Test Yamaha MT-125 2020: the face ?
The Yamaha MT-125 launched in 2014 receives a menacing new front end inspired by the MT-09 and the variable-valve motor discovered last year on the YZF-R125. What legitimizes its status as the most expensive 125 cc roadster on the market ? MNC went to check in Malaga (Spain) for a first test.
MT-125 test page 1: undermined like never before !
In France, the power of 125 cc motorcycles is legally limited to 15 horses (11 kW) to be accessible from 16 years old with the A1 license. Result: the 125s are modeled on the same mechanical mold with their injected 4-stroke single cylinder, "mechanically" not very expressive..
- MNC special file : Everything you need to know about the MT-125
- MNC test :
To make a difference, manufacturers must therefore operate other levers such as design and equipment. And in this little game, a motorcycle has stood out since 2014: the, which is neither more nor less than the stripped-down version of the YZF-R125 (down to its oversized perimeter frame connected to a superb perforated aluminum swingarm ).
The sporty 125 having, it is the roadster’s turn to receive the latest updates with the adoption on its 124.7 cc single-cylinder of a variable distribution, supposed to optimize the useful range while reducing the consumption of this engine. of exactly 15 horses.
But it is above all at the stylistic level that the MT-125 2020 changes: it adopts the humanoid robot-like front of the, characterized by two slit daytime running lights above a lenticular. Guaranteed effect at the end of high school but fans of less tortured lines may prefer the more elegant one with its "classic" round headlight.
The rear of the Yamaha also gains in compactness thanks to a new one-piece seat, where the old model had a raised passenger seat. This change improves accessibility for a guest … but grumbles on the carrying capacity, already not huge in 2019 since the mandatory yellow vest no longer even fits in the trunk.
As before, the practical aspects are neglected: no grab handles or adjustable levers, warnings or grips. More annoying: its new instrumentation is no longer controlled from the handlebars but from the dashboard, which is all the more regrettable as the pusher is small and badly placed behind the clutch cable (difficult to access with gloves).
Dear little Yamaha
At 4,999 euros, the most expensive motorcycle on the 125 cc roadster market should provide better treatment and could also have split a color screen: its new LCD dashboard is certainly complete, but perhaps too classic for the target aimed (speed, rpm, fuel gauge, gear engaged, time, two trips, average and instantaneous consumption).
The small "slab" in colors of the big rival will certainly turn more headphones (heads), especially since it has a connection with the phone in Bluetooth. The Austrian also has backlit controls that are as useful as they are pleasant for night driving..
Still, she throws a max, this MT-125: inverted fork of 41 mm (as on one!), Its radial brake caliper and its meticulous manufacture which does honor to the "small hands" of the French factory of Saint -Quentin (02). This "made in France" label can help – or not! – to better accept its price, necessarily higher than its rivals made in Asia.
In the saddle !
The ergonomics of the motorcycle evolve by small touches but still remains sporty with its rear footrests and its handlebars as placed directly above the axis of the front wheel. This raised handlebar widens when passing from 680 to 714 mm to improve control of the front axle. A good thing ?
Not sure: this handlebar is almost too wide considering the compactness of the Yamaha and the potentially "menu" size of a teenager! Its format worthy of a larger displacement contrasts in comparison to its "XXS" tank, which also loses 1.5 liters (10 liters of capacity). The association "legs-very-tight-arms-very-apart" confuses a little at the start !
This width also requires extra attention to squeeze through traffic because the handles are level with the rearview mirrors of the cars. Also provide room for the mirrors of the MT-125, which exceed in favor of a good rear view. Finally, the limited turning radius – for a 125 – is the price to pay for a front axle "of phew": the handlebars are quickly in stop because of the size of the sleeves of the big fork.
MNC also regrets the hardness and the slightly sloping design of the saddle, which tans the buttocks all the more quickly as the suspensions do not shine by their smoothness. Nothing to say on the other hand on the calibration of the springs: the Yamaha has even retained a certain perceptible flexibility on the large mass transfers..
But the hydraulic settings can still be improved: too firm, they give the bike dry reactions and a propensity to bounce off the obstacle instead of damping it. And as the perimeter frame is also extremely rigid, the MT-125 is brittle on bumpy surfaces..
Devilish agility
In return, the bike enjoys a devilish reactivity in the winding portions: its 140 kg are placed on the angle of the blink of an eye, well aided by the exemplary guidance of the front axle. The 125 is riveted to its trajectory and emphasizes the strengths of its rigidity on smooth asphalt: a real little bomber, fun and dynamic at will !
