Yamaha YTX 125 - Is it worth the Php 49,900 tag?

Who would buy the Yamaha YTX 125? Someone who favors practicality and low price above all else. Or someone who wants something cheap for their first bike. Or perhaps someone who wants to remove all the existing body panels on it to convert it into a work of art.

The YTX- 125 is as bare bones as it gets and this is exactly what its riders want from it.  Simple practical utility at an extremely affordable price. At Php 49900, there are very few options with such potential. 

Well no actually. The competition is still intense so down below in the product lineup. The Honda TMX 125 Alpha, Suzuki GD 110 and the Kawasaki Bajaj CT110 all make life very difficult for the Yamaha. Getting a good deal here then is not as easy as it seems. But since these bikes are supposed to run businesses and support livelihoods, they have to be the best at what they do.

So is the Yamaha YTX- 125 worth its 49900 price tag? Let’s find out.

Moving away from superficial things like design and styling we aim straight for the heart. The engine is a simple air cooled, 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve 125 cc single cylinder that churns out 8.2 PS at 7000 rpm and 10.2 Nm of torque at 4500 rpm. This low down grunt makes the bike push through powerfully on inclines. The engine can get to highway speeds very quickly. It does not feel out of breath with heavy loads either. But the biggest problem with it is the fact that it only comes with a 4-speed transmission. Maintaining higher speeds on the bike then takes work. The power delivery makes it best when driving at 50-60 kmph and quickly accelerating with a downshift whenever needed. The Honda TMX 125, on the other hand, comes with a 5-speed gearbox and is easier to keep running at highway speeds. It also makes slightly more power than the Yamaha. The Yamaha engine is still very refined with low vibrations and noise levels.  

On the practicality front, the Yamaha is very well equipped. This practicality not only makes it good for business but also makes it rugged where it needs to be. The tank has a tank protector on top that not only protects it from scratches but also keeps heat from the engine away from the rider. 170 mm of high ground clearance with 17” wheels makes it good for riding potholed roads and even where there are no roads to speak of. Like all bikes in this category it has a long, thick and flat seat. There is a large flat carrier in the rear for loading cargo. The pillion also gets a large tandem footrest. A mounting point under the tank has also been provided to attach a sidecar. For this same purpose the bike’s chassis has been strengthened a lot. The swing arm has a large cross arm welded across it. It even has a quad suspension setup in the rear that should come really handy when trying to move large loads.

But these same features are also present in the Honda. Admittedly it does not come with a quad suspension setup. But it does have the provision of installing one if you want it. It even comes with 18” wheels instead of the Yamaha’s 17” wheels. The Yamaha comes with an instrument panel that lacks a fuel gauge. The Honda, however, comes with an instrument panel that has a gear indicator. Make of that what you will.

Apart from these few differences, both the bikes are very evenly matched. They Yamaha does look a little more refined and stylish with some curves and a round headlight. Both the bikes have a reputation for being very durable and in any case servicing and parts availability should not be an issue. Both will also return fuel economy figures in the 60 km/L range easily. But then the Honda is better in many of these features to a small but significant degree while only costing Php 1000 more than the Yamaha. This explains why the Honda has been on the market for so long and enjoys such a great legacy as a bike for businesses. The Yamaha YTX-125 is a very good motorcycle. But for just a little bit more, you can have something much better.