When it comes to dirt bikes, 125 ccs is deemed an excellent option for both beginners and experienced riders. These bikes are easier to manage for newbies because most new riders transition from an 85-90cc bike to a bigger engine. Experienced riders, too, will find it even simpler to maneuver and operate a sturdy dirt bike. And with varying power bands and multiple model sizes (ranging from two to four-stroke), you will find dozens of 125cc dirt bikes to meet and work with your riding requirements. 

But what exactly is the best 125cc dirt bike, and what are the best 125cc dirt bikes for 2021? With multiple options out there, how do you zero in on the best bike? Let’s find out!

The Best 125cc Dirt Bikes:

If you’re trying to figure out which 125cc dirt bike is both powerful and functional, here’s a brief list to get you started!

2023 KTM 125 SX

If a lightweight dirt bike is what you’re looking for, the 2022 KTM 125 SX might be one of the best options. This bike is compact, and it delivers rides with the just kind of confidence you want. 

Key features

• Lightweight chassis backed by the two-stroke engine to deliver a power-packed performance
• Agile and easy to maneuver 
• Excellent power-to-weight ratio
• Crafted from quality, welded, and high-quality chromium steel 
• Excellent lap time

The 2022 KTM 125 SX dirt bike is simple, affordable, and features an excellent engine in the right rev range. It is also stiff and can be personalized for easy and dynamic operation. The bike also has a perfect suspension that enhances agility without compromising on speed. Overall, this is undoubtedly one of the best and sturdiest 125cc dirt bikes you’ll ever come across. 

Yamaha TT-R125LE

This TT-R125LE dirt bike from Yamaha is the perfect definition of power and comfort. Thanks to its air-cooled and solid four-stroke engine, you get to enjoy power-packed rides that are also equally comfortable. 

Key Features

• Backed by a four-stroke engine for consistent power
• Features a fully customizable suspension system that lets you preload the fork and rebound functionalities according to your preference
• Two robust wheels of 19-inches and 16-inches 
• A solid seat height of 31,7 inches

So, if you are a tall rider looking to invest in a quality, four-stroke, 125cc dirt bike, this is one of the best options! With its superior measurements and affordable price, the Yamaha TT-R125LE offers you premium comfort and style. 
However, if you want to ride a two-stroke than I suggest checking out the Yamaha YZ125

Husqvarna TC-125 Bike

Husqvarna TC-125 is one of the best off-road 125cc dirt bikes, and given its simple functionalities, practically anyone can use it. Moreover, the bike offers excellent ergonomics and a professional degree of power. This way, you get to enjoy the kind of smooth rides you always wanted. 

Key Features

• Two-stroke engine to deliver smooth power
• Backed by the sturdy and highly adjustable Brembo clutch with hydraulic capacities
• Powered by customizable front forks along with an individual rear shock
• Excellent handling of braking duties, thanks to the sturdy Brembo units both at the front and rear
• Stylish and sturdy molybdenum frame

We especially love this bike because not only is it competitive, but it also delivers high power and comes with plenty of customizable components. Thanks to these offerings, you can now enjoy exactly the kind of ride you look forward to. 

This dirt bike is superior, functional, and highly stylish. Even though it isn’t the most affordable in the market, the features justify the price, and your ride is worth the money. 

Honda CRF 125-F

Our list of best dirt bikes is incomplete without the Honda CRF 125-F, and indeed Honda lives up to their reputation with their reliable and powerful range of dirt bikes. Thanks to these two key features, you’re now left with an advanced bike with high functionality. 

Key Features

• Powered by a steel frame that can comfortably handle off-road terrains
• Offers superior control with its excellent travel-level suspension
• Backed by a four-stroke engine with a single-cylinder capacity
• It comes with a powerful and sturdy clutch that offers heavy-duty function
• Quick and seamless gear shifting capabilities

So, if you are looking to invest in a quality 125cc bike that can successfully operate in varying riding conditions, this is the way to go! This bike’s excellent shock and superior swingarm deliver just the kind of proficiency and power you need when driving off-road. 

Apollo DB-X18 FULL SIZE DIRT BIKE

If trail riding is what you are looking for, the Apollo DB-X18 is one of your top options. Backed by a four-stroke engine, this bike boasts powerful and superior functionality. The best part: its high cylinder capacity of 1.03 gallons makes way for seamless gear shifts and solid speed. 

Key Features

• Dour-stroke engine with a single-cylinder capacity of 1.03 gallons
• Hydraulic brakes in front and gear
• Offers a top speed of 55mph (may vary as per the rider’s weight/road condition)
• Sturdy frame for superior output as you ride
• Backed by four different speed settings

In addition to the mentioned features, the bike is also extremely lightweight, with a total weight of 180.8 lbs. Thanks to this, you can enjoy seamless rides at a decent speed without worrying about safety. Furthermore, because the bike is extremely lightweight, you’ll be safe during the ride, regardless of the terrain. 

