SUZUKI DR125SM (2008 - 2012) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
---|---|
Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
Power: | 12 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.9 in / 836 mm) |
Weight: | Low (267 lbs / 121 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesIt does what is says on the tin but with some added extra style. The four stoke motor is virtually bullet proof if on the slow side and old compared to the two stoke competition. But it’s dependable, easy to ride, cheap to run, light, functional but with added extra Supermoto styling.
- Related: Supermoto 125 group test
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineAs you would expect form the price tag and the non adjustable suspension it’s not breathtaking, but adequate. For normal riding it’s more than enough not too soft, and copes well with pot holes and speed ramps. However, the rear is on the soft side and will skip over bumps if pushed a little too hard. Two up and the rear shock turns into a pogo stick.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe single cylinder, four stoke, fuel injected engines pushes out a claimed 12bhp, but a few of them seem to be hidden. On a flat dual carriage way the DR125SM will just about break the speed limit, eventually topping 70mph. It may not be revvy like a two stoke single, and older than Jimmy Savel buts its functional and the relatively torquey engine makes it easy to ride.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThere is no reason to doubt the engine reliability it should chug along forever, no matter how much you stretch the throttle cable. However, in places the Suzuki DR125SM feels a bit cheap and too plastic, like something made in China. There is no real feeling of quality; however you have to remember the low price tag.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentAt just over £2500 it’s competitively priced virtually the same as the other Japanese competition from Yamaha in the shape of the XT. The engine is bullet proof, should chug along forever, and if you want a budget, Supermoto styled commuter, offering value for money then look nor further. Find a Suzuki DR125 for sale.
Equipment
It’s straightforward as the price tag suggests. The clocks are basic and simple, there isn’t even a rev counter. The air cooled engine is simplistic, why couldn’t they have given us a new water cooled lump. But it’s not too bad the styling is relatively funky, better than most budget four stoke 125 machines.
Specs |
|
Engine size | 124cc |
---|---|
Engine type | 2v four stroke single, 6 gears |
Frame type | Tubular steel |
Fuel capacity | 9 litres |
Seat height | 836mm |
Bike weight | 121kg |
Front suspension | 35mm conventional forks |
Rear suspension | Single shock, non adjust |
Front brake | 1x 250mm 2 piston caliper |
Rear brake | 222mm disc single piston |
Front tyre size | 100/80x17 |
Rear tyre size | 130/70x17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
Average fuel consumption | 75 mpg |
---|---|
Annual road tax | £25 |
Annual service cost | £100 |
New price | - |
Used price | £3,000 |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
Max power | 12 bhp |
---|---|
Max torque | 7 ft-lb |
Top speed | 75 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | 180 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
n/a
Other versions
DR125 Trail, 1985-2001
Owners' reviews for the SUZUKI DR125SM (2008 - 2012)
4 owners have reviewed their SUZUKI DR125SM (2008 - 2012) 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 SUZUKI DR125SM (2008 - 2012)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
Overall rating: | |
---|---|
Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £100 |
Year: 2009
The Suzuki DR 125 SM is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced riders, particularly for urban commuting and light off-road adventures. I would definitely recommend the Suzuki DR 125 SM to a friend, particularly if they are new to riding or looking for a reliable and economical bike for daily use.
It is overall a easy bike to handle it is a 125 you cant expect it to be heavy.
The engine is immortal, my friend bike was out all winter didnt even start it once and guess what it started on one pull! But the power could be better, i recommend putting on a aftermarket exhaust.
Well for me that have stored the bike in garage after use it doesnt have alot of rust only i can find is on exhaust pipes and little bit on swingarm other than that there is very little. Bike has never broken down, only had to change sparkplugs and the basics.
I have not needed to go on service with it only been working on it home myself.
Nothing much but it has what you need when out riding for example a fuel lamp and neutral lamp.
Buying experience: I bought it privately and i got it for around 1500$ and it had only driven 10000 km
Year: 2009
A great first bike, bulletproof and dependable (but deathly underpowered) engine however the rest of it is cheaply built. I can forgive it for that though since it is unbelievably cheap to run, and after 3 years still puts a smile on my face whenever I ride it.
pretty comfortable for my 20 mile (each way) commute, the only uncomfortable part is the engine buzzing away at 50-60 mph but there is surprisingly barely any vibration to be felt when sat on it. Brakes are also surprisingly good and considering how cheap it is, the suspension's not too bad either, but definitely on the softer side.
A full stainless steel delkavic exhaust system livens it up nicely but there's no getting away from the fact the engine is gutless, a very smooth power band (of nothingness) all they way up to the redline, mine will do 60-65mph on a flat and cruises happily at 50-55mph
My particular example has lived a tough life, the only big spend I've had on it is a new timing chain as they old one was surprisingly slack after 30,000 miles. Lots of rust as well but luckily most of the bike is plastic!
Not including tyres or valve clearances, which are a bit cramped if you're doing them yourself. Fuel economy is amazing, I used to average over 110mpg and very rarely dropped below 100
What equipment? It has a decent tool kit (which you'll never need) and a fuel warning light but that's about it
Buying experience: Privately, £1100 advertised and I payed £1000
Year: 2010
Annual servicing cost: £100
Really good handeling bike for comuting. top speed is around 100kph/60mph. Only bad thing is the fact it is all a bit "cheap". It doesn't feel that solid over times, but never let me down. I drive an average of 35km/l or 3l/100km
Solid front brake. Had to put new fluids in the rear brake system because it was feeling way to sponsy. Feels best when driving around 80kph and loves to take turns
Can use a few HP more so it would run 100kph better
Runs great, so far no complains on actual build of the bike. Would have loved a few HP more tho (10hp from factory)
200 bucks each year, mostly for oil (every 3000km). Sometimes a new air filter and valve adjustment (But i do the valve clearance at home, so no idea how much that should cost)
E-starter is great, dash is basic but shows everything u need to know. Would love to see something to know what rpm ur driving.
Buying experience: bought from a good friend. drove 5000km on it, then i bought it. So i knew what i was buying
Year: 2008
Vile, buzzy, sluggish little abomination. All the fun and excitement of a night of cribbage with the vicar.
Horrible seat that manages to feel both squishy, unsupportive and plank like. High seat and low bars makes you feel like a circus bear on a bicycle. It's top heavy and not confidence inspiring, although the turn radius isn't awful, so you can head home and get off it easily enough. The suspension goes both up and down, and the brakes bring the bike to a stop, which is great because you can get off and walk away.
The worst engine I have ever experienced, bar none. Gutless, dull, wheezy, apologetic. You'll be on full throttle the entire time, rowing up and down the box seeking - but never finding - the right gear. It feels like it's got a rev limiter; it doesn't, it's just wimpy. I thought I'd got a bad 2008 one, so tried a 2011 model and it was exactly the same.
Usual Suzuki quality, furry fasteners and weeping welds.
Insurance is surprisingly high because rogues can be fooled into thinking that this is a more interesting bike and therefore worth stealing. They'll be doing you a favour. Get the yellow one, it'll be nicked quicker.
Strictly utilitarian. Speedo, idiot lights, that's your whack. The two gallon tank does at least ensure that you won't have to suffer the seat and riding position and that god awful engine for long though.