The Yamaha WR125R weighs ~138kg wet (estimated), has a seat height of 875mm and 240mm of ground clearance, and makes 14.5hp. Expect about 113 mpg (claimed), for a range of around 200 mi (claimed) from its 8.1-litre tank.
8/10
Holloway Green Lane Score
A light, tall, genuinely trail-capable 125 for riders on an A1 licence, held back on greasy lanes by hard-compound Dunlops and a very modest engine. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
About £4,500Price guide
~138kgWet weight
875mmSeat height
~200 mi (claimed)Real-world range
Holloway ratings
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
5/5
Road usability
1/5
Technical off-road capability
4/5
Green-lane suitability
4/5
Full specs
PriceAbout £4,500 (UK dealer price, not a Yamaha UK RRP)
Engine125cc
Power14.5hp
Torque11.3Nm
Weight (wet)~138kg (Yamaha's ready-to-ride figure, fuel level not stated)
Seat height875mm
Fuel tank8.1L
Real-world range~200 mi (claimed)
Economy~113 mpg (claimed)
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance240mm
Suspension travel (f/r)215mm / 187mm
ABSYes
Traction controlNo
Ride modesNo
Service intervalCheck the handbook
Licence requiredA1
Stock tyre sizes (f/r)2.75-21 / 4.10-18
Stock tyresDunlop D605
Where the Yamaha WR125R sits
Wet weight against ground clearance for every bike in the finder that publishes both. Light and tall, top left, is where the easiest green lane bikes sit. Tap a dot to open that bike.
Figures are manufacturer claims. Clearance is measured differently by different makers, so treat small gaps as a draw.
Will your feet reach?
The Yamaha WR125R has a 875mm seat. Enter your inside leg for a rough idea of how much foot you'll get down when stopped.
A rough guide only. A wide seat needs more leg than a narrow one, the suspension settles 20 to 40mm under you, and boots add a little. Many bikes offer a low seat or lowering link. Sit on one before you buy.
Range against similar bikes
Real-world range from tank size and typical economy, against the bikes closest to it in weight and type. Out on the lanes, fuel stops are often further apart than on a road ride.
Range only. Hard off-road riding and headwinds use more fuel, so plan fuel stops with margin.
Tyres that fit the Yamaha WR125R
It runs a 2.75-21 front and a 4.10-18 rear, on Dunlop D605 from the factory. 4 tyres in our Tyre Finder are made in at least one of those sizes, ranked by green lane score.
Sizes are for the standard UK model and can change between model years. Check the size on your own tyre sidewall, and ask your dealer before fitting a different size. Our size lists come from maker and retailer listings and can miss sizes, so a tyre shown for one end may still be made in your other size. Check the maker's size chart.
Yamaha brought the WR125R back for 2026 as a proper dual-sport 125 with a 21-inch front wheel, 41mm KYB upside-down forks and a 240mm ground clearance claim. At 138kg ready to ride it is easy to move around in a rutted lane, and US testers found it light and well balanced off-road. Motorcycle News gave it 3 out of 5 and felt the standard Dunlop D605 tyres struggle for grip on a wet British green lane. The VVA engine is lively for a 125 but you will feel the lack of power on long road links.
Pros for green laning
Light for a trail bike: 138kg ready to ride makes it easier to pick up and push through a rutted lane than any bigger machine on this list.
Real off-road hardware: a 21-inch front wheel, 240mm ground clearance and roughly 215mm of front travel from KYB forks.
Narrow and manageable: it threads through tight gates and overgrown byways where wide adventure bikes struggle.
A1 licence friendly: 14.5 PS means riders on a CBT or A1 licence can use it from day one.
Cons and limitations
Tall seat: 875mm is high for a 125, so shorter riders will find it awkward at gates and on uneven ground.
Tyre grip: Motorcycle News felt the stock Dunlop D605 tyres cannot match what a wet, muddy lane asks of them, so budget for better rubber.
Road links are slow: with about 14.5 PS and a top speed near 104 km/h, A-road stretches between lanes take effort and a headwind makes it worse.
Small tank and tube tyres: 8.1 litres limits range on long days and the tubed D605 tyres mean a puncture is a roadside repair.
Before taking it seriously off-road: A set of grippier dual-sport tyres before the first muddy lane, handguards and a bash plate, and spare inner tubes plus tyre levers since the wheels run tubed tyres. Reviewers suggest switching ABS off on dirt where the bike lets you.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
