Four 125cc in the test

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Four 125cc in the test
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Four 125cc in the test

Four 125cc in the test
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Modern technology and sharp optics – 125cc are more attractive than ever before. The only question that arises is which of the youngsters’ machines ignites the fire for sporty motorcycles the most…

Tobias Munchinger

11/08/2017

When the school bell rings loudly at 1 p.m. and announces the end of the daily martyrdom of education, many students rush to the next bus or rush to the train. Some also take off the shackles of unauthorized locomotion and jump onto a bicycle or a scooter. And some who have defied the charm of a 45 km / h scooter even get on a motorcycle. Not an 80s or anything. But a real, genuine motorcycle.

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Four 125cc in the test


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Suzuki GSX-R 125.

Since 2013, 125 cc engines have been allowed to travel without throttling, i.e. without maximum speed restrictions. However, the legislature defines an upper limit for the engine output of 11 kW (15 HP) and defines a permissible power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW per kilogram of vehicle weight. Feather-light two-stroke engines with over 30 hp and street legal like a Cagiva Mito have therefore disappeared from the scene. Instead, the market has a wide range of stylish four-stroke machines that young people are happy to accept. Last year there were a total of 23,000 new registrations in the 125cc area. Undisputed at the top of the sales move Yamaha and KTM, but other manufacturers are also involved.

A quartet of sporty eight-liter machines can easily be found in the editorial office’s underground car park, which the layman can only identify as so-called light motorcycles at second glance. Above all, the Aprilia RS 125 looks heavily like a large-volume superbike. Yamaha’s top seller, the YZF-R 125, the bright orange, will also be part of the test batch KTM RC 125 as well as the brand new Suzuki GSX-R 125.

Since there is a risk that the opinions and judgments of performance-spoiled PS testers will miss the mindset of the target group, we have brought reinforcements on board. Mika Folk is 16 years old, has been in possession of the A1 driver’s license for three weeks and has already covered almost 2000 kilometers on his beta since then. That can only be our man! At first he runs straight past the Aprilia. “Has a buddy, I already know him.” In the end, he chooses the Yamaha, and the rest of us split up among the other bikes. It’s almost 100 kilometers from Stuttgart via country roads to Walldorf near Hockenheim, where we want to take a go-kart track with the 125 cc bikes in the afternoon.


Four 125cc in the test


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Aprilia RS 125.

The traffic chaos in the state capital of Baden-Wurttemberg is, so to speak, the first special stage. Quickly but unobtrusively we cut through the traffic and drive through the traffic jam columns at the traffic lights to the white stop line. Mika comes from the rural Black Forest region and can only shake her head in view of the Stuttgart rush hour: “Badly bad here!” Finally the light turns green and the four 125 cubic athletes give rubber. Shortly afterwards we finally drive on small country roads with a manageable number of cars. It’s the first time we’re swapping the bikes and Mika has to pass the Yamaha on. “I really like the look,” he says of the YZF-R 125. Although our tall guest tester is comfortable with the seating position with plenty of space, the handlebars of the Yam are too narrow for him. “A bit uncomfortable for me in the long run,” he notes. He rates the engine power and cornering behavior as “good”. He is right! The Yamaha burns nimbly around corners without leaving a deficit impression anywhere.

So up to the next 125cc. In terms of ergonomics, they like it KTM RC 125 best for most testers. The “pumpkin” (KTMs are sometimes called that in the jargon because of their ancestral colors) has by far the widest and highest handlebar halves. Tall riders are accommodated a touch more comfortably than on the more sporty Yamaha. When it comes to the equipment, KTM continues to advance. The extensive on-board computer shows a lot of information and also has a practical gear indicator. As a unique selling point in this class, the RC even has multi-adjustable hand levers. Mika describes how the RC gives him a very safe driving experience. Although the rear of the vehicle seems hopelessly underdamped when it is compressed while stationary, the balance and damping behavior are correct when driving. Although none of the 125s offers an adjustable chassis, a well-functioning basic setup like the KTM for eight-liter machines is also completely sufficient. Part of the safe and full driving experience that the RC 125 does indeed convey is certainly due to its fat tires. Only the KTM wears a 150 tire on the rear wheel, the other machines from the test field have narrower 130 tires.

