Many manufacturers conflate entry-level with budget-friendly. That typically leaves beginner bikes with bargain bin parts and old technology. Yamaha doesn’t subscribe to that school of thought with its R-series sportbikes, however. From the World Superbike Championship-winning YZF-R1 to the lightweight class YZF-R3, the R World is all about racing.
The same goes for the entry-level YZF-R125, as Yamaha Europe preps the 2023 model for dominance on the road and track. The small-scale supersport’s 125cc single musters 14.8 horsepower and 8.5 lb-ft of torque. Yet, the bLU cRU equips the eighth-liter thumper with advanced Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) technology. The feature not only optimizes torque where it's needed most but also helps the wundermill achieve Euro 5 approval.
