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Derbi turned up at the Milan Eicma show with this completely new Derbi GPR 125 4T. The small sports motorcycle has an agressive design and a new chassis and engine. The suspension is rigid, based on a real racer style, the upside-down fork measures 40mm, a record in this sector, and the rear fork is asymmetrical, leaving space for the transmission chain.

The engine of this GPR 125 is a single cylinder, four stroke, four valves with twin cam distribution and Euro 3 compliant. It’s capable of 15hp, and has consumption of 4.2 l/km. The 13 litre tank therefore offers an autonomy of about 300km.

Other features include the 300mm front disc brake with radial calipers and four pistons; the rear is a 218mm disc with single piston caliper. The instrumentation includes LCD digital display and the front headlight is halogen.

The soul of the new GPR 125 is the single cylinder four-stroke engine with four intake and exhaust valves and developing 15 actual hp. This engine is one of the highest performing in its class, with consumption in the region of 4.2 l/100km. The Derbi GPR 125’s 13-litre tank can therefore offer a total riding range of over 300km. It more than complies with the current Euro 3 emissions standard.

Details for excellence

The braking equipment on the new GPR 125 is of the same quality as the rest of the bike. On the front axle, a 300mm disc is gripped by a two-piston radial brake caliper. The rear brake is of the single-piston caliper type.

Looking at the dashboard on the new GPR 125, one can clearly see the influence of  MotoGP bikes. An LCD digital screen incorporates the revolutions counter in a progressive line, the digital speedometer, fuel gauge, total and partial mileage counter and a clock.

For night vision, the GPR has a powerful front headlight with a halogen bulb. At the back, the slim tailpiece which accommodates the passenger seat incorporates a modern light set based on clearly visible, rapid illumination LED technology.

Engine and Transmission
Displacement: 124.76 ccm (7.61 cubic inches)
Engine type: Single cylinder
Stroke: 4
Compression: 12.0:1
Bore x stroke: 58.0 x 47.0 mm (2.3 x 1.9 inches)
Fuel system: Carburettor. 30 mm
Valves per cylinder: 4
Ignition: CDI
Starter: Electric
Lubrication system: Oil pump
Cooling system: Liquid
Gearbox: 6-speed
Transmission type final drive: Chain
Clutch: Multi-disc

Physical Measures
Dry weight: 120.0 kg (264.6 pounds)
Seat height: 800 mm (31.5 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall length: 1,977 mm (77.8 inches)
Overall width: 720 mm (28.3 inches)
Wheelbase: 1,355 mm (53.3 inches)

Chassis and Dimensions
Front suspension: 40 mm upside-down fork.
Front suspension travel: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
Rear suspension: Monoshock.
Rear suspension travel: 120 mm (4.7 inches)
Front tyre dimensions: 110/70-17
Rear tyre dimensions: 130/70-17
Front brakes: Single disc. Radial Caliper
Front brakes diameter: 300 mm (11.8 inches)
Rear brakes: Single disc. Floating Caliper
Rear brakes diameter: 180 mm (7.1 inches)
Exhaust system: Euro III

Other Specifications
Fuel capacity: 14.00 litres (3.70 gallons)
Color options: White.

The Derbi GPR125 is a two stroke motorcycle, which is a big plus point for any younger rider, as four stroke 125cc motorcycles generally sound – and often go – like Aunty Mary’s sewing machine. The Derbi GPR125 makes a claimed 33bhp, which is about the same as the Aprilia RS125 and there’s a 6 speed gearbox to make the most of it. This motorcycle should be good for about 90mph on the way to Pizza Hut.

Since Piaggio Group took control of Derbi the overall build quality of it’s motorcycles has definitely improved and the post 2005 built motorcycles look like a different generation from the older Derbi GPR50 series. The spares situation should be better too. There’s no doubt that the Derbi GPR124 will get a hard life from the average teenage motorcycle owner however, so choose a used Derbi GPR125 carefully.

Obviously this motorcycle was designed to have some Pepperami stick man on board, but even so, the Derbi GPR125′s handling is road racing motorcycle precise, with  a twin beam alloy frame, box section braced swingarm and supsension developed from the Derbi 125 Grand Prix racers. Any young rider with skill can ride the Derbi GPR125 very, very quickly around roundabouts, making lardbucket Grandads on motorcycles like the Yamaha R1 look pretty lacklustre.

