Yamaha is adding new excitement to the lightweight dual sport scene with the debut of the 2026 WR125R. This small-displacement dual sport bike features a fairly high-tech engine that includes Yamaha’s Variable Valve Actuation (VVA) system, fuel injection and a six-speed gearbox, all built into a full-size steel chassis with rider-friendly ergonomics. According to Yamaha, the WR125R was designed for practicality in urban environments and performance on trails. All of this comes at a friendly price of just $3999.
Photography by Dave Schelske
With the WR125R, Yamaha hopes to introduce beginner riders to the sport and perhaps reignite the flame in experienced riders who may have stepped back from motorcycle riding and are thinking about getting back into it again without draining the bank account.
What Makes It Tick | 2026 Yamaha WR125R Review
At the core is a 124.7cc four-stroke, four-valve, single-cylinder electric-start engine that is fuel-injected and equipped with the VAA system. VAA is one of Yamaha’s ways of squeezing every ounce of power and torque from this small engine. What is VAA? It’s a single-overhead cam (SOHC) with two intake cam lobes, each serving a different purpose. At lower rpm, the initial intake cam profile is optimized for low- to mid-rpm performance; above 7400 rpm, the ECU activates an electronic solenoid in the cylinder head, engaging the high-rpm intake cam profile. Pretty advanced technology for a $3999 motorcycle.
The WR125R is water-cooled and features an ECU-controlled fan to prevent overheating during slow riding for extended periods or in very hot weather. A 30mm throttle body handles fueling.
Small-bore single-cylinder engines tend to operate at high rpm, which often leads to excessive vibration. Yamaha tackled this issue by incorporating an engine counterbalancer.
Along with the six-speed transmission, the WR125R features a heavy-duty nine-disc clutch, which Yamaha knows will get a lot of use and abuse on this bike.
The bike is fitted with a large 2.1-gallon fuel tank, and Yamaha is claiming over 94 mpg. That’s a range of nearly 200 miles!
The engine is housed in a semi-double-cradle steel frame, fitted with KYB suspension at both the front and rear, tuned for street comfort and off-road riding. The front features a 41mm inverted fork with 8.5 inches of travel, while the rear uses a linkage-type KYB shock offering 7.3 inches of travel. Neither the fork nor the shock is adjustable, except for rear spring preload.
Braking is managed by a 267mm front disc with a twin-piston caliper and a 220mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper. The front brake features Bosch single-channel ABS that cannot be turned off. ABS is not fitted to the rear brake.
The WR125R’s design is heavily influenced by Yamaha’s YZ and WR/FX race bikes, with slim, motocross-style bodywork and a flat, narrow seat. For a beginner’s bike, the seat height is a little up there at 34.4 inches. Yamaha, however, offers a one-inch lower seat as an accessory for $179.99.
Staying true to its dual sport purpose, the WR125R features a 21-inch front wheel and an 18-inch rear wheel, both fitted with Dunlop D605 dual sport tires.
From the cockpit, you see in front of you a modern-looking LCD multi-function instrument panel, complete with a speedometer, tachometer, trip meter, clock, gear indicator and VVA indicator. The fuel gauge also displays real-time fuel consumption.
The WR125R has even more tech. The bike comes equipped with Yamaha Motorcycle Connect (Y-Connect), a Bluetooth-enabled system that pairs the motorcycle with a smartphone via the free Y-Connect app for iOS and Android.
Through the app, riders can view call, text and email notifications; track ride data such as distance, fuel consumption and acceleration; and even locate the motorcycle. The LCD instrument panel keeps all the key information in view at a glance.
The WR125R weighs in at a hefty 304 pounds, fully fueled, and is available in two colors options: blue or black/grey.
Time To Ride | 2026 Yamaha WR125R Review
The WR125R is a handsome motorcycle that makes you want to hop on and ride it. It’s also comfortable, fitting like a glove as soon as you get on. The bike is made in Indonesia but has a solid look and feels like any other Yamaha built in Japan. However, the engine isn’t attractive or inspiring to look at, at least from the right side. It’s filled with emission components and hoses, blocking all view of the cylinder, and there’s a catalytic converter somewhere in that large-for-a-125 exhaust system. But everything else on the bike looks very appealing.
