Popular since the 80s, it’s their urban manners, off-road capabilities and sharp styling that still make the Motard motorcycle a firm favourite for many.

Nowadays, many manufacturers offer more than one option for this category of bike and it may be difficult to tell the difference between them. To make this easier I have picked each specific model, all of the longer names included.

So with all of that out the way, let’s get started, shall we?

Starting off our top ten today is the £2,199 Lexmoto Assualt 125.

The Assault is a returning model from our pre-existing top ten 125cc motard article and I am here to tell you exactly why. Lexmoto has presented us with a fantastic little crossover machine (similar to Zontes) coming equipped with a long front mudguard, long suspension and front knobbly tyre (the rear tyre is a more road-focused tyre).

Something I really do like about the Assault has got to be the colourway options available. For 2024, you can pick yourself a 125 in Infinity Black, Torrent Blue or Precision Grey - with a personal favourite being the Torrent Blue!

On the other hand, an area which does let this bike down has got to be the power. The Assault packs a 125cc single-cylinder engine that produces 10.7hp which when you compare it to other models on this list - is a little lacklustre for me, whereas many of the models on this list are very motard focused, this is essentially a naked bike with a motard front to it.

Next up and sitting at ninth today we have a stunning little offering from Um Motorcycles - the DSR 125!

Inside the DSR there is a 125cc single-cylinder Aprilia engine, that is capable of producing 11kW at 10750rpm and top speeds of 65mph, the maximum amount of power for a bike in this class.

Onto styling and I think it is fair to say that the DSR 125 has some of the best road presence on this top ten. Coming in two different two-tone colourway options including black/orange and black/neon yellow offerings with added graphics across the exterior.

Overall, I think the DSR 125 from Um is an exciting yet affordable 125cc motorcycle that is light and agile coming in at 124kg, making it the perfect bike for new riders looking for their first 125cc motorcycle -  coming equipped with an Aprilia engine for £2,499!

Sliding into eighth and we have another returner from our 2022 list - the MGB ATX 125!

The ATX is considered as a learner-legal 125cc adventure bike, coming equipped with all of the adventure-esque style features such as a 15L fuel tank, handguards, dual-purpose tyres, off-road suspension, as well as an engine guard, ideal for both on and off-roading all for the price of £2,299.

Moving onto what is powering the ATX, you will find a 125cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that produces 12.1hp which is pretty standard within the 125cc category.

Whilst the engine is a little underpowered for me, an area which the ATX does impress has got to the tech. Featuring an LED headlight and indicators, hydraulic disc brakes, and rear pannier racks, the ATX packs a lot into such an affordable price package.

Coming in at seventh today we have a slightly lesser-known manufacturer Beta UK and their RR 125.

Sporting a 124.6cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine, Beta claims that the RR is ideal for all sorts of riders whether it be a young rider who is looking for their first motorcycle or an experienced rider seeking an agile yet sporty two-wheeler to run around.

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.

One of the downsides to this motard motorcycle however for me has got to be the limited tech that comes included but then again this is more of a competition spec bike giving more of a raw motard feel. Do make sure that you go for the road spec model if planning to ride this one on the road.  The price tag of this one is £4,745.

In at number six has got to be the Zontes ZT125-U1.

Now, I can hear you asking ‘Why have you included this one on your list?’ and with that, I can answer in a very simple way. Whilst it may be a naked bike, and certainly has the strong looks of one, it in fact has a lot of similarities with the rest of today’s contenders (we are looking at you beak and spoked wheels).

Packing a 124.7cc engine producing 14.5hp, the ZT125 also sports some truly motard-styled features. From the adventured-style tyres, bodywork, long suspension, to centrally mounted mono-shock, and ABS as well as some pretty neat crash bars - all for £3,199!

I think it is fair to say that Zontes has used the rest of its range as the foundation and inspiration when creating this high-level Chinese crossover. Yes, it might still be half Naked but when you consider the finishing touches, the quality, and the loose resemblance of a Motard, that’s why we had to include it today.

Sitting in the middle of our top ten today we have this neat little offering from Rieju - the Marathon Pro 125!

Coming equipped with the new liquid-cooled 15CV Yamaha 4-stroke 4-valve engine, the Marathon produces 14.6hp which sits at the top of the 125cc class power allowance.

However, the good bits don’t stop there. The Marathon also comes equipped with 40mm Marzocchi front forks, Rieju’s Progressive Racing System, 17” alloy rims as well as a radial mounted AJP gold series dual piston calliper up front.

I think one of the best parts of the Rieju has got to be the styling, tying in those classic racing colours of red, white, and black in combination with the pop-out graphics really makes the perfect recipe for ultimate road presence.

Onto the price and the Rieju Marathon could be yours for £4,899, making it one of the slightly more expensive offerings on this list.

Just missing out on a top-three spot is the Fantic XMF Performance.

Thanks to the Italian styling, the XMF looks seriously professional. Pair that with the high-performing and powerful liquid-cooled engines and nearly 15 ponies, you will struggle to find a bike that embodies the ideal motard as much as the XMF.

Out of the XMF family, the Performance is the more road-going version of the two. Coming packed with wavy discs, a VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) system, a 41 mm upside-down front fork and aluminium triple clams, as well as a variable section swingarm.

Onto the price and for 2024 you will be looking at paying £5,149 for the XMF performance, 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!

Onto the top three and kicking it off we have the FB Mondial SMX Motard.

When comparing the SMX Motard to the Enduro, the Motard has been set up to be far more friendly on the road and easy to handle, coming equipped with 17-inch road tyres and a slightly lower overall height (but still a tall 940mm high seat) - ideal for beginner riders who are looking to get on their first Motard.

In my opinion, the SMX really packs in a great list of spec including a 124.2cc liquid-cooled engine packing 13.4 horses, a 6-speed gearbox, high exhaust, as well as in-your-face sporty graphics and colourways.

All in all, the SMX looks great and is an excellent alternative for the Aprilia, coming in at just £3,199!

Just missing out on the crown and sitting at number two we have the Sinnis SM-R!

The SM-R was introduced to Sinnis’ range back in 2022 and ever since it has been dominating the 125cc motard market. Powered by a liquid-cooled 125cc DOHC four-valve single-cylinder, the SM-R pumps 14.8hp and 11.5nm of torque at 8,500rpm.

Onto the design and I think it is fair to say that the SM-R looks brilliant, coming in two different colourway options including grey with cyber yellow or black with laser blue. Overall, this bike is the true embodiment of a supermotard, coming equipped with sturdy panel work, modern graphics and monstrous 54mm diameter forks up front.

Lastly, if you are looking to purchase yourself a SM-R, for 2024 you will be looking at paying £3,399 - offering a very competitive package at an extremely competitive price tag!

Taking the top spot on the list today is the Aprilia SX125...

Packing in a 124.2cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, the SX is capable of producing 14.7bhp and comes equipped with some great tech including a modern digital display, Bosch ABS with anti-roll-over, tapered aluminium handlebar as well as integrated passenger grips.

When it comes to styling, this motard brings a mix of off-road styling and components such as the forks, mudguard, front headlight, high 880mm seat height, exhaust and big wheels, and typical on-road abilities including the use of roadworthy tyres.

Overall, the SX125 packs a lot into its £3,650 interior, making it a great option for those wanting a great 125cc motard on a budget!

So there you have it, I hope you enjoyed my run down on the top ten very best 125cc motard motorcycles for 2024…

Before you go though, if you do have your very own 125cc motard or perhaps another motorcycle you need to insure - make sure to get a motorcycle insurance quotation direct from Lexham!