BULLIT SPIRIT 125 (2017 - on) Review

Highlights

  • Learner-friendly 125
  • Cheap to buy and run
  • Stylish cafe racer looks

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Annual servicing cost: £60
Power: 12 bhp
Seat height: Medium (33.1 in / 840 mm)
Weight: Low (260 lbs / 118 kg)

Prices

New £2,395
Used N/A

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Bullit Spirit 125 is a fantastic looking café racer that is on fashion as well as on the money.

Its price alone makes it worth a second look and it’s a great intro to two-wheels for fashion-conscious learners.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The clip-ons aren’t too aggressive and the seat (which is a solo unit only) is comfortable.

Weighing just 118kg and riding on cheap suspension with questionable Timsun tyres does make it feel a little skittish in bends, and again it’s not a patch on something like a KTM 125 Duke, but it’s not that bad and I suspect most machines will spend their days in city streets anyway.

The brakes, which don’t have ABS but are combined to pass Euro4 regs, are weak in their performance but they do provide adequate levels of stopping power if you pull the lever hard enough and also use the rear to add some bite.

Riding the Bullet Spirit 125 at speed

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Bullit use a Chinese copy of Suzuki’s GN125 motor, an air-cooled two-valve SOHC engine that has been made Euro4-compliant thanks to a fuel-injection system.

This lump is as old as the hills and irrespective of where it was built, is highly unlikely to have any mechanical issues as it is only making 11.5bhp. It vibrates a bit and isn’t as smooth or powerful as a modern four-valve DOHC water-cooled 125, but in many ways this replicates the retro ethos of sacrificing performance for air-cooled authenticity.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
3 out of 5 (3/5)

We are talking a Chinese-built bike here so while the engine is unlikely to misbehave, there will always be a few question marks over the general level of finish and plating on its nuts and bolts.

When new the Spirit appears well finished, however a few years down the line may well tell a different story.

Our Bullit Spirit 125 owners' reviews do get across the lower-quality nature of bikes at this price point. 

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
4 out of 5 (4/5)

At just £2395 the Spirit is great value for money, but it’s a Chinese-built 125 so you expect it to be cheap. The fact it also looks unique should help it hold its value in the used market, unlike most other run of the mill Chinese 125s, which is a bonus. Provided fashions don’t change…

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Spirit comes with a fuel gauge, electric start, chrome pipe, pillion seat cover, piggy-back style shocks, inverted forks, mini-indicators and a centre stand all on a great looking 125 that is even Euro4-compliant. Now that’s impressive, irrespective of where it was built.

Don't expect BMW levels of equipment here - the Bullet Spirit 125 is cheap and cheerful

Specs

Engine size 125cc
Engine type Four-stroke, air-cooled 2v sohc single
Frame type Tubular steel
Fuel capacity 7 litres
Seat height 840mm
Bike weight 118kg
Front suspension Inverted forks, non-adjustable
Rear suspension Twin shocks, adjustable spring preload.
Front brake 1 x 275mm disc, three-piston caliper; CBS
Rear brake 210mm disc, two-piston caliper CBS
Front tyre size 110/70X17
Rear tyre size 140/70x17

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 80 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £60
New price £2,395
Used price -
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 12 bhp
Max torque 7.4 ft-lb
Top speed 60 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 120 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2017: Model introduced

Owners' reviews for the BULLIT SPIRIT 125 (2017 - on)

4 owners have reviewed their BULLIT SPIRIT 125 (2017 - 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 BULLIT SPIRIT 125 (2017 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.8 out of 5 (4.8/5)
Engine: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Equipment: 3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Annual servicing cost: £60
4 out of 5 Spirit review 2024
13 June 2024 by Scenicdrive189

Year: 2020

I own the Euro4 Bullit Spirit and would say it is a nice ride overall, performance is good and can easily top 70mph depending on rider weight and sheer determination to push the engine to its peak. Some quality issues aside the bike is a lot of fun to ride and gets a lot of attention even parked up next to the shiny heavyweights, also there is room for customisation however Bullit/Bluroc have done a good job already with the appearance of the factory model.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Engine takes a bit of warming up but it is very happy to rev all the way up to the limit which is close to 10000rpm, best advice is to switch gears high in the rev range to maintain the pace, at times the engine feels like it is a bit sluggish from low to mid rev however this is because it demands higher revs and is happy to sit there. Brakes initially did feel weaker than expected and the front did need a good squeeze to really get any power out of it, however they work well once you get used to this.

Engine 5 out of 5

Engine is smooth and runs up to high rpm without bouncing off a rev limiter. Bullit proof so far, I cannot see any issues with the engine long term, and the rumble of the bike and exhaust feels like you are sitting on a genuine stallion ready to run.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

The bike headlight and indicator failed after first 800 miles due to vibrations, bike would probably hold up better if not for quality of the roads which have no doubt reduced the lifespan of the parts. I actually replaced the headlight for a larger model which looks great however a custom fitting was necessary. I have noticed a bit of rusting around the swingarm however with a bit of elbow grease it is now looking much better. Original chain is useless and needs to be replaced soon as possible with something better. The tyres whilst decent take a bit of warming up to get optimum performance, I would recommend changing for some of the more well known brands, however they are fine for that initial run in period.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Very decent value purchase and cheap running costs. Full tank is just over £11, service costs roughly about £40 per 1500 miles. Upside down forks, Adjustable suspension, large petrol tank, built on luggage handles, the bike is well equipped for road usage.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Good set of standard equipment, however as others have suggested a change of indicators would solve the bulb breaking vibration issue, also a change of mirrors as the stocks are very rigid and it would be difficult to adjust to decent viewing angle unless you are relatively small. Bar ends look great on this bike. I also recommend adjusting the handlebar height to the top of the forks for a much more comfortable seating experience for taller riders. I have seen other reviews recommend changing the exhaust but i cannot say whether this would have any real impact as the stock model sounds and looks fine to me. Adjustable rear shocks can help with seat height however be careful not to adjust too much as the bike can lose stability at higher speeds if set too high. Also, whilst the stock specs state the rear wheel is 140/70 mine was delivered with a 130 tyre and i do believe that the 140 option would be better suited to dampen the effects of our potholed minefields we call roads.

3 out of 5 Bullit spirit review 2020
06 August 2020 by Martin

Year: 2020

Remove all the cheap and nasty plastics and replace with good quality chrome and it takes a good looking bike to awesome

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 4 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 1 out of 5

Swap mirrors, indicators, headlamp, and exhaust and it just gets better all for an extra £200 or so its worth it.

Buying experience: Dealer good price just a crap dealer.

4 out of 5 Great Looking ... Loves to be admired!!
11 July 2020 by Mavik

Year: 2019

Annual servicing cost: £60

Overall a great little machine, just needs the support of Bullit UK.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

So far so good

Engine 4 out of 5

Little under powered compared to its rivals

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Since new Ive had a few issues, battery, steering lock and indicator light all needing replacing or repairing, the bike has less than 600 miles on the clock and I get no response from Bullit on there website or social media ... saying that I love the bike and the ride is great ... every one says how well it looks.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

First service £60

Equipment 4 out of 5

No gear indicator which you get on some of its competitors

4 out of 5
28 June 2020 by Milutin

Year: 2020

Really Great Cofe Racer. Specially good for Begginers. Coll looking bike really :)

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Perfect

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5

Buying experience: TOP :)

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