Yamaha invited the media to test the WR125R on a group ride with experienced riders in the hills of Southern California, and honestly, I had low expectations about the bike’s power. After all, it’s a 125cc four-stroke designed to meet road-emissions standards, making it street-legal in all 50 states, but I was still hoping. Just maybe. Turns out, my expectations were accurate: power isn’t anything special. It’s not Yamaha’s fault; it’s just how small-bore four-strokes that aren’t allowed to breathe are now. Still, you can tell Yamaha tried its best, fitting it with its VAA system, a versatile six-speed transmission and an outstanding fuel-injection system. There’s a hint of torque and bottom end that propels you smoothly and controllably from a stop, perfect for beginners and riders who haven’t been on a bike in a while. The midrange flattens out a bit, and before you know it, you’ve reached the throttle stop. Already? But keep holding the throttle there and let it rev to the stars. The WR loves that, and it’s the fastest way to get from point A to point B.
Luckily, the six-speed transmission and the VAA system do a great job of squeezing every drop of usable power from the engine. The WR is too small and not legal to ride on freeways in California, but it’ll do about 70 mph on a good day. The highest I saw on pavement on our one-day ride was 69 mph, and conditions were just right—flat with no wind.
Still, the WR125R is fun to ride, especially when you’re with other people on WR125Rs. We spent most of the day on dirt, traversing up and down hard-packed roads with plenty of rocks and ruts, which the bike was more than capable of handling—just not very fast. Give it some time, and it will handle just about anything, but I’d stay away from deep sand. We didn’t see anything of that, but I’m just assuming.
The WR runs extremely well. Fueling is spot on and clean; no glitches or coughing at any rpm or throttle position. The bike also changes gears well, but sometimes it takes a conscious effort and a solid nudge on the lever at high rpm to get a clean shift in a pinch. Clutch pull is very light, and I felt no signs of weakness when abused.
The suspension is excellent. For my 165 pounds (in street clothes), the WR125R was well sprung. Not too soft; not too stiff. Just right. It resists bottoming, but when it does, it’s not as bad as you’d think.
Braking feels solid, and I’m totally fine with not being able to turn off the ABS in the front. I like it that way, and no ABS in the rear means one less thing to worry about when switching from pavement to dirt. Plus, I don’t think ABS is necessary on a bike like this on the pavement anyway, and beginners should probably learn how to brake without it. So, everything is good in the braking department.
The bike handles well overall, though it is on the heavy side, which isn’t great for a low-horsepower motorcycle, but it certainly is not a game-changer if you have long legs. It could be an issue for shorter riders.
The WR’s meter looks nice and modern, and the two bits of information that matter most to me, speed and fuel, are right there, easy to read.
Riding Home | 2026 Yamaha WR125R Review
Just like Yamaha promised, the WR125R is indeed a great beginner bike for the rider who wants a full-size motorcycle that looks modern (not like a typical beginner bike), is easy to ride, handles well, and isn’t worried about getting anywhere in a hurry but just wants to get there, wherever there might be. It also makes a fantastic city bike, capable of navigating traffic easily and affordably, which is why I’m sure you’ll find this bike in the big cities all around the world.
The experienced rider can enjoy the WR as well, but don’t expect to be blown away by outright power; that’s its only real limitation. However, at just $3999, it’s a limitation that isn’t all that limiting. CN
VIDEO | Yamaha WR125R First Ride Test
2026 Yamaha WR125R Specifications
| MSRP | $3999 |
| Engine | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke |
| Displacement | 124.7cc |
| Valvetrain | SOHC, 4-valve, VVA |
| Cooling system | Liquid w/ fan |
| Bore x Stroke | 52.0mm x 58.7mm |
| Fuel delivery | EFI, 30mm throttle body |
| Ignition | Transistor Controlled Ignition (TCI) |
| Starting system | Electric |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Wet, 9-plate |
| Frame | Steel |
| Front suspension | 41mm KYB, telescopic fork, non-adj. |
| Rear suspension | KYB, single shock, link-type, spring preload adj. |
| Front-wheel travel | 8.5 in. |
| Rear-wheel travel | 7.3 in. |
| Front brake | 267mm single disc, ABS |
| Rear brake | 220mm single disc |
| Front tire | 90/90-21 in. Dunlop D605 |
| Rear tire | 110/80-18 in., Dunlop D605 |
| Seat height | 34.4 in. |
| Wheelbase | 56.3 in. |
| Ground clearance | 9.45 in. |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 gal. |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 94 mpg |
| Weight (curb, claimed) | 304 lbs. |
| Warranty | 1-year limited factory warranty |
Click here to read the 2026 Yamaha WR125R Review in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.
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