Yamaha’s 2027 WR125R Is a $3,999 Street-Legal Dual Sport With VVA

Yamaha's smallest U.S. dual sport has a price you can plan around. The 2027 Yamaha WR125R is listed on Yamaha's U.S. site at $3,999 MSRP, plus a $400 destination charge. It's a street-legal, 125cc dual sport with fuel injection, variable valve actuation, full-size 21- and 18-inch wheels and ABS on the front brake.

That combination puts it in a small group of road-legal bikes aimed squarely at new riders, short commutes and easy trails.

The short version

• Price: $3,999 MSRP plus $400 destination. Tax, registration and dealer-installed options are extra, per Yamaha's disclaimer.
• Engine: liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 125cc single with four valves and VVA.
• Brakes: discs front and rear, with ABS on the front.
• Chassis: 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, a 41 mm KYB fork with 8.5 inches of travel, and a linkage KYB shock with 7.3 inches.
• Tech: an LCD display, LED lighting and Y-Connect phone pairing.
• Colors: Vivid Blue, and a Deep Purplish Blue Metallic Special Edition.

Variable valve actuation on a 125

The WR125R's engine is a single-overhead-cam, four-valve single. Its notable trick is variable valve actuation (VVA): the intake side has two cam profiles, one for low and mid revs and one for higher revs, and the engine switches between them.

On a small engine, that's meant to give you usable pull from a stop without giving up all the top end. Yamaha hasn't published a horsepower figure on the U.S. listing, so there's no number to compare against rivals.

Yamaha's page also lists an estimated 105 mpg. Treat that as Yamaha's estimate. Real-world mileage depends on speed, load, terrain and how you ride.

Real dual-sport hardware

What separates the WR125R from a small street bike is the running gear:

• Wheels: a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear, the same sizes you'll find on much larger dual sports, which matters for tire choice and how the bike rolls over rocks and ruts.
• Tires: Dunlop D605 dual-sport tires from the factory.
• Suspension: a 41 mm KYB fork with 8.5 inches of travel and a KYB shock on a linkage with 7.3 inches.
• Brakes: a 267 mm front disc with a two-piston caliper and ABS, and a 220 mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper.

Front-only ABS is common at this price. It means the rear brake can still lock on loose ground, which some off-road riders actually prefer, but newer riders should practice rear-brake control in a safe place.

Who it's for

Yamaha positions the WR125R as an entry-level dual sport for commuting and trail riding. That fits:

• New riders who want something light and forgiving to learn on
• Commuters looking for an inexpensive, efficient bike that can handle rough roads
• Experienced riders who want a small bike for exploring gravel and fire roads

Because it's street legal, riding it on public roads means meeting your state's licensing, registration and insurance or financial-responsibility rules, which vary from state to state. A low price and small engine don't exempt it.

Before you buy

A few practical checks:

1. Ask for the out-the-door price. $3,999 plus $400 destination is the starting point. Tax, registration and dealer fees add to it.
2. Sit on one. Yamaha's main U.S. listing doesn't highlight seat height, and dual sports with long-travel suspension tend to sit tall. Check that you can manage it at a stop.
3. Take a course. If this is your first bike, a basic rider course is the best money you'll spend.
4. Get an insurance quote. Engine size and bike value are part of the price, but so are your age, riding record, location and the coverage you choose.

What we don't know yet

• Horsepower and torque. Not listed on the U.S. model page we checked.
• Dealer arrival. Yamaha's page lists the 2027 model and price but no delivery timing.
• Independent testing. No MIR or third-party test results are cited here.

Bottom line

The 2027 Yamaha WR125R is a $3,999 (plus $400 destination) street-legal 125cc dual sport with VVA, front ABS, 21/18-inch wheels and KYB suspension. It's built for new riders, commuters and light trail use.