Yamaha MT-125 2027: New look, proven base

Even the smallest MT doesn't want to turn up to the family reunion in last season's outfit. For the 2027 model year, Yamaha is bringing the MT-125 visually closer to the next generation of its bigger siblings. The main changes are a new design for the tank, seat and front end. The technical foundation, on the other hand, remains familiar. So it's a fresh look, but under the skin you won't need to get used to a completely different bike.

Yamaha sticks with the 125 cc engine with VVA. The Deltabox frame and the 41 mm upside-down fork are also part of the familiar base. The manufacturer quotes a seat height of 810 mm for the 2027 MT-125. The announcement at hand does not give any specific power, torque or weight figures. Yamaha continues to promise agile handling and strong acceleration. How the overall package feels on the road remains to be seen in a ride test.

Yamaha has certainly made changes at the contact point between human and bike: a newly designed seat is meant to give the MT-125 a slimmer, more stretched-out profile while also improving ergonomics. On top of that comes a more dynamically shaped tank section. According to Yamaha, the new design is intended to support both a relaxed posture when commuting through town and a more active position on twisty roads. Whether it actually suits riders of different heights better is, of course, not something you can glean from a press kit.

The side fairing gets a revised structure with a transparent, dark smoke-tinted glitch pattern that reveals the MT logo. A new 125 side graphic completes the look. This way, even the smallest member of the Hyper Naked range adopts the design language of its bigger siblings.

Up front, the MT-125 gets a more angular face with a dark-tinted, transparent front mask and a matte MT-125 logo. Blade-shaped LED position lights and LED indicators complete the lighting system and, according to Yamaha, are also meant to improve visibility.

Redline White joins the colour range, combined with a two-tone seat. Ice Storm, Icon Blue and Tech Black are also available, making four colour options announced in total. According to Yamaha, the new side graphic appears on all colours.

The features still include a five-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity via the free Yamaha MyRide app. Yamaha mentions integrated turn-by-turn navigation as well as the ability to manage calls, music and messages on the move. The display and smartphone connectivity with music and navigation are already listed in Yamaha's official 2026 model line-up, so they are not new for the 2027 model year.

MyRide also offers route tracking and route planning as well as ride data, including distance covered and lean angle. Rides can be supplemented with photos and shared on social media or in the MyRide community. So if you like to document your rides, the function is there for you.

A comparison with Yamaha's official 2026 documents shows that the focus of the 2027 update is on design and ergonomics. Newly announced are the revised seat, the reshaped tank section, the side fairing with glitch pattern, the more angular front design and Redline White. Ice Storm, Icon Blue and Tech Black were already part of the colour palette in 2026. The 125 cc VVA engine, the 41 mm USD fork and the 810 mm seat height are also already documented for the predecessor. So the new seat does not change the nominal seat height.

The 2026 documents also mention traction control and an assist and slipper clutch. Neither is explicitly addressed in the 2027 press release at hand. This implies neither their removal nor any new function. Nor does the announcement confirm a power increase or a weight change compared to 2026.

Yamaha announces a range of genuine accessories for personalising the MT-125, but does not name any individual parts in the document at hand. The accessories can be ordered before taking delivery of the vehicle and fitted by the Yamaha dealer. The components are also available individually.

The 2027 model year Yamaha MT-125 is set to be available at European Yamaha dealers from the first quarter of 2027. The Austrian press kit dated 21 October 2026 does not mention a specific price. For prices and more precise delivery dates, Yamaha refers to the respective national distributor. So how hard the new outfit will hit your wallet remains open for now.

What's new on the 2027 Yamaha MT-125? Yamaha has revised the seat, tank design, side fairing and front end. On top of that come Redline White with a two-tone seat and a new 125 side graphic.

Which technical base does the MT-125 continue to use? The 125 cc engine with VVA, the Deltabox frame and a 41 mm upside-down fork are listed. The stated seat height is 810 mm.

Does the 2027 Yamaha MT-125 have navigation? Yamaha mentions a five-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity via MyRide and turn-by-turn navigation. According to the manufacturer, calls, music and messages can also be managed.

When is the 2027 MT-125 coming and how much does it cost? The European market launch is announced for the first quarter of 2027 onwards. No price is given in the press kit provided.