Great handling commuter, torquey fun riding and rugged.

I have had my Yamaha YTX 125 for 6 months now, so ready for a review. I chose the YTX because the style of the bike is way ahead of the TMX Alpha and it is lighter with more low end torque. I also looked at the Bajaj 125 and 150 models from Kawasaki(which had some better features) and had more powerful engines, but to me their build quality and fit and finish didn't compare to the YTX. So, after 6months of owning this lightweight, agile beauty I am even more happy with my decision to purchase it over the other models. First, about the power..the low end torque is very good and it gets to 80-90kph quickly on the highway and still feels stable, but it likes to ride best between 60-80kph. It also goes up most hills without the need for downshifting. Then, handling..because it has a lightweight design and with a suspension set up for heavy loads it handles rough roads with ease, but also is great on the curvy mountain roads, even the stock tires are giving good traction. The handlebars are narrow and it fits through traffic in the city just as well as the underbones. The tank is only 7.6 liters, but the fuel economy is excellent and as a commuter it means with a full tank your center of gravity is lower and that means better handling. Maybe if you use a sidecar you will have to stop for gas more, but the economy is still best in class. After 6 months I haven't had any service problems and the bike is still free of any vibrations, even at high rpm's. All in all, I really love this bike alot more then my previous bike, which was the STX 125 because the STX would get handlebar vibrations on long trips, especially with a passenger. Another thing I really like is the passenger footrests. They are very good to keep your passenger in comfort and safer then just foot pegs for young children. My budget was enough to buy up to a Barako II, but I passed on it and the stylish, feature packed TMX Supremo even though they both are better bikes for sidecars, they are also heavy and more expensive with less impressive handling then the YTX. Maybe if you will use for tricycle or sidecar, consider the other options more closely. But, for a city commuter that is also an adventure to drive on the curvy, mountain roads the YTX won my heart. The reason I give only 4 stars instead of 5. It only has drum brakes. If it had a front disk I would give it 5 stars.