Although sports bike sales have been pretty much stagnant in the UK this year the likes of the YZF R125 have consistently been some of the highest registering models in the monthly industry figures released by the Motorcycle Industry Association.
The popularity of these models is mainly attributed to younger riders who are looking for a learner legal machine that looks the part, and offers as much performances as they can possibly get away with.
The growth in this learner legal sector recently saw Austrian manufacturer KTM release the RC125, which they say they hope will inspire the next generation of riders to take to two wheels.
In last week’s edition of Motorcycle News, they decided to test five of the leading sports styled 125s to see which one came out on top including:
- KTM RC125
- Aprilia RS4
- Honda CBR125R
- Rieju RS3 NKD
- Yamaha YZF-R125
The YZF-R125 must be the UK’s top selling supersport model month in, month out for a reason because it passed the test with flying colours based on performance, agility, build quality and value. It was followed closely by the KTM and Aprilia, despite the Rieju packing the punch to blow the other 125s away.
It wasn’t just the looks that impressed the writers at MCN, they also liked the performance too. For the test MCN fitted the Bridgestone Battlax S20 EVO, which offers the latest in technology and performance for bigger and smaller capacity sports bikes, thanks to the inclusion of a number of H rated sizes. Why have a sporty 125, if you don’t have the tyres to match?
“If we can recommend one modification for your 125, these tyres are it” say MCN. “They performed superbly on the damp track, giving loads of confidence and feel. And on the dry roads they allowed the chassis of these small bikes to really shine.”
Check out the full range of VR46 tested and approved Battlax S20 EVO sizes.
