Most of us got our start riding 125cc bikes. Whether you’re riding with a CBT certificate or an A1 licence, the 125cc market is flooded with some really awesome head-turning machines. It is a growing sector that continues to evolve and bring new riders into the fold.
In recent years specifically, the 125cc cruiser segment has expanded and there are some great choices out there to pick from. We’ve gathered the best of the bunch together for you to take a look through.
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125cc Cruiser Options
Lexmoto ZSB 125
Specs:
- Max power: 11.5 horsepower
- Top speed: 56 mph
- Seat height: 740 mm
- Wet weight: 125 kg
- Price: £2,049.99
Lexmoto has come a long way in its motorcycle manufacturing.
As one of the leading Chinese manufacturers, they felt the full force of public scrutiny and were plagued with a bad reputation for poor quality control and unreliable machines. Lexmoto and other manufacturers with Chinese ties are slowly shaking that reputation to produce good small-capacity bikes and mopeds at great prices.
The ZSB 125 is a traditional motorcycle design, a very neutral, upright, simple motorcycle built for riders to get to grips with learning to ride. It offers great features at a low price point, such as a luggage rack, combined brakes, telescopic forks, and a large 15-litre fuel tank.
The idea is that although small, the ZSB is capable of longer rides. You spend less time filling the bike up with fuel and more time in the saddle mastering miles.
This is a bike that is cheap to buy, cheap to insure, cheap to run, and cheap to work on if needs be. If you look after the ZSB like you would another, more expensive, bigger motorcycle, then there is no reason it won’t look after you.
For reassurance, most of Lexmoto’s models come with a two-year parts and labour warranty and the ZSB is covered by this.
Read our full Lexmoto review
Lexmoto Detroit 125
Specs:
- Max power: 9.4 horsepower
- Top speed: 65 mph
- Seat height: 720 mm
- Wet weight: 141 kg
- Price: £2,899.99
The Lexmoto Detroit is an accessible, custom-styled motorcycle that has a striking resemblance to the air-cooled Harley-Davidson sportsters. The Detroit is narrow and compact, with clean lines and fresh custom styling available in either a black or red paint scheme.
If you’re a shorter rider, the low seat height of 720 mm might make the Detroit a great option for you. It also gives the bike a slammed Bobber look.
The high-rise handlebars give you complete control over the machine. Paired with mid-mounted foot controls, you should be comfortable and confident to cruise all day long.
Twin-shocks on the rear are preload adjustable, brake lines are braided, and the display is both digital and analogue for all your ride information.
An important claim Lexmoto makes is that the Detroit can attain a fuel economy of 100 mpg, which makes it one of the most fuel-efficient motorcycles available in the UK.
UM Renegade Commando 125
Specs:
- Max power: 11.67 horsepower
- Top speed: 57 mph
- Seat height: 770 mm
- Wet weight: 172 kg
- Price: £3,349
UM Motorcycles only produce small-capacity machines, and they have a lineup that consists of street bikes, dual sports, and cruisers.
The Renegade Commando is a homage to the military cruisers of World War II, from the likes of Harley-Davidson.
The Commando is a big bike for a 125 and features a 21-litre fuel tank which adds some bulk to the body. It is mostly blacked out for a moody, mean look, with a choice of three dark paint schemes, including military green.
Pulled-back handlebars, a low seat, and forward foot controls put you in the traditional cruiser stance, and there is a pillion pad with backrest if you feel like carrying a passenger.
This line also includes the Renegade Commando Classic, which differs only aesthetically from the Commando. The Commando Classic is reminiscent of the 50s cruisers with classic paint schemes, chrome-style, stainless steel exhaust, and large windscreen.
The tan leather seat on the red and cream version is awesome, but the sweeping fenders on the blue and white are also very cool. So, if the military-style Commando isn’t your thing but you like traditional cruisers, then the Commando Classic might be for you.
You get a three-year parts-and-labour warranty included with a new bike.
