There was a time when AJS meant gritty British singles tearing around the Isle of Man. Founded in Wolverhampton in 1909, the brand built real-deal race bikes and road machines that helped define early 20th century motorcycling. Like many historic UK manufacturers, it eventually faded. But the name didn’t disappear.
Today, AJS Motorcycles is based in Britain, owned by the Collier family, and focused on small-capacity machines. The bikes are manufactured in China, then distributed and supported through the UK network. That setup might sound familiar because it’s how much of the modern entry-level market works. Heritage badge, global production, modern compliance.
What’s interesting is not where the JFT 125 is built. It’s why it exists.
In much of Europe, young riders are capped at 125cc and roughly 15 horsepower under the A1 license. That means if you’re 17 and serious about riding, this class isn’t a stepping stone. It’s your whole world. Manufacturers have responded accordingly. These aren’t throwaway commuters anymore. They’re aspirational bikes that just happen to make about 12.7 horsepower from a 125cc water-cooled DOHC single.
The JFT 125 leans into that mindset hard. It’s styled as a proper scrambler with spoked wheels, a round headlight, simple tank lines, and a clean tail section. It looks deliberate, not like a sportbike that put on retro cosplay. For a beginner bike, it’s genuinely dapper.
Underneath the looks, it’s more serious than 125s used to be. The engine is water-cooled with a balance shaft, paired to a six-speed gearbox and chain final drive. It makes around 12.7 horsepower and stays within learner limits. Wet weight is about 282 pounds, which is light enough to build real riding skills. Seat height sits at about 32.3 inches, approachable but still tall enough to feel like a full-sized motorcycle.
Suspension includes inverted front forks and a single adjustable rear shock. That’s a level of hardware that used to be reserved for bigger bikes. Braking is handled by front and rear discs with a combined braking system. Wheels are 18 inches up front and 17 inches at the rear. It even carries about 14.5 liters of fuel, which gives it useful range for daily riding.
Then there are the details that make it feel modern. LED lighting, a digital dash, adjustable levers, tapered bars, both side and center stands. These are small things, but for a new rider, they make the bike feel complete. Not compromised.
Compare that to the US, where a beginner can legally swing a leg over a 650 or even a liter bike. That freedom is great, but it also means the 125 segment never had to evolve the same way. In Europe and parts of Asia, restrictions forced brands to make small bikes desirable. The result is machines like this that teach momentum, throttle control, and corner speed in a way bigger bikes can’t.
Price is where the JFT 125 gets even more interesting. In the UK, it comes in at around £3,299, which works out to roughly $4,200 at current exchange rates. That puts it right in the heart of the premium 125 class, not bargain basement territory but still accessible for a serious first bike. For a learner-legal machine with inverted forks, spoked wheels, LED lighting, and proper scrambler proportions, it feels competitively positioned. You’re paying for style and presence, not just displacement.
And honestly, wringing out 12.7 horsepower on a lightweight scrambler can be more fun than babying a 100 horsepower twin. Sometimes less really is more.
Source: AJS Motorcycles
