Even looking at the CBR you know it’s built to a budget and will be lacking performance. Over the last few years it has been the only four-stroke race rep 125 that has sold in big numbers. A testament to the fact that all the competition looked cock rather than the ‘racy’ Honda looking any good. Things have changed. Stand it next to the Yamaha and it looks like a shit commuter with a slight nod towards a fairing. The Yamaha and Aprilia look like ‘proper’ bikes.
Which is how they ride. On dual carriageways the Honda gets buffeted around in the wind as the rider battles to stop both knees dragging on the ground due to the subterranean seat height. It feels tiny, not all that settled at speed, and lacking in grunt. Quite often on the Honda you have to change down a gear at 70mph to deal with a slight incline or particularly vicious breath of wind, while the Yamaha forges happily on.
For a first attempt at a baby racer Yamaha has hit the target with the YZF’s styling. From a distance it’s easily, and often, mistaken for an R1, while to ride it’s comfortable and roomy with a fairing that is surprisingly effective. And mirrors that work. Tucked in I managed to see an indicated 83mph on the digital dash, which is more than enough to transport its teenage jockey to a chosen location where he will arrive in style. But as much style as on the Aprilia?
Having been the 125 of choice for the style-conscious teenager since it burst onto the scene in 1997, this year the RS is in danger of losing this mantle because, to the untrained eye, the YZF looks so good. Dig a bit deeper and you spot the quality touches such as the radial brake and polished swingarm that sets the RS aside, but to the uninformed the Yamaha pulls off effortless cool. It’s also far easier to ride than the Aprilia.
Two-stroke motors can be a pain when compared to their four-stroke counterparts, and the RS’ little powerplant has its quirks. Flat out the vibrations are obtrusive while every now and then it’ll miss-fire or cough as its plug gets oily. And it’s not that economical.
Reaching Harwich in plenty of time we stopped to fill the bikes up. Despite having been held on the stop for nearly 100 miles the CBR had averaged just over 80mpg, the YZF 110mpg and the RS a disappointing 50mpg. In commuter terms that’s 100 miles for less than the price of a day’s peak time travel card. See why these four-stroke bikes are catching on?
A few beers on the ferry, followed by a night of relative peace and quiet, we rolled out into the early morning Dutch air and headed north. At this point I realised I had no idea if 125s were allowed on Dutch motorways. I assumed they weren’t, so the route we took to Amsterdam was anything but the quickest.
For his first taste into the Amsterdam life style we decided to drop Sam right in at the deep end, so headed directly for the redlight zone. Stopping on the outskirts to take a few photos Ben nudged Sam and directed his attention towards a large glass window. Looking over expecting to see some local trinkets, Sam’s jaw almost hit the floor as he was confronted by a lingerie-clad girl bending over exposing her arse. Not the sight he was expecting to see at 3pm in the afternoon. Sensing his gaze the lady, who had now stood up to reveal she was on the plump side, started her ‘sexy dance’. “I think she needs to keep that up for a while, she may get more business,” mumbled a flushed looking Sam, reeling after his first Amsterdam experience. With the tone of the day set we rode deeper into the city.
Continue the 125cc sports bike test
