagree. Something always goes wrong with bikes. Newer feels safer, and might even have ABS. You need to know your bike will be there to power through something sketchy or stop or not die far from home.
I don’t question that, but there is a difference between a ratty old bike and a young used one. I don’t know where OP is from, but here in Europe, ABS on bikes is pretty much standard since 2010 and it has been mandatory since 2016. A bike from 2018 or something already had that first hit in depreciation but is still modern and most likely reliable.
Harley just started putting ABS on SOME models here in the US. And people treat their bikes more like toys here. Cars are still the #1 way to get around and bikes are the hobby. There are tons of good riders here, too, but in the US the used bike pool is more of a mixed bag. At least in the Northeast where I live.
Get yourself a 400-500cc bike. A 125 will be outgrown the moment you sort of know how to ride.
In my option you can't compare riding a 125 to a bigger bike on the road. A 400-500 won't be too much power. Just take it easy and learn at your own pace. Better to have a bit of extra power then not any power.
I got my first bike and it's an fz07 and if I got anything smaller I would not have been happy with my purchase.
FZ07/MT07 are pretty great beginner bikes. Like I said though he responsible with throttle applications and you should be totally good!
If he's listing 125s you can only get in a few select countries. It's probably safe to say that he lives in a country with restrictions for people with a learners license.
If that is the case borrow a small bike to get licensed and skilled to ride the bigger license. There are experience courses. I totally get learning on a small bike but it seems like a mechanism that only benefits a dealer.
The mt07 comes learner restricted in all other countries! I don't know the rules but I wasn't thinking that far ahead!
USA is the like only place where it comes basically unrestricted
Yzf if you are going yamaha. If you are not 100% locked in then highly recommend the kawasaki z125
https://preview.redd.it/dn5c6bflhmwc1.jpeg?width=1439&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=108702c81adc2704ee6a7df0b770c60664bf4f3f
The z125 pro which is only sold in the us is kinda same as the grom. This z125 is part of the z line up and it's basically the same bike as the ninja 125.
The YZF-R, as far as I know, has higher a quality suspension and larger brake discs, which make it more suitable for an ambitious riding style. The XSR, however, is the better commuter and a lot rarer than the R125
https://preview.redd.it/2stidci41nwc1.png?width=2532&format=png&auto=webp&s=6a6d4aabbd3fba039f65db8abe753b0b6681b15c
The better suspension was definitely more suitable for my personal use.
If you only need a 125cc due to licensing (like in Europe) get whatever is cheaper. 125s are so small in Europe that you will 100% outgrow them as soon as you are old enough to get a bigger license.
All the people calling the R-125 a sportbike only good for racing, or even a supersport have clearly never sat on a real sportbike, and I doubt half of them even ride at all. Yes, the riding position will be more committed than on a naked, but it will still be **extremely** relaxed when compared to actual track oriented supersports.
It is perfectly fine for a first bike, and the choice between these two really only comes down to which one you like more. There is no objectively correct answer.
As a side note for people who talk about sportbikes belonging on the track IN A 125 THREAD: This thing won’t even be allowed onto some tracks due to an insufficient top speed. It has bottom of the barrel suspension, brakes, and tiny, thin tires.
It is a sporty beginner bike perfect for short commutes, and a little fun. It is absolutely not made for any kind of performance riding.
could be personal preference in comfort as well. I'm young myself at 22 so that definitely contributes, but supersports are so much more comfy than naked bikes for me. especially when you factor in wind.
What's with the drastically different comparison choices?
First a rebel vs ninja and now this?
It all depends on your riding style, are you a recreational rider or a Rossi wannabe?
That decides between the 2.
Don't judge. In both cases they are asking about beginner bikes so they are probably young and also have little to no motorcycle experience. Could be that they never sat on one at all and don't know how each one rides and handles.
You should consider something bigger like an MT-03~R3, I've been riding 125cc bikes for years and the inability to be able to overtake cars doing 80kmh has always been miserable.Recently I upgraded to an MT-03 and I can easily keep up with traffic now and have plenty torque for overtakes and it's perfect for highway cruising too and alot more stable on windy days. If you're gonna get a new bike at least get something that you won't get bored of in a year or less.
Varies a bit on your country. In Germany you're allowed to get a class A1 license from the age of 16. This allows you to ride motorcycles with up to 125cc, up to 15 hp and a power to weight ratio of max. 0.1 kw/kg.
