By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supersport
Yamaha YZF-R125 (MY2019) vs Kawasaki Ninja 125 (MY2019)
Yamaha YZF-R125 vs Kawasaki Ninja 125: which one to buy for the riding you do.
Halfway through a gear, the Yamaha YZF-R125's single is already pulling, and there's no step you'd feel as its valves swap cams. On the Kawasaki Ninja 125, that same twist of throttle wakes an engine that's hungrier the further you spin it. Up top, it sings and keeps climbing.
What makes each one tick
YZF-R125
Through a chain of bends, the YZF-R125's Deltabox frame and upside-down fork flick it from one lean to the next without a fight. At 313 lb (142 kg), it's easy to shove between stalled cars. The bars barely need a nudge.
Ninja 125
The Ninja 125 comes alive high on the tach, and its peak power doesn't arrive until 10,000 rpm. Behind the throttle, there's a motor drawn from the 250SL and kept in a mild tune. Its sharp fairing copies bigger Ninjas.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Ninja 125 has the lower seat: 30.9 in (785 mm) vs 32.5 in (825 mm).
- The YZF-R125 has the lower wet weight: 313 lb (142 kg) vs 326 lb (148 kg).
- Rear Suspension Adjustable: standard on the Ninja 125, not offered on the YZF-R125.
Which one for the way you ride
Look at commuting, twisty roads, running costs, and a first bike and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
YZF-R125
What owners say
Strengths
- Class-leading agile handling
- Excellent VVA engine with strong mid-range
- Lightweight and easy to manoeuvre
Ninja 125
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptionally reliable, under-stressed engine
- Lively, rev-happy engine
What they share
- Displacement
- 125 cc
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 15 hp (11 kW)
- Torque
- 9 lb-ft (12 Nm)
- Fuel capacity
- 2.9 US gal (11 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Front tire
- 100/80-17
Where the spec sheets split
| YZF-R125 | Ninja 125 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.5 in (825 mm) | 30.9 in (785 mm) |
| Wet weight | 313 lb (142 kg) | 326 lb (148 kg) |
| YZF-R125 | Ninja 125 | |
|---|---|---|
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 10,000 rpm |
| Peak torque at | 8,000 rpm | 7,700 rpm |
| YZF-R125 | Ninja 125 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 140/70-17 | 130/70-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| YZF-R125 | Ninja 125 | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Rear Suspension | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
