For a 17-year-old, there’s nothing quite like that first taste of freedom that comes from two wheels, an engine and the open road. We’ve put on our rose-tinted specs to see if Lexmoto’s RSS 125 is the tool for the job. Here’s what our man Richard Graham has to say…
I suspect that if you ask most new motorcycle owners why they choose to ride a scooter or motorcycle, then almost every answer that you receive will be related to freedom, or the excitement of riding, but economy is perhaps the unspoken major factor in the decision to purchase your first motorcycle.
My motorcycling journey began as a student and the objective of purchasing my first motorcycle was to have an affordable means of transport in my new life away from home and access to a car. Lexmoto have embraced this philosophy and offer a range of new motorcycles that offer a cost-effective entry to motorcycling.
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The Exeter-based firm also understand that cost of purchase is only the first step on the motorcycling ladder; and a two-year comprehensive warranty is offered on all new machines – and there’s an extensive dealer network, too, with individual experience and expertise much closer to your home than many of the big-brand dealerships.
There’s a diverse range of 125cc motorcycles to choose from, and the nostalgically-styled RSS 125 sits towards the top of the Lexmoto price range. Let’s see what it has to offer.
Arriving at the lock-up to collect the motorcycle, the first step is to get the key. How refreshing was that; a simple key, no fobs. Then approaching the motorcycle for the first time a simple ignition switch, off and on, and the steering lock positioned on the front forks.
Suddenly this little Lexmoto takes me back to the time when I was a student and invested in my first motorcycle, a Suzuki GP100, my budget introduction to motorcycling back in 1988. There are some similarities, not least the simple ignition and fiddly steering lock on the front forks. But how far have motorcycles developed in the last 30 years in terms of technology performance, style and safety?
First impressions are good. The scrambler is a good size, ever-important as a 6-footer of almost 100kg, although smaller riders might find its 810mm seat height a little tall for manoeuvring. It feels substantial, weighing in at 163kg, making it solid, well balanced and stable.
This motorcycle’s design is stylish, and the matt black finish suits it perfectly; an appropriate colour for this scrambler with a bit of attitude. There’re crash bars with bobbins, a grill on the headlight and some crossover tyres and spoked wheels, which suggest some off-road capability. In reality this motorcycle is going to remain firmly on the Tarmac –and the styling is just styling. But it’s effective. The sharply-styled matt black tank at 14.5 litres also gives a sensible range and reduces the number of fuel stops.
The engine is a Euro 5 liquid-cooled electronic fuel-injected four-stroke engine that produces 14.1 horsepower at 9000rpm below the UK leaner limit of 14.7 horsepower, so ideal for those first steps in motorcycling. There is enough power to tackle the daily commute and at the weekend get out into the countryside and enjoy the freedom of motorcycling.
That said, this is perhaps not the machine for you if you are in a hurry. I have not managed to get the digital speedo past 60mph (some way short of the claimed 69mph). I am sure a lighter rider would be able to improve the top speed but this is really not the point of this bike. It’s designed to look good around town and offer a good riding experience; and it is all about the ride, not how quick you can get there.
The front and rear hydraulic disc brakes are good, the front capable and responsive with the added feature of ABS to keep you out of trouble. The rear has a less responsive feel, but perfect for the slow control required by learners on their CBT, and for slow manoeuvring in tight spaces.
The front suspension consists of some traditional telescopic forks, and at the rear there’s a monoshock unit. Together they keep the motorcycle well poised on the road. The 17-inch spoked wheels fit that all-important scrambler styling, and the 110/70 front and 140/70 rear tyres do a decent job of sticking to the Tarmac.
I found the RSS extremely comfortable; it’s a good size and weight, and the seat has clearly been designed to carry a pillion. If you’ve passed your full test and do need to ferry around a passenger, you’ll definitely feel it – and anything beyond pottering around town is a bit of a challenge.
The 5-inch TFT display is clear with automatically adjusting day and night settings. The controls are sensibly positioned and the display is easy to navigate, providing riders with all the necessary information, although I must admit the indicator flashes on the white screen were a bit less visible than I might have liked. The LED indicators are effective, being very visible to other road users, as is the rear brake light located in the rear of the seat. The headlight is also good around town in a streetlight environment, but may struggle to light the way on rural roads in the dark.
The Lexmoto RSS 125 Scrambler is a stylish and capable motorcycle either for a learner new to motorcycling or for a more experienced rider looking for a cost-effective daily commuter in an urban environment. The price is extremely competitive at £2759.99, which is about half the cost of the similarly-styled Yamaha XSR 125 Legacy listed at £5202.00.
There is clearly an economic reason why you would buy this motorcycle. If you have limited mechanical experience and want a competitively priced motorcycle with a two-year warranty and a good dealer network then this may well be the motorcycle to choose. Many parents buying their child’s first motorcycle would also be drawn to this bike, safe in the knowledge their child will have a new unabused motorcycle with warranty and local dealer back-up. If you are a more capable mechanic you might consider a secondhand motorcycle from one of the larger manufacturers; a quick trawl of Autotrader threw up a Yamaha MT-125 2015 with 7,000 miles at £2,999 or a Suzuki GSXR 125cc 2018 with 3,000 miles at a similar budget but these will come with wear and tear and possible other unseen issues.
The other point of note – having had reason to obtain spares for this motorcycle – is that they are readily available and easily ordered online with prompt delivery; the back-up is there and effective.
Tech spec
Lexmoto RSS 125 Scrambler
Price: £2599.99
Engine: 124cc single cylinder liquid-cooled, efi four-stroke, single cylinder
Power: 14.1hp/10.5kW @ 9000rpm
Torque: 11.2Nm @ 8600rpm
Weight: 163kg Mass in Running Order
Seat Height: 810mm
Fuel tank: 14.5 litres
Contact: www.lexmoto.com
