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Photo of a Yamaha YBR125

Yamaha YBR125

The riding-school workhorse with 150,000 European sales, including 55,000 in the UK.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 31 sources

At a glance

0100200
9.9–12.3 hpPower
01020
15–20 s0–60 mph
0100200
100–110 km/hTop speed
0150300
9.5–11.7 N·mTorque
05001,000
118–129 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1458131516

Engine
YBR125E: 124 cc air-cooled SOHC single, 54 x 54 mm bore and stroke13
Layout
YBR125: single-cylinder, steel diamond frame, chain drive14
Gearbox
YBR125E: 5-speed constant-mesh13
Built at
Chongqing Jianshe Yamaha, China; Bin Qasim, Karachi, Pakistan1112

The story

Designed for Brazil's motorcycle couriers, the YBR 125 replaced the RD 135 with four-stroke power and a vibration-cutting counterbalancer. A China-market derivative later carried the commuter formula into Europe.34

2000: Brazil replaces the RD 135 with YBR 12520002007: European injection and Euro 3 update · Custom brings a 760 mm cruiser stance20072008: Argentina schedules local YBR125 assembly20082009: Factor 2009: twin catalysts, less power20092011: YSP brings the YBR125 to Japan20112015: Pakistan starts YBR125 production20152025: Brazil retires the Factor 125i2025 Yamaha RD135: 1987–1999Yamaha RD135Yamaha YBR125 (Brazil): 2000–2008Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, carbureted): 2005–2006Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, fuel-injected): 2007–2017Yamaha YBR125 Factor (Brazil): From model year 2009Yamaha YBR125 Factor (Brazil)Yamaha Factor 125i (Brazil): From 2017Yamaha YS125: Announced 2017Yamaha YS125 19901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones2345610141626
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1987–1999Yamaha RD135
2000–2008Yamaha YBR125 (Brazil)
2005–2006Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, carbureted)
2007–2017Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, fuel-injected)
From model year 2009Yamaha YBR125 Factor (Brazil)
From 2017Yamaha Factor 125i (Brazil)
Announced 2017Yamaha YS125
2000Brazil replaces the RD 135 with YBR 125
2007European injection and Euro 3 update
2007Custom brings a 760 mm cruiser stance
2008Argentina schedules local YBR125 assembly
2009Factor 2009: twin catalysts, less power
2011YSP brings the YBR125 to Japan
2015Pakistan starts YBR125 production
2025Brazil retires the Factor 125i
  1. 2000

    Brazil replaces the RD 135 with YBR 125

    A four-stroke commuter aimed at motorcycle couriers takes over from the RD 135 in Brazil.35

  2. 2007

    European injection and Euro 3 update

    Fuel injection replaces the European YBR125's carburetor, bringing Euro 3 compliance and reported consumption of 2.7 L/100 km.26

  3. 2007

    Custom brings a 760 mm cruiser stance

    The Custom arrives with cruiser styling. Its 2008 figures combine a 760 mm seat, 10.1 hp, 129 kg, 105 km/h and 386 km range at 3.1 L/100 km.78

  4. 2008

    Argentina schedules local YBR125 assembly

    An Ituzaingo assembly plant is scheduled to open in April, with the YBR125 named as its flagship model.9

  5. 2009

    Factor 2009: twin catalysts, less power

    Brazil's YBR becomes Factor with twin catalysts. From 2008 to 2009, power falls from 12.3 to 11.0 hp and torque from 11.7 to 11.1 Nm.510

  6. 2011

    YSP brings the YBR125 to Japan

    Japanese sales begin July 29 through YSP Members Club, importing the fuel-injected YBR125 built by Chongqing Jianshe Yamaha in China.11

  7. 2015

    Pakistan starts YBR125 production

    Production and sales begin April 27 at Bin Qasim Industrial Park in Karachi. The Pakistani YBR125 has a balancer to reduce single-cylinder vibration.12

  8. 2025

    Brazil retires the Factor 125i

    The Factor 125i bows out after 25 years; the surviving Factor 150 keeps the name in production.10

Every generation

  • Yamaha RD125
    Yamaha RD125
  • Yamaha SR125
    Yamaha SR125Until 2002
  • Yamaha YBR125 (Brazil)
    Yamaha YBR125 (Brazil)2000–2008
  • Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, fuel-injected)
    Yamaha YBR125 (Europe, fuel-injected)2007–2017
  • Yamaha YBR125 Factor (Brazil)
    Yamaha YBR125 Factor (Brazil)From model year 2009
  • Yamaha YS125
    Yamaha YS125Announced 2017

Power over the years

From 10 hp to 11 hp in 4 years.

051015 20052010201520202025 hp 2005 · 10 hp · European YBR125, carbureted2009 · 11 hp · Factor 2009, carbureted2017 · 11 hp · Factor 125i, injected flex-fuel2026 · 10 hp · YBR125C Express 11 hp Factor 2009, carbureted 10 hp European YBR125, carbureted
5101617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200510European YBR125, carbureted
200911Factor 2009, carbureted
201711Factor 125i, injected flex-fuel
202610YBR125C Express

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Standard

    YBR125E

    10 hp

  • Standard

    YBR 125 Factor K1 (Brazil)

    2014

  • Standard

    YBR 125 Factor K / E (Brazil)

    2009

  • Standard

    YBR 125 Factor ED (Brazil)

    2009

  • Standard

    Factor 125i (Brazil)

    2017

  • Standard

    YBR125C Express (Mexico)