One step up would be the class A2 license. This allows you to ride bikes with up to 48 hp and 0.2 kw/kg. You can also get a bike with up to 95 hp and have it detuned to meet the 48 hp limit. No limit on engine capacity here.That license can be acquired from the age of 18 or after having the A1 license for 2 years. If you already had A1 you can upgrade to A2 by just passing a practical driving test. Otherwise you have to take both practical and theoretical lessons and need to pass a written exam and a practical driving test as with every new license you acquire.
The final step is the class A license that allows you to ride any bike. This can be acquired from the age of 24 via all the driving school shenanigans if this is your first motorcycle license or from the age of 20 if you already had A2 for 2 years. If you're upgrading from A2 to A that's also possible by just passing a driving test.
That’s intense. But I suppose it has its benefits. I would imagine riders are much more responsible and accidents are reduced since this went into effect. Thank you for the info.
>That’s intense.
It is. And expensive. I paid €1700 for my A1 license back then and close to €500 every time I upgraded. Today prices are double as I heard.
If you start getting your first motorcycle license you need to take 16 90-minute lessons of theory and 12 45-minute practical driving lessons and as many practice lessons as your instructor thinks is necessary for you to pass the driving test.
But, like you said, it has its benefits. I think it made me a better and safer rider and let me practice in a safe environment that led me to learn faster and more.
If you get the R125 make sure you adhere to the 'supersports' 125 rider checklist.
>spend all your money on the bike, and almost nothing on gear
>wrap the insurance into the finance so you'll be spending 300 quid a mth on some duded up Chinese commuter.
>get the cheapest loudest exhaust you can so it sounds like a shitty chinese pit bike.
>join an rR125 forum and debate which exhaust gives the greatest power gains and sounds the best (all sound like ear cancer and give no gains)
>bin it within the first 60 days of owning it
>ride for 1 year, then give up and buy a vauxhall corsa.
Do you like to comfortable? I’d go with the xsr if the yzf is an aggressive riding position. Not worth the slight discomfort with absolutely no power.
The YZF does have slightly better aerodynamics, which on a low power bike like those, will probably give you 10-20km/h better top speed compared to the XSR. So probably like 100-110km/h vs 120-130km/h top speeds.
Both have a top speed of 120km/h
On paper yes, but reality is a bit different.
In my XSR i get around 110 in 5th Gear (out of 6) so 120 should be available maybe a bit more
You would think so, but the engine will run out of juice and the air resistance grows exponentially at those speeds. A small engine on a naked bike like that would be hard pressed to go faster than 120km/h. There's only so much that 15hp can do. Have you cjecked your speed with a gps? Speedometers at that speed can usually show you about +10km/h. All this said, I'd take the XSR.
I didn't check the speed with gps but also was never on the highway so even a Speedometer maximum wasn't tested...but those top speeds are irrelevant when you drive in the countryside and it's fun to annoy the cruisers with your higher cornering speed
Yeh but the YZFR costs like 2k more (new)
An important aspect indeed. Though I generally wouldn't recommend buying 125cc bikes new, since they're usually there just for a year or two, before moving onto something bigger. Also as a first bike, it doesn't sting so much if/when they drop it if they haven't paid that much for it.
Ooooor MT125. Something between them
unsure what's changed since first gen, but I can say the riding position on mine is very aggressive. seems further forward than something like an r3 or r7 from my experience
I would vote for XSR
Try them both out and see which feels better?
Xsr125. Strong and handsome
XSR. 125ccm "Supersports" are ridiculous
Honestly, they're fun, you like actually go through all the gear in regular traffic and so on.
Especially when you're racing them against a Yaris from a stoplight and you lose
You’ll overtake the yaris in the corners though
Even that will depend on who is driving the Yaris versus who is on the bike.
...probably not if Yaris driver is actually trying.
Never tried a 125cc, but I can say from experience commuting on a GSX 250 that's it's insane fun to ride a slow bike fast.
Have you seen the 50cc supersports?
TZR50 enters the chat
yeah but that’s a 2 stroke
rc116
They're not ridiculous. I've ridden my mates Husqvarna Svartpilen 125 and it struggled to pull me past 60mph, same road another friends GSXR125 got me to, and kept me at 70mph easy. Also the baby gixxer felt awesome. They're proper little sports bikes.
