Baltmotors Street 125 DD light city motorcycle

Not all inexpensive motorcycles of Chinese origin are as similar to each other as their creators, and the Baltmotors Street 125 DD is a great example of this. This is an exception to the usual rule “Chinese = poor quality”, which was noticeably ahead of its time. There are plenty of extremely simplified bikes produced in China on sale even now, but the Baltmotors Street 125DD, taken off the assembly line a long time ago, is head and shoulders above them all. Nowadays it is rarely seen on the roads, since a limited number of copies were produced, but judging by the reviews of the owners, it is a really worthy device.

Design

While most motorcycle manufacturers from China continue to persistently copy famous Japanese motorcycles, trying to give their crafts at least an external resemblance to the products of famous brands, the Baltmotors company took a different path. The Street 125 DD model looks fresh, attractive and original. And there is no pretentiousness, even the gilded fork stays and the general aggressiveness of the silhouette do not give the bike the appearance of a parody of an “adult” streetfighter. The BM Street 125 DD is both flashy enough to attract attention on the road and modest enough not to pretend to be something it is not.

Specifications

Strictly speaking, this model was designed in China, and was only assembled in Russia. Taking as a basis some of the developments of their Japanese colleagues, Chinese engineers put them together, resulting in a viable hybrid that can not only compete equally with analogues in its price category, but also surpass them in most parameters.

Engine

The Chinese did not reinvent the wheel, but simply copied a simple 2-valve 1-cylinder air-cooled engine installed on Japanese motorcycles in the late 80s of the 20th century. Its characteristics are modest, only 11.5 hp. , and to get them all, the motor will have to be mercilessly turned to the 9500 rpm mark. But the extremely primitive engine is extremely reliable, and no one has heard of problems with it. Fuel is supplied through a carburetor, which is easily regulated and, if necessary, cleaned. The maximum speed that Baltmotors Street can develop is 125 – 100 km/h .

Transmission

The 5-speed gearbox is also a Japanese heritage, and also comes from the last century. The gear ratios are short, so in the city you have to constantly shift, actively working both the clutch and the gas handle to maintain dynamics. You can shift to fifth gear as early as 60 km/h, so you will most likely use it mainly. There are no complaints about the operation of the checkpoint.

Chassis and brakes

One of the main advantages of the BM Street 125 is its chassis. The designers managed to fit an inverted fork and as many as 3 brake discs into the budget bike! At the rear, of course, there is a regular swingarm with a monoshock absorber, but, nevertheless, how often do you come across such a set on motorcycles in this price category? 2 discs with 2-piston calipers installed at the front, and one disc with a 1-piston caliper , and this is enough to easily stop the bike even at maximum speed.

Electronics

Since there are no auxiliary systems in this model, the complexity of the electronics is comparable to the Voskhod or Ural collecting dust in grandfather’s garage. A compact 12-volt battery, a generator, a switch, fuses, a bundle of wires - that's all, there's nothing else here. After purchase, it is advisable to check the condition of the electrical wiring, paying special attention to the insulation - there are problems with it on older motorcycles.

Weight and dimensions

Due to its simple design and massive steel frame, the bike weighs a lot; the curb weight exceeds 140 kg . It does not seem heavy, but it is worth considering that the weight, significant by the standards of the class of small-capacity road cars, has a negative effect on the acceleration dynamics and braking distance. The dimensions of the motorcycle are quite “adult”, but the triangle of the saddle, handlebars (more precisely, clip-ons) and footpegs are grouped in such a way that it will be a bit cramped for a tall motorcyclist on Baltmotors Street 125. Ergonomics leave much to be desired.

Controllability

Despite its decent weight, the bike handles easily and predictably. It obeys the steering wheel perfectly, and with a slight tilt of the body the pilot can give it the desired trajectory of movement. This advantage makes it very well suited for learning to ride, and as a “learning desk” it can perform no worse than the popular YBR-125.

Fuel consumption

On average, Baltmotors Street 125 consumes about 3 liters per 100 km .
Quite a lot for a 125 cc small-capacity engine, but such high consumption is due to the old-fashioned engine, a simple carburetor and the considerable weight of the bike. But it easily digests any gasoline you might like to pour into it.

autotune

Baltmotors Street 200 DD, also known as BM Street 200, is a Russian-Chinese city bike. The large-scale assembly of this motorcycle from Chinese spare parts is carried out in Kaliningrad, and there are Baltmotors dealers in many cities of our great and vast country.

