A 125cc machine is still one of the best ways onto two wheels, especially if you want something cheap to run, easy to ride, and sensible to insure. The problem is, there are so many options now, which is a good thing! But it can leave things looking all the same, especially if you are new to two wheels.

To keep things simple, I’ve pulled together a variety of different 125cc bikes that are often sensible picks if you are trying to keep the insurance cost down.

It is worth noting that the cost of your insurance is specific to the individual, and your age, postcode, riding history, security, mileage, and chosen level of cover will always determine the final premium, so use this list as a starting point, then run a few quotes with your own details to see what the real numbers look like.

If you’re shopping for a 125 with insurance in mind, it is worth knowing what actually determines the price. The bike matters, but in practice, things like where it is kept, what security you use, how many miles you do, whether you commute, your excess, and your level of cover usually have a bigger impact, which is exactly what we cover in our guide on saving money on motorcycle insurance.

The main factors to consider when setting up your policy are as follows:

Where the bike is kept overnight, and what you lock it with, can make a big difference.

Third Party Only is usually cheaper than Comprehensive, but it is not the right choice for everyone.

A higher excess can reduce the premium, but only set it at a level you could actually afford to pay.

If you don’t commute and you do fewer miles, that can help keep costs down.

Claims, convictions, and whether you have a full licence can all shift a quote more than the bike itself.

Kicking things off is the Honda CB125F, a BikeMatters tried and tested. It is exactly what most people actually need from a 125: light, simple, incredibly frugal and built for commuting. For 2026, it also gains a 4.2-inch TFT with Honda RoadSync connectivity and Honda’s Auto Idle Stop function, which is scooter tech, but on a manual bike!

With 10.7hp and a 117kg kerb weight, it is easy to live with in town or country, and the 11L tank means you won’t constantly be looking for a petrol station, gaining up to 455 miles on a single tank according to Honda.

The numbers are impressive and pack some big figures, but somehow, what isn’t a big figure is the price coming in at just £3,299. A bargain price for a machine you can depend upon.

Next up is the AJS Tempest Roadster, a straightforward 125 that goes for classic roadster styling without the headaches of a classic project.

It’s got sensible power and low weight, which makes it easy to manage if you’re new to two wheels, especially in traffic or at low speeds, while the relaxed riding position suits everyday commuting just as well as weekend rides. The 16L tank is a real bonus too, giving it a strong range and helping keep running costs low if you’re riding regularly.

If you want simple and sensible, with a bit of old school character, the Tempest Roadster could be for you!

The Lexmoto RX1 125 is for riders who are fans of the adventure bike look and feel but want it on a learner-legal budget.

Coming in with the same power and seat height as the CB125F at 10.7hp and 790mm, the RX1 also give you a commanding position in traffic but with a lot more wind protection.

The addition of the hard panniers and top box makes it even more practical for the day-to-day commute, too, but just remember that the weight is worth consideration when you are learning and moving the bike around at 164kg.

Next, we have the Honda MSX125, or sometimes more affectionately known as the Grom - one of the best city tools in the 125 world!

With 9.8hp and a 103kg kerb weight, it feels instantly manageable and almost toy-like, and that makes a big difference when you are learning. It is not built for long-distance work unless you’re brave, but for town miles and tight roads; it is a cracking little bike, especially given Honda’s track record for reliability.

It’s also a bike we’ve used ourselves on the Learn to Ride course at MCL in both 2024 & 2025, so we’ve seen first‑hand how well it works for newer riders!

The Honda Monkey 125 is a small retro bike that feels properly premium, and you can see why when you look at the details.

With a low 776mm seat height and just 105kg to manage, it is instantly confidence-inspiring and arguably has a little more charm and character than its sister bike - the Grom we talked about above. The possible downside is its tank capacity; with a 5.6L tank, it’s not the biggest, but the similar Grom still manages up to 248 miles of range.

If you want a 125 with retro appeal, that feels well-built, and holds its value, the Monkey is hard to ignore.

The Voge 125 R is a modern naked that looks and feels a step up from the bargain end of the class despite coming with a very competitive price, with sharper styling and a more substantial feel than many basic commuter 125s.

With 14.7hp and a 136kg kerb weight, it has decent learner legal punch on paper, and is the sort of bike that suits commuting and back road miles equally well. It feels stable and predictable on the road, which helps build confidence if you’re still gaining experience.

