The Best Cheap 125cc and A1 Licence Bikes (2022)

Motorbikes with under 15 bhp power output can be a fun route into the biking world and there has never been more choice, from premium machines to keep after moving up to those designed as a stepping stone.

If you are learning to ride and aged 17 or older, after passing your Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) certificate you can gain your provisional A1 bike licence. This allows you to ride bikes up to 125 cc on the road, producing a maximum of 15 bhp / 11 kW power output with a power to weight ratio of not more than 0.1 kW per kg.

Today you have a choice between a 125 cc powered model or the increasing number of electric bikes hitting the market. Most can reach 70 mph, some offer the 'big bike feel', many offer high spec components and many are built to last.

Unfortunately those attributes often mean a price in the order of £4,000 to £5,000 - check out the top 10 premium A1 bikes for that sort of thing or keep reading for the best budget alternatives.

Find out how to get your licence, how to choose the right helmet, how road tax works, how to clean your bike properly and the visual guide to which different styles of bike are out there. 

What Is It?

The Lexmoto LXR SE sits at the top of their 125 cc sports bike range. It builds on the popular LXR with an upside down fork and Aluminium swingarm / yoke.

For 2021 it gets a small power boost, a 6 speed gearbox, upgraded rear shock and a colour TFT dash.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £3,100
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 12.5 bhp / 10 kW
• Top Speed: 70 mph / 113 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 240 miles / 386 km
• Seat Height: 820 mm / 32.3 inches
• Wet Weight: 167 kg / 368 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.078 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The crazy popular Lexmoto LXR 125 looks fantastic and is a lot of bike for the money, including dual discs up front and LED indicators. For 2021 it get a new Euro 5 compliant engine with a small power boost, a 6 speed gearbox and upgraded rear shock.

It should definitely be on your shortlist if you are looking for a sports bike or if you like the thought of the Yamaha YZF-R125 but want to save £2,100! 

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £2,800
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 12.5 bhp / 10 kW
• Top Speed: 70 mph / 113 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 240 miles / 386 km
• Seat Height: 820 mm / 32.3 inches
• Wet Weight: 167 kg / 368 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.078 bhp/kg

What Is It?

The new for 2021 baby brother to the LXR is the LXS. It costs the same but it's physically smaller with a lower seat, full LED lighting and it arguably looks sharper thanks to the underseat exhaust setup.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £2,800
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 14 bhp / 10 kW
• Top Speed: 70 mph / 113 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 180 miles / 290 km
• Seat Height: 790 mm / 31.1 inches
• Wet Weight: 155 kg / 342 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.090 bhp/kg

What Is It?

Adventure styled A1 models are rare but we think Sinnis are onto something with the Terrain. With all the protection and luggage as standard it is ideally suited to town commuting and owners love them.

For 2021 it gets a new Euro 5 compliant liquid cooled engine putting out 12.7 bhp with a new 6 speed gearbox, upgraded battery, 'O' ring chain and dual-cable throttle.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £2,900
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 13 bhp / 10 kW
• Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 250 miles / 402 km
• Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 inches
• Dry Weight: 150 kg / 331 pounds

What Is It?

The Yamaha YS125 is a new model for 2017 and has a gear position indicator but only a drum brake at the rear. It's a keenly priced learner bike from one of the big manufactures so it's worth considering.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £3,075
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 11 bhp / 8 kW
• Top Speed: 70 mph / 113 km/h
• Economy: 110 mpg / 2.6 L/100km
• Range: 340 miles / 547 km
• Seat Height: 795 mm / 31.3 inches
• Wet Weight: 129 kg / 284 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.085 bhp/kg

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

Protection and Tail Tidies

Helmets

Jackets

Boots

Gloves

Jeans

What Is It?

If you want a relaxed cruiser style riding position then the Michigan is a good place to start. Owners love them and from 2017 it is equipped with a gear position indicator. It's pretty heavy and quite slow but it looks awesome and has a very low learner friendly seat.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £2,100
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 10 bhp / 7 kW
• Top Speed: 65 mph / 105 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 240 miles / 386 km
• Seat Height: 680 mm / 26.8 inches
• Wet Weight: 142 kg / 313 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.070 bhp/kg

What Is It?

If you like the Lexmoto Michigan then you should also test ride the Sinnis Hoodlum. It's slightly more expensive but features cool wire spoked wheels, piggy back shocks and a nicer looking exhaust.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £2,300
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 11 bhp / 8 kW
• Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 240 miles / 386 km
• Seat Height: 730 mm / 28.7 inches
• Dry Weight: 135 kg / 298 pounds

What Is It?

If you want a really small and light A1 bike, which looks uber stylish, the Sinnis Akuma is worth a look. Think of it as a funky Honda Grom, with the styling of an MV Agusta naked and a grand left over to buy some decent gear.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £1,900
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 11 bhp / 8 kW
• Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 240 miles / 386 km
• Seat Height: 760 mm / 29.9 inches
• Dry Weight: 120 kg / 265 pounds

What Is It?

If you want a great value naked bike that will handle a city commute with ease, with minimal running costs and a huge range then the Assault is well worth a look. 

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £1,400
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 124 cc
• Power: 11 bhp / 8 kW
• Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 260 miles / 418 km
• Seat Height: 795 mm / 31.3 inches
• Wet Weight: 130 kg / 287 pounds

What Is It?

The Lexmoto Tempest has cool scrambler styling with wire-spoked wheels, a high exhaust and you even get a USB socket.

For 2020 Lexmoto added the Tempest GT to the line up with a cafe racer style headlight cowl, seat hump and a low exhaust.

More info, pics, prices and videos →

Key Specs

• RRP: £1,800
• Engine: Single Cylinder
• Capacity: 125 cc
• Power: 10 bhp / 7 kW
• Top Speed: 60 mph / 97 km/h
• Economy: 80 mpg / 3.5 L/100km
• Range: 230 miles / 370 km
• Seat Height: 780 mm / 30.7 inches
• Wet Weight: 126 kg / 278 pounds
• Power to Weight: 0.079 bhp/kg

Want To See More Bikes Like This?

Head over to the Choose & Compare Tool to see them all.

How Did We Rank Our Top Ten?

We looked at all the cheapest A1 Licence bikes you can buy new and picked the top contenders for each type, such as sports bikes and naked bikes, taking into account style, power, technology and value for money.