Lexmoto LXS (2021) - Review

Imagine you're importing one of the UK's top-selling 125cc sports bikes. All good, except that competition is as close as ever and your bike has been around for three years. Do you replace it or update it?

If you're Lexmoto, you do both. The LXR 125 mini-sports bike has been updated to Euro 5 spec, but they've also unveiled the new LXS. Superficially similar to the LXR (which is still available) it's lighter and more compact, with smaller 16-inch wheels. Crucially for bragging rights among 125s, it's also got underseat exhausts and power is increased to 10.3Kw (13.8bhp) which you probably don't need telling is not far off the A1 class limit. Is that enough to put it at the top of the tree?

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Price

At £2800, and from £55.92 per month, the LXS is the same price as the updated LXR, but it still faces some stiff opposition. For once, the Lexmoto isn't the cheapest bike in class – the Keeway RKR costs £400 less, but it's got less power and lower spec. Everything costs a lot more – FB Mondial Pagini (£3599), Kawasaki Ninja 125 (£4199), Suzuki GSX-R (£4499) and Yamaha YZF-R125 (£4800). Honda doesn't import the CBR125R anymore, but instead offers the CB125R, which offers a good spec and 11Kw but with naked styling. Lexmoto's contender lacks ABS and Japanese branding, but it still looks good value.

And it’s available in two smart colours; either Matt Grey/ Fluro Yellow or Black/Blue.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Power and torque

Fire up the LXS, and the 125cc liquid-cooled motor sounds quiet and innocuous – if it's not raucous enough, Lexmoto's Lextek accessory arm will be offering alternative pipes as an accessory later in 2021.

But get on the move, and it all feels a bit uncivilised. The engine buzzes and vibrates at lower speeds, the mirrors blur and there's a surprising amount of noise reflected back from the fairing. It's easy enough to ride through town and past queues, and the LXS will even trickle through the traffic at 25-30mph in sixth (though I can't see any self-respecting 18-year-old doing that). But really, although this is just a 125, you get the feeling it would much rather be out on the open road.

Once out of the 30 limit, knock it back a couple of gears (or three, if you've been trundling in top) and that's exactly what it is. The LXS still isn't fast, though it's certainly respectable by 125 standards and close ratios in the six-speed box enable you to make the most of that 13.8bhp, chasing up to the 10,000rpm red line. The extra power over mainstream 125s tells as the bike accelerates past an indicated 60...65....to top out at 73-74mph on the flat. It's happy to keep up 65-70 on the speedo (though long hills will knock the speed back) so the LXS is fast enough for dual-carriageways and motorways, though the outside lane of the M6 might be pushing things a bit.

The good news is that the faster you go, the smoother the LXS gets, happy at that 65mph – even the mirrors de-blur.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Engine and transmission

At this price, you don't get twin overhead cams and four valves, but the LXS's SOHC two-valve motor is otherwise up to the minute, liquid-cooled and to Euro 5 spec. It's actually shared with the LXR, though power is boosted from 9.3Kw to 10.3Kw (13.8bhp) at 8750rpm, with a torque peak of 11.0Nm at 6750rpm. Mini-sports bikes need a six-speed transmission to be credible, and the LXS has one – it's slick and easy to use.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Economy

We didn't have time to give the LXS a proper economy test, but geared 125s are traditionally the most economical fossil-fuelled vehicles on the road. This one shouldn't be any different – Lexmoto claims 87mpg – and 80-90mpg should be possible round town and over 100mpg given steadier riding in the suburbs. At 10 litres, the fuel tank should be big enough for an easy 150 miles, which is a week's-worth of commuting for many.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Handling, suspension, chassis and weight

Same story as the engine and transmission. The LXS is a budget sports bike compared to some, so you don't get an alloy frame or swinging arm, top-brand tyres or adjustable front forks. Actually, Lexmoto does its best by disguising the steel frame and swinging arm with plastic covers which could fool you into thinking that they really are alloy. That's if you squint a bit, in half-light, from a distance. They look pretty chunky anyway.

Still, the proof of the pudding is how the LXS actually handles, and the news is good. Not only is it rock solid at top speed, but the Cheng Shin tyres (they own Maxxis too) cling on well (to dry tarmac at least) with no slippy moments.

The USD forks are none the worse for being non-adjustable (be honest, how many of us actually adjust our forks to get nth degree of rebound?) and always feel fine, in control and with no excessive dive on heavy braking. It's the same story with the single rear shock, though the pre-load adjustment does look like a pig to get to.

The LXS is 12kg lighter than the LXR – that's still not as featherweight as the Suzuki GSX-R (134kg) but it's enough to make the bike flickable and quick steering. It doesn't feel overweight.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Brakes

This starting to sound like a broken record, but at Lexmoto prices you don't get all the features of bikes costing a lot more. Hence no ABS on the brakes, but there are twin front discs (unusual on a 125). Like all other non-ABS 125s, the brakes are linked via the foot pedal, and nicely progressive they are too. Strangely, the handlebar lever needs a good squeeze to get those twin front discs working for a hard stop.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Comfort

The LXS's sports bike looks might promise a head down riding position, but that's not what you get. The bars are pulled back to give a quasi-upright, quite comfy riding perch, at least for me at 5'6” – six-footers might find their legs a bit tight on space, but it's pretty good and the small screen does a good job of keeping the worst of the wind off at speed. Of course, this is supposed to be a sports bike, so pillions are perched up on a little square of seat with not much to hang on to.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Rider aids and extra equipment/accessories

Rider aids? Well there are precious few of those – no ABS or riding modes – though on a mid-priced 125 it's unfair to expect them. Given how stealable these smaller bikes are, I'd like to see the security app which Lexmoto (and others) offers on scooters now, and it wouldn't add that much to the price.

Really, the rider 'aids' are visual – those underseat pipes and an in your face colour scheme featuring flouro wheels. If those colours are a little too strong for early morning starts, there's a more sober black/blue alternative. The dash is easy to read, with speed, revs and fuel plus volts, a clock and a gear indicator.

Lexmoto LXS (2021) Verdict

You can see why Lexmoto's LXR has been a good seller, and the LXS offers much the same package – it may not have the brand name and ultimate goodie bag of big-name rivals, but it costs up to £2000 less, goes well and really looks the business. We think it'll carry on in the same vein as the LXR.

2021 Lexmoto LXS Specification

What is MCIA Secured?

MCIA Secured gives bike buyers the chance to see just how much work a manufacturer has put into making their new investment as resistant to theft as possible.

As we all know, the more security you use, the less chance there is of your bike being stolen. In fact, based on research by Bennetts, using a disc lock makes your machine three times less likely to be stolen, while heavy duty kit can make it less likely to be stolen than a car. For reviews of the best security products, click here.

MCIA Secured gives motorcycles a rating out of five stars, based on the following being fitted to a new bike as standard:

• A steering lock that meets the UNECE 62 standard
• An ignition immobiliser system
• A vehicle marking system
• An alarm system
• A vehicle tracking system with subscription

The higher the star rating, the better the security, so always ask your dealer what rating your bike has, and compare it to other machines on your shortlist.