Yamaha YS125 (2017-2020) - Review & Buying Guide

Taking over from the hugely successful YBR125, which sold over 150,000 units in Europe during its ten-year lifespan, the YS125 was launched in 2017 but only lasted a relatively short time until Euro5 emission regulations saw it killed off. Featuring a sporty new look, the YS125 retained the YBR’s philosophy of basic but reliable motoring and while far from high tech, is an incredibly reliable workhorse that won’t let you down. Easy to fix and very, very, frugal, the YS125 delivers basic urban motoring at its best and while there are cheaper Chinese branded machines out there, the YS offers a slightly higher level of build quality and reliability, not to mention an established spare parts back-up due to its Yamaha parentage (although it is also built in China...). If you want a cheap alternative to either public transport or sitting in a traffic jam, the YS125 is the perfect answer.

Pros & Cons

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Prices

In 2017 the YS125 cost just £2799, which was only £200 more than the YBR125 it replaced. Holding its price well, while there are a few YS125s out there for around £1000, they have generally been either crashed, neglected or run into the ground and so you are better off paying around £2000 for one that has under 10,000 miles on its clocks and is in good condition. As the YS is such a popular model, you are unlikely to lose out too much when it comes to passing it on again if you keep on top of routine maintenance and cleaning.

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Engine & Performance

The YS is powered by basically the same engine as the YBR, however it isn’t 100% identical. Running fuel-injection (the YBR gained this in 2007) the air-cooled motor has the same five-speed gearbox as the YBR but the YS has a new barrel and head, helping it meet emissions regulations as well as improving economy figures. Still a single overhead cam in its design (sohc) with just two valves, the YS has a longer stroke (up from 54mm to 57.9mm) with a smaller bore (reduced from 54mm to 52.4mm) than the YBR. Making a fairly sedate 10.5bhp with 8ftlb of torque, its performance is marginally increased but in all honesty, you would never know it has been changed. This isn’t a bike that has performance at the forefront of its design and while it can just about hit 70mph with a (strong...) tail wind, it is basically stuck at 60mph for most of its days and is far happier at 30mph in urban areas. Does this matter? Not really, the YS is what it is and commuters are happy with this performance.

When it comes to reliability, the YS’s motor is basically bulletproof and while it has 3500-mile service intervals, these are pretty cheap and easy for a competent home DIY mechanic to complete. The only tricky part is the valve-clearance check, which is technically every 3500-miles but owners report that the clearances seldom require changing. Ideally, when buying a used bike, you want one that has had its clearances checked sometime in its recent history... The spark plug is changed every 7000 miles alongside the air filter but it’s not a bad idea to do both either annually or alongside each service. You can buy a compete service kit (oil filter, air filter, spark plug and oil) for just £55 and the only slight issue is that you won’t be able to run a diagnostic check on the fuel injection system at home or probably adjust the engine’s idle speed. A Yamaha dealer will charge you roughly £200 for the service, which isn’t too bad. When buying used, look for signs of ham-fisted maintenance such as an over-tightened sump plug and also the bike’s oil level. As the YS only holds 1 litre of oil (1.1 with the filter removed) it is easy for it to run low. Happily the owner’s manual, which can be downloaded online very easily, has a comprehensive maintenance section to help guide you should you wish to perform any work on the bike yourself.

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

The YS’s budget nature means that you can’t expect too much in the way of handling prowess. With 18in wheels the YS is stable and secure at speed and its light weight of just 129kg means it is extremely easy to manoeuvre in town, a factor helped by its low 795mm seat height. Out of town the budget suspension is a bit basic and not known for its robustness, however replacements are cheap (a fork rebuild kit is £30, new shocks are £100, used ones £30) so that’s not a huge issue. However its brakes may be a worry for some...

Euro4 regulations required 125s to either have ABS or a linked brake system and like most other budget bikes, Yamaha have opted for the cheaper option. Called Unified Braking System (UBS), a cable connected to the rear brake’s foot peddle pulls on the front master cylinder, activating both brakes when you put pressure on the rear, while the front lever remains independent. A simply and effective system, it won’t stop lock-ups but it is acceptable in most conditions. When buying used, check the system isn’t seized and also ask when the rear drum’s pads were last checked, they are easy to overlook. Again, parts are cheap with drum pads £40 a set and a front brake rebuild kit just £20.

Aside from crash damage, duff suspension and worn bearings, the YS’s chassis is so basic it tends not to have any issues. Corrosion on exposed metal areas is an obvious concern as well as consumable items such as tyres and chain and sprockets but (we have said this a lot...) replacement parts are very cheap...

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Comfort & Economy

Yamaha increased the size of the YS’s tank by one litre in the update (bringing it up to 14 litres) and this, alongside enhanced economy, means you can easily cover over 300 miles on a tank! Ride it hard and the YS will still record 100mpg while figures of around 130mpg are achievable in urban areas (there is an Eco light on the dash to help you hit this target). Talk about cheap motoring...

When it comes to comfort the YS is pleasingly spacious and its small nose fairing does deliver a very limited amount of protection but this isn’t a bike to cover huge mileages on, it is a short-hop machine and for that role its comfort levels are perfectly acceptable.

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Equipment

While the YS’s dash has an ‘Eco’ light alongside a gear position indicator and fuel gauge, that’s about the extent of the Yamaha’s equipment aside from pillion grab rails. Very few owners add to the YS and aside from heated grips and maybe a top box, most remain standard. If it has an aftermarket exhaust fitted, that generally hints at a crash as there are no performance gains to be had!

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Rivals

The cheap and cheerful 125 market is a bit of a minefield but there are a few ‘known brand’ options, which most buyers look towards.

Yamaha YBR125 (2005-2017) | Price: £500-£2000

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Power/Torque

10bhp / 7lb-ft

Weight

113kg

Honda CB125F (2015-2020) | Price: £1100-£2500

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Power/Torque

10bhp / 7.5lb-ft

Weight

128kg

Suzuki GSX-S125 (2017-current) | Price: £2000-£4000

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Power/Torque

15bhp / 8.5lb-ft

Weight

133kg

2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Verdict

The YS125 is a basic, no-frills, commuter that has a proven reliability track record and an established name on its tank, meaning servicing and spare parts aren’t a worry. If you are after a cheap commuter, it is hard to argue against a bike that can easily deliver 100mpg, weighs just 129kg and carries a Yamaha badge. Yes, behind the badge it is made in China and not Japan, but that’s not an issue when it comes to the day-to-day running of the bike and Yamaha have undeniably kept a close eye on build quality. As functional workhorses go, aside from its lack of ABS, this A1-legal commuter is hard to fault.

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2017 - 2020 Yamaha YS125 - Technical Specification

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