What is this motorcycle, for which current showrooms are asking for more than 90 thousand rubles? In short, the Baltmotors Street 200 DD is a nimble and lightweight city bike, as simple as possible in its design. One cylinder, 200cc air-cooled engine, carburetor, chain, electric starter, 5-speed gearbox - standard set. The BM Street 200 engine produces 15.6 horsepower at peak power - this is enough for city driving, given the low weight of the motorcycle.

It immediately catches your eye that one thing Baltmotors did not save on was the brakes. Two discs in the front and one in the rear - this type of equipment is not always seen on Chinese motorcycles. But it paid off - the Baltmotors Street 200 stops very well indeed, and even during emergency braking you can safely rely on the effectiveness of the brakes. The main thing is not to overdo it; this is still a fairly typical rookie mistake.

The suspension of the Baltmotors Street 200 is also standard - telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock absorber at the rear. Medium hardness, it is well suited for urban conditions. True, if there is a passenger, the suspension can “break through” on a particularly treacherous pit, but still, the BM Street 200 is not a touring enduro, but a purely city motorcycle.

The wheelbase of the motorcycle is quite short, the fork offset is small, the tires are not too wide, and the motorcycle itself is quite compact. This allows the Baltmotors Street 200 DD to easily penetrate rows of cars frozen in an eternal traffic jam, but on bad asphalt it begins to “float” a little. Well, this is the price to pay for excellent handling.

Sitting on a motorcycle is comfortable for most people, except perhaps for comrades with a strong physique. The instrument panel is laconic and easy to read; no nasty Chinese backlighting or glare from street lamps was noticed. True, due to the classic appearance of the Baltmotors Street 200, that is, due to the lack of a fairing, it does not have wind protection as a class, but the maximum speed of this motorcycle is about 120 km/h, and at this speed the wind is not very annoying.

The creators equipped the Baltmotors Street 200 with a spacious gas tank, which can hold as much as 16 liters of 92-octane gasoline. Considering the moderate appetite of the motorcycle, which even in the city rarely exceeds 4 liters, it has a decent range on the tank. However, the city is its element, and the BM Street 200 is not very suitable for driving on highways - it is too light and small. Of course, some enthusiasts go on long journeys on scooters, but this, as they say, is more a matter of stubbornness than pleasure.

So, for the price of a 20-year-old 400 cc “Japanese” in questionable condition, Baltmotors offers an inexpensive bike, new and under warranty. True, in terms of characteristics, the Baltmotors Street 200 will be twice or even three times inferior to the aforementioned Japanese-made oldies, but who cares what is more valuable - novelty and warranty, or more powerful equipment, but of a very advanced age and in an unknown technical condition.

Motorcycle price

Those rare versions of used Baltmotors Street 125 DD that come across for sale cost as much as the sellers want, no more and no less. This is a rare model, therefore, when setting the price, no one focuses on competitors due to their lack. In any case, there is no point
40 thousand rubles

Buy Baltmotors Street 125

As of 2012, this new Chinese “device” costs 83,000 rubles in a motorcycle showroom. After spending a little time looking for a good option, you can buy a used motorcycle for 30-40 thousand rubles, but it all also depends on the condition and mileage. In our subjective opinion, very soon the price of a bike may fall quite significantly.

In general, the Chinese Baltmotors Street 125 DD , given its affordable price, is an excellent option for a city motorcycle for beginner-level motorcycle enthusiasts. With careful care, it can serve the owner for a long time.

Repair and tuning

The structurally simple Baltmotors Street 125 DD is easy to repair and maintain . For obvious reasons, there is no specialized tuning for it, but there are plenty of universal Chinese-made options.

Repair

Any beginner can understand the design of the bike; it is very simple and at the same time logical from a design point of view. Even without a manual, you can assemble and disassemble it right in the garage, if only you had the tools, straight arms and desire. Maintenance is even less difficult.

Spare parts

This is a headache for all owners of Baltmotors Street 125. Even when the bike was released, dealers had almost no spare parts in stock, and sometimes it took several months to wait for them to order. Now, years after the model was discontinued, many components are completely impossible to find on sale, so you have to look for them “by hand.”

Tuning

Usually, owners of the Street 125DD are limited to minor cosmetic changes - grips, footpegs, stickers and similar little things. This is partly due to the reluctance to invest money in a cheap motorcycle that will be sold in a season or two, and partly due to the lack of need to tune it. He's pretty good anyway.

Baltmotors Street 125 DD - Chinese from Kaliningrad

The company Baltmotors, which assembles “Russian” motorcycles from Chinese components, is quite well known. And the BM Street 125DD is one of its most popular models ever produced.