Stability and traction are never faulted, but the opposite would have been frankly surprising with a chassis cut to withstand much more than its 15 hp and 11.5 Nm! Under these conditions, changing the rear tire from 130 to 140 mm seems more to serve the aesthetic cause than to meet a real need. Parents, them, will rail against the additional cost to change the original Michelin Pilot Street, which also offers a correct grip.
The extreme brevity of our test (66 km, half of which in town) and the rainy conditions did not allow us to gauge this tire inflation in depth. This large sausage does not seem to hamper the twirling agility of the bike. It’s already that !
To all these dynamic qualities is added convincing braking, as in 2019: normal, since the radial caliper and the 292 mm disc are identical! If the power is not lacking, the short dead travel of the lever and the frank attack of the master cylinder however require a certain skill: Le Journal moto du Net had already noted this characteristic during our .
- MNC duel : MT-125 Vs Duke 125
This reactivity may surprise beginners who have not read this essay, but they will then appreciate the rapid and effective action of the ABS on any poorly calibrated reflex braking. At the rear, however, dosage and response are ideal: the top for coiled and / or duo driving.
The motor as an adjustment variable ?
The engine of the MT-125 successfully renews its qualities appreciated on the old model: flexible, it accepts changes without flinching at very low speeds and can restart at the exit of town in 4th at 50 km / h (5500 rev / min). However, there is no risk of having your arms torn off when accelerating in this case. !
Its favorite rev range is higher in the revs, between 7,000 and 10,000 rpm like all 4-stroke single cylinders of this displacement. Playing the selection – a little catchy – is essential to keep it in this range, at the risk of remaining "stuck" when relaunching under 5000 rpm on higher gears.
Yamaha mechanics, however, offer more roundness and consistency at intermediate speeds than some of its rivals, more "sharp" in behavior. Without doubt this should be seen as one of the strengths of the variable valve actuation "Variable Valve Actuation" (VVA), which switches to a more aggressive cam profile from 7400 rpm.
This transition is made transparently to both driving and hearing: no mechanical noise or sensation of additional thrust is manifested at this speed. The opportunity to salute the well-crafted sound of this motorcycle, serious and melodious enough to avoid any confusion with a moped! And this is far from being a detail, because this is not the case with all 125 cc.
In terms of performance, our 67 kg tester climbed to 117 km / h on the flat in the flat position but with a bulky backpack. Not exceptional, especially since the old one had taken us to 130 km / h odometer (122 km / h measured with the GPS) during our, which it had reached 123 km / h with the GPS.
Would the new engine be less efficient than the old one, despite its unprecedented distribution in the 125 cc segment as well as the increased volumes of its airbox and its injection body (respectively 5.5 l and 30 mm) ? In reality, no: MNC leans especially for a cruel lack of break-in of the single-cylinder which only displayed 209 km at the start of this test !
Confirmation was made with the observation of better reminders at the end of the day: "our" MT-125 was more reactive – all things considered – between 90 and 100 km / h, where its accelerations allowed to overtake on the secondary network without sweating . The final transmission by shortened chain (14×52 instead of 14×48) is undoubtedly not foreign.
On the other hand, the somewhat rough character of the go-around did not diminish: more finesse on the accelerator would have reassured us to negotiate certain hairpins on a slope on "fat-wet"! We console ourselves with its absence of vibrations (except at high speed) and its appetite of sparrow: 2.4 l / 100 km according to the consumption indicator during this test.
Verdict: race to the top
Yamaha hits hard with this "undermined like never before" MT-125, as stylistically aggressive as it is furiously dynamic. The manufacturer of Iwata launches all its forces in the very competitive battle of the 125 segment, where the youngest of the "MT" siblings has held 25% of the market share since its release.
Other side of the coin: this approach contributes to maintaining a costly technological escalation, not necessarily necessary in view of the legal power of 15 hp. More practicality and comfort would not be luxury for this bike sold at a price of 4,999 euros (as in 2019), or 100 euros more than the KTM.
Especially since other serious contenders push hard at the gate and with solid arguments: the CB125R at 4,599 euros, for example, compensates for its performance in decline (13.3 hp and 10 Nm) with its featherweight of 125.8 kg, while the heaviest (146 kg) plays the card of the floor price at 3999 euros (15 hp and 11.7 Nm).
The is also to be considered with its engine of 15 hp and 11.5 Nm, its weight contained at 133 kg and its price of 4099 euros. In short, the fight is very tight in this category open to very young licenses (A1) as well as to motorists of all ages (license B with 7 hours training).
- Continuation of our MT-125 test with our photos captioned in
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