Yamaha YZF R125

With its aggressive looks and styling R125 is sure to storm the Indian Market

The Indian Automotive Scene is heating up with the Launch of KTM Duke 200 in Indian Market in association with Bajaj and now Bajaj Pro-Biking showrooms which are previously meant to market High End Bajaj Pulsar and Avenger Model along with Kawasaki Ninja 250R and 650R have turned into KTM although the Ninja’s will be sold there in the KTM stores the high end pulsars from now will be sold in any normal Bajaj Outlet.The Austria company said that they are planning for a sporty 125 cc bike for Indian market and dubbed it as KTM Duke 125 and Honda already has a nice share in the 125 cc segment with the Honda Stunner and Bajaj with their successful Discover has a market share more than that of Hero Moto In 125 cc category.For Yamaha this is not the case though they have successful sports bikes like the Yamaha YZF R15 and FZ-16 and FZ-S and Fazer which are successful and as well as changed the market scene in India.But still Yamaha does not have a bike which competes with other 125 cc class bikes.So Yamaha is all set to launch the Yamaha YZF R125 in India in 2012 by May or June.The YZF R125 with its stylish looks is already a run away success in European market and Yamaha India hopes that this bike can make them have a considerable amount of share in the Indian 125 cc class.

Design:

The design is based on Yamaha R6 at the front with twin headlamps.The fairing is a full body fairing and it is a four piece fairing which helps in reducing the aerodynamic drag and improve the look of the bike.The foot pegs are placed appropriately not too far away and the clip on handle bars rest on the forks to be within the reach for the rider without stretching for it.The speedometer is the same that is seen in Yamaha R15.The mid-ship side exhaust with steel covering and an R6 inspired body make the bike feel sporty.The seat is high so it is not suitable for persons who are short.The rear pillion seat is split from the riders seat and is positioned very high and it offers the commanding view for the pillion.The 5 spoke black alloy wheel design which is seen in Yamaha YZF R15 Version 2.0 is derived from this bike.The bike has disc brakes on both front and rear front brake is provided on the left side of the wheel and the rear brake is provided on the right hand side of the bike.Which is quite a different combination.The Disc brake caliper is in Gold color.The chain is open chain type.The tail lamp used Led bulbs which look the CBR1000RR tail lamp.The turn signals are attached to the fairing in the front and at the rear to the number plate holder.The rear tyre has a mud guard.The total kerb weight of the bike is 138 kg.
Engine:
The total displacement of the engine is 124.7 cc.The engine is a single cylinder four-stroke with four valves with an SOHC configuration.The bore and stroke ratios are 52.0 mm X 58.6 mm.The engine is a free revving short stroke engine.This helps the bike to develop strong acceleration.The exhaust is free-flowing mid ship R6 type exhaust.The free revving engine combined with the free-flowing exhaust gives the bike a strong over all performance.The engine is liquid cooled.The bike has a very high compression ratio of 11.2:1.The bike has a constant mesh six-speed transmission.The final drive is chain.The engine delivers 15 hp at 9,000 rpm and 12.2 Nm torque at 8,000 rpm.The bike employs wet sump lubrication system and the engine oil tank capacity is 1.15 litres and a furl tank capacity of 13.8 litres.The fuel injection type used is TCI and the clutch type is wet,Multiple-disc coil spring.The top speed of the bike claimed is 136 km/h.
Chassis and Suspension
The chassis used is Yamaha patented Delta box frame which is seen in Yamaha R Series bikes.What the chassis dies to this bike is improve handling and offer ride quality for both the rider and pillion.
The front uses inverted telescopic suspension with 33 mm diameter  and the rear uses Linked Mono Shock with spring Pre load adjustment.The bike is employed with an aluminium swing arm for enhanced comfort and suspension.The Aluminium swing arm is linked to the rear Mono shock absorber.
Comfort and Ride Quality
The bike with a caster angle of 24.2 degree and trail with 86.1 mm are perfectly matched for the rider posture and 130mm wheel travel along with the delta box frame inspires confidence in and out of the corners.The pillion seat is in a very commanding view position.The suspension is hard when the bike is taken off road.As for handling this bike is the best in its class.The engine is very smooth and the performance is enhanced by the short stroke free revving engine coupled with free flow exhaust and the cylinder head.
Wheels,Tyres and Brakes
The wheels  are 10 spoke 17 inch alloy wheels which are designed in a way that they resemble 5 spoke alloy wheels these wheels are also seen on the recently Launched Yamaha YZF R15 version 2.0.

The front tyre is a 100/80 -17″ tyre and at the rear lies a 130/80 -17” large tyre which ensure traction.

The front brakes is a massive 292 mm diameter single piston floating caliper disc brake.and at the rear an impressive 230 mm diameter disc brake.

Gear Ratios:

• 1 st gear –  2.833
• 2 nd gear – 1.875
• 3 rd gear –  1.364
•  4 th gear – 1.143
• 5th gear –  0.957 
• 6th gear –  0.840

Price and Availability:

The price of the bike is expected to be around rupees 90,000 Ex-showroom and there are chanes for introducing the bike in India in May.

Verdict:

It may be over priced but it is a genuine sports bike with stronger acceleration and also comfort matched with the dynamic handling ability of the bike.The bike is good for starters who want to twist the throttle on a race circuit and also good for city commuting as this bike has a nice amount of torque it wont lag in the busy city streets.On the highway this is a pure joy to ride at high speeds.

Colors:

There are four color choices available the bike looks best in blue color which is the official color of Yamaha.

The colors available are

Burning Blue

Sunset Red

Impact Yellow

MidNight Black

Dimensions:

Ground clearance: 155 mm

Length X Width X Height: 2015 mm X 660 mm X 970 mm

Seat height : 818 mm

Wheel base: 1,355 mm

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3.Yamaha R4 250 c sports bike

4. Yamaha YZF R15 Version 2.0