2011 Zuma 125 Top Speed
YAMAHA BWS 125 (2010 - on) Review
15
At a glance
| Power: | 9 bhp |
|---|---|
| Seat height: | Low (30.7 in / 780 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (267 lbs / 121 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The BW's 125 is an off-road inspired scoot that goes nicely and looks even nicer - rugged styling marks it out as a small scoot aimed at blokes. At £2,499 it's not the cheapest 125 scooter on the market, but nice detailing and decent performance help to justify the price.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The 'BW' in this scooter's name stands for Big Wheel - which makes sense when you see that it's fitted with chunky-treaded off-road style tyres. Yamaha claim this helps it find grip over potholes and on cobbled streets. We think it mostly just looks cool - which is no bad thing – and in fairness the BW's 125 does have very stable and reassuring handling. The brakes are adequate if lacking bite – for the price it would be nice to see a disc on the back rather than a drum.
Engine
Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The BW's 125cc 4v 4-stroke single makes a claimed 8.9bhp. Like most 4-stroke 125cc scooters it tops out at around 65mph, which is just a bit too slow for the open road. But twist the chunky throttle grip and you'll be rewarded with enough go to keep ahead of traffic around town.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)
The BW's 125 is satisfyingly sturdy and rugged, with some funky styling touches, such as: big stacked headlights, shotgun tail-lights, an exposed tubular frame, red brake caliper, red stitching on the seat and motorcycle-style bars and clocks.
Value vs rivals
Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
The BW's 125's £2,499 price tag is about the going rate for a scooter from a big-name manufacturer like Yamaha. The Honda PS125i is £2,570, the Suzuki Sixteen is £2,549 and neither are as stylish as the BW. The BW's 125 does come with a choice of either 3 years 0% finance or free TPFT insurance, but if you're on a tight budget there are cheaper options out there. Find a scooter for sale.
Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)
A storage bay big enough for a full-face lid and a decent grab rail add practicality, but the BW's 125 is styled to be minimalist, so you don't get any cubby-holes or power sockets and it's physically quite small. At 5'9" I was very comfortable, but taller riders may struggle. The fuel tank is only 6 litres too. Compare and buy parts for the BW's 125 in the MCN Shop.
Specs | |
| Engine size | 125cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Air-cooled, 4-stroke, 4v single |
| Frame type | tubular steel |
| Fuel capacity | 6 litres |
| Seat height | 780mm |
| Bike weight | 121kg |
| Front suspension | none |
| Rear suspension | none |
| Front brake | 189mm disc |
| Rear brake | 150mm drum |
| Front tyre size | 120/70-12 |
| Rear tyre size | 130/70-12 |
Mpg, costs & insurance | |
| Average fuel consumption | 54 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £21 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | £2,799 |
| Used price | £2,300 |
| Insurance group | 5 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance | |
| Max power | 9 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 7 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 65 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 72 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
Introduced 2010
Owners' reviews for the YAMAHA BWS 125 (2010 - on)
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Source: https://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/yamaha/bws-125/2010/
