Yamaha WR125R: Two Paths, One Adventure

Spend enough time around motorcyclists, and you'll hear a familiar refrain: bigger engines, longer suspension, more horsepower, more capability. By that logic, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 has become a benchmark middleweight adventure motorcycle. 

It lets you devour interstate miles with comfort, carve mountain passes, and confidently tackle rough dirt roads. All the while, you can carry enough luggage for weeks away from home.

Parked beside the Ténéré, the Yamaha WR125R hardly seems like it belongs in the same conversation.

With just 125cc, the WR125R is often dismissed as a beginner's motorcycle—a stepping stone for new riders before moving on to something "real." Yet after spending time on both bikes back-to-back, I came away with a very different conclusion.

Capability isn't always measured by how much motorcycle you have. You can measure it just as well by how willing you are to turn down the next dirt road.