How Fast Can a 125cc Motorcycle Go: Max and Average Speed
Wondering how fast a 125cc motorcycle can go?
We rode our 125cc Honda Monkey Motorcycles through nine countries, starting in North Dakota and finishing in Panama City, Panama.
People couldn’t decide if we were completely insane or true geniuses. I like to think we are a little bit of both.
Let me tell you, the gas mileage we get on our tiny bikes is fantastic, and finding a parking spot has never been easier.
However, the biggest question for our trip was: Will a small bike’s average speed meet the demands of the ride?
We were averaging 50-60mph during our long rides, and that speed was just about perfect for highway cruising through the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
But we decided to push our bikes a little harder.
On the fall equinox, we successfully completed a 1,000-mile ride in less than 24 hours on our tiny bikes. Earning us our Iron Butt SaddleSore certifications.
You can safely say we became experts on long-distance travel and increasing average max speed on 125cc motorcycles.
In this post, I will go over 125cc motorcycles, the factors determining their speed, and tips for achieving maximum speed on your small bike.
So, How Fast Does a 125cc Motorcycle Go?
The short answer is that a 125cc bike’s average speed will be about 50-60 miles per hour. The average top speed will be around 70-80 miles per hour.
However, so many different factors affect how fast any particular motorcycle can go.
There are lots of things to consider when determining your actual bike’s speed.
Including the rider’s experience, performance upgrades, type of engine, type of bike, engine power, environment, and road conditions.
So, let’s dive in and discuss the various factors that affect your bike’s speed.
Motorcycle Size
One of these factors that affect a bike’s average speed is the size of your motorcycle. And while it might not sound important, it is.
If you’re considering buying a 125 cc bike, you should know what this means and what the size means for your riding experience.
So what does cc mean?
The “cc” in a 125 cc motorcycle is the cubic centimeter, which refers to the volume of the engine chamber or the measurement of the size of the engine chamber.
And indicates how powerful a motorcycle is.
It means that the lower the cc, the less power the motorcycle produces, and vice versa.
A great motorcycle for a beginner rider is a 125 cc motorcycle because it’s lightweight, handles well, and gives the rider confidence in traffic.
The smaller engine makes it economical to run, has good fuel economy, and produces fewer emissions.
Also, one of the best things about 125 cc motorcycles is that they are incredibly affordable.
Factors That Are Affecting Your Speed 🏍️💨
There’s no doubt you want your motorcycle to go fast, but how do you know if it’s going at the maximum speed you think it is?
To understand this concept better, consider these factors that affect the speed of a 125cc Motorcycle.
Weight
It is well known that the weight of a motorcycle affects its speed. This is true for all vehicles, but especially so with motorcycles.
A lightweight bike will generally be faster than a heavier one, and it will also be more maneuverable.
Lightweight motorcycles can stop faster because they accelerate faster, brake more quickly because they weigh less, and take fewer turns to complete a circular course because they travel at more incredible speeds overall.
When we talk about weight, this also includes the weight of the rider.
On our long-distance motorcycle journey on tiny bikes (the only woman in a group of dudes), I was the lightest by far.
I am a total of 4 feet, 10 inches tall, and weigh about 105 lbs, soaking wet.
I like to think that 125cc motorcycles were made for me.
I could FLY past my dear, much heavier, average-sized friends. I was the fastest bike in the pack.
Although I was the most inexperienced rider at the time, my lack of weight made it very easy for me to keep up with (and outrun) my fellow riders.
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics explains how objects move through the air.
One of the essential factors in motorcycle design is aerodynamics. Aerodynamics is vital for motorcyclists because it affects the speed at which they can go.
Air resistance impacts the motorcycle’s speed, power output, tire wear, and fuel efficiency.
Aerodynamic modifications to your motorcycle can improve performance by reducing drag or increasing lift, which allows you to ride faster.
The airflow around your bike depends on its shape and size.
This includes things like fairings and windscreens as well as handlebars and mirrors that might be attached to your bike, so make sure you check these items before making any changes.
Number of Cylinders
The number of cylinders in your bike’s engine is one of the main critical factors in determining its speed.
The more cylinders, the more power the engine can produce.
Which translates into faster acceleration and a higher top speed.
In addition to reaching those higher top speeds, more powerful bikes tend to have higher torque output.
This means they can pull away from stoplights quickly without having to downshift or rev high, making it easier for beginners to operate.
Engine Size and Type
The engine size is a hugely important factor that affects the speed of a 125cc motorcycle.