TM MX 125

The TM MX 125 is an Italian manufactured 125cc dirt bike with excellent speed and smooth gear shifting capacity. The brand comes with a wide range of excellent bikes across all engine types, and their TM MX 125cc dirt bike is undoubtedly one of the best off-road bikes out there. 

Key Features

• Highly competitive 125cc dirt bike with a two-stroke engine
• Backed by a sturdy wet clutch with multi-disk capacity
• Features five different speed settings
• Supported by electronic ignition with dual mapping functions
• Powerful mono-shock engine

Even though this brand may not be as famous as its contemporaries, this bike is still worth a shot given its many excellent offerings. The engine is competitive, and gear shifts are seamless. Also, thanks to the bike’s incredible export channels, you will practically find it at any online or physical outlet.

So, if you are just getting started with dirt biking, this functional, affordable, and highly efficient bike is exactly what you need!

Kawasaki KLX-110

The Kawasaki KLX-110 is yet another superior dirt bike that comes with solid travel capacity and excellent power. Even though it doesn’t feature a sprout, it is still just as functional and affordable. What we love most about this bike is its superior and front and rear brakes with hydraulic capacities.

Key Features

• It comes with a solid single-cylinder engine
• Backed by front and rear brakes with hydraulic function
• Features an advanced four-speed transmission capacity
• The excellent automatic clutch system

With this bike, you can travel any road and still expect a smooth performance regardless of the terrain. It is functional, powerful, and an excellent dirt bike. 

Beta RR 125 2T

Beta is one of the leading brands when it comes to off-road bikes, and this bike from their range is one of the best offerings from the lot and one of my very favorite. Contrary to their old models backed by the KTM engine, the latest models from the brand boast more advanced engines from their in-house powerplants. 

Key Features

• Stylish, compact, and lightweight design
• Can endure heavy weights without compromising on the power and speed
• Competitive performance in rugged terrains
• Backed by a single-cylinder engine with a two-stroke capacity
• Boasts a super-high-speed of 75 mph

Their latest 2022 Beta RR 125 2T model comes with several new improvements that make the bike even more viable. Unfortunately, the current height of this bike is 930mm, and it also boasts an average weight of around 207 lb. Nevertheless, the bike is functional, and it meets all your requirements from an otherwise solid and powerful dirt bike. 

What Type of Dirt Bike Should You Choose? 

Now that you’ve reviewed the top 125cc dirt bikes, you’re probably wondering whether you should choose a two or four-stroke engine. I think both engine types are excellent when you are confident about riding the bike. Regardless, each engine type comes with some specific benefits. 

The two-stroke engine, for instance, is considered much powerful. However, at some point these bikes were highly exhausting to manage, but with the new engines everything is smooth. In some cases, you might even need to purchase additional accessories like mufflers (as per the model category). 

Engines with a four-stroke capacity come with significantly less power. But despite this apparent flaw, these bikes can be operated by both newbies and experienced riders.

Yes! If you are worried about gas mileage and fuel prices, a four-stroke engine is what you should settle for. Because these engines have a lower fuel burning capacity, they save you cost and leave you with significantly few emissions. 

Again, if you are concerned about horsepower and weight, we recommend two-stroke bikes because of their affordability and function. But even then, we recommend starting with a four-stroke model before you eventually transition into a two-stroke one. 

Once you keep this simple guideline in mind, you will be a step closer to choosing the right 125 cc dirt bike with the appropriate engine capacity for your riding requirements. 

Read more about 2 stroke vs 4 stroke dirt bikes.

Bottom Line

When it comes to 125cc dirt bikes, you will find plenty of options to choose from. The key is to check the engine capacity, the quality of the chassis, the size of the wheels, and ergonomics. Most of our featured bikes come tick all your required boxes. What’s more, they are also available at an affordable price tag. 

For absolute safety and comfort, we recommend lightweight bikes. Yes! As you’ve observed in most of our reviews, almost all leading 125cc dirt bikes are lightweight. But why exactly would you want to consider a lightweight bike? Well, it’s simply because these bikes are much simpler to operate. 

Not only are they extraordinarily stable, but they also make way for easier swerves than what you would expect on a heavy bike. These bikes are also deemed safe for the same reason. Thanks to the low weight, the injuries from impact are likely to be less. Even if you are injured, in most cases, you can walk off with minor bruises. 

Given the many benefits and the superior functionality, these bikes are certainly worth your time and money!