reliable old warhorse for learners/commuters (Yamaha SR125E)

Member Name: the_guru

Product:	Yamaha SR125E
Date:	05/12/01 (640 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: excellent balance, great low-speed control, comfortable seat

Disadvantages: ancient styling, 125cc engine lacks grunt for long-distance commuting, slightly pricey against competitors

Passed my test on the Yamaha SR125, so have very fond memories of it.

The SR125 is pitched squarely at the learner, given its 125cc engine, but also finds favour with some short-distance commuters thanks to its comfort and practicality.

The styling is dated, in a semi-custom cruiser mould - it's evident that this bike has been around for a long time, but compared to some of its modern competitors, it's almost stylish in a certain light. This isn't a hooligan's bike for screaming round housing estates on, and isn't covered in garish paint and decals. Everything about this bike hints at relaxed, friendly, laid-back riding, and will put you instantly at ease.

The ancient design also means that the mechanicals have been well proven over time, and this makes it a solid and reliable bike which should give few mechanical problems.

The seat is extremely comfortable, and at 740mm is low enough for short riders. The combination of a low seat and low center of gravity makes this a very easy machine to control at low speed - I had absolutely no difficulties with the U-turn and low speed control exercises on this bike, which I found much more difficult on other "trailie" style learner machines.

The exposed metal on show makes it really obvious that this is a weedy 125 at heart, so this isn't going to set the world on fire, but offers 4-stroke smoothness and good "poke" compared to a scooter. It has reasonable torque in low gear, but the engine obviously will need to work hard to drag the rider up hills.

Performance is adequate for a learner - it will reach 60mph without too much difficulty, but as a 125cc machine does need work through the gears to get there. Cruising for distance at speed is not really comfortable, due to the lack of a fairing, but it does handle very well at speed, moving well with the body. Learners will quickly develop confidence to lean with the bike.

>The foot positioning is slightly feet-forward, and I found it took a few minutes to get used to the position of the right leg - gave me slight cramp until I relaxed a little. If I was much taller, I think my knees may have become involved with the handlebars, but if you're less than 6 feet tall, it should be comfortable enough.

The handlebars are comparatively narrow, and slightly swept back in "chopper" style - this gives a very relaxed riding position, with the feeling of sitting back into the seat rather than being balanced over the handlebars, which helps comfort and observation for the learner.

Dials and controls are reasonably well-designed - although the speedo is quite large and low down and features a custom look to it which can make it slightly difficult to read without dipping the head slightly. The electric start is a blessing for learners who are prone to stalling.

Overall, it's a fairly cheap and cheerful bike that will get you through your test thanks to its easy handling, great balance and low-speed manoeverability. It's comfortable to ride, which would make it a good short-distance commuter.

Against the Honda CG125, which has dropped in price to £1599 recently, it looks pricey, but its styling gives it a cosmetic advantage. If you're looking for a learner, it's definitely worth considering, but check out other learners in the range, too. I'd recommend it for its easy, relaxed handling and control as well as its comfort.

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