All about motorcycles
There are a huge number of motorcycles of various classes on the Russian market. All of them are divided by cubic capacity, so a beginner has plenty to choose from.
Due to the release of new rules for obtaining licenses, people who have received category A1 licenses are allowed to use only motorcycles with an engine capacity of 125 cubic cm.
Which quickly prompted an increase in sales of this cubic capacity. This law has one important advantage - safety. Some beginners immediately bought themselves powerful sports bikes, endangering themselves and others.
When buying a motorcycle, you need to understand that there will definitely be falls; it is simply impossible to cope with a bike that accelerates to hundreds in 4 seconds without experience.
Making the right choice
The best choice would be a bike with 125cc, it can accelerate to 130 km per hour, and in the city there is enough power for flow maneuvers.
Before purchasing, you should think about why you are purchasing it. If you are going for forest or mountain trips, you should think about a cross-country option. They have higher ground clearance and studded tires.
The engine usually has more powerful cooling, since generally such bikes work at the limit, which is why the engine often overheats.
If you need an option for traveling in the city or on the highway, the best option would be a road bike. It has a stiffer suspension, lower seating position, and wider tires.
Most often, this option is chosen by new bikers, the handling of such motorcycles is excellent, the gearbox is configured by the manufacturer specifically for the city and the highway, with the required subordinate number in the gears. There are motorcycles that deserve attention, and some of them have already become legends in this class.
The legendary cruiser Kawasaki Vulcan 800 is an excellent choice for true connoisseurs.
Motorcycle headsets for helmets, detailed review and description of popular models.
Small motorcycles
But you can safely trust the holder on the front tire - all these babies weigh significantly less than 200 kilograms, and you don’t have to brake from more than 200 kilometers per hour. So it turns out that light, small-capacity motorcycles are not always slow - rather, on the contrary, they are dynamic and sporty, requiring skills and capable of reaching such speeds that, according to one famous racing driver, only a person with a fairly underdeveloped imagination can ride on the roads.
But they are suitable not only for the track. Small motorcycles are very good in cities, when there is a lack of free space , and taking into account the good savings on gasoline and tires, small-sized motorcycles stand out quite well against the background of public transport and cars.
They also have one more undeniable advantage: they are quite inexpensive. This is not to say that they cost a penny, but still, almost any biker can afford a new motorcycle, from the showroom and under warranty, even if on credit. The main thing is to spend this money wisely.
After all, even those with a tight wallet understand that now, in an era when technological progress rushes at the speed of a scalded locomotive, motorcycles for the same price are clearly not created the same. Few people will refuse to buy a better motorcycle for the same price as its simpler competitor. This is what we will talk about.
So, five small-capacity cars for the European market (we don’t consider urban toy 125s and the like), in the price category up to 6 thousand dollars, give or take. Five testers with different levels of training, brand bias and tastes. Five opinions about each of the five motorcycles, supported by points. Then all this was averaged, annotated and presented to you.
Suzuki Van-Van 125
The first on the list is the Suzuki Van-Van 125, its owners affectionately call it “van vanych”.
He is already approaching retirement age; the first copies were released back in 1970. The model looks old-fashioned, but is still popular among classic lovers.
The 125 cc engine is capable of accelerating the bike to 110 km per hour, it is powered by an injector, fuel consumption is about 3 liters per 100 km.
The dashboard also has a classic look; there is only a mechanical speedometer, no tachometer.
The wheels are 18 inch, with wide tires on the rear wheel; although the ground clearance is 20 cm, it is still not worth flying over curbs; the bike does not have crankcase protection installed.
Do you need a driving license?
Russian legislation requires everyone driving a motor vehicle equipped with an internal combustion engine onto public roads to have a driver's license. The law does not provide for exceptions; the number of wheels in a car does not matter. The imperative also applies to owners of motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters. Without a license, you can now only ride bicycles, scooters, and various types of electric vehicles (unicycle, hoverboard, Segway).
A driver's license for the right to drive a motorcycle with a 125 cc engine in Russia can be obtained at the age of 16. It indicates a special category specifically for this type of two-wheeled vehicles - A1. To drive models with a larger volume, you will have to wait another 2 years and pass exams to obtain category A, with which you can drive not only any motorcycles, but also trikes and ATVs.
Yamaha YBR 125
An equally popular model in Russia, the bike has earned respect for its pedigree and excellent reliability. It has an aggressive look following the 2010 update, with a modern sporty exterior design and 18-inch alloy wheels.
The engine is 125 cc, four-stroke, paired with a five-speed gearbox, capable of accelerating to 120 km per hour.
The Yamaha YBR 125 motorcycle has only two disadvantages: it is a weak engine and small dimensions. If the driver weighs more than 100 kg, it will be difficult for him to climb hills, and it will also look like riding a toy.
