What about a 200?
I've got a z125 pro and that thing is air cooled and can do 67mph..
So the ktm 125 should go a little better than my z? only modes are air intake, still running
Stock exhaust..

 

I only have a provisional bike licence is the problem there. I do plan on takin the test but probably next year

 

Ok so in Britain your stuck on a 125 in the first year of what ever?

 

If it was me I would just buy a cheap piece of crap then do the test and get a bigger bike.
Me I got my licence back in 73 and in those days we had no training it was like if you were dumb get a 750 and maybe survive the first 12months or less lol.
125s are heaps of fun at times but in reality there just a tad to small in the real world especially if your doing hwy riding.

 

There was a chap on here not long ago chasing power from a 125 (or similar small KTM) without much luck. I personally think it's a hiding to nothing. Exhaust and other upgrades won't get it to 90+ without serious money.
Those wee bikes are fantastic as commuters/learners and can have a lot of fun - but maxing it out past 70mph ain't it. Wrong bike for top speed.

 

In my learner days, I had a 250cc X7 suzook, until they brought the learner 125cc rule in. Bought a RD125DX twin, which was good for an indicated 80, from approx 16bhp. Four stroke 125 were slower, its just the way it is.

As above, get through your test on anything, and buy something bigger. Even a Duke 390 will struggle to do 90…

 

My advice would be do not have a duke 125 especially a new one on finance, these things are nothing but trouble and the dealers will fob you off with warranty claims in a massive way it is the ktm/ Pierer group way I am afraid, it might look nice in the fancy showroom and the salesman spouting off about how good they are and never have any problems but you will soon regret it I know a lad who had one and loads of people have trouble with them.

My advice would be book to do your test using a hired training school bike to get to the next level then buy a good used bike with the help of a decent local independent bike mechanic who will service/repair the bike for you if you can not do it yourself.

 

Buy a shitter and book your test

125's make you learn to ride. Use it for that.
You'll be able to get something that won't depreciate much

Cost of a new duke will get you a test and a big bike...no brainer

 

As others have said, avoida new 125 on finance, why not consider a honda 125 (lots of cheap ones about), learn how to ride and maintain it and get on with doing your test, lots of choice at that point and get that bike on finance as it will suit your needs better.
My son is just doing his full license, passed his mod1 yesturday and mod 2 to be done next week, best part of £1k in total with bike hire etc.
Goodwick

Kev

 

Just had a quick look. 125 duke about 5k, 24 months minimum...that's crazy

1k test
1k nice 125
Remaining 3k would buy my nice 950 sm

 

Good advice here, I had a shitty DT80 to to my test, about £250 then, compared to over £1k for new 125's - did test as fast as I could and got a 250LC for £300 - had mates stuck on new 125s with huge finance and just pissed past them on 250.

One mate tuned the fuck out of LC125 - still slower than my 250 by a mile, and chomped through pistons every 2 000 miles.

Another mate put 180 big bore on his 125 and still not close.

I rebuilt LC with mild tune (blueprint) when it went pop at 25k, mate ended up flogging it when it had 35k on the rebuilt motor and it still ran sweet.

125 4T gonna be more durable that 2T but fucking hard to get more power - gas flowed head, bigger valves, wilder cams, dyno time, fuel module....

....still be half the power and way slower than RC390 and tuning costs would of bought you the bigger bike.

Get cheaper 125, do test, get nicer bigger bike.

Spaffing money on a 125 is pointless.

 

there is 2 kinds of 125s and all the bikes in the 2 groups are the same.

You have your workhorse 125s (CB125F, YBR125, PCX125 etc)

They're cheap and shit but they'll get you around.

Then you have your "flagship" 125s (Ninja 125, GSXR 125, R125, MT125, Duke 125 etc etc)

They're all the same, make the same power, do the same top speed +-5 mph, same shit. Decide which group you want and buy the cheapest you can for the sake of those 1-2 years you'll own it for, don't overthink it. I was a desperate 17 year old once and nothing you do to a 125 will make it ride like a "big bike"

 

Get a 2t. I should imagine they're few and far between these days but everyone should start out on a little 2t. My little rs125 was mega, was good for a genuine 95 lol, couldn't quite crack a ton though.

My mate had an xsr 125 before he passed his test, that would manage 70+ tbf. Was a cool little bike actually i thought.

 

Get a 2t. I should imagine they're few and far between these days but everyone should start out on a little 2t. My little rs125 was mega, was good for a genuine 95 lol, couldn't quite crack a ton though.

