Technical characteristics Minsk D4 125
A good budget bike should be exactly like this! No, really. The Minsk D4 125 motorcycle is close to becoming a standard in its price category. On the one hand, we have already seen all this, and more than once - a steel frame, a simple 4-stroke air-cooled engine (10.5 hp), a 5-speed gearbox , spoked wheels, a carburetor, a chain wheel drive... Even outwardly it resembles its ancestors, produced back in the USSR. But the devil, as we know, is in the details. In the case of the Minsk D4 125, this detail was the overall quality of the motorcycle. It is really up to par, and the manufacturer is vigilantly monitoring it.
To keep the price at an affordable level, the designers decided to go the proven route and create the simplest possible bike . They achieved their goal - the Minsk D4 125 motorcycle received a drum brake at the rear and a disc brake at the front, suspensions originally from the 80s of the last century, a hard seat and an instrument panel similar to the one found on hundreds of other Chinese bikes. But there is a nuance: here it all works as it should. Most likely, this is the merit not so much of the Chinese component manufacturers, but of the employees responsible for quality control.
Ride quality
The engine power is quite enough to ensure acceptable technical characteristics of the Minsk D4 125 - the maximum speed of the vehicle reaches 100 km/h with an average fuel consumption of only 2.5 liters. The fuel supply is in the tank in front of the seat and is 12 liters, which is a good indicator for cars of this class.
To stop the motorcycle, a disc brake is used on the front wheel and a drum brake on the rear. The front brake uses a two-piston caliper. The rear brake is driven by a large chrome-plated pedal.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages
- High reliability of all main components. Despite the low price of the Minsk D4 125, there are practically no reviews about problems with the gearbox, engine or other important parts.
- Light weight . The dry weight of the Minsk D4 125 is only 100 kg, and physically handling this bike is very easy.
- Capacious gas tank of 12 liters . The motorcycle has a power reserve of 300-400 kilometers, depending on riding style and operating conditions.
- High ground clearance - 21 centimeters. You can safely force obstacles like “collective farm” speed bumps made of asphalt.
- High quality paintwork . It is not so easy to scratch the varnish and paint on the Minsk D4 125, which, in general, is not very typical for budget motorcycles.
- Versatility . Thanks to its simple and even “oaky” design, the motorcycle is extremely durable, and it can handle even bad roads, especially if you install suitable tires on it.
Flaws
- Weak pendants . Under an overweight rider, the bike immediately sags noticeably.
- Insufficiently informative and effective rear brake . The situation is partially saved by the very precise operation of the front brakes.
- Vibrations at high speeds . They are strong enough to be annoying at times.
M1NSK D4 125: I have long wanted to kill him
Last season, the editorial team used the two-wheeled “horse” M1NSK C4 250, and by the middle of this season we received a new product for a long test - M1NSK D4 125. Dmitry Novitsky rode about 700 km on it, the running-in is almost completed - it’s time to sum up the interim results.
The family called the previous “horse” “horse” - they hadn’t seen the D4 125 yet! Compared to the Varadero and Transalp, the new M1NSK looks like a pony against the background of a bityug, but our Minsk trotters will also be, since the difference in price is colossal. 12 million 990 thousand rubles, and at some dealers you can find it a little cheaper. Total $1,260 for a new device with a one-year warranty. For that kind of money, what does the buyer get?
The main thing is that he gets a full-fledged motorcycle. The branded equivalent of the Yamaha YBR 125 costs about $3,000, so the price difference is obvious.
On the forums, many wrote that the appearance of the D4 125 is too outdated, this is the 21st century, the motorcycle should look more modern. For me - why? You still won’t get a sportbike for that kind of money. The “dashka” reminds me of the devices from childhood, which the three of us rode to a rural disco, nostalgia, everything is fine. At the same time, if you look closely: disc brake, electric engine start, fuel level sensor, lockable gas tank. A peppy four-stroke engine - from a technical point of view, the D4 125 is head and shoulders above the old “Makaca”.
Many people put D4 125 in devices for the village. This is not so: just look at the thin fork stays, the miniature rear shock absorbers and the thin frame, and the desire to ride three with a sack of potatoes instantly disappears. For the village, the Minsk range includes classics. By the way, the classic Minsk with a four-stroke engine costs more than a cheap car. It simply contains more iron, a greater safety margin, and is more expensive to produce. Therefore, for the village - “classics”, and for the city - “dashki”.
