MotorStar MSX125S-II

There are a few requirements that anyone willing to buy a sporty underbone looks for. And sporty styling is right up there on the top of that list. Thankfully the MotorStar MSX125S-II has a lot of style. The headlight is a curvy affair that looks modern and unique. The indicators are placed within the bikini fairing that adds to the aggression and bring practicality to the design as a fall is not likely to damage them. Moving back, the spine of the bike is partially covered by a sporty shroud that looks very business-like. The aerodynamics of the shroud means that heat from the engine is somewhat thrown on the rider’s legs but that is a small compromise for the bike’s looks. The tail rides high but not impractically so. The taillight gets similar treatment to the headlight with integrated indicators. The large chrome end can on the exhaust, evokes memories of superbikes from the sixties. As do the graphics on the three color choices on offer – red, blue, and black. 17” 5 Y spoke alloy wheels with 2.5 front and 2.75 rear tires give the styling some extra oomph. Dimensions are compact at 1900 mm (L) x 600 mm (W) x 1000 mm (H) and well suited for the urban environment. Instrumentation is analog and basic as expected at this price range. The minimal fairing and stocky headlight make the bike stand out from the crowd and fit and finish looks good. A very decent effort for its price.

The bike’s compact dimensions with a wheelbase of 1240 mm, give the MotorStar MSX125S-II great agility. In terms of suspension, it is business as usual with conventional telescopic front forks and dual shock absorbers in the rear. However, the aggressive design does bring some challenges of its own. The handlebars do not rise much higher than the headlights and the rider needs to take a hunched over posture to reach the handlebars. This does put some pressure on the rider’s wrists. While this should be manageable for short rides, on longer rides, it will take a toll on the rider’s wrists and overall comfort.

The engine powering the MotorStar MSX125S-II is a 125 cc air-cooled and carbureted single cylinder unit. Power figures have not been disclosed by the company but the company does state that the bike can reach a top speed of over 80 kmph. This should really pose no trouble for a bike that weighs little more than 90 kg. MotorStar has also provided the bike with both a kick starter and an electric starter. The engine is viby and not the most refined but that is what you get at this low a price point.

The MotorStar MSX125S-II comes with a disc brake on the front and a drum brake on the rear. This setup suits the nature of the bike and is a bit of a pleasant surprise at its price level.

The MotorStar MSX125S-II is a decent underbone bike for its asking price. It looks sporty, has decent performance and packs in some of the essential components that people expect in its segment. It is built to a price but still offers a lot for it. But due to the relatively obscure nature of the company and the image of Chinese brands in terms of reliability, parts and service availability, buyers remain wary of the brand. At the same price, most buyers would rather opt for a more reliable Japanese brand that gives them peace of mind and value for money.