The best 125cc motorbike for most beginners in the UK is the Honda CB125F at £3,299: a claimed 188 miles per gallon, 117kg and a 790mm seat. For a sportier ride, the Yamaha R125 at £5,450 is the best learner sports bike. On a tight budget, the Lexmoto Michigan at £2,180 is the cheapest new 125.
Every bike here is learner legal, and every price is a 2026 UK price checked against the manufacturer or a dealer listing.
What You Need to Ride a 125cc in the UK
You must be at least 17 to ride a 125cc on UK roads, and you need a provisional motorcycle licence plus a completed Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) course. The CBT is a one-day training course, not a test, typically costing £130 to £200 including bike and helmet hire. Your CBT certificate, known as a DL196, is valid for two years.
On a CBT alone you can ride unaccompanied, but you must display L plates front and rear, and you cannot carry a pillion passenger or ride on motorways. The bike must be no more than 125cc and no more than 11kW, about 15 brake horsepower.
To drop the L plates, pass the A1 licence from age 17: theory test (£23), Module 1 (£15.50) and Module 2 (£75 on a weekday). A full A1 lets you carry a passenger and use motorways on any 125cc up to 11kW. See what age you can ride a moped or motorcycle in the UK and how to get a full motorcycle licence in the UK for the full rules.
Best 125cc Commuter Bike
The Honda CB125F (£3,299) is the pick of the class. Its air-cooled 124cc engine makes 10.7 brake horsepower, tuned for economy rather than speed. The claimed 188 miles per gallon means an 11-litre tank can cover more than 450 miles. At 117kg with a 790mm seat it is light and low, and the 2026 model adds an idle-stop system. It has no ABS; Honda fits a combined braking system instead.
Best 125cc Sports Bikes
The Yamaha R125 (£5,450) is the best learner sports bike you can buy new: a liquid-cooled single with the full 15 brake horsepower and variable valve timing, a five-inch colour TFT dash, traction control, 141kg and an 820mm seat.
The Suzuki GSX-R125 (£5,199) is the lightest sports 125 here at 137kg, with the best power-to-weight ratio in the class and the lowest sports seat at 785mm. It has ABS and keyless ignition, but simpler kit elsewhere: conventional forks and an LCD dash.
The Lexmoto LXR 125 (from about £2,580) is the budget sports bike and the UK’s best-selling sports 125, with supersport styling, a water-cooled fuel-injected engine and a six-speed gearbox. It costs roughly half the Yamaha, so the finish and dealer network are weaker, but for the look on a tight budget it is hard to beat.
Best 125cc Naked and Street Bikes
The Yamaha MT-125 (£5,300) is the best-selling 125 in the UK: a 15 brake horsepower engine with variable valve timing, traction control and a five-inch colour TFT dash, at 142kg with an 810mm seat. It is the most complete package in the class.
The Honda CB125R (£4,799) is the sophisticated alternative: the lightest naked 125 here at 130kg, with the best suspension in the class in its Showa forks, a colour TFT dash, a claimed 285-mile range and an 816mm seat. It costs less than the Yamaha.
The KTM 125 Duke (RRP £4,899, often listed around £4,599) is the sharpest handling naked 125, with cornering ABS, a colour TFT dash and an aggressive streetfighter look. At 154kg with an 800mm seat it is heavier than the Honda and Yamaha, but its chassis is the most capable.
The Zontes ZT125-C (£2,899) is the value pick: a futuristic cruiser-bobber with the lowest seat here at 700mm, keyless ignition, tyre pressure monitors and Bosch ABS. Its 14 brake horsepower engine is slightly under the limit, but it offers kit the Japanese bikes charge far more for.
Best 125cc Adventure Bikes and Tall Riders
The Aprilia RX125 (£4,325) has the tallest seat of any road-going learner 125 at 905mm, thanks to 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels and long-travel suspension. Its water-cooled engine makes the full 15 brake horsepower, and if you have long legs, this is the 125 that finally fits.
The KTM 125 Enduro R (£4,899) is KTM’s road-going trail bike, with 230mm of suspension travel, adventure tyres, a small TFT dash and an 890mm seat. At about 159kg it is heavier than the Aprilia, but it is the most capable 125 off the tarmac.
Best Budget 125cc Bikes
The Lexmoto Michigan (£2,180) is the cheapest new 125 in this guide. Its low-slung cruiser styling and 680mm seat suit shorter riders, and its claimed 98 miles per gallon gives nearly 300 miles from a 13.5-litre tank. Its 9 brake horsepower engine is the weakest here, with a top speed of about 62 miles per hour, so it suits town riding rather than dual carriageways.
The used Honda CBF125 (2009 to 2015, from about £1,000) is the smartest cheap 125 of all: Honda’s best-selling commuter before the CB125F replaced it, with a claimed 134 miles per gallon and a 792mm seat. Buy on condition and service history, and check the chain, tyres and brakes.
