Kawasaki Ninja 125 tested to the limit

When Kawasaki UK lent us a 125 Ninja to test we thought we'd use it to tackle some of the stereotypes around 125cc motorcycles.

Can a 125 do motorway speeds?
Can you go touring on a 125?
Can you do a track day on a 125?
What fuel consumption will a 125 do?

0:00 The Plan
1:15 Fuel and Zero miles
1:50 Motorway speed test
2:55 Bike weight
4:00 Making it to Wales
4:35 125cc bikes history
5:27 Kawasaki Ninja 125 specs
6:35 Making it to Anglesey
7:40 Setting up camp
9:32 Track day
10:17 On track
13:45 Heading home
15:00 Fuel and MPG check
17:15 The big hill
19:32 End of the Motorway and round up.

So we went on a 125 mile trip from The Cat N Fiddle to Anglesey Circuit, Mostly on motorways and duel carriageways. Camped over night, took part in a track day, rode back to Manchester and nearly all on one tank of fuel.

The bike was loaded up with a tent, sleeping bag, pannier bags, a lock, camera equipment and change of clothes.

Then because I was doing a track day I was going to need a one piece set of leathers, so I opted for the RST TracTech Evo 4 leathers with the RST CoolMax base layers. With the suit being perforated, I also used the RST Wind Block Gilet under underneath the leathers to help keep me warm. I wore a pair of RST Pilot summer gloves and packed a pair of RST waterproof Sport Mid gloves in case the weather conditions worsened. I also used the RST S1 waterproof boots and took a one piece waterproof over suit so that if it did start to rain I could stop and cover up. Then to top it off (pun intended) I used a Arai RX7v helmet and I also took a spare visor incase I had to ride in the dark. All the bike gear used is available from MyMoto UK stores.

All of the camping and bike gear added up to a fair weight for a 125 Ninja to carry.

We are extremely grateful that Kawasaki UK lent us this bike to test and we are also equally grateful of James Whitham Track Training letting us stay overnight at Trac Môn and do a few laps of the circuit.

#kawasakininja #kawasaki125 #kawasakininja125

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[shaunlunn]

Brilliant review. Really enjoyed that test and the road trip and track day added to the interest. Great to see the shout out for the AR125 at 4.40 too which is also a fabulous little bike. I wonder how the new Ninja 125 performs without a speed limiter?

[phillittle]

I ride a z900 now and love it. This video brings back memories of 125cc riding and trying to overtake but losing all momentum once you pull out from the slipstream of the vehicle in front. Great video guys

[Kialna]

They didn't allow me on track with my Ninja 125 when I still had it. But I definitely went on tour through Wales as well. It was great fun.

[ozzyprogdomino]

I have a Kawasaki Z400 and the power is perfect to me, no issue with any road and you can use all it's power. I have had it two years and love it to bits. My first bike was a Kawasaki KH125

[mrp]

Enjoyed that! What a great way to demonstrate the bike

[mickclitheroe]

I rode to Italian Alps, just north of Turin on a Honda H100s2 back in the 90’s, these small bike just go. Great vid

[basementracer]

Love this, nice to see someone taking one of the small bike out for a proper trip. I did laugh though, when you were going through all the luggage and there was a 40lb lock and chain lol. I thought yup, that's the UK alright. Keep it up bro. I am 52 and been riding since I was 8, I am an ex London DR and love to see the new breed come alive.

[Cake...]

I have the 2022 Honda Grom. 125cc is less about speed and more about manoeuvrability. And really, they're just heaps of fun to ride.

[Stimm]

I toured all over on my yzf r125. A roads, B roads, motorways. All no trouble. I got it when they first came out in 2008, the only alternative back then was the RS 125 which was a 2 stroke and Honda's old cbr 125 which was a small frame bike. The Yamaha was the first full size four stroke modern sports bike in the 125 class. My first was black, after it got stolen at university a couple years later i got a blue one with some updates. It was a great bike, handled great would do 85mph following traffic. I went all over the country, from north to south. Thousands of miles.

[ScratchyBaws]

Cool video and takes my memories back some decades to the late 80's when everyone in my area wanted the RD125 after they had served their year aged 16 on a kitted/bored out 50cc. Then those who stayed with bikes went for the Ninja GPX600R or GPZ900R. Would love a motorbike again but sadly roads are a lot busier and too many idiots out there. Happy riding fella and all the best.

[wjohnson]

Just watched uour video looked good fun i have just bought a 2016 ninja 250 sl which looks almost the same as the 125 and pick it up on Saturday can't wait.

[PedroMcMahon]

I did lands end to John O'Groats on a gsxr 125 a few years back for a change rather than take the R1. Was ment to go on the R1 but had a problem on the first day so just took the Mrs Bike. Sat at 70 75mph most of the way. Had to go from Stirling up to Sango Sands Camped then early morning to John O'groats then south over 2 days.

[Simon-frts]

I remember buying a brand new Kawasaki KMX 125 in 1989. It was £1500! God I loved that bike once I derestricted it and fit a Fresco end can. My last bike was a GSXR1000 which I sold 13 years ago, loved that too. Unfortunately my biking days are over, but I do miss the many bikes I have owned and ridden.

[autisticpainter]

Watching this makes me want to get a Kawasaki 125 and get back to riding again

[thierryvogler]

Love the Video. I also bought an Ninja 125. I'm getting it in about 1 Week im very excited. Keep Up the good Videos!

[mickl]

I remember the mid 90s when my 1986 TZR 125 would easily hit 100mph and stay reliable. I did 65k miles on that bike in all weathers. It was fully deristricted with operational YPVS.

[iansvecs]

I hate how slow 125s are these days. My old Yamaha RD125 topped 100mph and got there in a flash. These modern 4 strokes take a decade just to hit 60.

[damianallen]

I had a 98 rs125 back in 2001. I went from derby to skegness with camping gear and It did it with ease plus I was 18stone aswell. And I had another 125 it was a cagiva supercity 125 a very fast bike. It brings back the memories.

[PXCMEDIA]

Loved the vid... That was a brilliant demo 👍

[druidx]

I did a very similar trip to this on my first 125 when I was 18. Rode from Warringon down to silverstone for the weekend and back, loaded up with soft panniers and a rucksack. I didn't do motoroways as I still had L plates, but I took plenty of motorway-style A roads during the trip. While not imporssible, wringing the neck of a carbed 125 to get 65 mph on those roads was the least fun aspect of the trip.
Something like a 250-300cc bike is a brilliant step up, more usable on the motorways, (and on track), while still being small enough to use hard on the roads without getting into trouble. My next bike in the form of an R3 proved this.