Motorcycle Minsk 125: modifications and technical characteristics

The Minsk 125 motorcycle, still available today in various modifications, traces its ancestry to the legendary post-war M1A model. The production of this equipment was organized in the USSR according to the drawings of the German company DKW. At first, the motorcycle was assembled in Moscow, and in 1951 production moved to Belarus, to the MMVZ plant.

Thanks to its specific riding position, which forced the rider to splay his knees and elbows, the M1A earned the nickname “macaque.” It was inherited by many subsequent models of the Minsk plant, equipped with engines with a volume of 125 cc. cm.

Small and smart

Compared to modern bikes with 500 cc engines. see and more, a device with a 125 cc engine. see doesn't look too impressive. Many people perceive it as a large moped. After all, the maximum speed does not even reach one hundred kilometers per hour. And yet the Minsk 125 motorcycle is popular. There are several reasons for this:

For novice two-wheeled enthusiasts, the lightweight and easy-to-use machine allows them to master the basics of control before moving on to more powerful bikes.
A reliable and easy-to-maintain model becomes a solution to the transport problem in rural areas where qualified technical service is not available.
The engine, which is undemanding in terms of gasoline quality and provides low fuel consumption, is reliable and has a good service life.

Thanks to these qualities, the model may not have become a sales leader, but remains in demand.

M1NSK D4 125: world's first test drive and other spy details

“How good it is to live in Minsk - I went to the plant and at the same time tested several prototypes...” - Dmitry Novitsky returned to the editorial office with approximately these thoughts after visiting the Motovelo enterprise.

The reason for the meeting was the visit of his Lithuanian colleague Vitoldas Milius to Minsk. Several years ago he already came to test a product of the Belarusian automobile industry, and now he became interested in Minsk motorcycles. Stepping away from the motorcycle topic, we can voice the key phrase of his current visit: “I don’t know what’s better - the fact that we “killed” all our factories in Lithuania, or the fact that you pretend that something you release them..."

The answer that Belarusians not only pretend, but also produce something worthwhile, was a meeting at Motovelo. We were received as dear guests and new models for the 2014 season were rolled out. Among them, the most important new product is the D4 125 motorcycle.

— The motorcycle competes with Chinese and Russian models, and among them it is the most powerful: for the same price the Chinese offer an 80 cc model.

Listed retail price: $1,150! This is indeed a very attractive price. In fact, for the price of a Chinese scooter you can buy a full-fledged motorcycle, moreover, a modern one, and not one developed during the Soviet era.

“This motorcycle does not replace the good old line of classic Minsk motorcycles, but complements it,” plant representatives comment.

The modernized version of the old “Minsk” will appear a little later, and it will still be very strong, durable, for forays into the forest and wild fishing. But the new car is aimed at a different audience - taking into account the fuel consumption of 2.5 l/100 km, you can say it’s for me. Last season I drove 6,300 km on a C4 250 and, based on an average consumption of 3.7 liters, saved over $400 by giving up the car. Therefore, when I saw the new model, I immediately thought about commuting to work - an excellent way to clear my head tired of the computer, save time by “flashing” traffic jams, and save fuel and money.

But most importantly, the motorcycle makes your heart happy.

“This is a very beautiful motorcycle,” says Vitoldas, carefully choosing his Russian words. — I want to buy it for myself as a reminder of my motorcycle youth...

And it’s true: cut me, saw me, but this is a very beautiful motorcycle. The harmonious design with small details like the chrome headlight rim vividly recalled my motorcycle childhood: “Voskhod-2”, “IZH Planeta-4” - oh, where are my 17 years old!

At the same time, the D4 125 cannot be called completely primitive - it has a front disc brake.

Good, clear “tidy” with a fuel level indicator in the tank.

The four-stroke engine has a displacement of 125 cc and a power of 10.5 hp. Average fuel consumption is 2.5 l/100 km. The engine is equipped with an electric starter. Maximum speed is 100 km/h. Dry weight - 100 kg.

The bike has a center stand, which is rare these days.

We conducted a short test drive on the factory premises. What can I say about the motorcycle? It drives just like it looks: simple, friendly, easy. I was pleasantly surprised by the acceleration dynamics: it was not for nothing that we were told about the high specific power - 0.105 hp. per 1 kg of mass. The motorcycle turned out to be really fast - I accelerated to 70 km/h very easily. The motor runs smoothly, without unnecessary vibrations. The brakes are informative, the deceleration is sufficient.

There is nothing more to say. It’s damp, cold, slippery, so we’ll postpone a detailed introduction until spring. But let’s record: it so happened that abw.by journalists were the first in the world to ride the new M1NSK.

They gave us a chance to try it on the TRX 300. You can read in detail how it rides from Pavel Kozlovsky. We only state that by the start of sales (March 2014), the motorcycle acquired an injector. The price hasn't changed, the TRX still costs $5,100.

But we saved the best for last: it turns out that the TRX will have a more powerful version! The factory workers have already installed a larger engine and are testing it. They let us drive the prototype too. They asked us not to write about the power, volume and brand of the engine, but I can tell you that it will be a bomb. The balance of handling, weight and power is shifted towards power - on wet, cold asphalt I was frankly afraid of sudden movements. When you sharply open the throttle, the motorcycle instantly lifts the front wheel.

