WK BIKES 125R (2011 - on) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £110 |
Power: | 11 bhp |
Seat height: | Tall (33.3 in / 845 mm) |
Weight: | Low (298 lbs / 135 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Taiwanese-built WK 125R is an entry-level 125cc motorcycle for British riders on a budget. Imported by the same team behind Quadzilla Quads, it’s a cheap, cheerful and functional alternative to more expensive European or Japanese learner machines. It’s a little basic, quite heavily outmoded and unlikely to last a lifetime, but it’s also fairly cool, fun to ride and gets the job done for well under two grand.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineOn the down side: very vague. On the up side: great for learners. The suspension is bouncy and soft and the gear selector and clutch are loose and imprecise. But, the clip on bars are easy to reach and mingle café-racer styling with learner-friendly handling. The mirrors are perfectly adequate, power rises very smoothly and the bike feels safe and stable at everything from low-speed manoeuvre speeds to the 70mph mark. It’s very difficult not to be charmed by the WK 125R’s comfortable, easy-going ride.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityWK won’t confirm the origin of the engine, but the ever-ready Honda CB125 is the most likely donor. It makes a smooth 11bhp, but requires the use of a choke to get it breathing. It’s nothing like as capable, low-maintenance or slick as modern fuel injected 125cc engines, but makes enough power to boost you around up to motorway speeds and adds to the bike’s 20th century parts-bin appeal.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueGeneral quality is exactly what you’d expect for a £1699 bike: adequate but far from premium. WK bikes come with a 12-month unlimited mileage parts and labour warranty, which is reassuring. Whether it will survive a winter or a year of drops and scrapes remains to be seen.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentEven with the Scorpion exhaust, at £1998 the WK125R is £1172 cheaper than a Honda CBR125R and £1697 cheaper than a KTM 125 Duke. They’re in another league when it comes to performance and build quality, but are they twice the fun as well as twice the price? It’s doubtful. Resale values aren’t likely to be high, but with the initial saving in your pocket it’s easier to swallow.
Equipment
An odd mixture. The clocks are incredibly imprecise: reading the full 10,000 revs whenever the throttle is opened (regardless of still rising engine noise) and indicating 90mph at what is clearly more like 70mph. The side stand is inexplicably short too. That said, it has a decent centre stand, a comprehensive grab rail and a helmet lock tab. Ultimately it’s let down by the WWII-spec analogue clocks which – though charming – are somewhere beyond obsolete. The Scorpion exhaust (a £299 extra) is well worth the investment, giving a fruity little burbling noise that seriously adds to the WK 125R’s appeal.
Specs |
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Engine size | 124cc |
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Engine type | Single-cylinder, air cooled, four-stroke, carburettored, 5 gears |
Frame type | Steel cradle |
Fuel capacity | 16 litres |
Seat height | 845mm |
Bike weight | 135kg |
Front suspension | Hydraulic telescopic fork |
Rear suspension | Hydraulic adjustable shock |
Front brake | Twin piston, 270mm disc |
Rear brake | Twin piston, 140mm disc |
Front tyre size | 110/70 - 17 |
Rear tyre size | 140/60 - 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 75 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £25 |
Annual service cost | £110 |
New price | £1,699 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 11 bhp |
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Max torque | 9.5 ft-lb |
Top speed | 78 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 267 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2011: WK125R launched
Other versions
2011: WK 125 Sport (£1899) – identical machine with a sports-styled fairing added
Owners' reviews for the WK BIKES 125R (2011 - on)
9 owners have reviewed their WK BIKES 125R (2011 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your WK BIKES 125R (2011 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £110 |
Version: Wk 125 sports
Year: 2012
Annual servicing cost: £200
Bit heavy to ride for a 125
No corrosion on my wk sport still looks like new
Buying experience: Privately
Year: 2013
Best for me would be comfortable riding Worse feature is who made it because getting parts are a nightmare in scotland
Riding does seem to be fine and sounds good too, but at high speed about 50mph in the wind its a nightmare.
Like : style and layout reminds me of the Cg 125cc : Less maintenance
When i bought mine the last owner never did anything Water cooled engine - Had no water (Pipes were white ) Fairings seem to crack and damage due to movement Petrol tank tap broke yesterday Seems to rust in the odd places Front screen id say was to low doesn't block much wind The style is good and had many people ask if it really was a 125cc
I do all the servicing myself and had not costed me much so far, £9.00 fills the tank
Try ebay for parts and accessories as i have found main website cost 2 x the original price
Buying experience: I bought it on facebook and went to see the bike, Paid less that £900 with hardly any miles
Version: WK125r
Year: 2015
Annual servicing cost: £50
Had this bike for 6 months so far, been a pretty reliable commuter. Sits outside in all weather, and still manages to start 1st time. A few rust spots starting to show, but that's mainly due to me not covering the bike. Would definitely recommend for any learner.