The bigger your engine, the faster you can go.
If you have a small engine but want to go fast, you must increase its power output.
Motorcycle engines are the heart of any bike. They determine how fast will a 125cc motorcycle go.
There are two motorcycle engines to look for: the 2-stroke engine and the 4-stroke engine.
Two-Stroke Engine
Through two piston strokes, a two-stroke engine completes one power cycle or one crankshaft revolution.
During this cycle, a two-stroke engine completes the whole intake, air compression, and combustion processes.
A two-stroke engine only fires once every revolution, greatly enhancing the motorcycle’s power.
Due to its ability to complete a combustion cycle almost twice as quickly as four-stroke engines, a two-stroke engine accelerates more quickly.
Two-stroke engines require less maintenance, saving you time and money.
Four-Stroke Engine
Through four piston strokes, a four-stroke engine completes one power cycle or one crankshaft revolution.
A 4-stroke engine is heavier and requires more time to complete a cycle because the piston moves four times while the crankshaft only moves twice.
The piston makes four intake, compression, combustion, and exhaust movements.
While it takes more time to complete this process, it offers several advantages over its competitors, like fuel efficiency and vibration reduction.
Environment
As you can imagine, the environment significantly affects your motorcycle’s speed. Weather, road, and traffic conditions affect how fast your motorcycle will go.
If it’s raining and you’re on a wet road with no traction, your bike’s speed isn’t going to pick up very much.
In this case, try increasing the lean angle of your body so that there is less surface area on the tires touching the road.
You should also adjust your riding style to avoid sudden movements. Try not to brake or accelerate too abruptly when going around corners.
On hot days with no clouds in sight, it’s essential to ensure that your motorcycle has enough water in its radiator system so that its engine doesn’t overheat while driving at higher speeds for prolonged periods.
Keep some extra bottles filled with cold water nearby just in case one runs out before reaching home.
This way, you don’t have to worry about overheating issues later on down the road.
Driver’s Ability
A motorcyclist who is skilled in riding and has experience driving a motorcycle may be able to drive at a higher speed than someone who does not.
Learning from others and taking training courses will help you improve your ability to ride so you can drive faster if necessary.
Inexperienced riders tend to take it easy and enjoy a comfortable ride at low speed. This is a good thing for safety reasons!
One of the most important things new riders can do is get used to their bike’s average speed before they start pushing for the highest speed.
As you gain more experience on the road, your confidence in driving will increase, and your fear of going fast will decrease.
Bike Customization
Bike customization can also affect the speed of a 125cc motorcycle.
For instance, you can improve your bike’s acceleration and top speed by improving its handling, suspension, and braking systems.
The better these systems are tuned, the faster a vehicle can go.
Thus making it more likely that you’ll reach your destination or destination-to-be in good time.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to improve fuel economy but not necessarily top speed or handling on your 125cc motorcycle — which many drivers want — consider investing in improved safety measures.
These additions may cost more than their non-safety counterparts, but they’ll save lives and make driving easier over long distances.
How To Get Max Speed on a 125cc? 🏍️💨
The 125cc motorcycle is a great bike to have. It’s cheap, has power and speed, and is easy to ride.
But there are ways you can get your 125cc motorcycle running even faster than what it’s capable of right now!
Here are some ways to get max speed on a 125cc motorcycle.
Lose Weight
Weight reduction is a common way to improve performance on any motorbike.
The weight of the bike, as well as the rider and luggage, can all contribute to a slower speed.
To get the most out of your 125cc engine, you need to reduce your bike’s weight by removing all unnecessary items.
This includes tools, spare parts, and anything else you don’t need for your trip.
Pack only the gear that is essential for your journey. During our long-distance mini-bike travels, we had to strategically plan for what to pack.
We needed to carry motorcycle camping gear, toiletries, drinking water, extra fuel, sleeping gear, and anything else we needed for everyday life for months at a time.
We also planned to document our trip, so we spent some time finding the best lightweight tech gear and motorcycle cameras for our journey as well.
It is important to remember to carry only the essentials and keep in mind that you can get extra parts and gear almost anywhere you go.
Do not overpack your bike.
Make sure not only you have less stuff on your bike but also that nothing is blocking any parts, such as gears or wheels.
This will help keep everything running smoothly without having any extra drag slowing down its function.
Don’t Use a Full-Fueled Tank
One of the most common mistakes that people make when riding 125 cc motorbikes is to fill their tank full.
