Price

The price is an important aspect when buying a 125cc motorcycle. Sure, you can spend £4,500 on a shiny new CBR125R, but if it’s going to lose half its value in the two years you’ll ride it before switching to an A2 bike, is it worth it?

Additionally, as a learner, you’re expected to make mistakes. This could include dropping the bike at traffic lights, bumping into objects and other things, and maybe having a low side or two as you test out your own limits (in a safe area, of course).

The good thing about the 125cc market is that there are a lot of different options at different price points. You could go for a top-of-the-range Japanese or European bike, or save some cash on a Chinese bike.

The Chinese market has exploded in recent years, with Lexmoto and Sinnis at the forefront. Back in the day, Chinese bikes used to have a terrible reputation, with parts being tricky to source and the bikes being unreliable. Fast forward to 2023, and parts are incredibly easy to source, the bikes are much more reliable, and they are much cheaper to purchase than their Japanese/European counterparts.

A top-of-the-line Chinese bike could set you back around £2,000, with the bikes being sold second-hand for even cheaper!

Ergonomics

A motorbike needs to be comfortable to ride, that’s pretty obvious we’d say.

You should be able to ride for long periods of time without pain in your lower back, legs, arm and buttocks, additionally, you should easily be able to reach the handlebars and footpegs.

Most importantly, you need to be able to touch the floor with your feet, something many people struggle with doing so, often dropping the motorcycle at traffic lights or struggling to come to a stop.

Ideally, the soles of your feet should be flat on the ground, but if you can reach the floor on your tip toes, or tilt the bike over slightly to have one foot flat on the ground, this is acceptable.

The most important part is that you are comfortable on your motorcycle in all areas.

5 of the best 125cc motorcycles

Without further ado, in no specific order, here are five of the best 125cc motorcycles on the market which we feel would be great for learner riders.

Lexmoto ZSB 125 Euro5

This traditionally styled 4-stroke 125cc is great for smaller riders looking for a stylish-looking bike to commute on, or simply have as an easy-to-ride bike for sunny days.

It comes with an LCD speedo, gear indicator, fuel gauge, combined braking and a large 15-litre fuel tank to keep you going on those longer journeys. There is also a luggage rack at the rear built in allowing riders to install a top box if required.

It may not be as fast as other motorbikes on this list but it’s more than capable of idling at dual carriageway and motorway speeds without worry.

The best part is it’s cheaper to buy than most due to it being Chinese.

Honda CB125R

The Honda CB125R is a stylish, smaller version of its bigger CB1000R sibling coming in with plenty of performance thanks to its new 125cc DOHC engine that boasts 11kw of power and a top speed of 120km/h (75mph).

It comes with a ton of features including an LCD dash, full LED lighting, 41mm Showa suspension that has never before been used on a 125cc, and ABS.

This bike is bound to turn heads for all the right reasons.

Kawasaki Ninja 125

In 2019 Kawasaki announced their first road-legal 125cc motorcycles since 1991 with the Z125 and Ninja 125 being brought into the world.

Focusing on the Ninja, this iconic green machine is part of the legendary Kawasaki Ninja family that has spanned for decades and is synonymous with the Kawasaki name. It comes with a beefy engine clocking in at just under 15 bhp, unfortunately, though the top speed won’t reflect this with a rev limiter at 10,500 rpm to restrict riders from breaking the law with their speeds.

Its trellis frame is styled after the H2, giving a nod to its much bigger brother, and it is absolutely sure to turn some heads.

There are some downsides, which include dated clocks and a lack of a gear position indicator, both of which could’ve helped the Ninja stand out a little more.

KTM 125 Duke

The KTM Duke is one of the best-naked motorcycles money can buy. With its aggressive, scary looks and the same scary grunt you’d expect from its scarier siblings in the Duke family, it’s pretty much a miniature 1290 Duke and absolutely looks the business.

It’s one of the more powerful 125cc engines with 15 horsepower at its disposal and comes jam-packed with all sorts of technology, from LED headlights to a TFT display, plus it even has smartphone connectivity built in.

The build quality is extremely high, a major upgrade on the previous 125cc Duke from the Austrian brand.

Honda MSX125 Grom

Want a load of fun built into a tiny frame? The Honda Grom is the bike for you; its small 125cc engine slots right into the small chassis, creating a miniature motorcycle.

Honda changed the game with their MSX125. It’s a small, lightweight bike that is great for all riders, especially those that are vertically challenged.

It’s massively customizable to your wants and needs, and it can even be raced thanks to HRC’s race kit.

You’d think its size would be difficult for most riders, but that’s where you’re wrong; its size isn’t an issue for many riders, and the riding position is incredibly comfortable. Even if you’re not in the market for a 125, this should be on your list.