Quick Analysis
Aprilia SXR 125
13.0 pts
Unweighted: 12 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
SUZUKI GSX-8R
19.5 pts
Unweighted: 10 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Specifications |
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| Cooling System | Air‑cooled | — |
| Displacement | 125 cc (exactly 124.45 cc) | 776 cm3 |
| Engine Type | Single‑cylinder, 4‑stroke, SOHC, 3‑valve, air‑cooled. | 4-stroke, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC |
| Power | 9.61 PS @ 7500 rpm | 81.8 bhp @ 8500 rpm |
| Torque | 10.19 Nm @ 5400 rpm | 78 Nm @ 6800 rpm |
Performance & Efficiency |
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| Fuel Tank Capacity | 7 l | 14 L |
| Mileage | 40 kmpl | 23.8 kmpl |
Dimensions & Weight |
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| Kerb Weight | 129 | 205 kg |
| Seat Height | 775 mm | 810 mm |
Brakes & Suspension |
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| ABS | Yes | Dual Channel |
| Front Brake | 220 mm disc brake | Disc 310 mm Caliper - Front 4 Piston |
| Front Suspension | Hydraulic double‑telescopic fork | Inverted telescopic, coil spring, oil damped |
| Rear Brake | 140 mm drum brake | Disc Caliper - Rear 1 Piston |
| Rear Suspension | Hydraulic shock absorber | Link type, coil spring, oil damped |
Tyres & Wheels |
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| Front Tyre | 120/70‑12 | 120/70ZR17M/C (58W) |
| Rear Tyre | 120/70‑12 | 180/55ZR17M/C |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
Features & Technology |
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| Headlight | LED | — |
Other Specifications |
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| Battery | 12 V, 5 Ah | — |
| Bike Image 1 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/aprilia_sxr_125_inner_banner_black-scaled.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/gsx8rmetallicmattblack.webp |
| Bike Image 2 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/aprilia_sxr_125_inner_banner_white-scaled.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/gsx8rmetallicmattswordsilver.webp |
| Bike Image 3 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/aprilia_sxr_125_inner_banner_blue-scaled.webp | — |
| Cluster | Fully digital, LCD | — |
| Color Options | VIBRANT BLUE |#0479cc ESSENCE WHITE|#fafaf7 ENIGMA BLACK|#000000 POWER RED|#f2180c | Metallic Matt Black Metallic Matt Sword Silver Metallic Triton Blue |
| Cons | The suspension can feel a bit firm, transmitting bumps from rough roads more noticeably. Fuel tank capacity and mileage are modest, which may limit long-distance rides without refueling. Service network and spare-part availability may be limited in smaller towns or rural areas. The price is higher than many other 125 cc scooters, which may not feel justified for all buyers. Ride comfort with a pillion or on uneven roads can feel less plush compared to softer-suspension scooters. | Doesn’t deliver the high-revving top-end excitement of inline-4 supersport motorcycles. Wind protection at very high speeds is modest and can feel tiring on long highway rides. Suspension tuning leans slightly firm, which can feel bumpy on rough roads. Weight is on the heavier side, noticeable at low speeds or during tight maneuvers. Not designed for hardcore track riders seeking extreme performance or razor-sharp handling. Fuel economy drops significantly when ridden aggressively. |
| Detailed Overview | Riding the SXR 125 feels like getting the practicality of a scooter with a bit of Italian flair and some thoughtful engineering under the sheet metal. Its heart is a 124.45 cc, single‑cylinder, 4‑stroke, SOHC engine — simple, air‑cooled and fuel‑injected — which gives a modest but reliable amount of power. On paper it makes around 9.6 PS at about 7,500 rpm and about 10.2 Nm of torque at around 5,400 rpm. In everyday traffic and city commutes, that translates into smooth, manageable acceleration: not a rocket, but enough to merge confidently into traffic, overtake slower vehicles, or cruise through busy streets without feeling underpowered. The automatic CVT transmission with belt drive and dry centrifugal clutch adds to that convenience — you don’t worry about shifting gears, you just twist the throttle and the scooter takes care of the rest, which makes daily stop‑and‑go riding effortless. What stands out is how the scooter balances its compact design with comfort and practicality. The frame is a tubular single‑cradle chassis, with a hydraulic double‑telescopic fork up front and a hydraulic shock absorber at the rear. Coupled with 12‑inch alloy wheels wrapped in 120/70‑12 tubeless tyres front and rear, the suspension‑tyre set‑up gives the SXR 125 a stable and planted feel for a 125 cc scooter. On good roads it rides with composure — not floaty, but controlled and predictable. On rough patches, broken tarmac or potholes, the ride can