    2026

    10 hp

  • Standard

    YBR 125Z

  • Standard

    YBR125G (Pakistan)

    2015

  • Standard

    YBR125 Custom

    10 hp
  • YBR125 Diversion (France)

    Standard

    YBR125 Diversion (France)

How to spot one

Look for

  • Standard YBR125: a naked outline, roomy dual seat and rear luggage rack.1
  • 2009 Factor: round headlight, tank-side fins and a tapered tail.5

Year by year

  1. 2007 (Europe)

    The exhaust, wheel design, tank graphics and color range change.6

  2. 2009 (Brazil)

    The Factor restyle adds tank-side fins, a new front fender and indicators, a slimmer tail and a redesigned instrument housing.510

  3. 2010 (Europe)

    New tank covers, a reshaped analog cluster, revised muffler and redesigned passenger grab handle update the bike.23

  4. 2014 (Brazil)

    New side covers, exhaust shield, sharper front fender, larger tank fins, slimmer tail and white-faced instruments distinguish the facelift.1018

  5. 2014 (Europe)

    A mini front cowl and revised graphics arrive, with Midnight Black, Red Spirit and Competition White color choices.2425

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Yamaha YBR125
    YBR125
    Photo of a Honda CBF 125
    Honda CBF 125

    Honda CBF 125

    In the 2009 pair, the Honda has a fairing and 17-inch wheels; the naked YBR125 has a rear rack and 18-inch wheels.15

  • AJS Tempest Roadster

    Look for a rear disc: the Tempest Roadster has discs at both ends, while the YBR125 uses a rear drum.1

Against its rivals

  • YBR125 vs Honda CG125 (2000)

    Top speed

    YBR125110 km/h
    Honda CG125 (2000)100 km/h
    3

  • YBR125 vs Honda CBF125 (2009)

    Fuel consumption lower is better

    YBR1253.3 L/100 km
    Honda CBF125 (2009)2.7 L/100 km
    15

  • YBR125 vs Honda CG125 Fan KS (2014)

    Base price lower is better

    YBR1255,390 BRL
    Honda CG125 Fan KS (2014)5,390 BRL
    18

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 11 stories from its legend
    • “D2 class win at Vladivostok”
    • “Niña: 100,000 km without engine repairs”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. Detailed Yamaha YBR 125 Review - ACBT London's Expert Analysis acbt.london
  2. Yamaha YBR125 (2005-2017) - Review & Buying Guide bennetts.co.uk
  3. Moto: Yamaha lança a substituta da RD-135 - 15/02/2000 | Diário do Grande ABC dgabc.com.br
  4. Yamaha YBR 125 (vs. Honda CBR 125) | Motorkáři.cz motorkari.cz
  5. Yamaha YBR 125 ED Factor - Plástica na popular vrum.com.br
  6. Yamaha YBR125 motociclismo.es
  7. Yamaha YBR125 Custom autopista.es
  8. Yamaha YBR125 Custom Review (2008) • TheBikeMarket thebikemarket.co.uk
  9. Yamaha Motor to Strengthen Business in Argentina Launch of Motorcycle Assembly Plant and Office Relocation - News releases | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. global.yamaha-motor.com
  10. De YBR à Nova Factor: 7 versões que fizeram história no Brasil - Motonline motonline.com.br
  11. YBR125 | WEB Mr.BIKE mr-bike.jp
  12. Yamaha Pakistan Officially Launches Bikes in Pakistan - PakWheels Blog pakwheels.com
  13. YBR125E - International Cooperationnational  | Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. global.yamaha-motor.com
  14. Yamaha YBR125 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  15. Vergleichstest Honda CBF 125 gegen Yamaha YBR 125 motorradonline.de
  16. Yamaha YBR 125: review, history, specs - BikesWiki.com, Japanese Motorcycle Encyclopedia bikeswiki.com
  17. Yamaha Motor de México yamaha-motor.com.mx
  18. Duas Rodas | Yamaha Factor ganha nova versão de entrada e descontos revistaduasrodas.com.br
  19. YAMAHA YBR 125-Z: Misma Calidad pero más deportiva – REVISTA MOTO MARKETING revistamotomarketingblog.wordpress.com
  20. Yamaha YBR125 And YBR125G – A Visual Comparison – PakWheels Blog pakwheels.com
  21. Yamaha YBR 125 essai hors norme caradisiac.com
  22. YBR 125 "Black Edition": série especial tem só 3 mil unidades - Motonline motonline.com.br
  23. Yamaha’s new 2010 YBR125 ultimatemotorcycling.com
  24. Essai Yamaha YBR 125 2014 : un monument sur le segment des motos 125 caradisiac.com
  25. Yamaha YBR 125 2014 motociclismo.es
  26. Review Yamaha RD 135: ficha técnica, preço e mais - Motonline motonline.com.br
  27. Yamaha SR 125 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  28. M�s de 4 a�os viajando alrededor del mundo en una YBR125 - Canariasenmoto.com canariasenmoto.com
  29. El Club – ClubYBR clubybr.es
  30. Yamaha Factor 125 vira Libélula Vermelha. Que metamorfose! carros.ig.com.br
  31. Межрегиональные соревнования во Владивостоке gymkhana-cup.com
  • acbt.london
  • bennetts.co.uk
  • dgabc.com.br
  • motorkari.cz
  • vrum.com.br
  • motociclismo.es
  • autopista.es
  • thebikemarket.co.uk
  • global.yamaha-motor.com
  • motonline.com.br
  • mr-bike.jp
  • pakwheels.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motorradonline.de

Photo credits

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