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30-Year Arcs / A2-Friendly / Yamaha YZF-R125 Lineage
Yamaha Japan

Yamaha YZF-R125. Best-selling 125cc supersport for 17 years and counting.

Launched 2008, the Yamaha R125 is the UK's best-selling 125cc supersport. 15bhp peak from a single-cylinder engine, 144kg wet, 815mm seat — the entry point to Yamaha's R-Series for new riders on a CBT or A1 license. £5,501 for 2026 (£5,650 in anniversary livery). 30 years ago Yamaha had nothing in the 125cc sport segment — they ceded that market to Aprilia and Honda. Today the R125 is the bike that's grown up the most riders into Yamaha owners.

1996
None (Yamaha had no 125 supersport)
2006
None (R125 launched 2008)
2016
R125 (gen 2 — VVA introduced)
2026
R125 (gen 3, current)
Continual audits are underway to verify local pricing for every bike in every market. Apologies for any gaps you see while this is in progress.
1996 30 yrs ago · None
No bike for this era

No R125

Yamaha's only 125 was the YZ125 motocrosser
Aprilia RS125 dominated 125cc sport segment

STATUS · ABSENT
NONE
—
—
—
—
—
TZR125R 2-stroke £2,495
2006 20 yrs ago · None
No bike for this era

No R125

R125 launched 2008
Yamaha had only TZR50 / WR125 / YZF600R Thundercat in 125-600 range

STATUS · 2 YEARS OUT
GAP
—
—
—
—
—
TZR125 4-stroke (German market only)
2016 R125 (gen 2) · VVA arrives
2016 Yamaha YZF-R125

Yamaha YZF-R125 (gen 2)

2014 redesign with VVA variable valve actuation
Aluminium Deltabox-style frame, USD forks

125cc single, VVA, fuel injection
15 bhp
12.4
142
825
Fuel injectionVVA variable valveAluminium frameUSD KYB forksABSLCD dashSlip/assist clutchCatalytic converterLED lightingSmartphone connectivity
Known issues
  • ~80mph top speed (CBT-realistic)
  • No quickshifter at any spec
  • Stock seat firm
  • Tank only 11L, ~140 mile range
  • CCT (cam chain tensioner) failures from 25k miles
£3,999
~£5,500
£2-3.5k
2026 R125 (gen 3) · 5in TFT, slipper
2026 Yamaha YZF-R125

Yamaha YZF-R125

Revised 2023 with 5in TFT, slip/assist clutch
R-Series M-shaped face, dual LED running lights

125cc single, VVA, ride-by-wire
15 bhp
11.5
144
815
Fuel injectionVVA variable valveAluminium DeltaboxKYB USD forksDual-channel ABS5in TFT (Y-Connect app)Slip/assist clutchTraction controlLED M-shape headlightSmartphone connectivityR-Series styling DNAA1-license compliant
Known issues
  • 80mph top speed limits motorway use
  • Tank still 11L — ~120 mile range
  • No quickshifter at any spec
  • Anniversary livery costs £150 extra
  • Service intervals tight 6,000 miles
£5,501
£5,650
Honda CBR125R £4,549
// 30-Year Delta

What actually changed.

1996 → 2026 · 30 years of "progress"
Best-selling 125cc supersport in the UK Decade-long market leader Since 2014, the R125 has been the UK's best-selling 125cc supersport. Most popular CBT/A1-license sport bike. Yamaha estimates ~80% of UK R125 buyers go on to own another Yamaha within 5 years — making it Yamaha's biggest top-of-funnel for new riders.
17-year continuous production Same fundamental platform since 2008 Launched 2008, R125 has had three major redesigns (2014, 2019, 2023) but the core 125cc single-cylinder, fuel-injected, aluminium-framed sportbike concept hasn't changed. Compare: the Aprilia RS125 became the RS 125 4-stroke in 2010 (effectively a different bike), then died in 2017 (now reborn as RS 457).
VVA variable valve — first 125 with this tech 2014 onwards Yamaha introduced VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) on the 2014 R125 — first 125cc bike with a 2-stage variable valve system. Switches from low-lift cam (smooth low-rpm) to high-lift cam (peak power) at ~7,500rpm. Helps the 125cc engine make full 15bhp without sacrificing low-end.
£5,501 OTR — A1-license top-end Vs Honda CBR125R £4,549 R125 is the most expensive A1-license sport-bike on UK sale: £5,501 vs Honda CBR125R £4,549, KTM RC 125 £4,995, Suzuki GSX-R125 £4,799. The Yamaha justifies the premium with its R-series styling, KYB suspension, 5in TFT, and brand cachet.
Yamaha's biggest gateway product 30,000+ UK sales since 2008 Yamaha estimates the R125 has been UK-registered to over 30,000 unique owners since launch. Most then upgrade — to MT-07, R7, or MT-09. R125 is the conscious foot-on-the-ladder positioning for Yamaha's range. Honda has no equivalent (CBR125R is sold but not marketed the same way).
70th Anniversary livery for 2026 Inspired by 1999 R7 race livery Yamaha celebrated its 70th anniversary in July 2025. R125, R3, R7, R9 all available in white and red 70th Anniversary livery for 2026 — based on the 1999 R7 OW02 race-bike that ran at Suzuka 8 Hours. Standard livery £5,501, Anniversary £5,650 (+£150).
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// Sources

Where these numbers come from

Every figure on this page is from a published manufacturer spec sheet or a reputable review publication. No press junkets, no opinions in the spec data. Inflation calculated using Bank of England's CPI tool.

1996/2006 No R125 Yamaha UK heritage · model launched 2008
2016 R125 gen 2 MCN review · Bennetts BikeSocial · Visordown
2026 R125 gen 3 Yamaha Motor UK · Sycamore Yamaha · Visordown · MCN review