RETRO 125cc MOTORCYCLES: The best things come in small neo-retro packages. Why do you see so many more retro 125s on the streets in Europe? Well simply, there are restrictions on displacement and power output, by rider age. Not to mention the prohibitive cost of a full motorcycle licence.
Combined with the above, this means that many motorcyclists in Europe and the UK initially start out thrashing around on 125cc bikes. While frustrating for some riders it’s ultimately a good thing. 125cc bikes are light and easier to control. As such great for ripping around town. More importantly, they really help new riders to hone roadcraft before trading up to bigger bikes.
Retro 125cc Practicalities
When you’re new to riding the most important thing is to get as much practice as possible. It’s advisable to get a 125cc motorcycle that’s going get you from point A to B without drama.
That drama namely being spending time with a non-runner on the side of the road. In addition, you undoubtedly don’t want to be hunched over a motorbike which is in jigsaw pieces on the garage floor, while the sun goes down on yet another day without riding.
The more practical option is to opt for a new or nearly-new, learner-friendly 125cc, that will almost guarantee to keep you on the road, in preparation for the day that you decide to upgrade your licence.
Choice of Retro 125cc Motorcycles
A few years back, if you wanted to buy a small displacement retro motorcycle, to ease you into motorcycling, your options were limited. At stretch, the only real options were the Honda Rebel 125 and Yamaha YBR Classic.
An alternative option was to go for a vintage/classic like the Honda CL125, purchased off eBay, GumTree or Preloved or other similar sites. And that’s only if you had the motivation, expertise or access to expertise, to build a small displacement custom yourself.
In 2017/2018 all of that has changed. There’s an overabundance of choice when it comes to 125cc retro motorcycles. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of some of the most attractively-designed, retro 125s to help your decision-making, if you’re in the market for one.
Best-Looking Retro 125cc Motorcycles 2017/18
1. Mutt Motorcycles
Birmingham UK, based, Mutt Motorcycles was founded by Benny Thomas of Boneshaker Choppers. Initially, it was customising Herald Motor Co. motorcycles, however, it’s now producing its own lines based on the same Suzuki GN125 derived engines. Additionally, Mutt Motorcycles also happens to be the owner of the Imperial Motorcycles marque, for which there’s a new line of more classic looking bikes. The attention to detail and quality of the parts on each Mutt is exceptional. This should be the bike of choice if you’re looking for the full vintage custom-look, without lifting a finger.
Mutt Hilts 125cc
Mutt Mongrel 125cc
2. Herald Motor Co.
Despite not being the first such manufacturer of the new wave of retro motorcycles, Herald Motor Co. Cambridgeshire UK along with Mutt Motorcycles can be credited with truly increasing the demand for small displacement retro motorcycles — at least on this side of the North Sea and Channel.
Its best selling line is the Classic 125 which was launched in June 2012 and has just been recently updated to meet EURO 4 regulations. The Classic 125 is joined by its sibling; the Café 125. Both will be released in December 2017.
Speaking as one who knows, the older Classic 125, can very easily be customised to look like a Mutt at low cost. The Maverick 125 is definitely worth checking out if you prefer your retro 125cc in a street scrambler/tracker package. Herald is in the process of updating its other bikes to meet EURO4 — so there’s likely to be a few new surprises in 2018, if not sooner.
3. Bullit Motorcycles
Of French origin, Bullit Motorcycles offers a mini cafe-racer experience within the Spirit 125 [its flagship model] launched earlier in 2017. If you’re looking for a more upright experience, you’ll find that in the Hunts S 125 naked roadster and Hero 125 street tracker. Bullit is a fun brand with serious, high-quality components. One look at the inverted forks on the Spirit 125 tells you it means as much business as a 125 can do. Bullit appeals to the learner market but also experienced riders who are seeking a fun, great-looking small retro motorcycle — maybe as a commuter or weekend plaything.
Bullit Motorcycles Spirit 125
Bullit Motorcycles Hunts S 125
4. Brixton Motorcycles
Owned by family-run Austrian company ‘KSR Group’; Brixton Motorcycles was launched at EICMA 2015, and so is a relatively new entrant to the small neo-retro motorcycle market. Using a Japanese-developed engine Brixton Motorcycles approach has been to combine classic styling, with modern features including; LED lighting, EFI, digital speedometer and more.
There’s an air of solid quality about Brixton Motorcycle’s BX125 and the limited edition Haycroft café racer offers unique custom styling, that is likely to turn heads.
Brixton Motorcycles BX125 Retro 125cc Roadster & BX125R Café Racer
Brixton Motorcycles BX125 Haycroft Café Racer
5. Mash Motorcycles
Mash Motorcycles is another French brand that’s been hugely popular in mainland Europe and has now expanded into the UK. The manufacturer takes its inspiration from the late sixties and early seventies era of motorcycle design. The Mash Black 7, is an elegant looking 125 roadster, that looks like a bigger bike. Equally, the café racer gives off the impression that it’s more assertive than it likely is. You may find yourself being challenged by riders of bigger bikes at the lights were it not for the L plates.
Mash Motorcycles Black 7 125cc
Mash Motorcycles Cafe Racer 125cc
6. FB Mondial
FB Mondial was founded by two brothers in the first half of the 20th century and who manufacturing motorcycles in 1948. The Italian marque dominated racing for over 8 years, between 1949 and 1957. FB Mondial’s new motorcycles can be placed at the premium end of the scale, relative to other bikes on this list. The manufacturers HPS125 motorcycle uses an engine sourced from the Piaggio Group, which is also used in Derbi models. The bike has a distinctive modern style, fused with retro cues and will certainly get you noticed.
FB MONDIAL HPS125
7. Hanway Motorcycles
Hanway Motorcycles, also based in Cambridgeshire, UK, has drawn inspiration from cafe racer culture, however, takes a more modern and sophisticated approach to its Black Café 125, Scrambler 125 and Masculine 125. You’ll find a plethora of high specification components and modern features such as LED lighting, inverted shock forks and more — all combined into a superb retro 125cc finish.
Hanway Masculine 125 Café Racer
Hanway Black Café 125
Hanway Scrambler 125
Sinnis Motorcycles
Based in Brighton, Sinnis Motorcycles can take credit for disrupting the 125cc market by initially offering the RetroStar and TrackStar. The Brighton based marque has since updated its range to include the Sinnis Scrambler 125 in addition to the recent launch Hoodlum 125 [bobber] along with Sinnis 125 Café Racer. Sinnis was arguably at the forefront, of utilising small robust Japanese derived engines built in China and then adding higher quality components, to create unique classic-inspired machines.
Sinnis 125 Café Racer
Sinnis 125 Scrambler
Sinnis Hoodlum 125 [Bobber]
Which Retro 125cc Motorcycle Would Be Your Choice?
So there we have it. That’s the list of the best-looking retro 125cc motorcycles. This sector of the motorcycle market is really expanding rapidly — with manufacturers promising new bikes, as their sales grow. So expect to see a revised list at some point in 2018.
In the meantime, which retro 125cc would you go for?
View this and more stories on retro motorcycles on RENCHLIST.com — This article first appeared on https://renchlist.com/best-retro-125cc-motorcycles-2018/