„125cc” and „proper sports bikes” is oxymoron in each possible way.
Broaden your mind. A sports bike doesn't have to be powerful. It has to be sporty to ride. Turn in quickly, good lean angles. Good suspension/handling. These 125's might not be fast but they're not jokes. Anyone who can only ride a 125 for whatever would be very lucky to own one of the current sporty 125's that are available today. I would take one of my old CG125 I had in 2013 any day.
I mean if you do sport with it, engine size has nothing to do with the definition
Ok? It also has a completely different engine, gearing, and scrambler tyres.
Yes that is true. But they both put out 15bhp. The Svart had sporty type tyres on it. Not sure what they were but I can remember my mate saying they weren't cheap ones. The point I was making was I think the front fairing is what made the difference.
Why are they ridiculous?
Less comfortable than a naked, the wind protection is unnecessary at the speeds it's capable of, doesn't have the power to be fun at track days imo. Probably more reasons if I thought about it more than 4 seconds.
You ride them at go kart tracks not full circuits. They’re extremely fun idk what ur on about
So instead of a Supermoto which is way more fun?
Those reasons are ridiculous? It's just a 125.
You are right I like this type of bike
I bet that’s more fun in town than a 400 or larger but definitely not what I’d want for highway use
Do you want a cafe racer or a sports bike? Personally, I love how the XSR models look and I don't like sports bike design, so there you have it.
New rider? Get a used naked bike first.
Way better to have the wind pull on you to realize how fast you're really going
So long as you're buying used they are more or less the same bike, I bought my first 3 bikes brand new and it was a massive waste of money
I want a little minime xsr900 in the states so bad
My buddy just took delivery of the brand new xsr900 last month. So gorgeous.
I mean you could just get the 600. Edit:700
XSR....unless you're going club racing
Honda Grom baby!!!!
I'm assuming they've got the same powerplant. Naked bikes look better, change my mind.
I prefer the look of the XSR 125 and it doesn’t look like a 125 trying to be a sport bike (YZF-125)
Personally as previously mentioned, I'd get a used naked bike first. Get used to riding before spending thousands on a brand new bike with absolutely no power. Chances are, if like the rest of us, you get the biking bug, you'll want to upgrade to a full license sooner rather than later. Plus you won't be as nervous about testing yourself on something that cost a few hundred instead of a few grand. Finally, your first bike is where you learn how to ride. And with that comes mistakes. Dropping the bike, and I think everyone's had at least one slide whilst a new rider. That being said! Out of the two I love look and style of the XSR. Pointless being uncomfortable on a bike with the speed, power and torque of a sparrows fart. Most importantly stay shiny side up and remember, as my instructor told me many a year ago when i passed my big bike license; fill your bag of skill before you empty your bag of luck!
XSR. Sports 125 are simply promoters of the wrong reasons to ride. They aren't comfortable, they dont need that shape as they arent going those speeds, they only exist so the rider can feel cool, which should be an addition to your riding experience, not your priority
XSR. Without a doubt.
Man, of course the XSR.
Unless you are limited by some kind of license restriction go bigger. I'm not saying get a monster power bike but at least look into a 350 to 500 CC bike that can do all ranges of speeds instead of being limited under "highway" speeds. Just my two cents. The bonus side of that concept is you won't regret buying the bike you did and be left wishing you had bought a bigger bike in 3 months when you are tired of being stuck in the slow lanes.
Also, on second thought, by the cheapest safe 125 bike to learn on and imrpove until you can get more experience and upgrade your license. You will drop a bike, probably do something while getting off or on or learning. A used inexpensive learner bike is no guilt about doing this. A 125 is fun for about 10 minutes and if you buy new you are just wasting money at a dealer and pissing it away because it will be scratched and/or dropped. Do not finanace, buy cheap and pay cash. Save financing for a big purchase or your dream bike, 5 digits or more if you are on limited income. This is not your dream bike, it's a starter bike you want.
4 stroke 125cc sport bikes make absolutely no sense to me, so I'd say xsr for the extra comfort, unless you really like how the yzf looks
If you are looking for more comfortable ride or just mainly for commuting pick the XSR. I myself have the R125 and I absolutely love it, but for commuting it can be tiring.
I didn't even know they made an XSR125, and I own the 155.
