The Motorcycle That Doesn’t Make Sense On Paper
In the western world, motorcycles are largely seen as leisure vehicles. Boring things like the daily commute are usually reserved for a car, and for those who live in colder climates, this makes a degree of sense. But for those looking for a way to beat the traffic, a lightweight motorcycle is a great way to do it. As long as you are willing to set your ego to one side, and accept the fact that these bikes are pretty small.
The Right Way To Start Might Be A Mini Moto
Several experienced riders will swear by starting on the bike you want, and learning how to ride that particular bike. We feel that those riders are just trying to justify their particular brand of madness. Starting on a smaller, lighter motorcycle is just the logical way to do it, and when it comes to small, lightweight motorcycles, none are quite as much fun to ride as a mini-moto.
Honda successfully popularized the mini-moto segment and offers several different bikes, including the ever-popular Grom. While these bikes are the ideal place for new riders to start, they can also appeal to anyone looking for an efficient little runabout. While Honda still dominates this space, there are now several alternatives to choose from, but the bike in question is the only other one from one of the trusted big four Japanese brands.
The Kawasaki Z125 Pro Is Not Your Average Beginner Bike
MSRP: $3,799
At this price point, the Z125 Pro is not the most affordable mini-moto, and that might be the main reason it gets overlooked, but this is a mistake. It is still a very affordable motorcycle, and incredibly fun to ride in an urban environment. For those unwilling to follow the herd, this is the alternative choice in what is already a bit of a niche space. Yet, it will still be one of the most practical little commuters’ money can buy.
Powered By A Simple Air-Cooled Single
Power: 10 Horsepower
Although more sophisticated motorcycle engines of this displacement certainly exist, they also cost more to manufacture. The humble air-cooled single still powers the developing world, and remains the most popular engine configuration in the world. It is simple, reliable, and above all else, fuel-efficient. While there is a very good argument that an e-bike will be even more efficient, they simply cost more.
An Efficient City Commuter
While Kawasaki doesn’t make any claim, 100 MPG is certainly achievable, unless you ride it as you stole it every day. With its two-gallon tank, this translates into around 200 miles of range, which is more than enough for a bike this size, and this is uncomfortable over long distances. While fast enough to hit the highway in short bursts, that won’t be legal in some parts of the world, and probably shouldn’t be legal anywhere, really. This is strictly an urban warrior!
The Z125 Pro Is Not Meant To Be A Feature-Rich Motorcycle
In terms of features, all you get is a seat and two wheels. This is a very simple little motorcycle, and that is precisely what makes it so appealing. For new riders in particular, this is ideal. It limits distractions, with no smartphone connectivity to get in the way of your ride. Motorcycles naturally demand more attention from us, and adding features (distractions) to them might seem useful, but can certainly do more harm than good when used the wrong way.
The only real mark against the little Kawasaki is the fact that it does not come with ABS. While on a bigger, heavier bike, this would be a must; on a bike as light as this, it isn’t expressly necessary. If anything, this might be something more experienced riders actually find desirable, allowing for a certain amount of off-the-cuff fun without any intervention from what would otherwise be a budget-friendly ABS system that has no flexibility.
A More Fun Way To Get Around
By far the Z125 Pro’s biggest asset is its simple lack of weight. It only weighs 225 pounds, which is around 100 pounds lighter than most bikes claiming to be “beginner-friendly.” While the seat height certainly is not the lowest in the class at just under 32 inches, it has a relatively slim saddle, and most riders won’t have much of an issue getting both feet down. It is a very easy bike to learn on, and some riders will hold on to something like this forever.
If you are primarily looking for a commuter, this offers riders of any level a more fun way to negotiate the urban environment. Its small 12-inch wheels and compact nature combine to make it an incredibly nimble little bike that can change directions quicker than any sport bike. Naturally, it isn’t going to be much use on a canyon road, but in a congested city it is a world of fun.
With any motorcycle, there will always be a “but.” Any motorcycle is a compromise, and the Z125 Pro has several. For one, it is only a 4-speed transmission, which is a little bizarre, all things considered. Pretty much every other manufacturer has figured out how to give these little bikes a 5- or 6-speed transmission without adding much to the cost, but Kawasaki just doesn’t seem to see the need. Like any mini-moto, it is a little twitchy at speed, and downright dangerous on the highway. Which is a big limitation.
Most riders will need to get on the highway for at least a small portion of their commute, and while for some exploring alternative routes will be an adventure, it may not even be possible for others. It isn’t exactly cheap, either. You would be hard-pressed not to at least consider looking at the used market, where this kind of money will get a bike that can do everything the little Kawasaki can’t, and more, in most cases. It is a bike that doesn’t really make sense on paper, but motorcycles are not ridden on paper, and once you actually ride it, you might just end up riding it home.
Source: Kawasaki
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