If you want a 125 that feels more grown‑up without jumping to a premium price tag, it is a strong option and well worth considering.

Next up is the Benelli BKX 125, a new addition for 2026, and doesn’t it look great? Not only does it have the looks, but it’s a proper small-capacity adventure bike on paper, too.

You get 15hp, a 12L tank, and a tall 860mm seat height, plus a fairly low weight of just 144kg. If you’re a fan of adventure bikes like the CFMoto 450MT but want something green lane compatible with a CBT or an A1 licence, and you are happy with the taller stance, it is a lot of bike for the money!

Bringing us to the QJMotor SRV 125, we have a small cruiser that keeps things low and relaxed.

With 13.8hp and a 700mm seat height, it is an approachable option if you don’t fancy a tall, upright 125 but instead prefer the look and feel of something like a Harley Nightster, especially as the SRV also features a V-Twin engine! At 163kg, it’s not light (for a 125cc), but the low seat helps it feel approachable when you are starting out.

Next up, we have the Yamaha XSR125, a popular little retro with a big name!

Based on the existing MT-125, the XSR takes a more retro approach, much like its bigger brother, the XSR900, but it does come with a very premium price tag of over £5k. You do get quite a lot for your money, however, as the XSR comes equipped with a Deltabox frame, a punchy 14.8hp single cylinder engine and 37mm upside-down forks, not forgetting the near legendary reliability record from Yamaha.

It is a lot of cash, but if you’re after something reliable with a bit more character than the typical commuter, the XSR could prove to be an excellent choice.

The QJMotor TRX 125 is a sharp-looking, learner-legal naked that focuses on simple, everyday usability.

The spec is straightforward: 11hp, a 142kg weight, a 780mm seat height, and a generous 13.5L tank, which should help if you are commuting and don’t want to be filling up constantly.

Priced at £2,299, it is the sort of bike that makes sense if you want something easy to ride in town, confidence-inspiring for new riders, and cheap to run, without paying big brand money.

If you want classic cruiser style on a CBT, the Keeway Superlight 125 is a popular choice.

With 10.5hp, a low 730mm seat height, and a big 15L tank, it is geared towards easy-going miles and relaxed commuting. It is not trying to be sporty, but instead aiming for comfort, simple controls, and a bike that is easy to get on with. A great choice for anyone new to the world of motorcycling, especially on a budget.

Next up is the Keeway RKV 125 C, a low-slung little cruiser that keeps things comfortable and easy-going.

It is the kind of 125 that makes sense if you like the Superlight idea but want something a bit different, and you get a decent amount on paper too: 12.7hp, a 15L tank, and a very low 680mm seat height, which should feel confidence-inspiring in traffic and when you are stopping and starting.

At 164kg, it is not the lightest 125 out there, and like most cruisers, there is not much wind protection once speeds climb, but if you are after a relaxed, low-seat commuter with a big tank for the class, the RKV 125 C is well worth a look. Pricewise, it comes in at £3,499. 

The Benelli Leoncino 125 is another great option for newer riders with that neo-retro style, which seems quite popular at the moment.

You get 12.8hp and a 795mm seat height, so it is not intimidating, and the 12.5L tank is a decent size for everyday riding. It is not the lightest 125 out there at 145kg, but it should feel planted on the road, and with a £2,999 price tag, it sits in a nice middle ground if you want something a bit more stylish than a basic commuter without making your wallet considerably lighter.

If you’re after a straightforward, modern-retro 125 that makes sense day to day, the Leoncino is well worth a look.

Much like the BKX mentioned earlier, the SYM NHR is every bit a mini adventure bike built with versatility & capability.

Not only is it great for commuting with a commanding riding position, but should you wish to take it on some rougher terrain and do some green-laning or even do some distance as I did years ago on my 125, the SYM will take you there.

Power comes from a single cylinder producing 14.1 hp, which, for UK licensing laws, is fairly respectable and also comes with a smoked screen, handguards, two USB ports and full LED lighting, which, to my eyes at least, has more than a hint of Yamaha’s Tracer 7 face about it…

Leaving the adventure scene behind and focusing on cruisers again, we find the Zontes ZT125-C2.

The ‘C2’ is the more classic-shaped cruiser 125 in the Zontes range, differentiating itself from the equally similar ‘C’ bobber variant with the addition of a full rear mudguard and conventional number plate mount.