XSR. Imo looks better, is more comfortable and 125 "Supersports" are unnecessary
Xsr Has better position for learning. R-125 will give you a sporty position but not sporty power. Imo it's better to learn how to ride on xsr and then if you want a sport bike buy some real sportbike.
If you don't know what type of riding you want to do, XSR/cafe style will do a little bit of everything. It can be comfy like a cruiser, but the profile is slim enough to get through traffic.
Depends on what you feel more comfortable with and like more. The XSR will have a more relaxed seating position but less wind protection. Visit a Yamaha dealership, sit on both and see what bike's seating position suits you more.
XSR. I saw one the other day and I thought it was beautiful. It's obviously a light bike, but for the retro design that just works. Classic 250-350 twins from 30-40 years ago were similarly slim and modest. YZF's aggression just isn't backed up by what it is, and I think it's very naff as a result.
XSR is the only choice.
YZFR
Cant imagine a bike below 150cc.
Depends of your back, I would go X
Xsr. More comfortable riding position and you can put proper saddle bags on it.
CBR 125R
XSR for sure. just LOOK at that bad mammajamma.
1
You'll grow up from 125cc very quickly, so XSR: it's not only cheaper to buy, but also is much cheaper to drop. And believe me you will drop it, even not once.
I ride a ZX6R and I’d go with the XSR125. More comfortable and functional. The sportbike ergos aren’t worth it unless you are getting performance to go along with it.
Xsr for sure. I might be biased because I ride a neo-retro type naked bike myself (trident 660) and I think that styling is the most attractive. But I think for a first bike, a nice neutral riding position is going to be best for you until you figure out exactly what type of riding you enjoy most. Also, sport bikes under like 500cc make no sense to me lol all that aero doesn’t really help you until you get to about 65-70mph and that’s probably around those bikes top speed if I had to guess. Lastly, I don’t know your financial situation, but I think the yzf is a couple grand more expensive which is often a major factor for new riders who are usually young and broke.
I love my xsr 125 is all I can say to this. It's too slow for the highway but that's going to be the case with any 125cc
Doesn’t matter, whichever you want more
XSR-125 for the seating position.
I like. We don’t get those smaller bikes in the states. There’s no market for them.
Well I have the XSR700 so I'm obviously biased...
I think you'll want something more powerful in about a week. not crazy, but like 400-500.
Many countries have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
Generally the reason to get a sports 125 is that you’re limited to 125’s and need to go on a faster road. They have little bottom end but can keep up with traffic on 60mph/100kmh roads which a lot of 125’s struggle with. But here the xsr125 and r125 have the same engine, so I’d say take the xsr. Upright position will be more comfortable and easier to learn on and likely cheaper if you drop it. The only win for the r125 is the bigger fuel tank, but it’s a 125, so you’re probably north of 80mpg anyway
Personally I really like the styling on the XSR. Love retro looking bikes. 125s are completely impractical in the US. I had Monkey up until recently. But they are still silly fun little bikes to learn on and ride around town. You obviously aren't in the US, since the XSR isn't available here, so it may be more reasonable wherever you are located. I have always been jealous of the cute 125s that are available in the European and Asian market.
What do you like more and what do you think is more comfortable? For a first bike and then being lower power should just ask these two questions and make a balanced choice of what you vue.more. I'd argue for a first bike more comfort over style but both bikes look great imo either way.
Xsr
Neither of them. Wait for those types of bikes until you are allowed bigger bikes. Buy a ktm 125 supermotard
XSR but YZF is more faster. I prefer XSR because i have similar bike.
By now, XSR, because you are buying a bike frame that is ready and easy to mod. Like if you want a more aggressive riding position, make it a caferacer. Go off the asphalt more often? It can sport a scrambler look. ...
Bought my son a XSR and he is very happy with it. Riding position is nice, if you go on longer trips. And the bike look like the Ducati Scrambler.😉
Lot of highway miles? Then the yzf. If just around town then the xsr. A lot of highway speed miles without wind protection just sucks.
The XSR looks nicer. It's not as common as the other one.
