husqvarna SMS4 125

The SMS4 125 mirrors Husqvarna’s championship winning supermoto range and is equally exquisite in its detail. But is this enough for the Husqvarnas to make learner-legal off-road machinery as popular as Yamaha’s YZF-R125 has been for entry level sports bikes? The SMS4 125 isn’t the cheapest learner legal available at £3219 – but cheaper than the new Lambretta LN125 scooter – and isn’t the most expensive either. But it is one of the most desirable with its looks, reliable motor and ability to be fun while teaching necessary bike riding skills.

Engine

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The four-valve four-stroke engine is a strong unit. Coupled with near perfect gearing, the SMS hits 63mph and doesn’t shift from this speed unless hills comparable to Snowdon get in the way. Play the slipstream game and 70mph will appear.
Sharp-eyed, two-wheeled lusting teens will recognise the SMS engine’s silhouette being similar to the liquid-cooled lumps powering the sports Yamaha YZF-R125 and Rieju RS3. There’s a good reason for this; all three units are built by Minarelli of Italy, a Yamaha Group member. There’s no fuel injection with the SMS, just a 28mm Dell Orto carburettor. Fuelling is just as crisp but slightly thirstier with the throttle pulled back to the stop.

Ride and Handling

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While the thin, plank-like seat is guaranteed to cause butt-ache after 60 miles, there’s nothing wrong with the chassis construction. Suspension is balanced to give a firm ride to enable corners to be blitzed leg-out-stylee or bolt upright. Brake components are by Brembo and work perfectly – something that can’t be said of comparable but cheaper Taiwanese/Chinese models. Think of the SMS as a typical Japanese bike but with Italian styling.

Equipment

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As said, Brembo brakes make a big difference to overall stopping power and a rider’s confidence. The dash is a small LCD unit and there’s no tachometer in keeping with the bike’s styling – stripped down and lightweight with just enough ancillaries to make it legal.

Quality and Reliability

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The engine is a known quantity and has proved to be a reliable, robust unit despite the abuse heaped upon it by neglectful and eager youth. The rest of it is predominantly plastic and held together well. The one area for concern is the automatic retracting sidestand – as soon as the bike is lifted to near upright it flicks back to almost vertical.

Value

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Given that the SMS is supermoto inspired but performs as good as any 125cc Japanese sports learner-legal and yet undercuts it by a good slice (Yamaha YZF-R125 presently £4249) makes it good value. To quantify this, the new Lambretta LN125, which is a basic Taiwanese twist and go scooter, is currently priced at £3299. I know which one anyone with a taste for motorcycling would go for.

Insurance

Insurance group: n/a

Model History

Husqvarna SMS4 125 (2011 - current)

Other Versions

Husqvarna TE125: enduro-styled version of the SMS4, complete with 21in front and 18in rear wheels.

Specifications

Top speed	65mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Power	14bhp
Torque	9ftlb
Weight	117kg
Seat height	900mm
Fuel capacity	9.5 litres
Average fuel consumption	mpg
Tank range	miles
Insurance group

Engine size	125cc
Engine specification	Liquid-cooled, 4v, sohc, four-stroke, single-cylinder. Six gears
Frame	Steel single tube cradle
Front suspension adjustment	Non-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment	Spring preload
Front brakes	1 x 260mm disc with 2-piston caliper
Rear brake	220mm disc with single-piston caliper
Front tyre size	110/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	140/70 x 17

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