ZiD-125 vs. Yamaha YBR and Bajaj Boxer - which small-capacity motorcycle to choose

When buying their first motorcycle, many beginners decide to immediately fulfill their cherished dream and choose a sportbike, street or chopper. In the case of a leisurely "biker" model like a cruiser, power does not play a special role, and their center of gravity is low. But a street or a sport bike with a large engine capacity is categorically contraindicated for a beginner.


It is not for nothing that two categories of rights for motorcycles have long been introduced in Russia - A and A1. In the first case, you can manage any bikes, and in the second, their working volume is limited to 125 cubic centimeters.

It is not difficult to find a 125cc motorcycle in Russia now, but most of the models on the market are made in China. Some bikes are equipped with engines of 150 cm3, which automatically removes them from the A1 category.



Today we will be reviewing three new bikes. All of them are presented in different price categories and give you the opportunity to choose between time-tested, innovative reliability and even support from a Russian manufacturer. These are ZiD-125, Yamaha YBR and Bajaj Boxer. The first bike is domestic, the second is almost Japanese, the third is Indian production.

ZiD-125 and its features

The Degtyarev plant has been producing motorcycles since Soviet times. Suffice it to recall the once popular Voskhod, which was sold in huge numbers throughout the USSR and was valued primarily for its accessibility.

Unlike IZHMASH, which abandoned motorcycles in 2008, ZiD still produces them. Although, to be honest, these are Chinese models, they are only assembled “out of the box” at a Russian factory.

The “freshest” motorcycle of the Kovrov manufacturer is the ZiD-125 Vector. A new bike costs about 78 rubles, so it will be an excellent budget purchase.

At the Degtyarev Plant they assure that the motorcycle is not a Chinese model:

• ? The design was developed by Kovrov specialists
  
• ? The chassis is also its own, plus frames and pendulums are welded at the enterprise
  

Everything else is made in China - plastic panels, engine, gearbox and other components.



The ZiD-125 looks quite stylish, but the design is more moped than motorcycle - the tires are narrow, the fork feathers are thin, the upper yoke is stamped. But unlike Chinese devices, welding is of high quality. Yes, and they check motorcycles like in the USSR, and not just assembled them - and for sale.

The engine typical of Chinese small-capacity bikes is a copy of the old Honda Super Cub engine, which comes with a displacement of 50 to 150 cm3. It is not difficult to get parts for this power unit - it is often easier to replace the entire CPG.

The ZiD-125 engine has a working volume of 119,6 cm3 and develops 6,8 liters. With. So-so power - an average Chinese engine of 125 cm3 produces 10-11 hp. With. Apparently, it was this power unit that was the cheapest, which fit perfectly into the concept of the bike.

As for reliability, it is too early to talk about it, the model has not yet had time to sell in large numbers, and a few owners are still silent. Apparently, a bike is purchased more for constant use in rural areas, and there people do not like to share their impressions - they just go on business.



But the low price and prestige of the ZiD plant should make the model popular and accessible to a wide range of customers.

Yamaha YBR

A light motorcycle from Yamaha is perhaps the only bike in the 125 cm3 category that is officially offered in Russia by famous Japanese brands. Despite the fact that the model is made in China, this is a real technique from the Land of the Rising Sun.

The Yamaha YBR costs 183 rubles - this is 000 times more expensive than they ask for the ZiD-2,3. But for this amount, buyers are offered a legend that has been in demand on the used market for many years. You just need to understand that in a year or two the value of the Yamaha YBR will decrease by about 125-30%, and then this amount will stay at this level for several years.

Outwardly, the Japanese motorcycle looks simple, it cannot offer any modern technical solutions. Although there is a fourth-generation Yamaha YBR with an injection engine, this modification has never been officially delivered to Russia.



For 183 rubles, the buyer will receive a simple, but the most reliable device, which has been tested by millions of kilometers in Russia and the CIS countries. A four-stroke engine with a displacement of 000 cm124 develops 3 liters. With.

Bajaj Boxer 125

The Indian motorcycle is “average” in terms of cost - they ask for 125 rubles for it. For many, Bajaj is something similar to numerous Chinese brands, but this model really stands out from them.

The bike was created specifically for the domestic Indian market, it is made of high-quality steel, which the Russian owners have already managed to check and confirm. The motorcycle can withstand even off-road use - it does not crumble, the frame and steering wheel do not bend, like Chinese models.

There are no complaints about the engine either - a simple four-stroke unit with a displacement of 124,5 liters. With. and a capacity of 10 liters. With. The owners claim that its resource is no less than that of the Yamaha YBR motor. It is still difficult to talk about this, but the fact that the power unit is more reliable than Chinese monocabs is unequivocal.



The only serious problem of the Bajaj Boxer 125, which baffles potential owners, is the strange gearbox operation algorithm. All gears shift down. On the one hand, this is easier for a beginner, but on the other hand, it leads to confusion in a future career.

Who needs these bikes

Small-capacity bikes in Russia are not very popular. Our motorcyclists prefer something powerful, large volume. But for a beginner, such models are simply dangerous, and their fuel consumption is comparable to full-fledged cars.

Advantages of small cubic meters:

• ? Low cost even for a new device
  
• ? Simplicity of design
  
• ? Reliability
  
• ? Fuel consumption averages about 3,5 liters
  

Such motorcycles are suitable for operation in rural areas. They allow you to move quickly and on a budget even along forest and field paths. Therefore, there are people who need precisely small-capacity bikes.

The second category of buyers of two-wheeled vehicles of category A1 are beginners. They need a "training desk" that will help them understand the characteristics of the motorcycle and survive the first season without injury.

So what is better to choose - ZiD-125, Yamaha YBR or Bajaj Boxer?

At first glance, it seems that it is worth buying a Japanese bike of a Chinese assembly, that is, a Yamaha, but this statement is debatable. It is unlikely that a beginner who just needs driving skills will want to lose about 60 rubles after selling a motorcycle in a season or two.



Then it is better to choose the most budget model, that is, the ZiD-125? It is possible that for a beginner for the season, this will indeed be an ideal choice. But on the other hand, you can find a used Chinese motorcycle for half the price - you still have to sell it in a year. And the fact that such equipment will break down more often - so the details cost a penny and it will help to understand the bike's structure. If you don’t feel sorry for the money, then you can take a new motorcycle, but then Yamaha YBR is better, and the ZiD-125 is the most budget option.

If we proceed from the price / quality criterion, then the Indian Bajaj Boxer 125 will be the best contender. Judging by the reviews of the owners, it is not inferior in reliability to Yamaha, plus its carrying capacity is much higher. Parts for an Indian bike are cheap - they cost a little more than Chinese ones.

Each motorcycle has its own advantages and disadvantages. Which one to choose is already a personal matter, due to preference and the budget allocated for the purchase.