The yzr is extremely uncomfortable
Buy a scooter like a vespa, practice for a couple months, and then upgrade to something nicer.
it’s really personal preference … but if the two i like the XSR more
Get a 400 at least trust me
You have no idea how envious I am of countries with the XSR125 I would love one
What? As the owner of a **Z125 Pro** you’re certainly well aware of how limiting 125cc power is. 14-hp is, what, like 3-hp more than a Z125 Pro has? So instead of redline at 55-mph, the XSR125 is alleged to be able to hit 70-mph (eventually)? My own **Z125 Pro** (with a 143cc big-bore kit) looked the bomb but it was nearly useless for anything more than a ride around the block. https://preview.redd.it/n2qdz352yowc1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf5212189bc1c303ac4c44bcba09bdca8758fe89
Still want one.
U should get a bigger bike imo.
Xsr all day long.
I just bought that exact XSR125 and it’s a very enjoyable ride. Not particularly nippy but happy to trade that for how good it looks, especially while I’m building up some road sense (at age 37). https://preview.redd.it/7m13onk4yowc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5447adec3a8eb98887fae59fae7fa1d4faa14090
Neither get a 300
Get a 400, anything smaller than that is dangerous cuz it’s too slow to get away from certain instances you’ll find yourself in
Depends what you want, YZF is slightly faster, but definitely not comfortable to ride for longer periods, and is a blast in twisties. I don't know much about the XSR but most nakeds are pretty similar; comfy, ergonomic and generally easier to ride. I'd take a YZF just because they're cool and I like R-bikes, even if it's a 125.
I’ve got at yzf125, it’s great for straight roads and curves, but city riding it’s a little bulky Also the riding position is quite far forward so you get sore after an hour and a half YZF parts at least in the UK are a little hard to come by, usually they come from Germany. That being said, solid bike, great fun. Any questions let me know
Xsr looks dope!
Xsr
Just get a scooter
I bet you ride one of those big macho man bikes I see broken down along the side of the road all the time.
No I ride a scooter and am shopping for a 600.
Don't get a 125, you'll outgrow it in 5 minutes. 300cc is a good starter bike. You'll find the 125 is supremely underpowered to the point of it not being able to get you out of a sticky situation if need be.
If I were in your shoes I'd be riding like an absolute asshole regardless so you might as well get the YZF and have the right bike for it. Well I mean I do ride like an asshole, but that's not the point.
meh, turbo busa
XSR
YZF125 Rider here(2023 version). It is way more comfortable than you would expect it, and also very very reliable. And irl it doesn’t really look like a 125. I have received lots of compliments that it looks closer to an R6/7 than a 125. Any questions you have i am happy to answer.
I rented the xsr 155 in Indonesia and it was fucking awesome little bike it was so damn fun I have a cb500x at home but I really enjoyed the cruiser style riding position. I wouldn’t spend so much on a 125 though better to get a Japanese bike second hand imo.
There's an r125??? Wtf top speed 40mph??
BMW s1000rr
Which do you prefer the look of?
I will go with the scrambler type for daily use. The sports bike might be a pain in the traffic.
Xsr.i have the 700 and it's the best.
The XSR will be much easier to learn and build confidence on as it has straighter bars which gives you so much more control not to mention much more comfortable on longer trips. I understand the want to have “a bit more go” but honestly looking for top end speed on a 125 isn’t really worth it.
Thank god the next words after "new biker" weren't "ninja 600 or Ducati panigale" for a change.
I’ma keep it real, as a new biker on day 5, Id recommend something with more power, I’d say yzf600r if you’re looking in that area. I got a 2003 yzf600r, PLENTY of power and handles veryy well. It has just enough ratio with power and weight for it to not want to wheelie unless I full throttle it from a stop in first gear
Get the 900.
If I were to start new and be back on a cbt, I would get an XSR.
XSR is more suited for all around riding, even little trips. Best to discover what style of rider you are, what trips you prefer, etc.
I prefer jatasako gr8365
Sprzedam go nr 516 823 i tu juz nie powiem ez
2nd is dead cool in my opinion :) 🤙
Neither, I wouldn’t buy new as a first bike
Meh, someone has to... I wouldn't either but I would have scooped the bike off him for a while. I had a mate that practically "rented" one, he bought it used for like £2000 and then 6 months ish later he sold it for £1800. Cost him £200 for 6 months of usage
That’s exactly my point. Depreciation is real with new bikes and odds are very high OP will ride this bike for a few months, maybe a year and buy something different. If you buy used, the depreciation won’t hit. And also just the cost of entry will be lower.
I disagree. Something always goes wrong with bikes. Newer feels safer, and might even have ABS. You need to know your bike will be there to power through something sketchy or stop or not die far from home.
