Bike Match

Cagiva Mito SP525

With more and more people taking to two wheels instead of four, we looked at which learner friendly bikes would make you look cool without leaving a dent in you bank balance.

Cagiva Mito SP525

Cagiva released the Mito SP525 in 2008. Whereas the old version looked like a mini Ducati 916, the SP525 pays homage to the Cagiva V594. MCN’s Trev Franklin says it’s “The most beautiful novice 125cc bike money can buy” and that it behaves like a more road-biased 125 MotoGP bike.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★

Suzuki RV125 Van Van

The Retro Suzuki VanVan is a throwback to the original RV125 sand bike of the 70′s, complete with balloon tyres and chrome clocks. The Van Van is too under-powered for the open road, but if you need a funky 125 to bomb along the beach or cruise around the city, the VanVan has wide bars, a big comfy seat and a handy luggage rack.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★

Derbi GPR125

Gorgeous angular bodywork and underseat exhaust give the Derbi a supersports look, plus it has the specs to back it up – 2-stroke engine with a claimed 33bhp, radial brakes and suspension developed from the Derbi 125 GP racers. The GPR125 was made for carving up roundabouts.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★

Yamaha YZF-R125

The Yamaha YZF-R125 is arguably the best of both worlds, combining the sporty looks normally seen on 2-stroke race rep 125s with a  flexible and reliable 4-stroke motor that’s good for 80mph. It’s also a full-sized motorcycle, slightly larger even than the R6, making it a good choice for taller riders.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★

Aprilia Tuono 125

The Tuono 125 is an Aprilia RS125 with the fairings ripped off. Flat bars make it more comfortable and easier to throw around, but it retains all the sporting prowess of the donor RS125 as any good streetfighter should. Reliability is sound as long as it’s looked after and fed (expensive) high quality 2-stoke oil.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★

Honda CBF125

The Honda 125 CBF may not be as sexy as some of the other models here, but at £1,795 new it’s an absolute bargain and cool because of its humility. Unlike it’s predecessor the Honda CBR125R, it doesn’t make any false hints at a racing pedigree, it’s just an honest and accessible way into biking that could tempt a few new people on to two wheels.
Cool factor ★★★★★ Running costs ★★★★★