feel a bit firm, but that firmness also helps the scooter stay stable under load or when cornering. It’s a practical compromise between comfort and handling. When it comes to braking and safety, Aprilia opted for a 220 mm front disc brake and a 140 mm rear drum brake, linked by a Combi Braking System (CBS). That front disc gives reassuring bite, and the CBS helps distribute braking force to ensure stability when you need to stop quickly — useful in chaotic city traffic or when a pedestrian or vehicle suddenly crosses your path. While it doesn’t offer dual‑disc or ABS, the braking setup is decent for the scooter’s performance envelope and gives enough confidence for everyday use. Dimensionally, the SXR 125 strikes a balance between being compact enough for narrow lanes and roomy enough for comfortable rides. The length is about 1,963 mm, width about 803 mm and height about 1,205 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,361 mm. Seat height sits around 775–780 mm, which tends to be manageable for most riders, making it easy to flat‑foot at signals or in traffic. The kerb weight is roughly 128–129 kg — light enough for easy manoeuvring in tight traffic or parking spots, but with enough heft to feel stable at moderate speeds or when carrying a pillion. Fuel tank capacity is 7 litres (with a small reserve), which might sound small, but given the scooter’s modest engine and claimed fuel efficiency of about 40 km/l (actual mileage depends on riding style and traffic), a full tank still gives you a decent city‑range before needing a refill — handy for daily commuting or short errands. Aprilia has entrusted the SXR 125 with a set of practical yet modern features that make ownership smoother. The instrument console is fully digital, showing speed, fuel level, trip‑meter/odometer, and low‑fuel warning. There’s a USB charging port for devices — thoughtful if you rely on your phone for navigation or music — and other useful touches like a passenger footrest, grab‑rail and under‑seat storage that can fit daily‑use items. Lighting is all LED (headlight, tail / indicators), improving visibility during night rides and giving the scooter a more premium appearance. Starting is via both electric self‑start and kick‑start, which adds flexibility and reliability, especially in city conditions or if the battery is low. In real riding conditions, the SXR 125 feels like a practical, everyday machine that doesn’t ask for much from the rider. It’s easy to live with — easy to ride, easy to park, and easy to maintain. For a rider doing daily commuting, office runs, college rides or city errands, it covers the essentials: smooth engine, manageable power, stable handling, reliable brakes, decent fuel economy, and comfort. What you lose in high-speed grunt or heavy-duty touring capability, you gain in convenience, simplicity, and urban friendliness. If you’re someone riding through congested roads, tight parking spots, mixed-quality streets — perhaps overlapping with the kind of roads and traffic you’d find in many Indian cities — the SXR 125 feels well-suited. It doesn’t pretend to be a sports bike, but it offers a balanced package: easy to ride, practical to use, and dependable enough for daily use, with a bit of European styling and feature-level polish to make it stand out in the scooter crowd. | Riding the GSX-8R feels like Suzuki’s attempt to give you a middleweight sportbike that’s equally at home in everyday traffic, curvy mountain roads and spirited weekend runs. It packs a 776 cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke parallel-twin engine with DOHC and a 270-degree crank. That means it’s not just about straight-line speed — the 270° crank gives the engine a throaty, V-twin–like rumble and a broad, usable torque band instead of a peaky, high-revving nature typical of many sport-bikes. The “cross-balancer” Suzuki uses helps keep vibration in check, meaning that even on longer rides or in stop-and-go city traffic, the engine stays smooth and more comfortable than you might expect from a half-litre-plus street-fighter. The motor is rated to produce around 81–82 bhp at about 8,500 rpm and a healthy 78 Nm of torque at around 6,800 rpm. In real-life terms, you get strong mid-range punch — meaning overtakes on highways or quick accelerations from a traffic light feel confident without needing to wring the engine out to the redline. That balance makes the GSX-8R versatile: capable of quick, enthusiastic blasts when you want sporty fun, but also manageable in city commutes or everyday riding. The 6-speed gearbox helps you extract that torque smoothly, and the bike comes with a bi-directional quick-shift system built in. In practice that means you can shift up or down without pulling in the clutch — a real bonus if you like brisk, crisp gear changes during sporty riding or just want ease while navigating traffic. Suzuki hasn’t compromised on the chassis: