Yamaha XSR125 In The Making: Is It India-bound?

Documents reveal a lot more than just the baby Yammie’s arrival

Yamaha’s XSR lineup of neo-retro motorcycles has been swooning crowds across the globe, and why not? The world’s newfound love for these retro-styled motorcycles has been giving manufacturers enough reason (and money) to introduce more models. Honda already has the CB125R in quite a few markets, and now Yamaha is following suit with the XSR125.

The XSR125’s type-approval document confirms a lot more than just the imminent arrival of the smallest neo-retro motorcycle from Yamaha . In fact, with the performance and dimensions already listed in the document, we wouldn’t be surprised if the baby XSR makes its global debut as early as the third quarter of this year.

Powering the XSR125 will be the same 125cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine seen on the Yamaha R125 and the MT-125. Being classified in the learner-legal class, the power is restricted to 14.9PS at 10,000rpm while peak torque is rated at 11.5Nm at 8,000rpm. Just like its siblings, the engine comes equipped with variable valve actuation that gives a better top end without compromising low-end grunt.

The XSR125 will share its underpinnings with its siblings. Fom the diamond frame to the 292mm/220mm disc setup and suspension hardware will be arried over from the R125 and the MT-125 However, the XSR will sport a beefier 110/70-17 section front tyre instead of the 100/80-17 used by its 125cc siblings.

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Another interesting bit revealed in the document is that the XSR125 is 10mm taller than the XSR155, hinting that this could be purely a Euro-spec model or could have a different suspension setup than its bigger sibling.

Though the arrival of the XSR125 may seem exciting, the bike is unlikely to come to India. For a performance-oriented 125cc motorcycle, our only options right now are the KTM 125 Duke and the newly-launched Bajaj Pulsar NS125. But if you are in the market for a Japanese neo-retro machine, the upcoming Yamaha FZ-X is worth a look.