In this blog, we are going to be running down the top 10 very best 125cc motard motorcycles for 2025…

Something I did want to note before I got started is that, based on my research, it has become quite apparent that we are seeing fewer 125cc motard motorcycles on the scene thanks to the introduction of Euro 5+.

With that out of the way, let’s get into it!

2025 Zontes ZT125-U1

Engine Size	Power	Torque	Weight	Price
125cc Single Cylinder	14.5hp	13Nm	150kg	£3,199

Starting off our top ten today, we have the Zontes ZT125-U1.

Admittedly, no it is not a true supermoto, and instead, a road bike dressed in motard styling - however, we still felt as if it deserved a mention on our list!

Packing a single-cam, four-valve engine, the U1 produces 14.5hp and 13Nm of torque, as seen in some of the other models that are part of the Zontes 125 family. And the inspiration doesn’t stop there. When we start to look at the finishing touches and quality, we can see that Zontes have used their popular, older standing bikes as the foundation to create a bike (the U1) that truly is great.

Onto tech, and you will find the U1 also comes equipped with adventured-style tyres, LCD dash, centrally mounted mono-shock, keyless entry system, as well as ABS - all for the price of £3,199!

• Comfortable riding position
• Lightweight and manoeuvrable
• Top end of the A1 class for performance

• Not a true motard

2025 Um DSR SM

Engine Size	Power	Torque	Weight	Price
124cc Single Cylinder	15hp	11Nm	124kg	£2,499

Up next, we have this lovely little offering from Um Motorcycles, the DSR SM 125…

Starting with one of my favourite aspects of the bike, I think it is fair to say that the DSR 125 has some of the best road presence out of any of the models on this top 10. It comes in two different two-tone colourway options, including black/orange and black/neon yellow offerings. The SM has added graphics and racing lines across the exterior - to really emphasise that supermoto look.

In terms of what is powering the DSR SM, you will find a single-cylinder Aprilia engine (similar to the one seen in the SX125), which is capable of producing 15bhp and top speeds of 65mph, the maximum amount of power for a bike in this class.

Onto price and a brand new DSR SM will cost you £2,499 - an extremely affordable price, especially when you consider it comes equipped with an Aprilia engine.

• Light and agile manoeuvrability (124kg)
• Packed with a tried and tested Aprilia engine

• Wish it had ABS
• Really small fuel tank (6.3L)

2025 MGB ATX 125

Engine Size	Power	Torque	Weight	Price
124cc Single Cylinder	12.1hp	9.5Nm	149kg	£2,499

Moving on to eighth, and we have another returner from last year's list, the £2,299 MGB ATX 125!

Now, I know what you’re all thinking. Yes, the ATX is considered as a learner-legal 125cc adventure bike, coming equipped with all of the adventure-esque spec such as the 15L fuel tank, and off-road suspension.

However, it also has other great motard style features such as an engine guard and dual-purpose tyres - ideal for both on and off-road riding capabilities.

Powerwise, the ATX is packed with a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that produces 12.1hp - which in all honesty is a little underpowered for me, especially when we compare it against some of the other competitors we have mentioned on this list.

• Affordable price tag

• Not a true motard
• Power is a little lacklustre

2025 KTM 125 SMC R

Engine Size	Power	Torque	Weight	Price
125cc Single Cylinder	15hp	9.5Nm	145kg	£4,899

In at seventh, we have a brand new, recently released model, the KTM 125 SMC R.

For the engine, KTM has opted for a 15bhp single-cylinder motor to keep the overall cost of this bike down. However, you will also find a PASC slipper clutch and a six-speed transmission box also helping to power this bad boy along.

Onto tech and you will find all of the standard KTM greatness including Bybre brakes and calipers, WP Apex suspension, cast aluminium wheels, ABS, LED lighting all around as well as a small LCD dash up front.

The only downside to having this level of tech is that the SMC R will take you back £4,899, which in some cases is almost double the cost of some of the other models mentioned. On the other hand, if you do have a slightly larger budget to play with, then I do think this is a motard you should consider.

• Packed with some really great tech and spec

• A little on the heavier side (dry weight of 145kg)
• The future is unknown with KTM at the time of writing

2025 Zero FXE

Range	Power	Charging Time	Weight	Price
105 miles	Z-Force® Li-Ion intelligent integrated (14hp)	9.7 Hours (Standard)	140kg	£12,500

Moving onto our sixth spot contender today we have another brand new model for 2025 - the electric Zero FXE.

No, this isn’t going to be the most price-friendly model on this list coming in at £ 12,500. But I can assure you it is a 125 equivalent that has been built with fun riding in mind. This is all thanks to the Z-Force 75-5 air-cooled, brushless motor that is capable of producing 14hp (continuous power) and a top speed of 75mph.

For tech, you will also find a Bosch ABS, full colour 127mm TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity, custom-tuned Showa suspension as well as LED lighting all around - making it the best tech package we’ve seen on our list today!

Now one thing I do have to note, and I have a feeling you already know what is coming, but on a standard charger, you will be looking at charging your motorcycle for nearly 10 hours for a full charge. It can be reduced to just 1.3 hours with the max accessory charger, however it will come with an additional price.