The Derbi GPR125 is undeniably expensive, but you do get a great deal of race motorcycle styling, and racetrack ability, for your money. Like the Aprilia RS125, the Derbi GPR125 is beyond the reach of most 17 year old’s budgets ( or their parents’ chequebooks ) but that won’t stop peope wanting one when they see the Derbi GPR125. Derbi GPR125 Nude looks a poor value motorcycle at just a hundred quid less than the GPR125.

The Derbi GPR125 looks the absolute dogs whatsits, from the mirror/indicators at the front, to the underseat exhausts poking from the motorcycle’s bodywork at the back. Big brakes, wide 17 inch wheels, radial brake caliper – the Derbi GPR125 has got pretty much all the kit you’d expect on a 125cc class sports motorcycle

The Derbi Senda 50 has a lively enough motor, at least in de-restricted mode, which is how most 16 year olds would want to ride this motorcycle. The modern Derbi Senda 50s can hit nearly 60mph on a good day, which is fast enough to put a smile on your face. The older Derbi Senda 50 could hit 50mph flat out and was more than competent on the dirt too. Sadly the UK laws require a 30mph top speed, which makes the restricted 6 speed Derbi Senda 50 hard work to ride. Tough, reliable water-cooled engine though.

The post-Piaggio takeover Derbi Senda 50 models are in a different league to earlier motorcycles, with much improved build quality. There are top class suspension and braking components on the Derbi Senda 50 range and some details like the chrome exhaust on the DRD Racing SM are way above the average standard for the 50cc motorcycle class.

There are several versions of the Derbi Senda 50 on the market, with a Supermoto model, a DRD Limited Edition featuring gold anodised Marzocchi forks and the Xtreme 50R, which has spoked wheels, MX mudguards and knobbly tyres for off-road action. All share the same basic alloy beam frame and lengthy swingarm, although brakes, suspension and wheels differ on each model and the handling is excellent for a 50cc machine.

There’s just one problem when you turn 16 years of age and want one of these funky mopeds – the cost. At around £2500 the Derbi Senda 50 range are way beyond the financial reach of most sixteen year olds. The Derbi Senda 125 bikes are only slightly more dosh, but £2800-ish is still a fair sum for a new 125 trailie. No matter how good the quality of the Senda’s ride is, you just know that a cheap internet trailbike for half the money is gonna tempt some.

Some models of the Derbi Senda 50 motorcycle, like the Derbi Senda Xtreme Supermotard, with its moody black paint, twin headlight nose fairing and stylish dashboard, really look stunningly featured motorcycles – any teenager would be proud to own one. Others, like the Derbi Senda 125 R are more basic, rugged all-rounder motorcycles, but still have details like a luggage rack, twin headlights and twin mirrors. Overall, equipment is good on all the Derbi Senda range.

The Derbi Mulhacen 658 uses Yamaha’s tried and tested four-valve 660 engine, which is pretty much the definitive modern thumper and rightly popular both with the public and industry (the Aprilia Pegaso uses the same engine) alike. The Derbi Mulhacen 659 haas impeccable manners and predictability, decent (rather than exactly thrilling) performance and utter reliability are the reasons why this motorycle is loved so much.

There’s little doubting much of the Derbi Mulhacen 659′s quality but it’s too early to say how well the motorcycle hangs together – or whether they instead blow off into the wind. Derbi’s 125s aren’t exactly the most robust motorcycles under the sun, after all. That said, Derbi Mulhacen 659 owners will surely pamper rather than pulverise their motorcycles.

True to its flat tracker inspiration the Derbi Mulhacen 659 is low, narrow and… hard. All of which makes it a rabid whippet of a motorcycle when hooning down nadgy B-roads or a darting jam-buster through town traffic. The Derbi Mulhacen 659 can get a bit flappy at speed, though, M-ways are, quite literally, a pain  and its horrible to ride this motorcycle for more than 15 minutes at a time.

At only a few hundred pounds more than the comparable (but much more lowly specced) Yamaha MT03 and Aprilia Pegaso Strada, there’s no doubting the Derbi Mulhacen 659 seems good value new. How durable it turns out to be, howevere, remains to be seen.

