After a 125cc naked motorcycle with a bit of flair, and a surprising amount of punch per pound? The Suzuki GSX-S 125 is certainly worth a look, with a compact size but the full 14.7 bhp available for CBT riders in the UK from a liquid-cooled single-cylinder, and a punchy 11 Nm of torque.

Whether used as a daily runner to work or school, or for the occasional detour towards fun roads, the small GSX-S 125 has plenty of lightweight attitude perfect for when you need that bit more response on the road.

We spent a day with Suzuki’s entry-level street bike to find out 7 things you need to know about – and there was a big ol’ L plate on the front, so I was pretending to be a learner for the day again!

With a current starting price of £4,499, it’s not quite budget for a 125cc, but not far off. Rivals include 2024 editions of the KTM Duke 125 (£4,899 but can be currently picked for around £4,000 thanks to the ‘Summer Sale’), Yamaha MT-125 £5,103), Honda CB125R (£4,699), and countless other cheaper options that may not quite match up on power output.

That makes the Suzuki GSX-S 125 the cheapest listed price bike with 14.7 bhp, out of the models listed. By no means does that make it categorically the best option, but it’s a tasty prospect with plenty of power per pound.

Have a read of our Top 10 125cc Motorcycles 2024 list for a full round-up.

You get 3 colours to choose from in 2024, Metallic Triton Blue / Titan Black, Titan Black (with blue wheels and details), and Pearl Brilliant White / Titan Black (with red wheels).

With sharp lines, a nice tail section, and a compact body, the GSX-S 125 also features LED lighting with stacked headlights (though not quite as obvious as on the GSX-8S and GSX-8R). Sharp lines. Nice tail section, too.

Moving to the engine, you’ll find a liquid-cooled 125cc single-cylinder, with Double Over Head Cams (DOHC), with 14.7 bhp and 11 Nm of torque. Suzuki quotes on its website that ‘In the 125cc class the GSX-S125 has the best power-to-weight ratio, the best torque to weight ratio and the best acceleration.’

It’s a solid motor, with smooth fuelling and power delivery, and plenty of fun – even as a 125cc the constant build-up of speed when hard on the throttle is seriously exciting, evidence of the advanced electronic fuel injection doing its job seriously well to deliver the right amount of fuel depending on what your right hand is doing.

Bear in mind I’m a 6’3” rider who typically struggles to get a 125cc up to the hallowed speed of 70 mph – for reference check my Duke 125 review – and this Suzuki was more than happy to get there.

Final note is on the 6-speed gearbox, good to use and geared well, you can sit in sixth gear whilst the single-cylinder sips fuel beneath you – Suzuki quotes an astonishing 117 mpg, which is superb for commuters!

A real plus point to this GSX-S 125 is the handling, whether at low speed or full throttle. Thanks to a low weight of 135 kg, lightweight aluminium wheels and 1300 mm wheelbase, the GSX-S is extremely satisfying to ride in town, with sharp handling and good feedback depending on your inputs.

You’ll also be able to really nail on your U-turns atop this, as the turning circle is seriously tight, perfect for navigating congested streets and weaving between cars – and ideal for practising your low-speed manoeuvres, ready for your Mod A test for a full or A2 licence…

Braking power is decent through the petal disc brakes front and rear (290 mm & 187 mm) with Bosch ABS, and for a lightweight bike in the 125cc category that’ll certainly do.

It’s a relatively soft braking feel through the lever, typical with a CBT-friendly machine which will cater to potential ham-fisted sudden braking. Again, a good place to learn the ropes if you’re new to riding.

Adding to the overall nimble handling feel is the suspension and seat setup. With a telescopic coil spring fork and link-type rear suspension. Given it’s a lightweight and compact machine, I was fairly apprehensive about getting on the 765 mm seat, seeing as I'm 6’3” and around 15 stone. The motor and suspension was definitely going to be put to the test.

Despite it feeling compact, the seat was surprisingly roomy with almost too much space between the rear of the seat to the front – I slid forward a bit when stopping for the first time, certainly not something I expected on a small bike.

Over successive bumps in the road (a typical UK trait) the suspension manages reasonably well, remaining composed enough to guide you along, though the initial compression of the forks did feel a little sudden over bigger hurdles.

Either way, the GSX-S125 really impresses in the handling department, and the chassis and suspension is a large part of that. Perfectly comfortable for a commute, and capable of a few more spirited rides when the road opens up.

Simplicity is key, here, and when it comes to electronics, the GSX-S 125 keeps it straightforward and basic – in that there is an LCD display and little to no tech, rider modes or gadgets on board.

You do benefit from the Suzuki one-touch easy start system, and that LCD instrument panel displays everything you’d need (revs, gear indicator, time, trip A/B, etc).

You can’t pair your smartphone, though the debate is on as to whether anyone really needs to know that you’ve just received an email when you’re riding around. Perhaps some riders would want a TFT dash and greater functionality but consider also that this would up the price tag and make it a tad less desirable.

All in, if you’re after a no-nonsense 125cc that handles well and has the peak performance for the 125cc category, the Suzuki GSX-S 125 is well worth a look – especially for the £4,499 current price tag that makes it one of the cheaper options for premium CBT-friendly machines.

New riders will particularly find the GSX-S 125 appealing thanks to its smaller size, ease of handling with forgiving brakes, and low weight – if you’re finding your feet on two wheels and motorcycles, this is a top consideration. Or even a run-around commuter with your GSX-R 1000 in the garage - you might be surprised at how fun riding at 100% on a 125cc is (and your wallet will thank you as the bike sips fuel).

Though I’d imagine a majority of newer riders will simply go for the bike they find the most visually appealing for the money!

Cheers Suzuki. More info on their website.