Yamaha reveals new retro XSR125 for the UK

There’s some good news for style-conscious learner riders, as Yamaha’s XSR125 will be coming to the UK for 2021.

We declared ourselves big fans of the baby XSR when we brought you the news of its big reveal in Asia last year – and we had our fingers firmly crossed that the Japanese factory would take the decision to bring it over to British shores.

And with confirmation it’ll be available in dealers from June, we’ve now got all the information about the A1 licence machine that can be ridden with a CBT.

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The Yamaha XSR125 is powered by the same 125cc 4-valve liquid-cooled single-cylinder Euro5 engine which is found in Yamaha’s hugely successful MT-125 and R125. It kicks out the full 14.7bhp allowed by CBT licence restrictions and features Yamaha’s Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system.

It’s a clever bit of kit which works to produce plenty of torque at lower engine speeds without compromising top-end performance. It’s well equipped for a learner legal machine, coming with 37mm USD forks, chunky block-pattern tyres, disc brakes front and rear, and a two-channel ABS system.

Yamaha now offers a joined-up range of XSRs for riders who’ve got an A1, A2 or a full licence.

Priced at £4,450 it’s not exactly cheap, but you can rest assured it’s a top-quality bit of kit that’ll stand the test of time.