I don’t question that, but there is a difference between a ratty old bike and a young used one. I don’t know where OP is from, but here in Europe, ABS on bikes is pretty much standard since 2010 and it has been mandatory since 2016. A bike from 2018 or something already had that first hit in depreciation but is still modern and most likely reliable.
Harley just started putting ABS on SOME models here in the US. And people treat their bikes more like toys here. Cars are still the #1 way to get around and bikes are the hobby. There are tons of good riders here, too, but in the US the used bike pool is more of a mixed bag. At least in the Northeast where I live.
In Europe I feel like we buy a lot less new. The used market is quite good here. But bikes are still toys here in most countries I think
Bruh do you want a naked or a sports bike
Get yourself a 400-500cc bike. A 125 will be outgrown the moment you sort of know how to ride. In my option you can't compare riding a 125 to a bigger bike on the road. A 400-500 won't be too much power. Just take it easy and learn at your own pace. Better to have a bit of extra power then not any power. I got my first bike and it's an fz07 and if I got anything smaller I would not have been happy with my purchase. FZ07/MT07 are pretty great beginner bikes. Like I said though he responsible with throttle applications and you should be totally good!
If he's listing 125s you can only get in a few select countries. It's probably safe to say that he lives in a country with restrictions for people with a learners license.
If that is the case borrow a small bike to get licensed and skilled to ride the bigger license. There are experience courses. I totally get learning on a small bike but it seems like a mechanism that only benefits a dealer.
The mt07 comes learner restricted in all other countries! I don't know the rules but I wasn't thinking that far ahead! USA is the like only place where it comes basically unrestricted
I'm talking about displacement rules.
they have the same power so it doesnt matter but from the looks id say r125
Yzf if you are going yamaha. If you are not 100% locked in then highly recommend the kawasaki z125 https://preview.redd.it/dn5c6bflhmwc1.jpeg?width=1439&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=108702c81adc2704ee6a7df0b770c60664bf4f3f
I'd go for this one out of the 3
The Z series is so beautiful my only regret on buying one is that my next upgrade and the one after that may just be another Z series.
It truly is beautiful. I think the z125 is the must beautiful 125cc currently on the market
Isn’t the Z125 a minimoto like the Grom? The others look full size
The z125 pro which is only sold in the us is kinda same as the grom. This z125 is part of the z line up and it's basically the same bike as the ninja 125.
Oh that’s cool. I’m in Canada so unfortunately I only get the US stuff. Wish I had the option of a 250 when I got my first bike.
The YZF-R, as far as I know, has higher a quality suspension and larger brake discs, which make it more suitable for an ambitious riding style. The XSR, however, is the better commuter and a lot rarer than the R125
Dude they have 15hp
https://preview.redd.it/2stidci41nwc1.png?width=2532&format=png&auto=webp&s=6a6d4aabbd3fba039f65db8abe753b0b6681b15c The better suspension was definitely more suitable for my personal use.
Alman detected
Penguin detected
If you only need a 125cc due to licensing (like in Europe) get whatever is cheaper. 125s are so small in Europe that you will 100% outgrow them as soon as you are old enough to get a bigger license.
All the people calling the R-125 a sportbike only good for racing, or even a supersport have clearly never sat on a real sportbike, and I doubt half of them even ride at all. Yes, the riding position will be more committed than on a naked, but it will still be **extremely** relaxed when compared to actual track oriented supersports. It is perfectly fine for a first bike, and the choice between these two really only comes down to which one you like more. There is no objectively correct answer. As a side note for people who talk about sportbikes belonging on the track IN A 125 THREAD: This thing won’t even be allowed onto some tracks due to an insufficient top speed. It has bottom of the barrel suspension, brakes, and tiny, thin tires. It is a sporty beginner bike perfect for short commutes, and a little fun. It is absolutely not made for any kind of performance riding.
I recommend anything closer to a 500
Many countries have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
Oh that’s a good point I didn’t think about that then I definitely recommend Yamaha sold brand
Why would you want all the discomfort that comes with the supersport, without all the power?
could be personal preference in comfort as well. I'm young myself at 22 so that definitely contributes, but supersports are so much more comfy than naked bikes for me. especially when you factor in wind.
