Kawasaki Z125 Pro

2018 Kawasaki Z125 Pro Review and First Ride

Written by The Duke of DC.
Written by The Duke of DC.
 
 

The Z125 Finally Makes Perfect Sense

It’s an understatement when I say I was truly embarrassed to have not ridden one of these plucky bikes in the past. The Kawasaki Z125 Pro represents what is only a handful of models, making up one of the bigger motorcycle genres in the entire community. Between this Kawasaki Z125 Pro and the Honda Grom, you’ll never go to a motorcycle meet again without stumbling upon a grazing herd. Yes, I did say herd, as you’re more likely to find the end of that rainbow than you are to see a Kawasaki Z125 alone in the wild. They truly are pack animals. Which trust me, I didn’t fully understand either…until well, I did. See the Kawasaki Z125 Pro is something you could stare at for hours, days, maybe even years and never fully understand. Yet, only moments into your first ride, it all just clicks. The galactic equivalent of the big bang, you’re thrown head first over your former self. At last, the Z125 makes perfect sense.
 
Anxious for a taste of that sweet, sweet motorcycle heaven? Watch my first ride on the Kawasaki Z125 here:


 

The 2018 Kawasaki Z125 Pro Engine and Horsepower

One of the first things I shamefully do when looking up motorcycles is what we’ll call, “Power-shaming”. I did it when ogling over the Ducati Panigale V4S, the Honda Gold Wing Tour DCT, and even the Honda Rebel 300. See, I know there are literally hundreds of individual parts of a motorcycle that make it great. However, the 12-year-old that runs the show in the cerebral “moto-bellum” of my brain, cares about one thing and one thing only: Power. I’m not proud of this attribute, as it’s kept me away from some amazing motorcycles, case-in-point, the Kawasaki Z125 Pro. The Z125 Pro sports a 4-stroke, SOHC, 2-valve, air-cooled, 1 cylinder that produces 8.3 horsepower @ 7,800 rpm and 7.1 lb-ft @ 6,000 rpm. Yes, I do in fact have a riding lawnmower with more power, but significantly less fun.
 

The Kawasaki Z125 Pro Top Speed and Weight [Road Tested]

Kawasaki Z125 Pro
Where the Z125 Pro may lack a few HPs, it makes up in the weight department. Sitting at only 224.8 lbs, the plucky single is significantly lighter than anything I’ve ever ridden. You’ll find it relatively easy to get your feet down with a seat height of 31.7 inches. I’ll admit that number surprised me at first glance because of how small of a bike it is, but the taller seat height combined with narrow chassis made walking the bike a breeze. It also provided me with a confident view of the road, over and around vehicles in traffic. The bike is 66.9 inches long, 39.6 inches high, 29.5 inches wide, and has a ground clearance of 6.1 inches. All of that will rack up to a DukeOfDC-tested 60 mph top speed. Now after doing research, I’ve found a claimed top speed of 63 mph, so not too variant from my highway test, given different conditions/riders.
 
Watch the Duke of DC test the Z125’s Top Speed


 

2018 Kawasaki Z125 Price

The Kawasaki Z125 is available in three different trims, the Base, the KRT and the SE. The price points are similar, ranging from $3,199 on the Base and KRT, to $3,399 on the SE.  Based on our data, the base model is easily the most popular and most widely available. 95% of the available Z125 inventory is on the Z125 Base trim. From a 2018 vs. 2019 perspective, there are still plenty of 2018s available, but that’s quickly shifting to the 2019 model year. If you shop with GoRollick, you can get an upfront, transparent price when you’re ready to buy, so make sure to check that out. And if you need to finance the Z125, you should read the definitive guide to motorcycle financing.
 

2018 Kawasaki Z125 Pro Specs, Features, MPG and Tech

Kawasaki Z125 Pro
With the affordable base price of just $3,199 comes an equally budgeted specs sheet, but what you do get is exciting in its own right. You’ll find a digital LCD screen, analog tachometer with an integrated fuel gauge, and gear position indicator. The latter two being highly sought after features for new riders (cough, cough beginner bikes ;)). You’ll also have an LED tail-light, although no matching LED headlight.
 
Something that stands out to me is the lack of an ABS model. Something Kawasaki’s rival, Honda, thought to include as a 2019 option for the Honda Grom, putting that bike at $3,549. A relatively significant increase of $350 over the base model Z125 Pro. The only real difference between the three Z125 models is aesthetics, with KRT colors and a special SE colorway with Bronze/Gold wheels. I’d save the couple hundred and get the base model, as this is a tinker-ers dream bike.
 
The aftermarket support this bike has received is simply a testament to its popularity. The Z125 fanbase is able to frequent these aftermarket upgrades thanks to the savings you’ll see at the pump. At a staggering 84 miles per gallon and a two-gallon gas tank, you’ll spend more on framed pictures of you and your Z125 than you will filling up this year.
 

Final Say

The only appropriate thing to end on is the pure joy you get when riding this motorcycle. That’s right, motorcycle… not a scooter (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Sure you can’t really take it on the highway for long, or really at all… trust me. And if you do, you’ll look like Thor riding a Radio Flyer Big Wheel, but it’s just such a hoot. I must have received a half dozen thumbs ups, smiles, and waves from people in passing cars. As much fun as this bike is for the rider, it’s the community behind all these bikes that have made these little 125s possible, and for that, I say thank you. Without all of you, I’d have never been given the pleasure to ride something just this wonderful.
 

GoRollick Buying Experience

When you’re ready to find your perfect motorcycle, be sure to check us out at gorollick.com.You can:

  • See nationwide inventory, specs, and incentive information
  • Get an upfront, transparent price on your desired vehicle
  • Receive special offers on both the vehicle, as well as additional accessories
  • Shop at one of our Certified Dealers who are committed to providing an exceptional buying experience

 

About the Duke of DC

You know, my father tells me that one of my first words was “carburetor” and after my 8th car and 5th motorcycle in my relatively short time on this earth, I’m starting to believe him. I’ve been riding motorcycles since I was 15 years old, and when I started DukeOfDC it was during a really difficult time in my life. I’m just an average Joe that loves anything on two wheels and wants to share that passion with the world. Check out my YouTube channel and follow me on Twitter.

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