I find this bike very comfortable, i have ridden it for 2 hours straight and been fine afterwards.
Good solid engine with no problems so far, however I feel I want more power out of the bike when reaching top speed.
As mentioned, some bolts have minor rust, after 6 months but thats due to me not protecting the bike. Bolts do tend to rattle loose however and need tightening. For £1000 brand new, cannot complain with this bike.
Parts are very cheap, however getting the correct parts from the manufacturer is not easy.
Buying experience: Bought from a dealer for £1000, which included a free jacket and helmet.
Version: TTR
Year: 2015
Good looking bike and rides nice... Great learner bike
good breaks and suspension, very basic but gets the job done
good solid engine, struggles up-hill but expected as its only a 125cc, fastest ive gotten out of it is 55 mph on flat incline, downhill 60 mph.
no engine problems but the speed clock and mileage clock both have had issues and i have had to replace the mileage clock but still not too bad
the dealer said it will do about 120 mpg but i think its more close to 100 mpg but still decent, tax is £23 annually and insurance is very cheap too!
LED lights and indicators are a nice touch, but digital screen is impossible to see while riding at night or even slightly dark conditions
Version: Wk125 trail
Year: 2014
Annual servicing cost: £80
Overall looks nice, sounds good and goes well when it's running
Ride quality is good, it does vibrate a lot, and brakes well
Apart from a replacement Carb the engine is going well with no issues.
It usually starts well, it has been running well, but the electrics have been a nightmare, bolts have a tendency to fall off, the exhaust has vibrated apart, the rear indicators have snapped off, the chain and sprockets are poor quality. The rear light kept blowing a bulb, the front light has blown many times, currently the electrics don't work at all. Its been in the garage about 4 times.
It's running cost have been increased by new bulbs, chains sprockets, and soon exhaust, unless they are prepared to cover it on the warranty
Well equipped, all as standard
Buying experience: Dealer who has a lot of support and seems to know what he's doing. The trouble is the dealer was an hour away, and the amount of problems I've gone to my own local mechanic. Although things are covered by the warranty, you end up paying for things which have broken or allegedly miss-used, or worn out, at full price meaning I can probably get it repaired local for the same money
Good Afternoon peps, If anyone has any problems with the petrol tanks - carbs - fuel lines on the WK range please could you inform Martin Ryder from the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency, DVSA REF: VSD25395 Phone 0117 954 3486
bought mine 11/11/13 2014 strong smell of petrol but cap did not lock and was not air tight so now and then spilt petrol, few small puddles now and then but thought it was a coolant leak. turns out it was petrol leak, on the final 2 days 10 liters had leaked. how it did not blow i do not know. stripped sides off thinking it was a loose fuel pipe but turns out massive hole under the tank. i have researched the problem in depth and turns out it was only ever made for ethanol e5 and not the new e10 that came out in 2011, 99% of petrol pumps now use e10 and it rots the tank and fuel lines. spoke to the dealer, manufacturer who have basically said its my fault for using e10 not e5 even though this was never advised, no stickers no warnings, nothing in the manual and sold to use in the UK, asked why the tank does not conform with the EU regulations that state from 2011 all motorcycles are supposed to take e10 or above and they can not answer or give any good reason why it does not conform with the regulations? fit for purpose? erm no free from defects in material and workmanship? erm no. dangerous goods? i think so. if you are related to Evel Knievel? enjoy risking your life daily? like the smell of petrol? its the bike for you. if no then stay away from this bike its way to dangerous to contemplate buying. i was advised to ride the bike back to the dealers? wtf lol
My WK125r is the 2010 model and I agree, shuffy, I bought it second hand in late september and since then the only thing which i've replaced is the seat because the sponge inside was worn with the amount of times I rode it :), it's done ~5500 and going strong, i'm looking to do my big bike test soon and i'm looking to stick with this in my 2 year restriction, it's a beautiful bike i've had so many compliments from it, they say it looks bigger than a 125 and I agree it does, but the neit little 125 engine gets you from A to B easily enough. I've brought a new battery recently after accidently leaving the key in, but I fitted the battery no hassle and it's working fine now. Brilliant learner bike, and affordable.
I Want out and paid for the 2012 model form motorbike warehouse cost me about 2 grand I wish I did not bother atfer 3 weeks the battery had feted takeing out half of the bike electronics phone them up they said bring it down push started it got it to the shop they said we have it fix in a few days a week and a half later I get it back (not for getting this bike was brand new and only 3 weeks old) 2 weeks on I'm find more problem with it they have not screw in half the boady work I found cables sticking out phone them up all I get was go rebuild it your self