Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 comparison test

Menus

• Dreams of big children
• 4-stroke single cylinder, 125 cm3, 15 hp and 11.7 Nm, 146 kg full made, from 4,599 euros
• Discovery
• In the saddle
• In the city
• Motorway and expressways
• Departmental
• Gymkhana and track
• Part-cycle
• Braking
• Comfort / Duo
• Consumption
• Conclusion

Dreams of big children

4-stroke single cylinder, 125 cm3, 15 hp and 11.7 Nm, 146 kg full made, from 4,599 euros

The 125 cm3 motorcycle segment is an important market, largely represented by brands … except Kawasaki …. or at least not with a recent and attractive machine. His D’tracker and KLX released in 2011 were no longer on the agenda. And only a J125 scooter remained available. In this sector on the rise, the manufacturer of Akashi had to react.

And these are two machines that the green firm offers us for testing. A nasty roadster, the Z125, rubs shoulders with a sharp sports car, the Ninja 125. Aimed at holders of the A1 motorcycle license, they offer young bikers the opportunity to access a light and compact sports car. Built in Indonesia, these "Kawettes" are inspired by their glorious and superior elders Z650, Z900 and ZX10…. It is in Malaga, Spain, that we study their parentage, on the heights of the Iberian coast..

Discovery

They have a good face! Especially the Z125, taking again the style "Sugomi" dear to Kawasaki, declining its sharp codes on all its roadsters. The little one mimics the big ones, playing shoulders with its large scoops and its diamond optic framed by deflectors. As an extension of its angular 11-liter tank, a rather attractive pilot seat, coupled with a passenger seat that is already less engaging. The saddles dominate a tapered rear loop with marked angles, rising towards the heavens. They conclude with a soaring LED brake light dominating a minimalist license plate holder. What style ….

The Pocket Ninja is a little less ostentatious, more or less taking over the lines of the SBK champion. Its dress all in taut lines dresses in fact, more widely on the front, a base almost identical to that of the Z.

Techno-aesthetic variation requires, a tubular frame supports the machines, as on the H2, H2 SX, Z650 and Z900…. It is here made of steel and encloses the single cylinder of 125 cm3.

The block is fitted with four valves actuated by two camshafts and has a super square bore-to-stroke ratio of 58.0 x 47.2 mm. The mechanics develop 15 hp (11.0 kW) at 10,000 rpm and 11.7 Nm at 7,700 min. It is also calibrated to give the most approval below 100 km / h and is based on a 6-speed gearbox..

There is a slightly different geometry between the two Kawettes: the Ninja’s hunting angle is 23.8 °, that of the Z tightens with 23.1 °, but the wheelbase remains the same, 1.330 mm. Values ​​giving more agility to the roadster.

A 37 mm telescopic fork and a Uni Trak type mono-shock absorber mounted on rods make up the machine suspensions and their 110 mm travel. They have slightly different settings to suit the profile of their segment. Only the rear element is provided with a preload adjustment to manage the movements of a fairly common rectangular section steel swingarm. More enjoyable, the 17-inch split-spoke 10-spoke rims provide good aesthetic dynamics, reinforced by green edging. They fit new Dunlop TT900 sport-road type tires.

To slow the little ones down, a twin-piston caliper bites a 290mm petal disc up front. Identical, the opposite clamp grips a 220mm wafer, ABS included.

Engine housings with neat surfaces and arrangement of the elements ensure a good presentation to the Kawasaki 125. The rider and passenger footrests, rubber-coated on the Z, are attached on both 125s to aluminum support plates. However, we regret the cooling circuit hoses that are too present, a somewhat "tinkered" radiator mounting bracket and a fairly common engine finish, without an inverted fork or radial brake caliper that can be found on the Yamaha YZF-R125 . Finally the Kawasaki Ninja 125 and Z125 admit respectively 148 kg and 146 kg.