125cc Comparison Table
| Bike | Price (new, 2026) | Power | Weight | Seat height | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honda CB125F | £3,299 | 10.7 bhp | 117 kg | 790 mm | Commuting, lowest running costs |
| Yamaha R125 | £5,450 | 15 bhp | 141 kg | 820 mm | Sports bike experience |
| Suzuki GSX-R125 | £5,199 | 15 bhp | 137 kg | 785 mm | Lightest sports 125 |
| Lexmoto LXR 125 | from £2,580 | 15 bhp | not stated | not stated | Budget sports looks |
| Yamaha MT-125 | £5,300 | 15 bhp | 142 kg | 810 mm | Best all-rounder |
| Honda CB125R | £4,799 | 15 bhp | 130 kg | 816 mm | Lightweight naked |
| KTM 125 Duke | £4,899 RRP | 15 bhp | 154 kg | 800 mm | Sharpest handling |
| Zontes ZT125-C | £2,899 | 14 bhp | 153 kg | 700 mm | Lowest seat, value |
| Aprilia RX125 | £4,325 | 15 bhp | 134 kg | 905 mm | Tall riders |
| KTM 125 Enduro R | £4,899 | 15 bhp | 159 kg | 890 mm | Trail and adventure |
| Lexmoto Michigan | £2,180 | 9 bhp | 143 kg | 680 mm | Cheapest new 125 |
| Used Honda CBF125 | from £1,000 | 11 bhp | 128 kg | 792 mm | Cheapest way in |
Prices are 2026 manufacturer or dealer prices and vary by dealer, with on-the-road fees on top. Weights are kerb weights unless stated otherwise.
What Does a 125cc Cost to Run?
A 125 is the cheapest powered transport on UK roads after a moped. The CB125F claims 188 miles per gallon, and even the thirstiest 125s here claim around 100. Road tax up to 150cc is £27 a year in 2026.
| Cost | Typical amount |
|---|---|
| CBT course | £130 to £200, valid 2 years |
| Provisional licence | £34 online |
| Theory test | £23 |
| Module 1 practical test | £15.50 |
| Module 2 practical test | £75 on a weekday |
| Road tax (up to 150cc) | £27 a year in 2026 |
| Fuel (CB125F, claimed) | 188 miles per gallon |
Insurance varies the most: the premium depends on age, postcode, overnight parking and the bike, so no single figure is meaningful. Get quotes for two or three bikes before you buy.
Do not forget gear. A helmet is the only item the law requires, but a proper jacket, gloves, boots and trousers keep you safe when you fall off. Our guide to motorcycle gear essentials explains the safety standards, including ECE 22.06 for helmets.
How to Choose Your First 125cc
Start with seat height. Sit on the bike with both feet on the ground: if you can flat-foot it, you will feel confident at traffic lights and when parking. Most riders fit a seat between 780mm and 820mm. Under 5 foot 5 inches, look at the Zontes ZT125-C at 700mm or the Lexmoto Michigan at 680mm. Over 6 foot, only the Aprilia RX125 at 905mm truly fits.
Next, think about weight: a 125 under 140kg is easy to push around and forgiving if you drop it. The CB125F at 117kg and the CB125R at 130kg are the easiest to handle. Then decide new or used: a new bike gives you a warranty, but a 125 loses value fast in its first year, so a one or two year old bike is often the best value. Finally, match the bike to your riding: a commuter needs fuel economy, a weekend rider needs handling and looks, and a tall rider needs seat height. Our guide to motorcycle types explained covers each style, and motorcycles by CC shows where the 125 fits.
What Comes After Your 125cc?
Most riders outgrow a 125 within a year or two. At 19 you can take the A2 licence, which allows bikes up to 35kW, about 47 brake horsepower. At 24 you can take the full A licence direct, or at 21 if you have held A2 for two years. Our guide to A1 vs A2 motorcycle licence explains the differences and costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a CBT to ride a 125cc?
Yes, unless you already hold a full motorcycle licence. You need a provisional licence and a completed CBT course first. The CBT is a one-day course, typically £130 to £200, and the certificate lasts two years.
Can I ride a 125cc when I am 16?
No. You must be at least 17 to ride a 125cc. At 16 you can ride a moped up to 50cc with a top speed of 28 miles per hour, also after a CBT.
Can I ride a 125cc on the motorway with L plates?
No. Learners on a CBT cannot use motorways or carry a pillion passenger. Both restrictions lift when you pass your full A1, A2 or A test.
How fast does a 125cc motorbike go?
Most learner-legal 125s reach around 60 to 70 miles per hour, enough for A roads and dual carriageways.
How much does it cost to insure a 125cc for a new rider?
There is no single figure: the premium depends on your age, postcode, overnight parking and the bike. Get quotes for two or three bikes before you buy.
The best 125cc depends on the rider. The Honda CB125F suits most new riders: cheap to buy at £3,299, cheaper to run at a claimed 188 miles per gallon, and light enough for anyone to handle. The Yamaha R125 is the best sports 125, the MT-125 is the best all-rounder, and the Aprilia RX125 is the only real choice for tall riders. On a tight budget, the Lexmoto Michigan at £2,180 or a used CBF125 from about £1,000 will get you riding for the least money. Do your CBT first, sit on the bike before you buy it, and get insurance quotes first.