And I’ll tell you that the plant definitely needs to have such a model in its range. Moreover, give it to every motorcycle journalist for testing in order to rid the brand’s image of “budgetism.” Just as Volkswagen launched the Phaeton project at one time, Minsk-Moto needs a TRX with a powerful engine. This is an interesting motorcycle. It is interesting to study it, approaching the limit of possibilities. Moreover, there is a reserve for the “running gear” - Pavel Kozlovsky wrote about this. With this engine you want to jump and misbehave.

But in winter it’s simply scary with this engine and weight, so we’ll wait until spring to ask for a powerful prototype for full testing.

With this we say goodbye to the new Minsk-Moto products, I hope until spring. Can't wait anymore! Anyone who has a two-wheeled virus in their blood, you know what I mean.

Dmitry NOVITSKY Photo by Pavel SLEPUKHIN ABW.BY

Postscript note in the margin

While walking around the motorcycle plant, a rethinking of the slogan “Belarusian Buyer” came to me. Seeing women assembling motorcycles made me want to buy a D4 125 even more. Not to take it for a test, but to buy it, because it was assembled in Minsk. Because the Spaniards buy Seat and don't ask questions. And for Belarusians, it has become a rule of good manners to scold one’s own - guys, why? Yes, M1NSK motorcycles are not BMW or Yamaha, but they are assembled by living people of the same nationality as me. And I damn well like their product, even if it's made from Chinese parts, etc. But not either, but Minsk motorcycles are produced and sold. There will be a “Direct Transmission” about this feeling a little later, because after walking along the assembly line, my attitude towards the Geely and Zotye projects also changed. But that's another story, I'll write about it later. Follow the site, which, by the way, is also “broken up by Belarus”!

Stick to your roots

Of course, modern modifications bear little resemblance to equipment produced more than sixty years ago. But the solutions incorporated by German developers into the DKW RT 125 motorcycle allowed the designers to go through evolution and create completely modern models like the Minsk 125 sport or Minsk D4.

This is well remembered in the Belarusian company, which changed the name of its products to M1NSK. This spelling of the brand name reveals a direct association with the founder of the entire model range, M1A.

The lineup

And yet time takes its toll. At the moment, the Minsk 125 cross and Minsk 125 sport motorcycles are no longer produced, giving way to more modern models with a larger volume and power of the power unit. In the company’s catalog, equipment with this engine capacity remains only in the “classics” section.

It is produced in several modifications:

Minsk M 125. In its description it is easy to recognize the legendary “macaque” of the end of Soviet times. It was on this model that a quality mark was placed, meaning that the product met the highest standards. It is based on a kickstarter-launched single-cylinder two-stroke air-cooled engine with a displacement of 125 cc. cm. Maximum power – 10.5 l. With.

The unit is capable of operating on fuel with an octane rating no lower than AI-92 and, paired with a four-speed gearbox, accelerate the car to a speed of 90 km/h. Fuel consumption does not exceed 3.7 liters. The motorcycle has telescopic forks and drum brakes at the front and rear. Dry weight – only 120 kg.

Minsk M 125X. Further development of the classic model, adapted for off-road driving. The main differences are a highly raised front wing, increased ground clearance and a more energy-intensive suspension. Equipped with additional luggage compartment and places for securing cargo. Thanks to this, the weight increased to 135 kg.

Minsk S 125. A direct descendant of the M 125, which received a new fuel tank with a more ergonomic shape. Its capacity remained at the same level, 11 liters. The design of the car has become more modern. A new five-speed gearbox was installed. It is equipped with an electric starter, but, just in case, a kickstarter is also included. The changes made to the design of motorcycles after the C 125 model are more significant.

Minsk C4 125. A new engine has appeared. Retaining the same volume, it became four-stroke. Maximum power increased to 11.3 liters. With. at 9000 rpm. Fuel consumption has been reduced. Now it is 3.5 liters. Despite this modernization, the speed remained at the same level - 90 km/h.

Minsk D4 125. The shape of the fuel tank and side shields has again undergone changes. The windshield is missing. The four-stroke engine has been redesigned to meet new requirements, receiving the D4 125 marking. The power has decreased slightly. Now it is 10.5 liters. With. at 8000 rpm.

This sacrifice was made to improve efficiency. Fuel consumption has decreased to 2.5 liters. The weight of the motorcycle has dropped to 100 kg, but the maximum speed has even increased, reaching 100 km/h. The front wheel is equipped with a disc brake mechanism.

As for the Minsk 125 Sport model, which impressed many, it can now only be purchased secondhand.

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Important advantage

It is very difficult to compete with the world leaders in the production of motorcycles. Nevertheless, the M1NSK brand remains afloat, and reviews from owners about its quality and technical characteristics are quite favorable. It seems because, while improving the technical characteristics of its models, the Belarusian manufacturer remains true to the main principle - simplicity and reliability.

In the event of a breakdown, the Minsk 125 motorcycle can be returned to service, having at hand an instruction manual, a repair manual and a simple set of tools. For places far from the centers of civilization, such simplicity is invaluable.

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