Check it out on UM Motorcycles
UM Renegade Vegas 125
Specs:
- Max power: 12 horsepower
- Top speed: 65 mph
- Seat height: 770 mm
- Wet weight: 172 kg
- Price: £3,599
The Renegade Vegas brings something completely fresh to the 125cc cruiser market. It is a beastly looking motorcycle that looks far bigger than its capacity.
Stylistically the Vegas takes cues from the big muscle-cruisers, like the Yamaha VMax or Harley V-Rod. It shares the same 21-litre fuel tank as the Commando, so you have more time between fill-ups and a nice chunky asset on top of the broad frame.
The Vegas is blacked out with red highlights, the handlebars are pulled back, and the pegs mid-mounted. The overall stance is a low-riding sports cruiser that looks ready to dominate the streets.
It comes with a modern LED/halogen headlight and comfortable ribbed seat with pillion pad.
Just like the Commando, the Vegas is covered by UM Motorcycles’ three-year warranty.
Check it out on UM Motorcycles
Keeway RK V 125C
Specs:
- Max power: 13 horsepower
- Top speed: 65 mph
- Seat height: 680 mm
- Unladen weight: 167 kg
- Price: £3,299
The RK V 125C is one of Keeway’s newest additions. It’s a really good-looking modern cruiser with some traditional elements. It also features a real V-twin engine, so you will get some of that recognisable V-twin sound out of the exhaust.
The RK V has a blacked out frame and engine with a choice between red or black paint schemes. Highlights include combined front and rear brakes, inverted front forks, belt drive, liquid-cooling, and electronic fuel injection.
The belt drive is great for new riders as it means it is relatively maintenance free. There is no need to worry about cleaning, tightening, or oiling your chain.
LED lights and a digital display also bring a touch of modern technology to the RK V.
Keeway Superlight SE
Specs:
- Max power: 10 horsepower
- Top speed: 50 mph
- Seat height: 730 mm
- Unladen weight: 134 kg
- Price: £2,649
The Keeway Superlight has been a staple 125cc cruiser now for some years and for good reason. It’s styled like cruisers from the 70s and 80s, with flashy chrome, a windscreen, and a studded black leather seat with matching saddle bags.
The Superlight makes you want to head out to pick up a Marlon Brando, vintage-leather jacket and Dr. Martens. It has a real edge to it—if you don’t like attention then steer clear.
Cool and useful features include floorboards, engine protectors, windscreen, slash-cut exhausts, disc brakes, and luggage set.
The bike feels ready for a long trip. Load it up with all your luggage and go where the wind takes you.
Check out Keeway
Sinnis Outlaw 125
Specs:
- Max power: 10.46 hp
- Top speed: 60 mph
- Seat height: 715 mm
- Weight: 141 kg
- Price: £2,999
Sinnis are one of the leading affordable motorcycle manufacturers of small-capacity bikes. They are UK based, but the production takes place in the Far East.
Sinnis are the first manufacturer in the UK to offer a seven-year, unlimited mileage warranty! That is pretty impressive and should offer new, young riders some peace of mind that their bike will be taken care of if things go wrong.
The Outlaw is an aggressive, sporty cruiser/bobber—think along the lines of the Sportster or Honda Rebel lines. It comes in a choice of two colours, Tuscan Sun Yellow or Matte Black, leaving you the choice of whether you want to stand out or be stealthy.
A low seat height, forward footpegs, and a big-bike feel have you cruising like you’re on a 1200cc V-twin. The 141 kg weight, however, ensures you can be confident manoeuvring the bike at slow speeds and coming to a stop.
The analogue speedo incorporates a digital LCD display for the gear position indicator and fuel gauge.
The Outlaw is one of the best looking 125 cruisers on the market for sure.
Check it out on Sinnis Motorcycles
Sinnis Hoodlum
Specs:
- Max power: 9.4 horsepower
- Top speed: 65 mph
- Seat height: 720 mm
- Wet weight: 143 kg
- Price: £2,799
The Hoodlum is a blacked-out, aggressive cruiser with tall, wide handlebars and mid-mounted footpegs. It is a bike built for the urban jungle, easy to handle with easy-to-reach controls and a laid-back riding position with comfortable ergonomics.