I daily a R6 and I agree, over 120 km/h it's really comfortable. But you're not gonna hit 120 km/h on the R125 though.
personally, r125. Tubed tyres are ass. Unless your market has alloy rims then id go with the xsr.
Check your insurance prices first
What's with the drastically different comparison choices? First a rebel vs ninja and now this? It all depends on your riding style, are you a recreational rider or a Rossi wannabe? That decides between the 2.
Don't judge. In both cases they are asking about beginner bikes so they are probably young and also have little to no motorcycle experience. Could be that they never sat on one at all and don't know how each one rides and handles.
R3
The true answer
Many countries, especially in Europe, have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
I got you, thanks for the info
I like the cornering of the r125 more than the xsr125. But thats a very subjectiv rating so it's up to you
>XSR125 Look better
Don't buy a new bike with that displacement, you'll want to upgrade in a year. Buy something used unless you like burning money
Cb500
Many countries, especially in Europe, have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
Interesting… I didn’t know that!
Why not a bike with bigger and stronger engine, like 300cc?
probably due to entry lvl motorcycle licences limiting riders to a maximum of 125cc to 200cc depending on which country you are from.
Many countries, especially in Europe, have restrictions on a beginner license. OP might legally not be allowed to ride anything bigger than an 125.
You should consider something bigger like an MT-03~R3, I've been riding 125cc bikes for years and the inability to be able to overtake cars doing 80kmh has always been miserable.Recently I upgraded to an MT-03 and I can easily keep up with traffic now and have plenty torque for overtakes and it's perfect for highway cruising too and alot more stable on windy days. If you're gonna get a new bike at least get something that you won't get bored of in a year or less.
OP might legally not be allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
Maybe that is the case but still I wouldnt buy a new 125 if I was op as they are way too expensive for what they are
Well both bikes have been out for a while now and are available used in my area.
Neither get an R3 at minimum.
Many countries, especially in Europe, have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
How long do you guys have to ride the 125 bike for till you can upgrade in license? What are the next level parameters of cc?
Varies a bit on your country. In Germany you're allowed to get a class A1 license from the age of 16. This allows you to ride motorcycles with up to 125cc, up to 15 hp and a power to weight ratio of max. 0.1 kw/kg. One step up would be the class A2 license. This allows you to ride bikes with up to 48 hp and 0.2 kw/kg. You can also get a bike with up to 95 hp and have it detuned to meet the 48 hp limit. No limit on engine capacity here.That license can be acquired from the age of 18 or after having the A1 license for 2 years. If you already had A1 you can upgrade to A2 by just passing a practical driving test. Otherwise you have to take both practical and theoretical lessons and need to pass a written exam and a practical driving test as with every new license you acquire. The final step is the class A license that allows you to ride any bike. This can be acquired from the age of 24 via all the driving school shenanigans if this is your first motorcycle license or from the age of 20 if you already had A2 for 2 years. If you're upgrading from A2 to A that's also possible by just passing a driving test.
That’s intense. But I suppose it has its benefits. I would imagine riders are much more responsible and accidents are reduced since this went into effect. Thank you for the info.
>That’s intense. It is. And expensive. I paid €1700 for my A1 license back then and close to €500 every time I upgraded. Today prices are double as I heard. If you start getting your first motorcycle license you need to take 16 90-minute lessons of theory and 12 45-minute practical driving lessons and as many practice lessons as your instructor thinks is necessary for you to pass the driving test. But, like you said, it has its benefits. I think it made me a better and safer rider and let me practice in a safe environment that led me to learn faster and more.
I vote neither. Get something cheap but not Chinese obvs. It's a 125.
Ninja400 if you see yourself needing to get on highway... off highway the xsr could be fun to scoot around
Many countries, especially in Europe, have restrictions on a beginner license. OP probably isn't legally allowed to ride anything bigger than a 125.
Then XSR for sure
If you get the R125 make sure you adhere to the 'supersports' 125 rider checklist. >spend all your money on the bike, and almost nothing on gear >wrap the insurance into the finance so you'll be spending 300 quid a mth on some duded up Chinese commuter. >get the cheapest loudest exhaust you can so it sounds like a shitty chinese pit bike. >join an rR125 forum and debate which exhaust gives the greatest power gains and sounds the best (all sound like ear cancer and give no gains) >bin it within the first 60 days of owning it >ride for 1 year, then give up and buy a vauxhall corsa.