• Great tech

• Standard charging time is 10 hours
• Very expensive

2025 Beta RR 4T 125 T MOTARD

Engine Size	Power	Fuel Tank	Weight	Price
124.6cc Single Cylinder	15hp	7.5L	107kg (Dry)	£3,610

In at fifth we have perhaps a model from a lesser-known manufacturer within the street bike community - the £3,610 Beta RR 4T 125 T MOTARD.

Well-renowned in the motocross scene, Beta have three bikes that are legally allowed to be ridden on the UK roads. Sporting a 124.6cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, Beta claims that the RR is ideal for all sorts of riders.

The RR 125 also features a 41mm USD Hydraulic fork up front and a mono-shock with a progressive compound lever at the rear, a steel double cradle frame, a six transmission gearbox as well as a seat height of 925mm.

However, one of the downsides of the Beta for me has got to be the limited tech. But then again, when you consider this is far more of a competition-focused bike that gives you a more raw, stripped-back motard feel - Beta choices really do make sense (but they just won’t be for everyone).

• Stripped back rugged motard feel

• Quite expensive
• Lack of tech

2025 Rieju MRT 125 LC

Engine Size	Power	Seat Height	Weight	Price
125cc Four Valve	15hp	870mm	112kg (Dry)	£3,699

Our fourth spot today goes to an all-new model from Rieju - the MRT 125.

For the engine, you will find a four-valve, fuel injection motor and six-speed gearbox, allowing the MRT to produce 15hp and top speeds of roughly 65mph. Positioning itself at the top performance allowed on an A1 licence.

Now we did mention the Marathon offering on our previous list for 2024, however, the reason why we decided to go for the MRT 125 this time around was to do with the budget-friendly price tag and no-frills attached approach.

However, that doesn’t mean that the MRT is sparse by any means. In fact, it does come well-equipped with a full digital dash, front and rear disc brakes, mono-shock absorber suspension as well as a pretty neat Double Cradle Steel chassis (as well as an optional handguard if this is something you’d want to opt for).

Lastly, onto the price and for 2025, you will be able to pick yourself up a brand new MRT 125 for £3,699 - also making it one of the more affordable offerings we will mention on our list today!

• Top performance for the A1 class and for the price tag
• Looks stunning

• UK dealerships are practically non-existent

2025 Fantic XMF

Engine Size	Power	Seat Height	Weight	Price
125cc Four Valve	15hp	870mm	112kg (Dry)	£5,199

Sitting in third we have a returner from last year's list, the Fantic XMF Performance.

One of my favourite things about the XMF has to be its styling. The updated front mask and mudguards are inspired by the Fantic racing models, as well as the two new colour combinations available including the "White Version" and "Black Version" - all painted with sporty racing lines.

Onto what is powering the XMF and you will find a Minarelli engine with a VVA System, offering a quick response and pokey acceleration. Also capable of producing 15bhp, 11.8Nm of torque as well as top speeds of up to 68mph.

Onto the price and for 2025 you will be looking at paying £5,199 making it the most expensive offering on this list. However, if you are someone who does have a bigger budget to play with, this may be a motard well worth considering!

• Neat bits of tech
• Fantic Racing inspired

• High-end price tag

2025 FB Mondial SMX Motard

Engine Size	Power	Seat Height	Weight	Price
124cc Four Valve	13.4hp	940mm	145kg	£2,999

Just missing out on the #1 spot today is the FB Mondial SMX 125 Motard…

Packed with a four-valve 13.4hp engine, six-speed gearbox, and high exhaust, the SMX provides smooth acceleration up to 70. Combine that with the 17-inch road tyres and a slightly lower overall seat height and you have a motard ideal for beginner riders!

In true 125cc fashion there isn’t a huge amount of tech. However, this bike still comes equipped with a compact LCD instrument, wavy disc brakes and ABS. Something worth noting is that the Motard does come equipped with a halogen bulb instead of LEDs - something that I believe is far overdue an upgrade.

For 2025, you can bag yourself a brand-new SMX for £2,999 in three different colourway options including blue/black, yellow/black as well as red/black - with the blue being my personal favourite.

• Great proportions
• Lots of attention to detail

• Chinese manufactured parts
• Not the highest hp

2025 Aprilia SX125

Engine Size	Power	Torque	Weight	Price
124cc Four Stroke	15hp	11.2Nm	94kg (Dry)	£3,530

In our number one spot, we have the £3,530 Aprilia SX125 - a model first launched in 2008!

As we fast forward to the modern day, the SX has seen some major upgrades (with its biggest coming in 2018) and has poised itself as one of the best motrad bikes for the 125cc class.

Why I hear you ask? Well, for starters the SX comes packed with a four-stroke, DOHC engine that pumps out a rather respectable 15bhp and 11.2 Nm of torque - as seen in the RS125.

However, the sibling inspiration doesn’t stop there. In terms of the bespoke chassis, 17-inch wheels and LCD dash all come from its trail bike brother the RX125. Another great bike featured in the Aprilia 125 lineup.

Dripped out in that all-Italian style and design, the SX comes in three different colourway options including ‘Silver Alien’, ‘White Wonder’ and lastly ‘Black Spider’ - with the Black Spider being a personal favourite!

• Good value for money
• Stunning styling

• Not the best choice for shorter riders
• Tech is a little basic

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed my rundown of the top ten very best 125cc motards for 2025.

Last but not least, if you’re thinking of getting yourself a 125cc, or perhaps you already own a motard of your own - you will need to insure it! Make sure to get a 125cc motorbike insurance quote direct with Lexham!