Sportbikes
Almost all small-capacity sports motorcycles are actually just superficial styling of racing equipment. Chinese companies, for example, have long become adept at selling “sport bikes” to newcomers, equipped with advanced technologies from 30 years ago and “dressed” in a plastic body kit. The list of similar models could take a very long time, but they are all similar in terms of mediocre characteristics, secondary design copied from their famous Japanese counterparts, and price. At the same time, the Japanese themselves successfully produce and sell sports bikes for beginners, such as the Yamaha YZF-R125, YZF-R3, Honda CBR 250RR and Kawasaki Ninja 300.
The Italians from Aprilia, a subsidiary brand of the motorcycle giant Piaggio, stand apart. In their arsenal there are very powerful 2-stroke small-capacity Aprilia RS50 and RS125, capable of putting any competitor with the same engine capacity to shame. But such impressive power comes at the cost of high maintenance costs, low engine life and difficulties in finding spare parts.
Alpha 125 LUX 125 CC
This unit can hardly be called a motorcycle, although its appearance somewhat resembles it; according to documents, it is a moped.
It was first released in 2008, and was updated several times during its production. The appearance suggests that this is a classic from the 80s. Lots of chrome parts, a lot of steel and no plastic at all. It is equipped with a 4-stroke engine with a power of 7 hp.
It is paired with a 4-speed gearbox; together they are capable of accelerating the motorcycle to 110 km per hour. Fuel consumption according to the manufacturer is only 2 liters per 10 km; with a tank of 9 liters, it is capable of covering a distance of 450 km on one fill-up.
This is an impressive result for a moped. The instrument panel has only a speedometer with a pair of sensors; the bike is equipped with an electric starter.
Patron Enduro 125
This model, although made in China, claims to be one of the first places in sales of cross-country motorcycles. This is the best choice for beginners, as the bike has excellent handling and energy-intensive suspension . It is equipped with a 4-stroke engine with a volume of 125 cubic meters and a power of 7 hp. and a torque of 8.8 Nm.
It works in tandem with a manual 5-speed gearbox. The motorcycle is equipped with a starter, ignition switch and has a battery, unlike the Cross version.
The model gained popularity due to its low price and good quality in comparison with other Chinese models.
The first versions appeared in 2009, in 2013 there was a complete update that affected the gearbox, appearance, as well as the power frame.
Third place: Kawasaki Z400 2022
Kawasaki Z400 2021
The Kawasaki Z400 differs from fourth place by some 78 cc, but at the same time, the 399 cc Z engine produces as much as 43 horsepower - more than all its rivals. In terms of thrust, it is in second place after the 390 Duke - 33.2 Nm, and although it seems that the Z-ka does not start as sharply from a standstill as the Austrian single-barrels, in fact it is very close to them. Tests at maximum speed showed that the digital speedometer of the Z400 stops at 180 km/h, and the Austrians stop accelerating after 160. Another question is, is this the cutoff they have, or are the gears a little short.
Surprisingly good suspensions, like the Kawasaki Z400 - a little stiff, but not too much, and perfectly hold the rear, preventing it from sagging or jumping during aggressive driving. The smoothing is quite good, minus the large bumps, but to be honest, on all of this five, the best way to get over bumps is to go around them. In terms of handling, the Kawasaki Z400 is in second place after the Vitpilen.
The Z's ergonomics are a little more aggressive and sporty than the upright stance of the other four. Tall riders will find it a bit cramped, especially since the rear of the seat slopes forward.
Opinion: A good tuned seat, thanks to which the eggs will no longer be pressed into the tank, will greatly decorate the Z400. Otherwise, the Kawasaki Z400 is an excellent, easy to ride and quite nimble motorcycle. Its in-line twin works smoothly, almost like the luxurious single-barreled Austrians. The power comes on smoothly, meaning it doesn't have the KTM-like pull, and the clutch lever is almost uninformative, so it's not the best choice as a first bike to learn about riding in the gray zone.
Opinion: Kawasaki Z400 are very Asian motorcycles, imbued with Asian philosophy, just as KTM and Huska are distinctly European. The engines on most Kawasakis are intuitive for those who love Japanese engineering, and even the Z400's compact stance gets used to quickly. True, the right foot touches the exhaust heat shield, but this is a small thing, but in terms of handling, the Kava is just a song after the previous two. Kawasaki knows how to build race bikes, and this tiny apple didn't fall far from the tree. Yes, this is a new model and all that, but the Z handles almost like a supersport in terms of how it goes through a series of serpentine turns, and at the same time it not only maintains, but also inspires confidence in a spirited ride. This is that rare motorcycle that a beginner can safely start learning to ride, and as they master the basic things, grow on it without changing it for a while. Its riding character will allow an experienced rider to have fun on the road, and its smooth traction will smooth out the mistakes that a beginner is sure to make in an attempt to go faster. Yes, the Z400 encourages fast driving - but that’s probably the beauty of a lightweight and well-balanced small-capacity car?
