MotorStar Star X 125 II

Business motorcycles are not designed to be aesthetically pleasing in the true sense of the word. They are built to a price and need to be sturdy with as few parts as possible. The MotorStar StarX125 II is also based on the same philosophy and is pretty barebones to look at. But place it next to the MotorStar Star-X125S and you will start noticing some differences. Which is basically a bikini fairing on the front with a slightly sportier headlight setup. The Star-X125S has its own distinct front end with a circular headlamp and a small wind deflector on top which is arguably more unique than its more expensive sibling. But you be the judge here. The rest of the bike is pretty much identical. The indicators are bullet style mounted on stalks but do not extend too far out. The Front and ear fenders get the chrome treatment. As do the massive luggage rack, exhaust muffler, and crash bars. There is some fairing on the air filter cover to go with the bikini fairing and the large tapering tank. The seat is large and almost completely flat. The rear suspension is given the same paint treatment as the rest of the bike which is a nice touch. The rest of the bike is just as basic. There are 17” spoked wheels with 2.75 front and 3.00 rear tires. The bike measures a compact for the segment 1910 mm (L) x 780 mm (W) x 1020 mm (H). Instrumentation uses a dual pod setup with analog dials. There are mounting points on the front and the previously mentioned luggage rack in the rear. The construction and build quality appears to be quite sturdy and should last a long time. There is also a large chain guard to protect your trousers from getting dirty. There are three color options too – red, blue, and black.

The bike comes with traditional telescopic front forks and a twin shock absorber setup for the rear. The maximum carrying capacity is rated at 180 kg but there is no provision to attach extra suspension in the rear for extra carrying capacity, something that many motorcycles in the segment possess. The handlebars are high and wide and come with extra bracing. The wheelbase is manageable on urban roads at 1220 mm and the 140 mm of ground clearance comes handy on bad roads. The 400 mm turning radius is also good for tight U-turns. The bike weighs a lightweight 97 kg dry which is astonishing in the segment.

Power comes from a 125cc air-cooled and carbureted single cylinder engine. Power figures have not been mentioned but the engine performs well for its intended purpose. The engine is mated to a 4-speed transmission. The fuel tank is large. But there is no electric start option.  

The MotorStar Star-X125 II is provided with a disc brake for the front and a drum brake for the rear.

The MotorStar Star-X125 II is a decent bike for the money. It has decent build quality, a large fuel tank and is one of the cheapest bikes in its segment. But reliability is one of its sore spots and a business owner should give it a high priority. Is the price advantage worth the risk for you?