The 720 mm seat height and light weight mean that the bike is accessible to riders of all shapes and sizes, most of whom will feel comfortable handling the bike in all scenarios.
Sinnis offers a Hoodlum accessories package that includes luggage options and performance exhausts to give your bike a serious cruiser-like growl while maximising power output.
The Hoodlum benefits from the same seven-year Sinnis warranty that the Outlaw does.
Check it out on Sinnis Motorcycles
Hyosung Aquila GV125S
Specs:
- Max power: 13.3 horsepower
- Top speed: 74 mph
- Seat height: 710 mm
- Weight: 165 kg
- Price: £3,999
Hyosung spent five years in the research-and-development phase before the Aquila GV125S went into production. The idea was to create a powerful, attractive V-twin ‘Sportster’ style cruiser that could slot into the 125cc class.
The result of all that work is a solid cruiser with bags of attitude and impressive performance. Hyosung has used the GV300 frame for the 125, which gives it a big-bike feel while remaining agile and precise to handle.
There is a premium feel to the GV125S thanks to touches like the handcrafted diamond-stitched leather seat.
Hyosung has managed to produce a V-twin that creates around 13 horsepower and gives the model a top speed of 74 mph, which makes it the fastest cruiser in the 125cc class.
The low-slung saddle, chunky tyres, blacked-out frame, and bars with the sculpted tank give the GV125S a bobber feel to it. The model looks like a true custom cruiser.
Older 125cc Models
If none of the new cruisers on the market are your thing, then there are some awesome older models that might work for you.
Buying a used 125 makes a lot of sense for new riders who don’t want to invest in a new bike. The likelihood of dropping your first bike is high, and doing that to a brand-new showroom bike can hit hard.
Used bikes are also cheaper, although these days, some models are becoming classics and increasing in value.
Four of the best older 125cc cruisers come from the Big Four Japanese manufacturers.
These bikes have stood the test of time since their inception largely down to the fact they are rock-solid with bullet-proof engines, reliable components and timeless designs.
Honda Shadow VT125
The Honda Shadow line goes as far back as 1983. The 125 model retains all the best design cues from the bigger 1,100cc Shadows while scaling down to be more manageable for newer riders.
It is powered by a 90-degree V-twin that has loads of smooth low-down torque and produces 15 horsepower for a top speed of 70 mph.
Prices for a Shadow range from £2,500–£4,500.
Suzuki Intruder 125
Suzuki’s Intruder line started in 1985, and the Intruder 125 is one of the better-looking cruisers of its generation.
It has a traditional aesthetic, plenty of space for the rider to stretch out and move around, and a 13-horsepower V-twin engine that will satisfy most riders’ needs for a 125cc.
Prices are in the region of £2,500–£3,500.
Yamaha Virago 125
The Yamaha Virago was Yamaha’s first cruiser motorcycle, originally sold as a 750cc. The 125cc version came in 1997.
The Virago’s silhouette is perhaps one of the most recognisable out of the Japanese brands. It stands out from the norm with a small tank, high bars, and narrow body. It has an almost chopper-style to it.
Some people love the Virago and others hate it, but regardless, it makes an excellent reliable option for a 125cc motorcycle.
Prices start from around £750 and tend to average out at about £2,500.
Kawasaki Eliminator 125
The Eliminator was released in 1985 and competed with the Suzuki Intruder.
It is my favourite old-time Japanese cruiser. I am kicking myself for not buying a yellow Eliminator 600 I spotted a couple of months ago.
The Eliminator 125 is low-slung, comfortable, easy to ride, and has a very capable engine.
Prices average around £2,000.
If you’re just starting out, make sure you check out our tests and training section of the website to see what you need to do to get out on two wheels.
Image Credits
Pascua Theus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Museo8bits, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
