With the rise of retros in recent years, the motorcycle industry has seen a resurgence in new bikes being produced with the styling of yesteryear. The 125cc retro market was largely dominated by Chinese manufacturers to begin with, but now the likes of Honda and Yamaha are producing some proper kit too.

In this top 10, I will be running through varying styles of retro motorcycles from scramblers, roadsters, café racers and even a cruiser, with a few coming in right on that power limit and some with prices starting from less than two and a half grand too.

So, shall we take a look at what the ten best are in 2025?

Starting at number 10, coming in hot with loose retro Harley-Davidson looks and a matching V-twin engine, we have the Keeway V-Cruise 125.

It’s not often a 125cc v-twin comes around. Known for being both costly and complex to manufacture with little gained over a single cylinder aside from torque, but Keeway have managed just that.

Powering the V-Cruise is, as mentioned, a liquid-cooled 4-stroke, 4-valve 124cc v-twin making 12.7hp and a rather high (for a 125cc) 14.4nm of torque with a belt drive and a 6-speed gearbox. It’s clear to see Keeway have gone a bit rogue with the V-Cruise, but it does present something different in the world of 125s, especially with its large proportions.

Whilst the Keeway may take the spotlight for its v-twin, it does also feature a circular LCD display, full LED lighting, adjustable rear shocks and a large 300mm front disc brake to suit, so it’s not all about the engine as cool as it is.

Priced at £4,299 it definitely isn’t the cheapest on this list, but then again, it is the only v-twin on this list too, so if you want something different and are a fan of cruisers, this could be the one for you.

In at number 9, we have the cheapest bike on the list and another from Keeway - a café racer.

With classic looks, a large front disc with ABS front and rear, LED lighting and a smart-looking circular LCD display, you can be sure of getting a machine that looks cool for not a lot of money.

Powering the X-Light is a single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke single overhead cam 123cc engine producing 11hp at 9,000rpm and 9.7nm of torque at 6,500rpm paired with a 5-speed gearbox. This should translate to a top speed of around 61mph, just enough to keep up with most traffic.

The X-Light doesn’t just go by name either, it is light, especially given its 16-litre tank capacity tipping the scales at an unladen weight of 131kg.

At just £2,499, the X-Light presents simplistic motorcycling with retro-cool style and a few modern touches.

Coming in at number 8 is the '71 Desert Scrambler 125 from historic brand AJS.

Having been founded in Wolverhampton by the Stevens brothers in 1909, AJS have an expansive history and true heritage. Now produced in China, AJS are bringing retro motorcycling back and to a budget too.

The '71 Desert Scrambler is no exception to that heritage and is based upon the AJS Stormer, a bike Mike Jackson (USA Sales Manager) raced across the Mojave Desert in 1971.

Coming equipped with a single-cylinder air-cooled 4-stroke 124cc engine producing 9.4hp at 9,000rpm and 9.5nm of torque at 6,500rpm, the AJS may not be the quickest bike on the list, but when you’re green laning, why does it matter? It should also return in the region of 149mpg according to AJS.

On the road, the AJS should, like the Keeway, also top out at approximately 60mph, so about enough to keep up with traffic. Coming in at 126kg wet with 90% of its 13-litre tank filled though, the AJS is light. It also looks good too with its chunky tyres, dual gauges, high-level exhaust and four colourways - forged black, blazing orange, sundown metallic red plus a new limited edition grey.

If you’re after something that won’t break the bank, has British heritage, looks great and can tackle the trails at the weekend too, the '71 Desert Scrambler may be for you, especially at a price of just £2,899.

Now onto number 7 on the list with a model from Lexmoto, featuring more of a neo-retro style in blacked out, scrambler form.

With a stealthy, matt black appearance and high spec, it’s a wonder how Lexmoto have produced it for such little money. Featuring a large TFT display, factory crash bars, ABS, and a liquid-cooled engine, Lexmoto has gone to town with as much equipment as they can throw at it whilst still keeping the price down.

As mentioned, the RSS comes with a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke 124cc single-cylinder engine that produces a little over 14hp at 9,000rpm and 11.2nm of torque at 8,600rpm.