Not all inexpensive motorcycles of Chinese origin are as similar to each other as their creators, and the Baltmotors Street 125 DD is a great example of this. This is an exception to the usual rule “Chinese = poor quality”, which was noticeably ahead of its time. There are plenty of extremely simplified bikes produced in China on sale even now, but the Baltmotors Street 125DD, taken off the assembly line a long time ago, is head and shoulders above them all. Nowadays it is rarely seen on the roads, since a limited number of copies were produced, but judging by the reviews of the owners, it is a really worthy device.

Advantages and disadvantages

Most motorcycles made in China (or assembled from Chinese components) have the same set of strengths and weaknesses, but Baltmotors Street 125 is an exception. When it was still produced and sold, it was undoubtedly worth the money, offering buyers an excellent combination of technical characteristics at a reasonable price. It's even a pity that it was discontinued.

Advantages

• Affordable price . On the secondary market you can find options at prices ranging from 30-40 thousand rubles.
• Consumables are suitable for different Chinese motorcycles, however, you need to select them yourself.
• Efficiency and a large gas tank – together this provides a very large range without refueling.
• Ease of operation . Any beginner, even short and not very physically strong, can handle the BM Street 125 DD without any problems.
• A nice design that immediately makes the bike stand out from the faceless crowd of Chinese small-capacity bikes.
• Nice pendants . How often do you see upside-down forks on inexpensive motorcycles from China?
• Effective brakes that are enough for the eyes.

Flaws

• The Baltmotors Street 125DD has been out of production for a long time, so finding spare parts for it is problematic.
• The acceleration dynamics are not enough for confident overtaking.
• The mass is high by the standards of the class , not much inferior to the mass of some “four hundred”.

autotune

Baltmotors Street 125 DD, also known as BM Street 125, is a lightweight budget motorcycle of Russian-Chinese production, assembled in Kaliningrad using components made in China. Like other motorcycles from this manufacturer, Baltmotors Street 125 is a motorcycle that belongs to the so-called entr-level, that is, the “entry level”. This means that the target audience for which this bike is designed are beginners who are choosing their first motorcycle in their life and are intimidated by 20-year-old Japanese rarities.

The Chinese did a great job on the design of the Baltmotors Street 125 DD, no doubt. The motorcycle looks nice, and one can even say that its classic appearance with a small twist in the form of a gold-colored fork and standardly installed clip-ons sets it apart from other Chinese small-capacity motorcycles. Although, of course, you can’t go far with design alone - from a technical point of view, the Street 125DD is as simple as a brick, even simpler than its more expensive brother, the Baltmotors Street 200 DD. The 200 cc version of the motorcycle arrived on production lines after the 125 cc one, it has slightly better technical characteristics and costs a little more.

The Baltmotors Street 125 DD engine is a 125 cc, single-cylinder, two-valve, air-cooled. According to some information, it was built under license from Suzuki and copies a Japanese engine from about thirty years ago. Yes, the Street 125 DD, unfortunately, cannot boast of modernity or power. The maximum power of the motorcycle is only 11.5 horsepower, and this is not enough for an unusually heavy motorcycle by the standards of the 125 cc class. The dry weight of the “Chinese” is almost 160 kilograms - much more than, for example, the Yamaha YBR-125. This weight is a consequence of the use of a steel tubular frame and, albeit reliable, but the most budget-friendly structural elements. Be that as it may, in order to dynamically move the motorcycle in space, the 11.5 horses that the BM Street 125 DD boasts are very lacking.

What’s surprising is the very high-quality and quite modern suspension that sits next to the archaic engine on this motorcycle. An inverted fork is installed at the front, a monoshock absorber at the rear, and, according to reviews from the owners of the Baltmotors Street 125, the motorcycle handles wonderfully, despite its weight, and a rather low center of gravity makes a positive contribution to this. The brakes didn't let us down either - three discs. Can you name many cheap 125cc bikes with three brake discs? Same thing. For the brakes of the Baltmotors Street 125 DD you can give a fat five. Even with a plus. Despite the use of simple calipers, the three discs stop the bike not just effectively, but very effectively.

Baltmotors Street 125 is positioned as an entry-level small-capacity bike for beginners. It looks stylish, it's quite well built, it handles well and brakes well. Perhaps the only thing it lacks is a little more power, but the manufacturer corrected this shortcoming by releasing the aforementioned Baltmotors Street 200. So for a novice motorcyclist choosing his first bike, this fruit of Russian-Chinese cooperation may be just right.

Owner reviews

I rode this one in the 2012-2013 seasons, I already bought it a little used, and it was a blast for the price! The brakes grab tightly, you can easily over-brake, you have to keep it in mind. It drives normally, but not exactly briskly; the heavy weight still takes its toll. Although it doesn’t seem heavy, it’s easy to roll around the garage or move in place. There were no breakdowns during the entire period of operation and until the moment of sale, and the new owner does not know what was there. Igor, Kaliningrad.

