My first bike Yamaha YBX 125 HERO of our time. Review on Yamaha YBX

Hi friends, I am Krishna from Kathmandu Nepal. Today I would like to share my story with this Legendary bike YBX 125 of Yamaha which served me and my family for over years.

As we all know Rx 100 one of the super hero during our childhood as I was born in late 80s. During those time RX 100 was known for its power and rock solid durability, after that yamaha ybx 125 was the one which helped to continue the legacy of RX 100.

I got married quite early at the age of 19.  During my teenage two most famous bikes for youths in Nepal were YBX and CBZ. Pulsar were not invented. Those days I used to work in international BPO service, company used to provide us with the transportation but during the weekends when ever I wanted to take my wife out for shopping and all I had to use public transportation, Public transportation in Kathmandu was hazardous then and now. I thought of having bike of my own for my  day to day commuting. Being a youth I wanted powerful one but I was a family man at the same time so wanted something that would be comfortable for both rider and pillion. Buying a new bike was really expensive but I could easily afford a second hand. After leaving job in BPO, I started business of my own and then I felt the necessity of bike for day to day commuting as commuting in public transportation was hazardous and stressful.

Back in 2009 though pulsar was already introduced I was not an experienced rider, I was not comfortable with heavy bikes they were expensive too. Most of my friends suggested me to go for  Hero Honda Splendor but  I decided to go with  the lighter second hand bike without burning holes in my pocket. I had seen few of my senior brothers  riding YBX during my teenage. They used to act super cool with the bike. It was quite surprising for me when I knew the price of second hand YBX in 2009, it wast just NPR Rs 36000/- which was really low compared to other bikes of same segment. All though it was second hand bike  of 2005 model it still looked new in black color with sporty blue white graphics with no any defects and scratches at all. I took a test ride the pick up, ride quality and suspension was amazing so without giving a second thought I decided to buy it, I got the ownership transferred the next day. Immediately after that I went to my wife with the bike. My wife was happy with my decision as it was our first bike ever.

After riding it for a day, I simply fell in love with this bike. The amazing pulling power and pickup  although fuel consumption was high but I was satisfied with it for its performance, rock solid build quality and low maintenance.

The roaring exhaust note bhroom. bhroom. was unique from the other under that segment. Power it delivered was to match with the 150 cc bikes despite of it being 125 cc engine. I never had to go to workshop for  major maintenance. I used to do servicing and oil change in every 1000 - 1500 km. Mileage was about 35-40 km-pl which was decent for  powerful machine like that. It could easily climb the hilly gravel roads in 3rd and second gear. Acceleration was super smooth. Light weight sleek body made riding more comfortable. Parking was very convenient in less space because of its sleek body, suspension was good, gear shifting  was amazing.

Beside city commuting I took my YBX for touring as well. I visited Nuwakot with my wife which is over 74 km away from Kathmandu which was my first tour outside Kathmandu in my YBX. We really enjoyed the tour. All though road  was totally curvy hilly road with lots of sharp turning and bending, with the smooth handling and pick up  tour was totally joy full. We returned back to Kathmandu same day, it was winter it got dark quite early on our way back thanks to its headlight which was powerful enough to show us the way back home.

I with my wife have traveled to Pokhara which is over 205 km away from kathmandu in my YBX. I was able to speed-up up to 90km per hour in highway. After you cross 60km, engine roars more asking for the 5th gear but then it still is smooth over the speed of 60 km/h despite of 125 cc engine there is no vibration at all.

I used this bike for over a year after that I felt the necessary of self start and disc brake so I decided to go for another 125 cc of Yamaha and I bought Gladiator 125 which was remake of YBX with improvisation. I then sold my first love YBX in NPR Rs 42000/-. Buyer was happy to pay that sum though market value of YBX was as low as NPR Rs 30000/- because bike was in superb condition with no any defects and scratches.  I never had any major maintenance issue with the bike. The new owner was really happy to own my pre loved YBX. If you do regular servicing and oil change you will not have any engine problems for decades.

In Nepal YBX is good bike with low resale value at this time. If you want a vehicle of your own and if you are looking for cheaper bike worth every rupee you spend, go for YBX. You still get all the aftermarket spare parts and cosmetic parts easily in almost all the spare parts shops.

Today I ride bajaj avenger 200 but still when I see black YBX in street it takes me back to beautiful memories that I have made with my YBX.  It was super cool bike during those days and this was more than a commuter. It was able to serve and live up the legacy of YAMAHA. There are no other bikes from YAMAHA that can be compared to YBX. The power and pick up it had, the level of comfort, sporty riding position, roaring sound/exhaust note, smooth handling, super rock solid built quality, value for every Rupee you spent in terms of practicality and durability.

I am now thinking of buying YBX again, restore and keep it as piece of heritage and show it to the future generation the pure bike of our time and explain them what biking for a common man  actually means!

Hope my story more than a review was useful to all of you.

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Thank you

Krishna Ghimire

Kathmandu Nepal