Small and quirky, the Kawasaki Z125 has all the hallmarks of a desirable mini bike. The Z125 starts at just $3,649 (plus $255 destination fee), and it has some impressive stats. The 2.0-gallon fuel tank is larger than most of the 1.0-1.6-gallon tanks that are available in the class, which will get you a bit further between fill-ups. The styling is very reminiscent of larger Kawasaki street-fighter bikes, and it’s available in three different color schemes, including one that uses Kawasaki’s iconic green paint on the fairings and headlight cowl. The Z125 also comes with a digital LCD screen for the speedometer and fuel gauge, along with a large, easily readable tachometer.
Mini bikes like the Z125 often have a hard time breaching 60-65 miles per hour, which may sound like a drawback, but for beginner riders, it can actually be a benefit. Keeping your low-displacement motorcycle on the street means that you’ll have to focus on slow-speed maneuvers — things like squeezing into tight parking spots, slow-speed U-turns, and even a bit of lane-filtering (if you live in a state where it’s legal). Those skills will be extremely valuable on larger, more powerful bikes but much easier to learn and master on something small, lightweight, and easy to manage, like the Z125.