The best motorcycle in its class, the ebrik was not even close, it had neither brakes nor suspension. At the same time, it costs, like most other Chinese, that is, inexpensive. I traveled for several years with pleasure; there was no point in increasing the capacity, since all the trips were around the city. As a result, the moto was stolen by opening the garage, and by that time Street 250 was already on sale, so I bought it. By and large, it’s the same thing, only the engine is twice as large, so it drives, of course, more interesting. But the 125 was generally the best option for the money when it was produced. Sergey, Pskov.

There are no complaints about the motorcycle, but the build quality has accumulated a wagon and a trolley to boot. I picked up a new motorcycle in 2012 from a dealership, and in my garage the same day I went to check everything, since we know these Chinese, and for good reason. The drain plug on the engine is not tightened, the wires are hanging anyhow, there is no insulation. They also saved on the spark plug; it died after 200 km. The standard tires were also oak. In general, you can buy, but you need to check everything meticulously. Anton, Bologoe.

FAQ

• How interchangeable are parts between 125cc and 200cc models? The interchangeability is partial, since, in addition to the engine, there are plenty of other differences.
• Are spare parts from the Chinese suitable for the Baltmotors Street 125 DD? Yes, you can find suitable parts, but you have to select them in practice; there are no compatibility tables.
• Is it worth looking at this motorcycle with a height of about 190 and a weight of about 100 kg? It is possible, but it will most likely be cramped and not very comfortable.

Conclusion

BM 125DD is a very good motorcycle for its time and for its price . It was not produced for long, soon giving way to a 200 cc model, but it can still be found for sale on the secondary market. Considering the very affordable price and overall good quality, this bike can be a good choice for a beginner motorcyclist on a budget. Of course, Chinese roots, general obsolescence of the design and age make themselves felt, but if the motorcycle was in good hands, most likely there will be no problems with it. What else do you need if you are choosing your first two-wheeled friend?

Specifications

Baltmotors Street 125 DD

The classic road motorcycle BM Street 125 DD , which is a joint project of the Kaliningrad plant Baltmotors and the Chinese motorcycle company Qingqi, can safely be called “pure Chinese”, since the full assembly production of this unit was created by Chinese specialists, and the Russian side made its contribution only in the expansion trading network.
The design of the motorcycle is in many ways reminiscent of the appearance of the well-known “old-timer” Suzuki Bandit, which is not strange, because this Baltmotors model was developed under license from the Japanese concern. There are both advantages and disadvantages in the design of a motorcycle.

Manufacturers have brought to life excellent ideas for a well-thought-out sporty exterior that can arouse the admiration of almost all motorcycle connoisseurs.

The advantages of the appearance of the Street 125 DD include alloy wheels, a straight steering wheel and a comfortable seat, which requires the driver to lean forward towards the gas tank.

These design features are good on the race track, but long trips on the bike will not please you. The proposed landing method causes heavy loads on the hands and, as a result, the driver gets tired quite quickly behind the wheel.

On the one hand, one cannot fail to note the motorcycle’s fairly informative dashboard, on which there is even an indicator of the gear engaged. However, if you take a closer look, you immediately notice the faded colors of the background, the small size of the digital scales, and their readability is not the best. This is the only drawback of the motorcycle regarding its appearance.

Regarding ergonomics, it is worth noting the disadvantages of the passenger footrests, which do not lock well when opened, and can also close on their own. Otherwise, there are no complaints about ergonomics.

The developers of Baltmotors Street 125 DD equipped their brainchild with a 125 cc four-stroke single-cylinder engine with an output of 11.5 hp, which is cooled using counter-air flow. The engine starting function is performed by an electric starter. The dry weight of the motorcycle is 140 kg, which, together with a relatively powerful and reliable power unit, should have a positive effect on the dynamic characteristics. But in practice this is not entirely true: the motorcycle accelerates rather slowly, and upon reaching the 80-kilometer mark it practically stops picking up speed.

The excellent handling of the motorcycle can compensate for this disadvantage. But this condition is valid only in the case of driving by one pilot. If you also seat a passenger, the front fork, designed in the form of an inverted telescope, is periodically observed to break through. Things are somewhat better with the rear suspension, which can provide acceptable directional stability. In addition, the rear shock absorber can be adjusted for preload. Driving safety is greatly improved thanks to efficient and reliable rear (single) and front (double) disc brakes. They do an excellent job in case of emergency braking, eliminating the possibility of severe skidding.