a steel frame built around the engine keeps the bike slim, compact, and well-balanced, while an aluminum swingarm adds to nimble handling and stability. The geometry — with a wheelbase of 1,465 mm, moderate rake/trail (25° / 104 mm), and a curb weight of 205 kg — positions the GSX-8R in that sweet spot where it feels stable at speed yet flickable enough when carving through corners. Suspension plays a big part in how the bike behaves on real roads. Up front there are inverted telescopic forks from SHOWA (oil-damped, coil-spring), and at the back a link-type mono-shock. That setup gives you a controlled, firm ride when pushing hard — helpful for sporty riding — but also enough compliance to absorb bumps, potholes or rough patches you might encounter on Indian roads or during longer rides. The balance leans toward sporty control without making the ride harsh. When it comes to tyres and wheels, the GSX-8R runs on 17-inch cast-aluminum wheels with 120/70 ZR17 front and 180/55 ZR17 rear tyres — high-performance radials from Dunlop (RoadSport 2) with good wet-grip and durability. That means cornering, braking and overall grip feel confident — even if road conditions are not ideal. The braking setup — twin discs up front and a rear disc, with ABS — helps ensure your stopping power matches the bike’s punch. As for packaging, the GSX-8R isn’t overly bulky: at 2,155 mm long, 770 mm wide, and 1,135 mm tall, with a seat height of 810 mm, it manages a sporty footprint without feeling unwieldy. For many riders, that translates into reasonably manageable maneuverability in city traffic or narrow roads — though at 810 mm seat-height and 205 kg weight, taller riders will feel more at home; beginners or shorter riders may find the seat quite firm and the weight noticeable when stationary. Fuel-wise, a 14-litre tank gives a decent range, and the bike returns, according to official WMTC figures, about 23.8 km per litre under mixed usage. That’s respectable for a middleweight sportbike — meaning for many of your urban rides, weekend joyrides or moderate touring, the fuel economy remains fairly practical rather than thirsty. The electronics and rider aids make a strong case for the GSX-8R being more than just raw hardware. A 5-inch colour TFT display serves as the meter console, giving essential info at a glance. The throttle is ride-by-wire, giving smooth control over power delivery, and there’s a selectable riding-mode system (with Active, Basic and Comfort modes) that lets you tailor throttle response and torque delivery to conditions — useful when switching between city traffic, wet roads, or spirited riding. Add in traction-control (adjustable), low-rpm assist to ease traffic starts, and an easy-start button — and you have a package that aims for practicality without stripping away sportiness. Styling and ergonomics matter too, and Suzuki seems to have paid attention. The GSX-8R carries a sharp, modern sportbike stance — aggressive fairing and front design, slim rear, exposed seat rails, compact proportions — that signals performance without going overboard. The riding position is slightly sporty: the forward-positioned “hip point” and mildly aggressive handlebars let you lean into corners confidently — but it’s not so extreme that city commuting becomes uncomfortable. Putting all this together — power, chassis, suspension, electronics and practicality — the GSX-8R feels like Suzuki’s answer for someone wanting a “do-it-all” middleweight bike: capable of daily commuting, fun weekend rides, spirited canyon runs or moderate touring without forcing you to compromise too much. It isn’t the most powerful in its class — but the balance it strikes, especially with torque-rich engine, rider aids, handling and usability, may make it a very compelling all-rounder, especially in markets like India where roads, fuel economy and versatility matter. Lastly, in terms of cost, the bike is priced at around ₹ 9.25 lakh (ex-showroom, for the base/standard variant). That positions it quite competitively in the mid-range sportbike segment, offering a lot of modern features and a usable engine without the premium price tag that heavy superbikes carry. If I were telling a friend which kind of rider this bike suits best: the GSX-8R is ideal for someone who wants a sporty, engaging ride — but not at the cost of everyday usability. If you commute, do city traffic, occasional highway runs, weekend joyrides or light touring, this one fits beautifully. If you’re after raw top-end speed or hardcore track performance, it might not blow away everything — but as a balanced, real-world sportbike, it’s one of the stronger contenders in its class right now. |
| Expert Review | Aprilia SXR 125 has striking maxi-scooter styling and excellent high-speed stability, but is frequently criticized for its stiff suspension, sluggish initial acceleration, and high price compared to feature-rich rivals., 3.5, MotoAutiv Team | MotoAutiv Team |