It’s been one of the best-selling cruisers in the UK regardless of capacity, and a reason for that is likely because of the looks, but more importantly, the numbers are properly commuter-friendly. You are looking at 14.5hp, a low 700mm seat height, a 16.5L tank, and a wet weight of 153kg, so it is planted, and it will go a fair distance between fill-ups.

If you want a learner legal bike that feels substantial, but still easy to manage when you are stopping and starting, the C2 makes a case for being a brilliant starter bike, especially with the competitive price being offered.

The DAX 125 is yet another fun little retro offering from none other than Honda, proving that a small bike can still be a proper daily tool. The DAX is, of course, based on the original icon from the late 60s and for a modern iteration, I think Honda has done a brilliant job keeping it true to the original.

You get an air-cooled 9.3hp engine and a kerb weight of just 107kg, so it’s light on its feet around town, and the 775mm seat height means it’s suitable for a range of riders. The obvious compromise is range, because the 3.8L tank is tiny, but if your riding is mostly urban and you want something easy to live with, the DAX more than does the job and will likely always leave you with a smile on your face!

Next on the list is another offering from Zontes. Although unlike the cruiser featured earlier, the Zontes ZT125-Z2 is the sharper naked variant, and a complete departure from the DAX, as it comes with some proper long-range numbers.

You are looking at 14.5hp, a 17L tank, and a 770mm seat height, making it easy to live with every day whilst gaining some serious range, especially when combined with its fuel injection system.

At 160kg, it is undeniably on the heavy side for the class, but if you want something that feels more substantial than the average light commuter 125s, that can be seen as part of the appeal.

On the theme of large fuel tanks and big range, we find ourselves looking at the AJS Bilston with a massive 19L capacity.

The AJS Bilston is a scrambler-style 125 with 12.5hp and 132kg, meaning it is not a heavyweight, and the 780mm seat height will suit a lot of riders, not forgetting to mention that the 19L tank is huge for a 125.

If you want something simple for commuting, but you don’t want a full-on sporty 125, the Bilston could be a brilliant choice.

The Lexmoto Carrera 125 is yet another adventure offering in the CBT/A1 class, and the spec is strong for the money.

You get a 12.5hp single, a wet weight of 141kg, a 16L tank, and a seat height of 820mm, meaning it has the range to handle commuting without the fuel station hunt or range anxiety. Much like the RX1 Lexmoto, the Carrera also comes with hard panniers and a top box, giving it excellent versatility beyond commuting and extending it to a machine that could be capable of actually doing a bit of distance.

If you want a normal, usable 125 that is not trying to be a mini superbike, the Carrera is worth a look.

Now, this list has a fair few adventure machines, but none are quite as adventure-focused as the Rieju Aventura 125; it is a serious little machine for the class and one we have already put through its paces! Getting the BikeMatters seal of approval.

Rieju quotes a power output of 15hp, a 14L tank and a 780mm seat height, with a 138kg dry weight figure, so it is not a toy, but it is still manageable. It also comes with ABS & traction control as standard alongside upside-down forks and semi-knobbly tyres ready for some trails. If you want an upright position and something that feels ready for longer runs, the Aventura is one to look at.

Another Rieju worth considering is the Tango 125i, an excellent choice if you’re not a fan of adventure bikes.

The Tango is a simple, lightweight 125 that is perfect for day-to-day riding whilst having a bit of fun along the way. Rieju lists a 109kg dry weight, a 7.5L tank and an 830mm seat height, so it is light, but it is not especially low. It’s also air-cooled, meaning it’s not the quickest option, but as we mentioned, it is super light.

If you want something easy to move around and easy to live with, the Tango could be a great option, especially for town miles, but do bear in mind you’ll be filling up a bit more than some of the other options on this list.

If you’re aiming to keep 125 insurance costs down, don’t forget that the biggest factors tend to be where the bike lives, the security you use, whether you commute, your mileage, previous claims history and the excess you pick.

We hope this has been helpful and given you a clearer idea of the kinds of bikes you’ll usually see in the lower groups. Once you’ve got a shortlist, it’s worth getting a motorcycle quote from Lexham with your own details, so you can see how those choices affect the price.

Thanks for reading, ride safe, and we’ll catch you on the next one!