Yamaha RD 125 LC (Part 1 - RD125LC, 10W &12A, (mk1))

The new Yamaha RD125LC was first announced to the press in the winter of 1981/82, a new single cylinder, liquid cooled 250cc to 125cc / 12bhp restrictions in 1982/83. It was the successor to the Air-cooled RD125 twin, there was going to be a big new market for the 125cc machines. The new 125LC was born, styling inherited from the latest RD250/350LC's, Nose Fairing, Belly pan & more sportier looking than the earlier RD125 air-cooled twins it replaces to keep pace with the current trends. Colours available were White or Candy Blue for early models; later colours motor. Introduced in June 1982. The new UK learner laws were changing from introduced to the line up in 1984 was Red or Black or White with larger sportier Red & Blue Decals.
Fuel consumption as tested by BIKE magazine in December 1982 was between 76-79 mpg
The Price in 1982 for a 125LC was just £820 but back then it was high price for a 125cc bike. Yamaha's only main rival in the beginning was from Kawasaki with the liquid cooled AR125, the AR had the better mid range power with its reed and rotary disc induction system, whereas the RD had the edge on top end power and easier to tune. The RD was the bike to have. Even though this 125 was restricted to 12 bhp and 75 mph with a micron or all speed (the pipes of choice at that time) it could see just over 100mph on the clock down a good hill. With a cantilever mono-shock swinging arm italic style wheels it adopted from its big brother the 250LC and a single cylinder water-cooled engine it really did look the biz. They just flew out the dealer’s shops.

Yamaha RD 125 LC II (part2)

(UK 1GM 12bhp restricted, 21BHP for Europe & Japan with full working YPVS)

The mk2 was introduced in February 1985. Same styling as the mk1 but with major modifications, Available in White or Black, both had new red and more flasher decals and a red seat. Larger diameter forks and clip on style handle bars along with smaller 16" front/ 18"rear new design wheels, these looking very similar to the RD 350 YPVS, then on the market and new sportier instrumentation being the instantly noticeable cosmetic changes. Other changes include revised castor and trail angles also a fork brace fitted for more responsive steering with a different disk and an apposed piston brake calliper, this improved the overall stability, handling and braking. A thermostat was also fitted to the cylinder head, which the mk1 didn't have and cosmetic changes to engine casing covers.

Unlucky for us in the UK, but the rest of the world that got the Mk2 was fitted with YPVS & "Micron" styled exhaust but not in the UK. It would be nearly 2 years later before the YPVS model landed in the UK (to be known as the mk3 in the UK with different colour decals), and what a surprise for us brits, the power valve was locked shut & not wired up to comply with the 12bhp learner limit.

Yamaha RD 125 LC (Part 3 - The Mk3 125LC)

The mk3, the final RD125LC was introduced in November 1986. New blue and yellow decals on white paint, with blue seat added to the line up, the white with red decals, and black with red decals schemes carried over from the mk2. Though the biggest change came with the introduction of the Yamaha Power Valve System (YPVS) Unfortunately for us Brits, the Servomotor and cables to operate the Power Valve was omitted for 12bhp laws. Servo kits were available to buy if you wanted to fully unrestrict it. Though most people would just manually turn the power valve fully open. A Micron/All speed style exhaust was a welcome change to the previous one.
The UK was quite a way behind the rest of the world with the RD125LC, the YPVS had been available in other countries since 1985 and is known as the mk2 (LC II), so the UK's mk3 may never have been known as such outside the UK, but the European mk2 did it seems share the new colours.

End of the RD 125 LC

1987 marked the end of the RD125LC. It had ruled the roost right up until the introduction of the TZR125 in '87, which had super bike looks of its day. Competition from main rivals Suzuki RG125 and Honda NS 125R meant that the TZR had to take over had to take over Yamaha's no.1 125 flagships. I also changed with the times in July1989 and bought a TZR125, which was later stolen that year. Up until 2004 I still owned an mk1 RD125LC!!!

RD 125 LC Info;

  • Introduced: Mk1 August 1982 .......... MK2 June 1985 .......... MK3 March 1987
  • Discontinued: MK1 March 1986 .......... MK2 March 1987 .......... MK3 February 1989
  • Colours: Mk1 White with red decals, White with blue decals, Candy blue with grey decals and in 1984 Red with white decals.
  • Colours: Mk2 White with red decals, Black with red decals
  • Colours: Mk3 White with blue decals. Plus the 2 above.
  • Bore and stroke: 56mm X 50mm
  • Capacity: 123cc
  • Power: 12bhp standard restricted ......... 21bhp derestricted
  • Gears: 6
  • Wheels: MK1 18-inch front and rear.......... MK2&3 16-inch front 18-inch rear
  • Fuel capacity: 2.86 gallons
  • Speed: 75 mph Standard .......... around 95 mph derestricted
  • Weight: 210 lbs
  • MPG: 65 standard down to 45/50 derestricted