Yamaha XTZ 125

The off-road motorcycles generally focus less on looks with a more generic focus on ergonomics and lower in weight. However, there is an old-school appeal in the overall design of the Yamaha XTZ 125 when you look at it. The overall front and side bodywork has been inspired from that of the off-road motorcycles from the nineties, which isn’t a bad thing at all.

At the front, the Yamaha XTZ 125 has got a nice triangular headlamp with rounded bottom end, which is surrounded by a rakish front bikini fairing with bulging sides and sharp chins on either side. The turn indicators are finished in amber color, and make the front face look like as if it belongs to a motorcycle from the past decade and not today. As expected, the XTZ 125 gets a high mounted large front fender. The front forks get rubber protectors which somehow manage to add some visual appeal to the front profile of the XTZ 125.

From the sides, the Yamaha XTZ 125 maintains that simplicity and minimalist appeal in its profile, which looks lean, high and dressed in minimal bodywork. The traditional design cues of an off-road motorcycle – high mounted small fuel tank and big vertical tank shrouds with sharp edges – make the side profile of the XTZ 125 look very generic. However, the side body panels are flat and wide enough to add some muscle to the motorcycle’s design. The body graphics look sporty and not feel overdone, which is a good thing. The single piece seat is wide and totally flat, which gives it the ability to seat two adults with ease. The under seat exhaust mounted on the right side is engulfed partially beneath the side body panel, thus protecting the pillion from the heat generated from the exhaust.

At the rear, the XTZ 125 has got more kit than a conventional off-road motorcycle. One does get a full-fledged tubular grab rail which is functional but doesn’t look out of place. The tail lamp with amber colored turn indicators is mounted on the upper portion of the short rear fender, with the tailpiece placed above the tail lamp as a crown.

The all-analog minimalist instrument console looks neat, and so does the overall switchgear, both of which stick to the minimalist theme of the overall motorcycle. Build quality and fit and finish are quite decent for a motorcycle of this price.

It is where the majority of the focus of the overall engineering of the Yamaha XTZ 125 has gone, and the motorcycle proves itself with a big yes. The XTZ 125 gets a simple suspension setup of 35mm telescopic forks at the front and a 5-step adjustable mono-shock at the rear. The suspension is set up on a stiffer side to give the XTZ 125 the wonderful handling and agility it has on offer. Sure, the suspension might prove jittery for daily commutes, but then, show the XTZ 125 an off-road track, and it will not disappoint you. The off-road tyres wrapped around 21-inch front wheel and 18-inch rear wheel impart tremendous grip, despite being slim in profile. The front disc brake and rear drum brake provide good bit too.

When it comes to ergonomics, Yamaha has done a great job in making this small motorcycle feel big. The seat height is set quite at a height at 840mm, which means that it is going to be a tough task for shorter riders to swing a leg over it and place his feet on the ground with ease. At 260mm, the ground clearance too is quite praiseworthy, giving the XTZ 125 fantastic ability while sailing over tough terrains.

The Yamaha XTZ 125 sources its power from a 4-stroke, air-cooled, 2-valve, 124cc engine, which produces 12.5 PS of maximum power and 11.6 Nm of peak torque output. For a motorcycle that weighs just 118 kg, the engine feels energetic and gives the XTZ 125 adequate pull on the go. However, we would have liked to see a bit more power on tap, with a more focus on low end grunt. This engine is coupled to a 5-speed gearbox which provides slick gearshifts to make it a fun-filled motorcycle to ride.

When it comes to safety, the Yamaha XTZ 125 is a pure old school machine with no electrical wizardry on display. The motorcycle even lacks ABS, which makes it a very simple and playful machine which needs skillful hands to be operated.

The Yamaha XTZ 125 makes for a great sensible purchase for all those who are on a budget and are looking for a minimalist, fuss-free motorcycle with adequate power on tap. With minimal bodywork, lower kerb weight and decent amount of power from the 124cc engine, the Yamaha XTZ 125 is one good motorcycle for all those who are new to the world of off-road motoring. With a small engine and precise handling, it definitely makes up for a great learner’s motorcycle. The seasoned riders might see it as a totally avoidable motorcycle, considering the limited performance on offer, though. However, at the price at which it is offered and with simple and easy to maintain mechanicals, the Yamaha XTZ 125 deserves to be mentioned in one’s choice of entry-level off-road motorcycles.