Top 5 A1 bikes for new riders

Just because you’re a learner on a provisional A1 licence doesn’t mean the choice of machines available to you is either limited or dull.
In fact, because the A1 licence category is the main entry point for new motorcyclists the reality is quite the opposite. With 11Kw/125cc, A1-compliant machines being one of the best-selling categories of all motorcycles most of the leading manufacturers are keen to get a slice of the action with the result being that there is probably right now a bigger, wider and more exciting choice of machines available than ever before. So, if you want a sports-style A1 machine there’s plenty to choose from to suit a variety of wallets ranging from £1000 budget machines to all-singing, all-dancing exotica with a specification to rival a full-on superbike for nearly five times that. Alternatively, if you’re a fan of the new breed of stunt-style, attitude-laden roadsters, there’s plenty of choice available again. Yamaha, for example, has its ‘junior’ member of its popular MT family, the MT125. While Austrian firm KTM continues to go from strength to strength with a line-up centred around its popular ‘Duke’ family of single-cylinder roadsters, the smallest being, yes, a 125. While off-road bike fans are also decently catered for with A1-compliant machines, too. And even if you’re after something more practical and mundane as, say, a ride-to-work commuter or, at the other extreme, fancy just an occasional toy or fun bike, there’s again plenty to choose from. Hugely economical and affordable, easy to ride commuter bikes are available in a variety of forms, not just from leading brands Yamaha and Honda (whose newest offering, the CB125F, is capable of a claimed 150mpg+) but from lesser known brands such as Lexmoto and AJS. While, as if to rebuff accusations of being boring, Honda has its recently updated funky minibike, the MSX125. So, to help you make sense of all this and. Hopefully, direct you wisely towards your first bike, we’ve selected the best of each type – the best five new A1 learner bikes.

A1 licence compatible learner bikes may have to be under 125cc and produce no more than 11Kw but that doesn’t mean they have to be dull – as proved emphatically by KTM’s Duke 125.
The off-road and adrenalin sport focused Austrian firm has built its whole range around its popular Duke family of single-cylinder, stunt-styled funsters and the smallest version, the 125, is no poor relation. Although limited in output it’s still punchy and exciting in its delivery. While the lurid, lightweight and high quality supermoto-style chassis (the original Duke back in the 1990s was little more than a converted-for-the road motocrosser) is both virtually identical to its bigger brothers and both ultra-nimble and a doddle to have fun with. It was originally launched in 2013, updated with a TFT dash, LED headlight and more in 2017 and was modified further to be Euro5 compliant last year. What’s more, if all that orange aggression doesn’t appeal, KTM sister brand Husqvarna has its mechanically identical but more retro cool Svartpilen and Vitpilen 125s available, too.

Trail-style learner bikes may no longer be as popular or numerous as in their ‘90s two-stroke hey-day, but there’s still a reasonable choice for off-road fans. Although Kawasaki’s KLX125 and Yamaha’s WR125 are both no more, Spanish brand Rieju offers its MRT125 but the best is undoubtedly Italian lightweight specialists Aprilia, with its trail style RX and Supermoto style SX 125s. Both are derived from its class-leading and now four-stroke RS125 sportster but being upright, slim and light weight gives roomier, more upright proportions which are great for learners, particularly larger ones, yet also have a rugged, nimble style which makes them great around town. The trailie RX has larger wheels and semi-knobblie tyres, the SX smaller wheels and street tyres. Both are well built, simple, stylish and supririsngly good value.

Aprilia’s exotic RS125 used to be the A1 class sportsbike to aspire to. But since its switch from two-stroke to four-stroke power in 2010 and subsequent deletion from the Italian manufacturer’s line-up, along with the steady improvement and evolution of its chief rival, Yamaha’s YZF-R125 (now renamed R125) that mantle has passed to the Japanese. And with good reason. Launched in 2008 this full-sized, ultra sporty (but easy to ride) A1 sportster has been a best seller for its combination of looks, ability and quality and its most recent update in 2019 gave it true MotoGP replica styling, a switch reversed LCD digital dash, uprated chassis and arguably the best enginbe, complete with Variable Valve Actuation, in the class. It’s not cheap, but it is the best 125cc sportster. Besides, if you want a more affordable Yamaha 125, the Japanese giant offers the roadster MT125 and retro XSR125, both powered by the dame engine.

Launched 2018 as Honda’s junior, A1-compliant member of its semi-retro roadster ‘Neo Café’ family (the others being the CB300R, CB650R and CB1000R), the 125 version original had bags of style and quality to go with its typical Honda easy manners (making it perfect for learners) but, if anything, was slightly let down by marginally underwhelming performance (around 12bhp) and a hefty price. Both have now been improved for 2022. There’s a new, DOHC, 15bhp, Euro5 single cylinder engine, uprated suspension and further refinements to go with its classy dash and radial brakes. If you want a 125 roadster with brilliant all round ability, bags of class and the reassurance of the Honda brand and dealer network, this is the one.

Proof that even dependable, classy yet conservative Honda can sometimes throw a swerveball, the MSX (although it’s also, charmingly, called the Grom in overseas markets), is a proper, small-wheeled, old school ‘Monkey bike’ in the mould of Honda’s classic ‘70s ‘Dax’ or ST but brought right up to date with modern engineering, features and style. As such, with its dinky 12-inch wheels and cute styling, the MSX is not really serious transport to be used over any sort of distance, but as a short hop ‘fun’ or town bike it’s great fun, easy to ride and something of a future classic that brings a smile to the face of everyone who rides – or sees – it. It was significantly updated with revised styling and slightly more (10bhp) power for 2021 and Honda have also supplemented it with two more retro versions, the ‘Monkey’ and, for 2022, the ‘Dax’, even more closely mimicking the original.