This can be extremely dangerous, and it’s essential to understand why you shouldn’t do it.
A full tank of fuel is hefty, so much so that it can affect the overall stability of your bike. A heavier bike will be slower and require more effort to keep balanced while riding at high speeds.
You don’t want this extra weight on your mind as you’re trying to navigate through traffic or even turn corners.
Clean the Air Filter
You should regularly clean the air filter to get the best performance out of your bike and keep it running smoothly.
The air filter is part of the engine’s induction system.
It filters out dust particles and contaminants that would otherwise enter into the cylinders, where they could cause damage or interfere with proper operation.
It also controls how much air gets into the engine, which affects how fast it runs.
You should clean your bike’s air filter at least once a month, especially if you ride often.
You can use compressed air or even an electric leaf blower to remove dirt from it. Be careful when cleaning anything inside your bike because some parts are delicate.
Train Your Body
It is true that there are quite a few different ways to go faster on a motorcycle.
However, the most basic and effective way to increase your bike’s speed is by training yourself.
There are several training methods that new riders and beginner riders can use to improve riding skills.
These tips will help you become better at riding in general.
The first thing that you should do is work on becoming more aerodynamic.
You can learn to lean into turns and keep your body as low as possible when going around corners or changing lanes on the highway.
Another thing that helps with speed on motorcycles is being focused and alert while out on the road.
This means staying aware of what other vehicles around you.
Adjust Suspension
Your bike’s suspension will determine how fast you can go. Adjusting it to suit your weight will help you get the most out of the bike and increase its speed.
If you are riding for leisure, then a softer setting may be suitable for you.
However, if you are looking to increase your bike’s average speed and want to reach higher speeds and distances, then a firmer setting would be better suited to this purpose.
Change Exhaust Pipe
If you want to get the most speed out of your motorcycle, you can change the exhaust pipe.
The exhaust pipe is a part of your motorcycle that carries gases from your engine to the atmosphere in a controlled manner.
It’s an integral part of any bike and must be kept clean and clear of debris to function correctly. If it gets clogged up, it could affect performance and lead to dangerous overheating because exhaust pipes can become hot.
Top Speed 125cc Motorbikes
The following are 125cc bike models and their top speed and acceleration.
| Motorcycle | Max Speed | Acceleration |
| Honda CB125R | 75 mph | 14.2 seconds |
| Kawasaki Ninja 125 | 74 mph | 13.0 seconds |
| KTM 125 Duke | 74 mph | 14.7 seconds |
| Suzuki GSX-R125 | 72 mph | 12.6 seconds |
| Yamaha YZF-R125 | 75 mph | 15.3 seconds |
Top Speed Safety Considerations
Riding at high speeds can be very fun. However, it can quickly turn from fun to tragedy if you’re not taking the safest precautions possible.
When we did the Iron Butt challenge and rode 1,000 miles in less than 24 hours on 125cc motorcycles, we completed the challenge in Mexico.
It was important that we kept in mind the best safety practices.
Especially while riding in Mexico, which wasn’t as familiar to us as roads in the U.S. may have been.
The following tips are several ways that you can make your motorcycle safer as you reach high speed.
- Always wear a helmet and protective gear.
- Have your motorcycle fully serviced and aligned.
- Get your tires inspected for proper tread depth and air pressure.
- Check the weather conditions before leaving on a ride.
- Stay away from or go slower in areas where you’re unfamiliar with the terrain or roadways.
- Don’t ride at high speeds in congested traffic or near pedestrians.
- Avoid riding late at night or early in the morning when visibility is poor.
- Be smart, be safe, and don’t let your desire to reach top speed cause an accident that could result in severe injury or death.
Final Thoughts
A 125cc Motorcycle is a good choice for many motorcycle riders due to its power, weight, price, and fuel efficiency.
Different factors can affect the 125cc motorcycle’s speed, and there are also many ways to increase it.
So, now that you know what goes into 125cc motorcycle speed and how to get top speed, it’s important to be aware of the safety considerations involved in reaching top speeds.
Always wear proper safety gear when riding. Including a good-quality helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and pants.
Make sure your bike is in good condition and that all the parts are working properly before taking it out for a high-speed ride.
Be aware of your surroundings, follow the posted speed limit, and don’t take risks when driving at high speeds.
Follow these tips, and you can enjoy reaching top speeds on your 125cc motorcycle while staying safe.
Keep the rubber side down, my friends. ✌️
🏍️💨