More news out of Yamaha on the 2023 model-front, with the MT-125 receiving some choice updates, so here’s an overview. On the scale of things it’s not huge, however I think they’ll be welcome to many riders.
Straight up we see the main update from the 2023 MT-07 carried across, that’s the TFT display, and the MT-125 will be running the same five inch screen. You’ll just be limited to the one display mode, which is the ‘Street’ theme, where the MT-07 gets an additional display option.
The new dash will connect to a smartphone via the MyRide app and allow call, email and message notifications, with the app also able to notify of technical issues, which can be emailed to a specific address like your dealer, uh Yamaha dealer.
The app will also record journey data, including performance, to make sharing on socials easy.
I’m not really sure what the rules are for Europeans on the A1 licenses around mobile phone use, but here in Australia learner and probationary riders are not allowed to use a phone at all. I’m going to assume that’s not the case in Europe, as it would make this feature a bit useless for many riders.
The other big ticket item is the inclusion of a traction control system on the little 125.
Granted that may seem like overkill to use Aussies however it may be a different story over in Europe where you’re more likely to deal with snow, black ice, cobbled streets and other slippery conditions.
This joins the 124 cc Euro5 single-cylinder with VVA, or Variable Valve Actuation, giving stronger top end performance and better low end torque, without as many trade-offs.
Peak power is 11 kW at 10,000 rpm or almost 15 ponies and torque maxes out at 11.5 Nm at 8000 rpm. That’s a liquid-cooled powerplant and four-valve and four-stroke, with single overhead cam. There’s a wet slip and assist clutch too and six-speed gearbox.
I was blown away by how good the little R15 here in Australia is, so I imagine this bike is a page from the same book.
Fuel consumption is 2.1 litres per 100 km which is in scooter territory, without having to have… the scooter. The fuel tank is also 11 litres, so that’s a huge range. The bike only holds just over a litre of oil however so more frequent oil changes may be a good idea.
There’s a Deltabox frame and aluminium swingarm to keep weight down, while 41 mm USD forks are run, with a single rear shock, and travel is 130 front to 110 mm rear.
Brakes are a 292 mm front and 220 mm rear rotor, with a radially mounted front caliper, which looks like a two-piston unit.
Wheels are 17 inch units, with a 100/80 front and 140/70 rear.
The MT-125 weighed in at 142 kg for the outgoing version so I doubt much has changed there, and seat height is 810 mm or 31.9 inches. So not super low if you’re a shorter rider, as for reference the MT-03 is a 780 mm seat height or 30.7 inches.
Naturally the bike also runs the latest generation styling with aggressive LED headlight, including two position lights. That style tends to be a polarising one, but then something everyone is okay with tends to be fairly dull anyway.