My mate had an xsr 125 before he passed his test, that would manage 70+ tbf. Was a cool little bike actually i thought.

You can't really get the good 2Ts anymore, it's not just a 125 limit it's also a limit to 15hp, so you're no better off.

 

Hi thanx everyone who replied I guess uve all confirmed wot I sorta knew, I've been this kin about the finance thing aswell I'm 59 an do I wanna get financed up for 125 at my age... Hmm no not really. So thanx u all

 

So you could do direct access to any size bike ? Like this Direct Access Full Motorcycle & Motorbike Licence | A1 Motorcycle Training

 

My son is doing direct access atm, few lessons and part one last week, he has 2 lessons and his part 2 this week - hopefully he passes first time.
Cost hast been around £850 including bike hire and test fees

 

59 FFS - cash in your pension and buy a 1290, any one will do, good incentive to pass that test, maybe get some private medical insurance too.

 

I am new to this forum and i dont know how to post a new tread or maybe the subject i want to ask and talk about is already here...
I just bought rc125 2024 black for my daughter and i want to make the bike able to company me on some short journeys max 200km while i am on my r1m or my gs1300...
As i searched the net to get some more max speed i should go smaller sprocket at the back and to make somw more power vie AIR BOX COVER DNA, AIR FILTER DNA, SHORTENING THE INLET TUBE IN HALF, BLACK WIDOW COMPLETE EXHAUST AND DYNO TUNE AT MY LOCAL TUNER (very good one) . Putting all this togather for sure i will need a larger injector or a fuel preassure regulator.
I need an advice which brand and size of an injector to use or what type of fuel preassure regulator to use.
I hope so i will reach crank power near 20hp and the bike will go 140km/h with ease because she is light only 52kg.

 

total waste of money, sorry but a 125 four stroke cannot be made to go much faster than when bought, and there is definitely no way to get 20hp! also, you cannot dyno tune these bikes, the ecu is locked down.

 

In Poland You can ride 125cc if You held full driving licence for minimum 3 years without any cbt etc.
I have there ktm 125 enduro type ktm and it is very good / well performing bike ( 2 stroke and belive me got enough power mainly You are not feeling like You missing something, playing one lobby with bigger cc.
And now i am in UK and bought 125cc Duke after my cbt. Was sure that will be similar to enduro story. And guess what?
already doing full A.

 

You'd get more top end tucking your body out of the wind than you would spending any money 😂

 

Even when I was a yoof in the 80s kids would de-restrict or "tune" 125s and get 20BHP or a bit more.....
....but for the cost of doing that you could pass your test and easily have enough money for a 250LC with @35 BHP.

The flashy 125s were also expensive, tidy 350LCs / YPVS 350s similar money - and 50-55 BHP.

Got 37 year old TZR250 in Garage, makes more power than an RC390, handles amazingly, and after all that time all the electronics still work....
....progress?

 

yes, i remember that in 70s and early 80s but they were 2 stroke engines. you cannot get 20bhp from an average 4 stroke 125. also, these engines are built to make about 14 to 15 hp, no point spending money making a more complex engine that is, in general, going to be for a 15hp maximum market.

 

And no one can overtake you on the TZR250... because they can't see past the smoke screen.
Cool 125's have always been over priced due to the license limitations, which has only got worse/harder now.

 

If you go back to the 70's then a 4 stroke Honda C50 was about the same speed as a 2 stroke FS1E.
I know the AP50 was slightly faster but who wanted one of them - FS1E was what all the cool kids had, unless they were rich and had the realy fast Gilera's or Malaguti's

 

I bought an FS1E in 1980 as my first bike, paid £25 for it, it had been used as a field bike by some lads.
Stripped and refurbed it and used it until I passed my test on my 17th birthday.
Fantastic little machine and I don’t recall it letting me down - crazy money now

 

unfortunately, i had a a honda ss50 ss stood for slow (as) sh*t

 

So mainly getting back to the subject use Your effort for well-maintaining You bike instead of increasing power. That will help You understand the machine litlle bit more and safe You pounds in pocket! Even if You had Your service in professional moto-garage doesn't mean You will be free from basic maintenance like putting some lubricant, cleaning areas under covers, checking liquids etc. Give it a try at least You could find out its really enjoying ( yes really belive me spending some time with bike at garage could be as good as driving ). After You gain some basic skill then dont check yours previous bills for servicing You will not feeling ok as long as You are not born in castle.