This is mated to a 6-speed gearbox, propelling the RSS to a top speed of just under 70mph. It does tip the scales a bit more than the others on this list so far though, at a hefty 163kg.

LED lighting is all around on the RSS, too, which contributes to its neo-retro style, and the stylish, somewhat futuristic tank and rear seat design really do make it stand out among the other 125 retros on this list. At £2,759.99, I do wonder how Lexmoto have done it.

Sitting just above the middle in 6th place is the super stylish HPS Pagani Sport Classic 125 from legendary Italian manufacturer, F.B. Mondial.

Now produced in China, the Sport Classic Pagani edition pays tribute to Nello Pagani, who won the 1949 125cc world championship on none other than an F.B. Mondial. With a fully faired café racer style, the Sport Classic looks great in my opinion and oozes Italian flair, further enhanced by the white over metallic red and grey over flat metallic blue finish you can choose from.

Engine-wise, the Mondial doesn’t disappoint either. Here we have a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke dual overhead cam 124cc single cylinder engine producing 13.4hp at a high 9,750rpm and 10.5nm of torque at 8,000rpm.

It’s light too, especially for a liquid-cooled machine with a 9.5-litre tank coming in at 133kg unladen. Having ridden the naked version previously, we can also tell you that we found it felt spritely given its decent power-to-weight ratio and found it also had loads of character.

Equipment-wise, while the Sport Classic may only have a halogen headlight, it redeems itself by coming with a round LCD display, twin shotgun-style exhaust, a 2-piston radial caliper (+ ABS) and 40mm upside-down forks. This is all for an attractive bargain price of only £2,999, slashed from its original price of £4,299.

Sitting in the middle is the Bluroc Tracker 125, their only liquid-cooled 125cc currently, and they have definitely made the most of it.

At 15hp, the Tracker is sitting right at the very limit for a CBT rider and with a dry weight (without fluids) of 110kg, it will definitely be spritely, especially when you are throwing it at the countryside.

With that power comes great stopping capability too, in the form of a single 300mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the back. The power comes via a 4-stroke, twin-cam 125cc single-cylinder with an integrated balance shaft, which is also paired to a 6-speed gearbox.

Tech and equipment are not the Tracker’s forte, highlighted by the lack of ABS with CBS in its place, but it still comes with a small LCD display, LED headlight and upside-down forks to make up for it.

At a price of £3,999, the Bluroc Tracker 125 may be more expensive than some on the list, but it does tick a lot of boxes, especially if performance is one.

In at 4, we have the Mash X-Ride 125. A 125cc version of their 650cc release a few years ago.

With loose classic supermoto styling, the X-Ride 125 hits the mark in terms of design thanks to 17” gold spoked wheels, a raised front mudguard, upside-down forks and classically shaped plastic panels, not forgetting the sump guard.

It hits the mark in terms of power too, right on the nose of the limits for a CBT rider coming in at 15hp at 9,000rpm from its liquid-cooled 124cc 4-stroke single cylinder. It also manages to run light too, 130kg is what Mash states, so you know it’ll be reasonable on the power-to-weight front as well.

Like the Bluroc, it manages to stop well too, with a 290mm disc up front accompanied by a twin-piston caliper, a 240mm disc at the back also with a rather unusual (for the rear) twin-piston caliper and ABS to finish it off.

LED lighting is also all around on the X-Ride and has the same LCD display as the Bluroc, but not much more than that on the tech front. It’s also reasonably priced, coming in at £3,299, so if you want a great-looking supermoto with retro appeal, the X-Ride 125 could be for you.

In third place, we have one from the ‘big four’ of motorcycle brands, the Japanese Yamaha XSR125 Legacy.

If the standard XSR125 isn’t quite retro enough for you, then here is the XSR125 Legacy. Based on the XSR, it differs with lightweight aluminium gold-spoked wheels and a gorgeous ‘Legend Silver’ paint job accompanied by red detailing and retro-inspired branding.

With power on the limit for a CBT rider like the Bluroc and Mash above, it won’t struggle to keep up with traffic either. Firing 15hp out of its 4-stroke liquid-cooled single overhead cam 124cc single cylinder at 10,000rpm, you know it likes to rev, especially when its peak torque figure of 11.5nm comes in at 8,000rpm too.

