Naked // Manual // 2023 // CBT Legal
Kawasaki
Z125
Supernaked styling in CBT-legal format.
Power
14.7 bhp
Weight
138kg
Top Speed
78 mph
From New
£4,099
Profile silhouette
17" 5-spoke star cast · seat 815 mm
Colour palette
- Metallic Spark Black
- Candy Lime Green
Range & economy
The Z125 carries the Sugomi styling DNA of its Z H2 hypernaked sibling. Tall headlight cluster, aggressive tank, and the snarl of a single-cylinder revving hard. Discontinued in some markets but still widely available.
Who it's for
Riders who want the Kawasaki Z-family aesthetic without waiting for full licence.
Pros
- Authentic Z-family styling
- Sharp brakes
- Distinctive LED daytime running lights
Cons
- Limited new stock — sourcing varies
- Single-cylinder vibration at top end
- Smaller rear disc than rivals
Suitability
commuter
7/10
sport
7/10
comfort
6/10
value
5/10
style
6/10
Full Specifications
- Engine
- Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valve, liquid-cooled
- Displacement
- 125cc
- Power
- 14.7 bhp @ 10,000 rpm
- Torque
- 8.4 lb-ft @ 7,700 rpm
- Top speed
- 78 mph
- Fuel economy
- 108 mpg
- Fuel capacity
- 11 litres
- Weight
- 138 kg (wet)
- Seat height
- 815 mm
- Transmission
- 6-speed manual
- ABS
- Dual-channel ABS
- Brakes
- Front: 290mm petal disc. Rear: 200mm petal disc.
- Suspension
- Front: 37mm telescopic. Rear: monoshock with preload adjustment.
- Wheels & tyres
- 17" 5-spoke star cast
- Service interval
- 7,600 miles / 12 months
- Warranty
- 2 years unlimited mileage
- Insurance group
- Group 11
- Available colours
- Metallic Spark Black, Candy Lime Green
- Price new
- £4,099
- Price used
- £2,700 – £3,500
- CBT legal?
- Yes
- Keepable post-licence?
- No — learners only
True cost of owning a Z125
Estimates for a 25-year-old with one year of CBT licence holding, riding 4,000 miles a year in Zone 2 London. Adjust for your own circumstances.
insurance
£535 / year (third-party fire & theft, 25 yr old, London)
tax
£25 / year (motorcycles ≤150cc)
mot
£29.65 / year (compulsory from year 3)
fuel
~£244 / year at 4,000 mi (£1.45/L)
service
~£165 / minor service
Day-one essentials
ECE 22.06 full-face helmet
£120 – £400
CE Level 2 armoured jacket
£150 – £350
Disc lock + reminder cable
£35 – £75
Sold Secure Gold chain + ground anchor
£90 – £180
Tail-pack 25L
£75 – £160
All-weather cover + bike socks
£30 – £80
Best for
- Z-family fans
- Style-conscious learners
- City riders
Insider trivia
- — Built in Thailand at the Kawasaki Motors plant.
- — Petal discs are a Kawasaki signature feature dating to the late 90s.
- — Most distinctive headlight cluster of any UK 125.
Owner FAQs
- Can I ride the Z125 on a CBT?
- Yes — the Kawasaki Z125 is fully CBT-legal in the UK. With L-plates and a valid DL196 you can ride it for two years before progressing to A1, A2, or full A.
- What licence do I need to take L-plates off the Z125?
- You need an A1 (17+), A2 (19+) or full A (24+) licence and Module 1 / 2 pass — this 125 itself is restricted to learners.
- Is the Z125 reliable?
- Kawasaki has a 2 years unlimited mileage warranty on the Z125. Built in Thailand at the Kawasaki Motors plant.
- What is the real-world range?
- Claimed economy is 108 mpg and the tank is 11 litres, giving a theoretical range of 261 miles. Real-world budget around 80% of that.
- What insurance group is the Z125?
- Group 11. As a rough guide, a 25-year-old in zone 2 London with no claims pays around £535 per year third-party fire & theft.
- Is the Z125 good for delivery / courier work?
- It's possible, but a scooter like the PCX 125 or SH125i is the standard courier choice. Manual gearboxes slow down stop-start delivery work.
Browse all CBT-legal 125s
Don't have your CBT yet?
You need a valid DL196 certificate before you can legally ride the Z125 on UK roads.
Find CBT training →