In the saddle

Of course very similar in construction, the two small Kawa stand out in ergonomics on several points. The driving position is therefore straighter on the Z125, which is fitted with a flat handlebar. It also benefits from an upper saddle height of 30mm, peaking at 815 units. Very pleasant for older children to accommodate their leg, with the bust however noticeably leaning forward. Clamped between its saddles and the pretty plate signed on the upper crown, the hanger raised and pulled back towards the rear gives a comfortable position.

The sport is therefore surprisingly lower at 785 mm and accommodates the hands on the handlebars bracelets. It causes sport! Thus tilted forward, we notice an openwork molded upper tee.

Without being models of comfort, the seats are made of quality foams. In addition, my eighty-four meter is in no way cramped on board, whatever the machine.

A compact and somewhat cramped digital instrumentation includes bar-graph type tachometer, tachometer, two partial trips, an odometer, clock and fuel gauge. Finally, if the instrumentation on the 125 is identical, an amber light illuminates that of the roadster…. like on an old Z1000.

We deeply regret the absence of a gear indicator engaged. A real plus on this type of displacement. No warning or control of the functions on the handlebars ….

In the city

Block 125 comes to life with great discretion, becoming more metallic in the towers. An optional Akrapovic exhaust gives it much more amplitude. You have to accelerate hard enough to get the machines off the ground vigorously. In addition, the pulling of the handle is as long as a day without a motorcycle, a point that I will often note throughout the test..

Riding the roadster, the Z125 takes itself very naturally in Spanish traffic. Particularly agile, its compact size, flat handlebars and sharper geometry work wonders. Lightweight, the two machines are easy to handle, but the Ninja’s bracelets reduce the comfort of the sports car a little. Especially when maneuvering where its higher steering angle (35 ° against 30 °) increases its turning radius (2.90 m, 2.5 m for Z).

Smooth controls, precise selection and efficient mirrors contribute to Akashi 125’s enjoyment in the city. Maintained beyond 6,000 turns, the block delivers appreciable force on the intermediates. It allows serene evolutions in hyper-urbanized centers without too much knitting of the selector. Rather well staged, the gearbox correctly assists city-dwellers.

Effective between walls, kawettes are also designed to be able to get out. Commuting or more distant journeys, let’s decide between them by cutting the road.

Motorway and expressways

Storming the horizon, the 125 kawa roar their eighth of a liter. The few vibrations of the engine are not very sensitive and the seats provide very good comfort.

Long journeys are not necessarily better in sport. Bending the legs and wrists more sensitive than on the roadster does not really give an advantage. Admittedly, the protection is less on the Z125, but the limited cruising speeds hardly hamper the approval. Correctly filled at mid-speed, the mono runs out of steam more towards the top of the tachometer, especially on the last report.

Clearly and as announced by the manufacturer, the mechanics are appreciated under 100 km / h. And since the maximum speed is only 15 units higher and takes some time to reach, the highway will be avoided. What we did not regret on the handlebars of the Z or the Ninja. On these tracks, we reach the limits of these small vehicles whose ergonomics and mechanics are satisfied with shorter journeys at varied pace. Their most obvious playground and that of the secondary network.

Departmental

The funniest aspect of a small displacement is in the handling. On the handlebars, there is no room for mistakes, especially if you are riding with friends. It is indeed necessary to travel fully to maintain speed and avoid cutting the throttle..

Agile, the Z125 likes to be driven dynamically. Its straight handlebars allow good control and quick changes of direction. However, the liveliness of the front axle with its more closed geometry gives less confidence when the pace really rises. Unlike the Ninja 125 which then gives its best. More stable, offering a position favorable to the attack, it is on his bracelets that I appreciate the arousal more. The long pull of the throttle grip is also easier to manage when downshifting. On the roadster, it is not uncommon to conserve gas or have your wrist too broken to grip the brake lever properly. The sporty Kawa with a pocket size allows all the daring. It’s easy to move from side to side and the machine’s reduced weight makes it a very playful little blade on the road. Hyper reactive, the Kawettes require to be maintained in 7,500 and 10,000 revolutions to benefit from the best of their small mechanics, on the fourth or fifth report.

