These days, the middleweight ADV space around 450 to 500cc has been on a tear. That’s where a lot of riders land when they want real capability without the size and weight of a full-blown touring rig, with machines like the Royal Enfield Himalayan and CFMoto Ibex 450. But if we dial back the engine size and look at the 125 segment, it has pretty much been a ghost town up until fairly recently.
Now, however, it’s gaining momentum with tiny ADV bikes like the Rieju Aventura and Lexmoto Carrera hitting the scene. That's a big deal, especially in Europe, because it lowers the barrier to entry in a huge way. Riders on an A1 license can now start their journey on a proper adventure bike, not some hack job standard dressed up to look like a janky ADV. Perhaps more importantly, that’s how you grow the next generation of ADV riders and keep the segment healthy long term.
That’s exactly why the Benelli BKX 125 is so important. Benelli has taken a category that barely existed not long ago and treated it seriously. Designed by Benelli’s style center in Pesaro, Italy, the BKX 125 doesn’t look like a watered-down beginner bike. It looks like a small ADV that’s ready to be ridden hard, and that’s the whole point.
The standout feature here is the suspension, and it’s a big deal. This thing is set up more like a dirt bike than a traditional entry-level ADV. Up front, you get 41mm forks that are fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound. Out back is a linkage-mounted monoshock adjustable for preload and rebound. That level of adjustability is rare even on bigger bikes, let alone a 125cc machine. The payoff is a ride that should feel light, responsive, and confidence-inspiring off-road, while still being easy and forgiving on pavement.
That balance is what makes bikes like this so fun. A small ADV with proper suspension lets you ride loose and playful without fighting weight or inertia. On the street, it stays unintimidating and approachable. Off-road, it encourages you to stand up, pick a line, and just send it. That’s gold for first-time riders who want something friendly, but it’s just as appealing to experienced riders who already know how much fun a small, capable bike can be.
The rest of the hardware backs that up. The BKX 125 uses a steel tubular trellis frame and rolls on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheel combo. Front suspension travel measures 180mm, while ground clearance comes in at 233mm, or about 9.2 inches. Seat height is tall at 860mm, reinforcing the bike’s off-road intent rather than trying to please everyone.
Power comes from a new liquid-cooled 125cc single-cylinder engine that’s Euro5+ compliant. Output is rated at 14.7 horsepower at 9,500rpm and 8.9 pound-feet of torque at 7,000rpm. That’s right at the top of the class and more than enough for urban riding, back roads, and learning throttle control and the occasional wheelie off pavement.
Brakes are another pleasant surprise. A 280mm front disc with a four piston radial caliper handles stopping duties up front, while the rear gets a 240mm disc with a single-piston caliper. That’s proper braking hardware for a lightweight machine and adds to the overall sense that this bike was designed to be ridden with intent.
Fuel capacity is 12 liters, or roughly 3.2 gallons, and styling stays clean and modern with integrated daytime running lights and a tidy rear light setup. Overseas pricing is set at £3,499, which makes out to about $4,700 USD, with availability starting early this year.
What makes the BKX 125 exciting isn’t just that it looks rugged and tough. It’s that it treats new riders with respect and gives seasoned riders a reason to look down the displacement ladder again. It’s proof that adventure riding doesn’t need to start with a big bike, and that sometimes the most fun comes from keeping things small, light, and begging to be abused.
