Right on line: good level of grip, easy to handle, leaning is not limited too early by the footrests.
We have compiled his assessments here. The Hamburg boy gave us his pictures and a bunch of scribbled notes, including a typical picture of the scene of a certain breed of young motorcyclists.
Because 125s are no longer just a means of driving from A to B. They also transport the play instinct in the direction of social media. Wheelie scene, posing, tuning, do-it-yourself, carpooling, brand and model enthusiasm – Instagram and Co condense the bandwidth of biking into photos and likes.
The test object fits in perfectly with this. The Yamaha MT-125 is one of the most modern types and one of the bestsellers in the league. Almost every fifth newly registered 125 in 2020 was an MT. The naked machine is particularly popular with young pilots. Because she looks particularly mature thanks to her slim waist, two-eye light and fat 140 roller at the back.
The Yamaha MT-125 is particularly suitable for active A1ers and technology lovers.
The 17-year-old also hits the mark when it comes to handling. The steering behavior of the delicate 125 seems spontaneous and smooth at the same time. In addition, the reliable brakes of the MT work unexpectedly grippy, but at the same time pleasantly controllable.
However: If buddy Robert – a 1.83 meter tall guy – rides in the back, the two-man team puts the brake discs of the MT under heat stress. Our junior tester confirms this by constantly increasing the power requirement on the hand lever. So: Better to drive carefully in a duo.
Target group A1: Johann (17) tests machines for the 11 kW target group for AUTO BILD MOTORRAD.
Over time, Johann gradually sensed the universal character of MT. His notes reveal, for example, that he considers the sitting position to be suitable for taking on both a sporty aggressiveness and the opportunity to indulge in cruising upright and with arms stretched out.
But our test rider also discovered the little quirks of the Yamaha. “Rolle has too much play and too long travel,” he describes the feeling on the gas. Because the e-gas transmission has a strong slack, which interferes with the transition from pushing to pulling. So annoying strong load change reactions in everyday life.
And: “The tight and sloping passenger seat is more of an emergency seat.” Even the old hands on motorcycles could hardly have said it more aptly.
Specifications and price: Yamaha MT-125
• drive 6-speed gearbox, slipper clutch, chain
• perfomance 11 kW (15 hp) at 10,000 rpm
• Max. Torque 11.5 Nm at 8000 rpm
• top speed 120km/h
• brakes hydraulic disc brake, radial caliper, 292 mm in front; hydraulic disc brake, 220 mm rear
• Weight 142kg
• Price from 5149 euros
