DERBI CROSS CITY 125 (2007 - 2014) Review
Highlights
- Off-road ready 125
- Suitable for learners
- Loads of fun
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 12 bhp |
| Seat height: | Medium (32.5 in / 825 mm) |
| Weight: | Low (243 lbs / 110 kg) |
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Derbi Cross City is an off-road influenced 125cc learner bike that manages the three-card trick of being stylish, novice-friendly AND affordable – but it’s not perfect.
What pricks the Derbi’s bubble most of all is the tall seat.
For people of 5’9” or more it’s not really an issue and to them I’d say buy and enjoy without a qualm.
For everyone else, however – and particularly women – it makes it a no go.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineDynamically, the Derbi Cross City has all the handling traits you’d expect of an upright, semi-dirt bike styled machine: a novice-friendly, slim and lightweight upright riding position allied to wide bars which make steering light and easy.
Mix into that reasonable Pirelli Scorpion tyres and an effective front disc brake and you end up with a fairly idiot-proof handler that’s a joy to hustle round.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Derbi Cross City’s air-cooled, 125 single is effective enough without particularly impressing in any way – but then that’s to be expected of a 12bhp-restricted 125 and is certainly no disaster. It’s novice-friendly, rugged enough and faithful. End of.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe Derbi Cross City has sweet touches and Honda-quality finish aplenty (eg the cast brake lever, fold up ‘MX-style’ gearlever and neatly integrated upswept exhaust) plus minimal but sweetly-styled bodywork.
But there are a few little details that annoy, such as the spring-loaded sidestand which is simply a disaster waiting to happen, a fuel tap that’s ridiculously fiddly and an old-fashioned choke knob that’s even worse. We can’t be conclusive about its resilience here but it seems pretty well put together, is a four-stroke after all and, besides, it’s so basic there’s not much that could go wrong, anyway.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Derbi Cross City is impressively affordable, too. It’s not only good value for what it does, it makes a mockery of all preconceived notions of Latin-style ‘flair’ bikes being expensive and brittle.
Yet, despite that low-ish price, without, say, Honda’s reputation and residuals, it’s worth reminding that, any savings when bought new are likely to be gobbled up at resale time.
Credible rivals to this bike are the Suzuki VanVan 125 and Honda CBR125R. In fact, take a look at this video:
Equipment
The Derbi Cross City scores as an object of desire, too. It might not have much (no fairing, wire wheels, fairly basic spec) but the frame is a pukka (albeit steel) twin beam jobbie, matched by an equally mouth-watering tapered swing arm, there are twirlingly eye-catching brake discs front and rear plus better than average suspension.
While ancillaries include decent clocks (albeit with kph emphasised over mph) and switchgear.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 124cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Air-cooled 2v single-cylinder four-stroke. 5-speed |
| Frame type | Aluminium trellis |
| Fuel capacity | 8 litres |
| Seat height | 825mm |
| Bike weight | 110kg |
| Front suspension | 37mm telescopic forks, no adjustment |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock |
| Front brake | 280mm front disc with two-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 220mm rear disc with two-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 100/90 x 18 |
| Rear tyre size | 130/80 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 46 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £25 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | - |
| Used price | - |
| Insurance group |
3 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 12 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 9 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 65 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 81 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2007: Model introduced
- 2014: Bike goes off sale
Other versions
None
Owners' reviews for the DERBI CROSS CITY 125 (2007 - 2014)
3 owners have reviewed their DERBI CROSS CITY 125 (2007 - 2014) 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 DERBI CROSS CITY 125 (2007 - 2014)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
Year: 2009
Let down by the stupid two position choke which makes cold weather starting a bit of a chore. You have to keep flicking between the two positions until the engine warms. It all ways starts though.
Handles well and is OK on farm tracks as well as A/B roads. Not really suitable for a pillion passenger. It's light and so the basic brakes work fine. Forks work well as does the rear suspension unit.
It's a basic air cooled 12 hp unit that is very simple to maintain. Nothing has gone wrong with it. The bike could cope with an engine of twice the power.
Still looking good 10+ years on. Just change the oil and clean the bike regularly! No component has failed.
Minimal cost to run.
Has all the equipment it needs. Could be improved with a fuel gauge as the slim tank is not very big. Side stand is sprung loaded which can flip up whilst you are manoeuvring the bike. You learn to push it about whilst on the same side as the stand. Tyres are pretty good.
got a cross city derbi 125 for my 1st bike on L plates and i couldnt be happier ..easy to ride and control good power when needed...chose this over honda cbf amongst others as looks different and everyone seems to have a cbf...this is a great bike would recommend it to everyone
Have had mine for about 18 months now, has been a good bike as they say very basic so not too much to go wrong. Rides well, is a bit underpowered but on the whole a great and stylish learner.
