2015–2018 · Supersport · Buyer's Guide
The R1 Look, 125 Soul
The RE11 YZF-R125 is a real small supersport, not a commuter dressed up as one. It wears the family face of the YZF-R6 and YZF-R1, and the hardware backs up that look. You get an upside-down fork, a twin-spar frame, 17-inch wheels on 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tires, and a single 11.5 in (292 mm) front disc. The 125 cc liquid-cooled single makes 15 hp at 9,000 rpm and 9 lb-ft at 8,000 rpm, so you have to work all six gears. At 309 lb (140 kg) wet, the chassis is the star. That is how an entry-level R should be built.
Through a string of bends it rides like a much more expensive bike. It's light, it talks to you, and it's happy to change line mid-corner. That makes it a genuine teacher, because with 15 hp, carrying momentum is everything. Running costs stay low at around 94 mpg, but the bike rewards owners who stay on top of maintenance. Check the valve clearances on schedule and watch the mild-steel exhaust for rust. The honest caveat is the ceiling. Top speed is 81 mph (130 km/h), there's no traction control and no ride modes, and ABS is an option rather than standard. This is a bike for learning skills and for short trips, not for the interstate.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 15 hp (11 kW) @ 9,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 9 lb-ft (12 Nm) @ 8,000 rpm |
| Displacement | 125 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 292 mm |
| Front tire | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tire | 130/70-17 |
| Wheelbase | 53.3 in (1355 mm) |
| Seat height | 32.2 in (818 mm) |
| Wet weight | 309 lb (140 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.0 gal (11.5 L) |
| Top speed | 81 mph (130 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 94 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Safety
Over the years I've heard a lot about this bike: in the paddock, at club nights, from owners at fuel stops, and in the messages riders send me directly. The picture is consistent. Owners praise the handling and the easy manners, and the main complaint comes once speeds climb.
The strongest praise goes to the handling. Riders keep describing a bike that changes direction willingly and stays planted mid-corner. Comfort comes close behind: the sporty crouch isn't extreme, and owners report 100-mile-plus days without sore wrists or a stiff back. Some also mention a smooth six-speed box and a light clutch that ease stop-start traffic, and many say the R-bike styling makes them proud to own one.
The most common gripe is pace at the top end. Once speeds rise the engine fades, and owners say a pass needs planning and a long, clear stretch of road. Two smaller complaints surface less often. Some taller riders find the compact layout cramps their knees on longer trips, and a few aggressive riders report scraping the footpegs and kickstand in tight corners.
Exhaust system prone to rust
The mild steel exhaust can corrode quickly, especially in wet climates; rust holes develop, potentially causing MOT failures. Replacement systems are affordable but seized studs complicate DIY repairs.
Neglected valve clearance checks cause starting issues
Valve clearances need checking at the scheduled service intervals, and many owners skip it. When clearances drift out of specification, the engine can become hard to start, idle roughly, and use more fuel.
Where this Yamaha YZF-R125 pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the YZF-R125 is actually built for.
If you already run a big bike up the Crest, this won't replace it. As a corner-speed trainer it's excellent. But fighting LA traffic to reach the canyons at 15 hp gets old fast.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
You care about technique more than speed, and that's where this bike shines. It's light and honest in tight bends. Just remember those long highway runs out of Atlanta or Knoxville will drag.
Made for Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway · Cherohala Skyway
On the twisty sections it's pure fun and cheap to run. But weekend road trips across Texas distances mean long stretches near its 81 mph ceiling, so treat it as a local bike.
Made for Austin / Texas Hill Country · Twisted Sisters · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2008–2014
Full-Size Soul, Learner Limits
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Successor · 2019–2022
The City Dart With Soul
Competitor · 2017–2018
RSV4 Looks, Learner Laws
Competitor · 2016–2022
125cc Chassis With Real Bite
Competitor · 2011–2016
Lightweight City Learner Done Right
Competitor · 2025
Serious Corner Tool, Tiny Engine
Same Platform · 2014–2019
Big-Bike Style, Learner Weight