The 125 hp test delegation moves past the Heilbronn area and continues towards Hockenheim. On the way we duel and distance ourselves from the slipstream Aprilia RS 125 always by a few meters as soon as a slight incline appears. The RS motor goes back to a drive built by Derbi. It is now manufactured by Zongshen in China and is also used in other 125cc motorcycles, for example in Enduros from Zundapp or Mondial. The single cylinder produces quite strong vibrations and wants to be kept happy between 9000 and 11000 rpm. If the driver misses this window, the Yamaha, the KTM and the Suzuki meters win. Test driver Mika certifies the RS comparatively poor performance and hits the mark. The lags when it comes to acceleration and pulling power Aprilia after. In contrast to the other three 125s, the clutch that is less easy to dose is also noticeable when starting off. It is important to be vigilant so as not to stall the RS in the first two meters in front of the assembled team. Such a thing is damn embarrassing in the schoolyard! It’s a shame, because the look, which is based on the Superbike RSV4, and the precise handling speak for the Aprilia.


Four 125cc in the test


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KTM RC 125.

One last motorcycle change before the go-kart track excursion is the new Suzuki GSX-R 125 in focus. Seat rehearsal. “Die Minigixxer” does not seem to pursue the topic of sport as seriously as the other three candidates. While the driver on the Yamaha, the KTM and the Aprilia assumes a slightly bent, front-wheel-oriented posture, on the Suzuki a moderate sitting position with an upright posture awaits him.

And the engine? As soon as the little Gixxer is running, the pleasantly dull sounding single-cylinder with high smoothness is pleasing. Before doing this, a thorough study of the operating instructions will help you understand the “keyless starter system with a key”. The ignition key remains in the machine and is actually only removed to open the fuel filler cap. Without the separate transponder, however, the ignition cannot be switched on and the machine cannot be started. Question marks over their heads. We cannot fathom the advantages of this system and prefer to turn back to the engine. Suzi is motivated by the gas and feels lively, which is due to her low overall weight. Compared to the KTM RC 125, the Minigixxer weighs over 20 kilograms less. Mika is enthusiastic and praises the easy handling of the Suzuki. The narrow GSX-R with its slim telescopic fork and 90 mm front tire has little to oppose the self-confident appearance of the other three bikes.

Finally arrived at the go-kart track, things get serious. All motorcycles were equipped in advance with high-grip Metzeler Sportec Street tires (with the exception of the KTM, which has a Metzeler M7 RR) in order to create a fair basis for evaluation and comparability. Most of the time, the 125 cc howl towards the rev limiter in second gear on the narrow track. Only at one point on the small course is it worthwhile to engage third gear for a short time. Overtaking maneuvers are extremely difficult on the narrow track and almost only possible if a driver makes a gross mistake. Differences between the four bikes can still be filtered out. The Aprilia drives precisely and turns really sharply. Your lack of power in the lower speed range is less of a problem, because on the circuit there is constant fire! As on the country road, the KTM provides a safe and balanced driving experience, but does not achieve the accuracy of the Aprilia or the Yamaha. The Suzuki impresses with its lively engine, which is the only one that has a good portion of overturning reserves. In this way, the gas can simply be held in some places in order to save a gear change.


Four 125cc in the test


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Yamaha YZF-R 125.

On the other hand, the GSX-R turns stubbornly with its narrow front wheel, refuses to lean a bit and looks more wobbly in the curve than the rest. The Yamaha also makes a mistake. Your fork responds uncleanly and stuck in places. In a certain left-hand bend, the front wheel repeatedly shows the limit area, jolting. There are consistently positive things to report about the anti-lock braking systems, all of which regulate finely. In addition, all braking systems withstand the increased loads on the kart track. It should be noted, however, that none of the 125 cc slows down in a sporty and sharp manner. While the KTM and the Yamaha still provide a great pressure point for this, the brakes of the Aprilia and the Suzuki are more doughy. On the way back to the editorial office, we take the fastest route via the motorway. And then the most exciting question arises: Which of the four machines is now ahead? Unanimous verdict: the KTM! But Mika, who is the least spoiled of all of us, would also take the other three.

Conclusion

1. KTM RC 125
The engine and brake are convincing, and the equipment is top-notch. With its wild corners, edges and bright orange wheels, the KTM also delivers a treat from a visual point of view.

2. Yamaha YZF-R 125
Anyone who is passionate about a sporty 125cc cannot ignore it. the YZF-R 125 can do everything, even if the kart track test revealed a weakness in the suspension setup.

3. Suzuki GSX-R 125
The cream of the crop is its cultivated and lively engine, but with the thin telescopic fork and the narrow front wheel, the GSX-R loses “street credibility”.

4. Aprilia RS 125
Unfortunately, the Aprilia’s engine and brakes can’t beat the competition.

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