| FAQ (Manual Override) | Q: What is the engine type? A: The engine is a single-cylinder, 4-stroke, SOHC, 3-valve, air-cooled unit. Q: What is the engine displacement? A: The displacement is 124.45 cc. Q: What is the power output? A: The power output is approximately 9.61 PS at 7,500 rpm. Q: What is the torque? A: The torque is about 10.19 Nm at 5,400 rpm. Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage is around 40 km/l, depending on riding style and conditions. Q: What type of cooling system does it have? A: It has an air-cooled system. Q: What type of transmission does it use? A: The scooter comes with an automatic CVT. Q: What type of fuel system does it have? A: It uses electronic fuel injection with petrol. Q: What are the front and rear brakes? A: The front brake is a 220 mm disc, and the rear brake is a 140 mm drum. Q: Does it have ABS? A: It has a Combined Braking System (CBS), not ABS. Q: What is the front suspension? A: The front suspension is a hydraulic double-telescopic fork. Q: What is the rear suspension? A: The rear suspension is a hydraulic shock absorber. Q: What are the tyre sizes? A: Both front and rear tyres are 120/70-12, tubeless. Q: What type of wheels does it have? A: The scooter has 12-inch alloy wheels. Q: What is the kerb weight? A: The kerb weight is approximately 129 kg. Q: What is the seat height? A: The seat height is 775 mm. Q: What is the fuel tank capacity? A: The fuel tank capacity is 7 litres. Q: What type of headlight does it have? A: The scooter comes with an LED headlight, and the tail/indicator lights are also LED. Q: What type of starter does it have? A: It has both electric and kick start. Q: What type of instrument cluster does it have? A: It has a fully digital instrument panel displaying speed, fuel level, trip meter/odometer, and low-fuel warning. Q: Is the Aprilia SXR 125 suitable for city commuting? A: Yes, its compact size, automatic transmission, and manageable power make it ideal for urban traffic. Q: Does it have under-seat storage? A: Yes, there is under-seat storage for small items or a helmet. Q: Are there any charging options for devices? A: Some variants come with a USB charging port for phones or devices. | Q: What is the mileage? A: The mileage is about 23.8 km/l under mixed riding conditions. Q: What is the fuel-tank capacity? A: It has a 14-litre fuel tank. Q: What is the engine displacement? A: The engine displacement is 776 cc. Q: What type of engine does it have? A: It uses a liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC parallel-twin engine with a 270° crank. Q: What kind of transmission does it use? A: It has a 6-speed constant-mesh manual gearbox. Q: What are the tyre sizes? A: The front tyre size is 120/70 ZR17 and the rear is 180/55 ZR17. Q: What kind of suspension does it have? A: Up front there's an inverted telescopic fork (oil-damped, coil spring), and at the rear a link-type mono-shock (oil-damped, coil spring). Q: What is the kerb weight? A: The kerb weight is 205 kg. Q: What braking setup does it use? A: It features twin disc brakes at the front, a disc brake at the rear, and includes ABS. Q: What kind of electronics / riding aids does it offer? A: It includes ride-by-wire throttle, selectable riding modes, digital instrumentation, and rider-assist features for better control and usability. |
| Fuel System | Petrol + Electronic fuel injection | Fuel injection |
| Price Variants | | 122642 | | 988550 |
| Pros | The SXR 125 has a bold, muscular design that stands out on the road and gives it a premium look. Its engine and CVT setup deliver smooth, reliable performance for city commuting, handling stop-and-go traffic with ease. The handling feels stable and composed, with a chassis and tyre setup that keeps the scooter planted even at moderate speeds. Front disc and CBS rear braking provide confidence-inspiring stopping power in urban traffic conditions. Comfortable riding posture with a seat height that suits most riders, making it easier to ride for longer periods. The build quality and finish feel more premium than typical scooters, giving a sense of durability. | Strong and usable mid-range torque that makes the bike easy to ride in the city and lively on open roads. Smooth engine character thanks to the 270° crank, giving a refined feel even at higher speeds. Comfortable yet sporty riding posture that works for daily use as well as weekend rides. Agile handling with good stability, making it confidence-inspiring for both new and experienced riders. Modern electronics like riding modes, traction control, ride-by-wire, and quick-shifter add convenience and safety. High-quality build and attractive, modern styling with a sharp fairing and sleek proportions. Versatile enough for commuting, spirited cornering, and even moderate touring. |
| Starter | Kick + Electric | — |
| Transmission | Automatic | 6 Speed Manual |