Remarkably well suspended, Z125 and Ninja 125 offer unexpected suspension comfort. If the fork remains flexible when engaging the brakes, the sag management is then well controlled. The two 125s offer very good rigidity, but deserve better tires than the Dunlop TT 900. Offering a correct grip on dry and clean asphalt, they are stingy in feedback and unreliable on the angle when the asphalt is. makes it dirtier or more humid.

Gymkhana and track

The Kawasaki organization had planned a half-day of handling test in Z125 and a few laps on the track (karting) with Ana Carrasco, world supersport 300 champion, as instructor ….

Enough to test the agility of the roadster on a course delimited by series of cones. Once again, Akashi’s frame (to be repeated several times very quickly) demonstrates its quality on this type of exercise. An identical observation on the sports car, precise and lively, but unfortunately served by its tires…. Riding with THE world champion is a rare and appreciable privilege; especially when the latter tells you, during the debriefing, that you are the best pilot of the day…. 😉

Part-cycle

With their tubular steel frame, the Z125 and Ninja 125 benefit from a hyper-rigid structure with low weight. Combined with good suspensions, the whole delivers appreciable performance, even when driving engaged..

Braking

Powerful, but progressive, the front caliper leaves a lot of control in deceleration. The opposite clamp is also very effective and also dosable to refine an overly optimistic curve passage.

Comfort / Duo

The solo comfort is very correct, both because of the foam of the seats and the quality damping. In the accessories department: saddle cover, chain and radiator protection, 39-liter top case and its support and tank bag. Here you are, set off for the daily adventure.

Consumption

Not measured on this test.

Conclusion

Efficient, such as the Kawasaki Z125 and Ninja 125 seem to me. From the impressive design of the roadster to the efficiency of the sports car’s chassis, Akashi’s small machines are convincing. Their comfort is also a strong point. We regret the slightly timid front of the Ninja and less flattering equipment than the competition (fork, brake). Their mechanics allow good performance, but will have a hard time facing those of sharp contenders. And there are ….!

Thus, the Yamaha MT 125 and YZF125 turn out to be true divas with appreciable mechanical characteristics. Priced at 4,999 € and 5,490 €, the tuning forks motorcycles play a high-pitched score. At Honda, the CB125R is a sublime machine, returning 20 kilos to the Z125 and asking for € 4,499. Another Japanese, the Suzuki GSX-R 125 is very efficient and sells for € 4,099. On the European side, KTM Duke 125 and RC125 are priced at € 4,690 and € 4,790 and the superb Aprilia Tuono 125 and RS 125 require € 4,599 and € 4,929.

Kawasaki offers its Z125 at € 4,599 and its Ninja 125 at € 4,899 (+ € 100 in two-tone paint for each machine). In a very dynamic market, Akashi motorcycles can count on the overall quality of their construction, quality suspensions and a performance chassis. Clearly, machines to put on your red man list…

Ninja 125 highlights

• Evidence of handling
• Agility and precision of the chassis
• Ergonomics
• Braking
• Suspensions

Weak points Ninja 125

• Unreliable tires
• Timorous front face
• Long throttle pull
• Equipment too standard (brakes, fork)
• No gear indicator engaged

Z125 strengths

• Powerful style
• Evidence of handling
• Voluntary motor
• Agility and precision of the chassis
• Ergonomics
• Braking
• Suspensions

Weak points Z125

• Unreliable tires
• Long throttle pull
• Equipment too standard (brakes, fork)
• No gear indicator engaged

Kawasaki Ninja 125 technical sheet

Kawasaki Z125 technical sheet

Test conditions

• Itinerary: winding roads with variable surfaces, sometimes wet and dirty.
• Weather: wet and cool to dry
• Motorcycle mileage: 150 km
• Problem encountered: none

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