Opinion: The Kawasaki Z400 is the most poised and balanced bike for the vast majority of riders. For the money, it is the second cheapest, and at the same time the most powerful. Its beauty is also how smooth and controllable it is, and for beginners who are afraid to rev the engine, this is a very comfortable bike. And more experienced riders will appreciate the good mid and top revs, so it turns out that this is a great bike to start with and continue to learn, or maybe just keep it for riding without trying to set records. In addition, it is only half a kilo heavier than the lightest of the five, and its 14-liter tank with a real consumption of 4.5 liters gives a good power reserve. The seating position is the same hunched-over, knee-to-ear position as on the Z650 and Z900, leaning forward. Perhaps the saddle could be worth rethinking for something more comfortable. But, as sorry as it is to admit, all its advantages are easily offset by the advantages of the Austrians in both skins, gray and red.
Opinion: The Kawasaki Z400 is the most powerful, and you can feel it right away, but it is soulless. It sounds like a sewing machine, and although this is not the class of motorcycle where the exhaust needs to be changed right away, here it is necessary. Anything to make it sound more interesting. The landing is crooked, and generally terrible for tall people. It handles well, as you'd expect from a bike with Ninja 400 genes, and the price tag is very reasonable. So for those who are afraid to join the club of hardworking mechanics, Kawa offered a very good option. Just not as fun.
Pros of the 2021 Kawasaki Z400
- Still a little rushing
- Sporty handling, good suspension
- Power reserve
Cons of the 2021 Kawasaki Z400
- Forward tilt saddle
- Deeply Asian design to the point of slight xenophobia
- Vibrates at speeds that others are incapable of
So what should you choose?
Before purchasing, you should definitely decide for yourself why you need it.
If you need a city horse that will never let you down, the best choice would be the Suzuki Van-Van 125 or Yamaha YBR125, they have high reliability and are able to easily overcome the 60 thousand km mark without breakdowns. If the budget is not large or you don’t want to kill your first motorcycle, the best solution would be the Alpha 125 LUX 125cc.
Although according to documents it is a moped, in reality it is capable of giving odds to any enduro with a 125 cc engine.
It is perfect for the role of a martyr, it will tolerate falls and incorrect gear shifts, and if it breaks down, spare parts for it cost pennies.
Cross models from Japanese manufacturers cost a lot of money, which is better not to spend on a new bike, because in a year it will look like an old one.
For the first thousand kilometers of off-road, the Patron Enduro 125 is perfect. It is not bad for both the city and bad roads, which makes it somewhat universal.
You can read what clothes you need to ride a snowmobile in our article.
A children's cross-country motorcycle with gasoline is an excellent choice for your child.
Choosing motocross and enduro motorcycles
The ability to go off-road is expensive. Not every 125cc motorcycle can withstand jumps or almost complete drowning in the mud. We have selected the best options for enduro riding for you:
- The Honda XR 125 (XR125L) bike has proven reliability, excellent cross-country ability, low consumption and convenient control. Despite the fact that it can be classified as a motocross motorcycle, it is equipped with lighting equipment and has every right to drive on special roads. As for an enduro, it does not have a very high saddle height, which is why this option is especially popular with girls and shorter riders;
- Honda GROM, or MSX 125. An unusual motorcycle that combines the advantages of both a road bike and a motard. It is small, some even put it in pit bikes. This motorcycle is especially loved by stuntriders - after conversion they perform a variety of tricks on it. Its suspension makes it easy to get into the most serious off-road conditions - you just need to change the tires to stronger ones;
- The KTM 125 SX is a true motocross option. It does not have lighting or mirrors, it cannot be driven on roads, but it is a good piece of equipment for motocross. This is a two-stroke 125 cc motorcycle that produces colossal power, but has a lower resource. People take it not just to ride it, but to “fire it up” off-road, knead mud and overcome blockages of stones or logs.
Photo gallery
We bring to your attention the most popular models with an engine capacity of 125 cubic meters. These motorcycles have won the hearts of many motorcycle enthusiasts. Well let's take a look at them.
Video
A detailed video review of the Yamaha YBR 125 motorcycle, popularly called simply “yobrik”, it gained immense popularity in 2004, a motorcycle for beginners.
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Comments (2)
- evil_laugh:
08/15/2016 at 19:32In the third photo from the bottom is Nastya Moroz, the wife of my friend Sanya on his ebrik) And in the fourth photo from the bottom is Slonikus from the ebrclub with Manyasha in the background
