Yamaha RX 125: The Yamaha RX 125 has a place in motorcycling history as one of the cornerstones of the golden age of lightweight performance motorcycles that offered the masses the chance to experience the thrill of two-stroke performance.
Small but racy, this little beastie won the hearts of riders with its zesty handling, peppy performance and that quirky two-stroke persona that offered up a riding experience far more entertaining than the numbers on the spec sheet appear to be.
Yamaha RX 125: Historical Context
The RX 125 was built at a time when light weight two-stroke motorcycles were an incredibly important category in many markets at that time - especially in developing countries where they could be both affordable while offering good performance and also be relatively easy for enthusiasts to work on.
Design-wise, the model was heavily influenced by the iconic RX 100, but offered a bit more performance for someone looking for a little extra power who didn’t want to move to a bigger, more expensive machine.
Design Elements
Visually, the RX 125 was what a motorcycle should look like at the time, nothing too bulky – being to swallow your pride after all – but well-proportioned, such as a slim fuel tank encased by knee recesses, simple side panels and long, flat seat (adequate for both pilot and pillion).
The engine in the open became an honest, mechanical look that highlighted function over style.
Fifteen inch chrome strips across the fenders, the exhaust and the headlight housing kept the look bright and clean and period correct, and the clear gauge cluster gave you all the info you needed without cluttering up the dash.
This simple derivation produced an ageless appeal that has drawn enthusiasts all these years after production ceased.
Engine Character
Engine The RX 125 featured a 123cc air-cooled single cylinder two stroke engine at its core. This small engine however produced a mere 12 horsepower – an unremarkable amount by today’s standards but impressive for its day and displacement and more than enough to propel a 105 kilogram motorcycle.
What truly set this engine apart, however, was not so much the peak power figure as the way the power was delivered.
The usual dense and potent two-stroke powerband meant an interesting riding experience as things shifted up from docile low RPM motoring to animation as the revs grew, finishing with a thrilling hit at the top end of the rev range for those paying attention.
The unique exhaust note, an abrupt, hard-edged bark particular to single-cylinder two-strokes, was part of the sensory experience, as was the telltale blue smoke that came to identify these bikes.
A five-speed transmission delivered evenly spaced ratios, enabling the engine to remain at its delightful best under a variety of riding situations.
Handling Dynamics
The RX 125’s party piece was possibly its fantastic handling, the result of its lightness, good handling geometry and correctly-damped suspension.
The traditional telescopic front forks and dual rear shock absorbers delivered sufficient wheel control and a standard of simplicity not found in more tech laden modern machines, the 18-inch wheels struck a balance between stability and agility.
Skinny by today’s standard, the shoes demanded careful line choice but, in experienced hands, offered light, accurate handling and great feel.
It was the union of a lively engine and a great chassis which made Neevil a good one to have on a tight road; he could usually keep up with bigger bikes in lumpy going if you kept the hammer down.
Cultural Impact
Cultural impact Aside from their technical virtues, the RX 125 and the rest of the RX’s also made a huge cultural impact in many countries like India and South East Asia where they epitomised attainable, yet desirable performance.
For a large number of riders, these bikes were their first experience of performance motorcycles and proved influential to future generations of motorcyclists.
The simple mechanical nature of the machine also fostered a homegrown culture of modification and maintenance – many owners simply learned their mechanical skills by tinkering with their own bikes.
This interaction between the rider the machine led to a bond that was more than a mere means of transportation.
Yamaha RX 125:
Yamaha RX 125 The Yamaha RX 125 is the kind of bike that reminds us of a time when light, fun little bikes also looked good and created a lasting bond with its owner.
Long gone from the street thanks to ever tightening emissions regulations, the RX 125 lives on thr-www-ough the fanatical (and monumental) following the bike has always enjoyed; much to the joy of a generation who have restored, maintained and simply loved the bike across the years.