MZ RT 125 Review

Overall Rating

I've been riding this MZ RT 125 for 12 months and have done just under 2000 miles on it. It was my first bike after passing my CBT and to be honest one of the main reasons I got it was because it looks so much nicer than just about any 125 out there (supersport-wannabe bikes like the CBR125 and RS125 excluded). However the bike is more than just good looking, it is powerful considering (I read it's the most powerful 125cc 4-stroke in the world) and accelerating to 50 is a blast. The top speed is rated as 68mph but I have only ever managed a touch over 60 on a good day, and that's revving at close to the redline, so I don't know how it could do 68. Generally, if there is any amount of headwind, you will only get 50-55. This is on the stock sprockets. The good thing however is you can still reach top speed even with a pillion.

The agility of the bike is excellent as it's so small and light with decent suspension - good quality shock absorbers stop it bouncing around like the crappy bike I sat my CBT on. Gear changes are so-so, with a fairly slow-action flywheel so forget about sporty shifting unless you wanna grind the gears.

The engine itself has never let me down although it only has 5500 miles on the clock so far. Starts every time with a little throttle encouragement. Idling can be hit and miss as it idles less than it should and jumps around a lot, especially when it's windy. It's stalled a few times but I've learned to throttle a bit at red lights to keep it running. My mechanic, who knows a lot about engines of all types, seemed to think it was a proper little runner, impressed by the DOHC and oil cooling system. Seemed to think it was a well-thought-out bike overall.

The sound of the bike is actually really nice for a 125, it's not that loud but it's meaty sounding at low revs and sporty sounding when you get up the revs. It's smooth and just generally nice to the ears.

The front brake is a bit crap but I don't know if it just needs adjustment. You need to squeeze quite hard compared to the bike I sat my CBT on but there is still enough power to lock the wheel. The back brake is just about right.

I've read other people say this is the bike to get over a CB125, and although I haven't ridden that bike I can say I really like how this handles and mechanically it hasn't let me down. Parts are also quite cheap, I got a chain and sprocket set for £60 and clutch lever for £12.

Anyway, I really recommend this bike to beginners, it's right on the 15 horse limit and is a real head turner.