Yamaha YBR 125

Let me start by saying that I've loved every minute on my YBR. I bought this bike when I could no longer afford to run my car and needed something to run around on to town and to work. Out of the 3 main dealers (honda, suzuki and yamaha), I found that the YBR offered the best package. Since all the bikes are very similar you have to see what each dealer can offer you at what price.

The YBR has a smooth 4 stroke engine that pulls happily all the way through the rev range, unlike a 2 stroke with their micro power bands. Also because it's a 4 stroke you get great fuel economy. I don't tend to care about driving economically yet can easily get 100 mpg and combined with the 12 litre tank this gives a good range bewteen fill ups. The only negative about the engine is the choke positioning, which is under the seat rather than on the bars, so it can be a little awkward to use. In winter aI just used to let my bike idle on the choke in my driveway for a few minutes to warm up and then turn off the choke before I set off to relieve this problem. Luckily though, I find now that the weather is warmer and my bike has done a few hundred miles that I no longer need the choke to start anymore so this is not a problem.

The engine has both an electric and kick start, which both work beautifully, I've never had any problems with either and after 6 months have never had to charge the battery or been unable to start my bike.

The handling of this bike is great for the style of bike. Obviously with OE tyres you'll never get your knee down on a roundabout, but that's not what this bike is designed for. The YBR is light and agile, perfect for nipping through town quickly and for a run down the back roads. The engine will quickly get you up to 40mph, so you have no worries about keeping up in town, and on the main roads 55mph is comfortably reached. 60mph can be reached and maintained, but only if the road is level and there isn't a great headwind.

The seat is very comfy and I've never had any problems with it, even on a 100 mile ride to Newcastle. The suspension deals with all the bumps in the road and your position on the bike is neither too cramped or too stretched (i'm 5' 11" and fit fine).

The original tyres can be a bit slippery at times, but so long as you don't go mental in the wet you'll have adequete grip for normal riding.

The brakes are very capable of bringing you to a stop when a car decides they don't want to see you coming towards the junction they wish to pull out from, and much better than the CG125 I did my CBT on. The CG has drum's fron and rear, whereas the YBR gets a disk up front.

One little thing that does annoy me is the lack of side stand. The bike can easily be put up on to the centre stand, it would just be easier if there was a side stand as well for when you just want to make a quick stop. The centre stand is useful for lubing the chain though.

Overall the YBR125 is a great first bike, or if you're just looking for something to nip around town on, all the fun of a pushbike without all the effort.

I will update this review when I pass my test to comment on pillion riding and when I change the tyres if there is any difference.

UPDATE:
I have now owned this bike for nearly a year and I still love getting it out and going for a ride. My bike is used daily for short and long rides to work and just for fun and I've yet to have a problem with it.

Tyres: I've recently switched to Michelin Pilot Sporty's and I must say that these tyres are a million times better than the originals in every way, I'm now able to corner wet or dry without any worries about grip.

I'm also about to get the flyscreen to try reduce the windblast so will comment on that once fitted and tested.