Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI

The 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI isn't much of a looker. But it doesn't look overtly plain or drab like most other daily commuting bikes. The NS125FI retains the same design language as that of its bigger siblings, the NS160 and the NS200, which is now more than a decade old. The clip-on handlebar, tiny visor, semi-digital instrument panel, and the fuel tank and have all been carried over to the Rouser NS125FI, the latest member to join the lineup. Kawasaki has also introduced new paint schemes and graphics for the NS125FI. But the design has now begun to look a bit dated. That aside, the NS125FI misses out on a number of essential features that are now standard in most bikes in the daily commuting segment. These include an LED headlamp, a side-stand engine cut-off, and a gear-position indicator. Build quality is mostly good, but Kawasaki has made some compromises to keep production costs under check. The bike comes with a 10.2-litre fuel tank. 

The clip-on handlebars on the 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI are rather straight, lower, and closer to the rider. It's easily reachable. The riding position on the bike is rather straight. The seat is flat and nicely padded. But the ride quality is a bit stiffer. The NS125FI tends to over-read the road surface, which is quite annoying. But the same setup works beautifully on twisted roads and sharp bends, offering a firm and positive handling with a lively performance. The rider's triangle is comfortable. It further adds to the riding experience. The suspension is a bit on the stiffer side, but it feels very surefooted. The rear-set footpegs lend a sporty riding stance. 

The 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI is equipped with a single-cylinder, air-cooled, 125cc engine that produces 12PS/11Nm. The motor is mated to a five-speed transmission. The powertrain has enough low-range and mid-range grunt that makes the bike quite tractable in the city. That's exactly what buyers want from a daily commuting two-wheeler. The power delivery is smooth, and the transmission is seamlessly mated to the engine. Acceleration is decent. But at higher speeds, some engine vibration can be felt between the legs. This is typical of quarter-litre bikes as the engine pushes hard to extract performance. Handling is easy, and on urban roads, the Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI slices through traffic. The throttle response is crisp. The engine revs freely up to the 9,000 rpm mark. Overtaking on highways requires some planning and can be achieved without any downshift.

The 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI has a smaller front-wheel disc brake than the NS160. It's linked to the rear-wheel drum brake via a central braking system (CBS), which leaves room for improvement in its calibration. Overall, the brakes have good bite and give no feedback. But the braking hardware does need an upgrade. A rear-wheel disc brake will be a welcome addition. 

At a starting price of ₱82,000, the 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI is among the most affordably priced bikes in its segment. But it's worthy for buyers who want an easy-riding, fuel-efficient, low-maintenance bike for daily commuting. It does miss out on some equipment, and there are better-equipped two-wheelers out there. Better hardware like a rear mono-shock or a perimeter frame would certainly make the 2024 Kawasaki Rouser NS125FI a much better bike to ride.