The Derbi Mulhacen 659 is a mouth-watering joy, from its funky instrument panel to its wavy discs and LED tail light. So well equipped, in fact, it makes any other sub-£6K rival motorcycle look like they’re made from scaffold poles and dustbin lids. That said, the Derbi Mulhacen 659 is a bit flimsy here and there. But as a glitzy ornament, there are few roadster motorcycles that are better.

The four-valve single punts out a claimed 15bhp, and the key to feeling all of those horsies is wringing the DRD’s neck. The motor, though a sprightly affair that requires you to really hold on to the revs in each of its six gears, has an adequate hit of torque at the mid-top of the rev range. Runs out of puff in the higher revs, though, making it all too easy to hit the rev limiter and lose vital seconds on the run into town.

Although it’s a case of time will tell when it comes to the longevity of components, there’s no reason to believe that, with regular cleaning (like that’s going to happen… have you seen the state of most 17-year-old kids’ bedrooms?), it’ll stand up well to the rigours of hard use on UK roads.

The quality of the ride is good enough for any budding Christian Iddon to practice his foot-out cornering on their housing estate, though feel from the front end is not the best in the world. Sizeable 120-section rubber on the rear grips well enough, and seems durable (it takes a fair few skids to show evident wear). Front suspension is forgiving, with more than enough travel to soak up jumps from kerbs and unplanned-for potholes.

The Derbi DRD 125 SM will see off a full (eight-litre) tank of fuel in 100 miles if you’re not careful (but who’s going to worry about fuel consumption when they’re king of the precinct?). It’s comparable on price with Suzuki’s DR125SM and £300 more pricy than Moto Hispania’s Duna SM125. When it comes to reliability, we’d figure it’s fair to reckon somewhere between the two.

This is where the DRD excels when compared with its rivals. It’s not often you see pukka upside-down Paioli forks and a whopping great 260mm front wavy disc on a learner bike. Those brakes are powerful enough for stoppies – just don’t crash it in front of the girls, you’ll never live it down

The GRP50 Nude is powered by an electric start, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 49.9cc two-stroke engine, restricted to 30mph, with a six-speed gearbox. The motor is fed by a single 17.5mm carburettor.

This is a very well put together motorcycle and left in standard condition the little two-stroke engine will run on forever. Reliability issues can arise when used and abused by first-time riders.

Later models have a chunky steel beam frame, braced swingarm, wide tyres, single shock and upside forks, so the GRP 50 Nude’s chassis is more than a match for its engine. Fit sticky tyres and you’ll never have to back off for a corner. If you ever do need to brake, there’s a big 300mm single disc and twin-piston radial caliper up front for stoppies on demand. Ride quality is ok, but not really relevant on a tiny 50cc machine like this.

This is a moped for the lucky few. Depending on age, you’re looking around £2000 for a well looked after machine, which is a lot for a bike you’ll probably only keep for a year until you’re able to ride a 125cc.

For a moped, the Derbi is very well equipped with proper big bike brakes, wheels, suspension, styling and an underseat pipe.

Derbi’s Terra Adventure 125 has a four-stroke, liquid-cooled engine that kicks out a claimed 15hp and should be good for a little over 70mph. The Derbi Terra Adventure 125 may not have loads of power but it loves a handful of throttle and will happily rev to 11,500rpm.

Derbis have long been classier and better quality than most 125s – think Aprilia and you won’t be far wrong – and the Terra Adventure 125 is no different than most. Finish is generally good and, thanks largely to the Minerelli engine, there are noi reported reliability problems yet, either.

The Derbi Terra Adventure 125 showed its pedigree out in the wilds and handled the terrain perfectly. Great suspension front and rear, fantastic brakes (which stayed sharp despite our heavy abuse) and precise steering all added up to one of the best learner legal rides around. The saddle sits at 815mm but due to its narrow profile actually feels much lower, so riders of less than average height can manage the stylish 121kg bike.

At around £3K, the Derbi Terra Adventure 125 is in the high-end category of learner bikes, but for the most part you get what you pay for. Besides, compared to other, bigger dual purpose bikes is that you don’t need a mortgage to own one.

The Derbi Terra Adventure 125’s styling is well thought out, perfectly executed and also has a bash plate to protect that vulnerable engine whilst you’re living the dream out in the countryside. So, not only does the Derbi do the job, on or off road but it also looks the part and gives the appearance of a larger capacity bike.