Tech and equipment-wise, it has a circular LCD display, LED headlight and tail-light, Yamaha’s Deltabox frame and 37mm upside-down forks. It also features Yamaha's Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology, which, after riding it, we found you could squeeze every bit of performance out of it.

Priced at £5,351, it’s definitely not the cheapest on the list, especially with somewhat basic tech, but it is a very polished machine and one from the ‘big four’ of motorcycle brands coming with a premium Japanese name, reputation and build quality.

Just missing out on top place is another one from the ‘big four’ of motorcycle brands – Honda. With ‘Dachshund dog’ looks (according to Honda), the Dax stays true to form and its 1969 self.

After 40 years away from European markets, the Dax returns following a run from 1969 all the way to 1981, and doesn’t it look great? Uncomplicated design and an appeal to all riders is what made the original Dax popular, and Honda has hit the mark again with the latest Dax 125.

Coming equipped with a simple, but reliable 4-stroke, air-cooled twin valve 124cc engine producing 9.3hp at 7,000rpm and 10.8nm of torque at 5,000rpm paired to a 4-speed semi-automatic gearbox, the Dax is no speed machine with a top speed of around 56mph, but that’s not what it’s all about with this bike.

Fun is probably the best word to describe the Dax, a bike that isn’t trying to be something it isn’t, but instead, owning up to being a small, honest and characterful ride that will guarantee to put a smile on your face no matter where you’re going.

Unlike the late 1960s Dax, this one comes with a bit more tech and equipment, too. Featuring full LED lighting all around, a 220mm disc up front with twin-piston Nissin caliper, a 190mm disc at the back with single-piston Nissin caliper, ABS, upside-down forks and a circular LCD display, you know that this little bike is not all about looks.

Coming in at £3,899, this little Honda is a bargain. Honda reliability, genuine retro looks, tonnes of kerbside appeal and a guaranteed smile wherever you’re going - all for less than four grand.

Sitting in top place and taking the crown today is the wonderful Italian Fantic Caballero 125 Rally, and it’s packed full of top-spec equipment.

With classic 70s motocross looks, the Caballero Rally comes with a number of changes for 2025, namely a new exhaust, a more compact engine casing, new seat with quick release system, new frame with revised head angle, 30mm reduced width and a 21” front wheel, replacing the 19” of 2024, to name a few. All of this will further enhance the Caballero Rally for some serious off-road work and comfort, too.

Power comes via a 4-stroke, 4-valve single overhead cam 125cc single cylinder Minarelli engine with variable timing (produced by Fantic themselves), making 15hp at 10,000rpm and 11.2nm of torque being produced at 7,750rpm.

If tackling the dirt really is your focus, then the Caballero definitely doesn’t disappoint. A dry weight (without fluids) of 130kg makes for an unintimidating ride. Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres are wrapped around the 17” and 21” spoked wheels, two-channel switchable Continental ABS will help with control and the fully customisable gold upside-down forks and monoshock with adjustments for compression, rebound, and preload provide 200mm of travel, accompanying the 280mm of ground clearance to handle whatever terrain you throw at it.

This does come with a mighty seat height of 860mm though, so possibly not one for a shorter rider, although Fantic do also make the Scrambler 125 with a more approachable 820mm seat height.

Tech-wise, the Caballero 125 Rally comes with full LED lighting all around and a circular 3.5-inch LCD display with anti-glare bonded interface and adaptive backlighting.

All of this kit does come at a cost, though. £5,949 is pretty steep for a 125cc by all accounts and is the most expensive bike on this list, but then again, it is chock full of equipment, is made in Italy and has some big-name brands playing a part in its spec list too. So, if you want a razor-sharp off-road tool that is also comfortable on the road and comes with some proper retro 70s looks, the Fantic Caballero 125 Rally could be for you.

So, there it is. My top ten retro 125cc’s for 2025, just going to prove that you don’t have to increase capacity to get a cool looking bike, no matter your budget; especially if you shop used.

If you have your very own retro 125cc already or maybe own another bike that needs motorcycle insurance, be sure to head to Lexham to get a quote directly.