The 10 Best 125cc Motorcycles for New Riders This Year
Sporty, commuter, naked, retro. Each with seat height, weight, power, pros and cons.
Every year the 125 class gets a little better. Modern fuel injection, LED lighting, ABS as standard, and styling that no longer screams 'learner' mean today's bikes are genuinely desirable objects — not just stepping stones.
We've picked ten bikes that cover every style of riding a new licence-holder is likely to do. Each one is currently on sale, A1-compliant, and proven on UK roads.
The shortlist
| Bike | Style | Seat (mm) | Weight (kg) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB125R | Naked | 816 | 130 | Premium fit and finish |
| Yamaha MT-125 | Naked | 810 | 142 | Sporty stance, big-bike looks |
| KTM 125 Duke | Naked | 820 | 159 | Sharpest handling, TFT dash |
| Honda CBR125R | Sport | 793 | 137 | Sporty styling, easy power |
| Aprilia RS 125 | Sport | 820 | 144 | Closest thing to a real supersport |
| Suzuki GSX-S125 | Naked | 785 | 133 | Lightest in class, low seat |
| Kawasaki Z125 | Naked | 815 | 146 | Tough commuter, friendly ergonomics |
| Honda CB125F | Commuter | 775 | 117 | Best mpg, lowest running cost |
| Mutt Mongrel 125 | Retro | 780 | 130 | Style-first, characterful |
| Royal Enfield Hunter 125 | Roadster | 790 | 137 | Cruiser feel, proper presence |
How to choose between them
Don't pick on horsepower — they're all capped at 11 kW. Pick on three things instead: how it feels when you sit on it, how much it costs to insure in your postcode, and how the dealer network looks for the brand near you.
Sit on every bike on your shortlist before buying. A 25 mm difference in seat height changes a 125 from confidence-inspiring to terrifying for a shorter rider. Weight matters too — a 117 kg CB125F is a very different machine to a 159 kg Duke when you're paddling out of a parking space.
Keep reading
Best 125cc Commuter Bikes for City Riders
Light, nimble, narrow for traffic — optimised for London, Manchester and Birmingham use.
Best 125cc Scooters for CBT and Urban Life
Underseat storage, auto gearbox, weather protection. Pitched at car-switchers.
Best 125cc Adventure and Trail Bikes for Beginners
Mild off-road, green lanes, gravel — what to expect and what to avoid.