Well, okay, to hell with theoretical reasoning, let's move on to the driving program. Briefly, my break-in of the motorcycle can be described as follows: I have long wanted to kill it. If last year I carefully ran in the C4 250, shook over it, did not exceed the speed, then this year I did not give a damn about all the rules and regulations and gave full throttle from the first kilometer. So, I’ll check the quality of Chinese engines.
“Do not exceed the speed of 50 km/h, do not ride with a passenger...” - etc. and so on. I drove at full throttle around the city, drove along the roundabout at a maximum of 100 km/h, and with a run of 260 km, I sat down the other half and drove to the “Friendship” festival in the Chablis farm. It's almost two hours there, and the same time back. With full throttle and a speed of 85-95 km/h, depending on the terrain and wind strength.
To be honest, any Soviet engine could be thrown away after such a run-in: in my childhood there were a lot of Soviet bikes, and a rare engine could withstand long rides at maximum speed at +30°C with a passenger.
Chinese - no problem, just the exhaust pipe turned blue, that's all.
Consumption in the “heat, passenger and full throttle” mode was an unpleasant surprise: it turned out to be about 5 liters per 100 km. When I drive alone around the city, even in racing mode I get no more than 3 liters.
Therefore, the element of the “dashka” is the city, this bike has nothing special to do on the highway. I feel very comfortable in the city with the D4 125; I don’t need a larger bike. There will be more power - I’ll start driving “on the brow”, “accelerating”, this and that, but the ending is obvious. Immediately you roll and roll, the engine is enough to leave the traffic light first - and okay. Moreover, the motor is peppy: it spins willingly and pulls well. In terms of dynamics, it can be compared with a well-regulated Voskhod or an average killing IZH, and the “maximum speed” is reached very quickly: once and that’s it, already 100 km/h, the rev limit, the speed no longer increases.
Yes, I forgot to add: I also don’t go over speed bumps, but jump over them - the motorcycle is not mine, it’s a public one, why feel sorry for it? Let's see what happens next, but for now only the blue pipe reminds us of the operating mode.
Other problems? There were no problems. On the Internet, on forums, I constantly read that someone’s light bulbs have gone out, the contacts have come loose, it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, but in this particular instance everything is fine. And the motorcycle was not assembled specifically for abw.by - it was sent to the editor with two “jambs”. Firstly, the speedometer cable was not secured - it fell out of the instrument panel after the very first kilometers. Secondly, the fastening of the front fork to the frame was pinched - the motorcycle could barely turn, it was impossible to ride. The cable was fixed, the fork was “released”.
So far these are all problems, otherwise everything works.
I changed the oil after the first 500 km. The instruction manual advises doing this after 300 km, but I drove a little extra. I poured out a liter of natural shit, very black. Therefore, I recommend to all owners the first oil change after 100-200 km - it will be healthier for the engine.
In the process of changing the oil, I was glad about the cost of maintenance: a liter of oil for 80,000 rubles - that’s all for now. At 1000 km we will do a full maintenance, take it apart and see what’s going on where.
So far I can say that after running 500-600 km the motorcycle rode better. Gear shifts are clearer, smoother, the engine picks up speed faster, etc. and so on. — I advise all M1NSK buyers to first test the equipment and then give ratings. The behavior before and after running in is strikingly different.
And I have fun driving around the city. Sorry for the “motor shorts” and “motor shirt” - I was not prepared for a photo shoot according to all the rules in my equipment. At +30°C I sometimes drive around the city like this. It's hot, hot, hot in motorcycle pants and a jacket. Sorry.
What can I say after several weeks in the saddle? The optimal city bike. What can you buy for this money? A “killed” branded scooter or an overly Chinese bike. The M1NSK is also not assembled from English spare parts, but our brand, our assembly, and the factory address is known. Therefore, the “buyer-seller-dashka” relationship will be an excellent replacement for a scooter. At the same time, there is no need to huddle behind trolleybuses as a powerful replacement.
Yes, and the D4 125 is harmonious. I rode a lot on Indian bikes a la Bajaj, many of them were “clumsy”: it seemed to work, but there was no pleasure. The D4 125 is balanced: driver friendly, rides like it looks. Therefore, it is very good as a school desk for a beginner. Or for a man with a family and children, whose wife simply will not allow him to buy a powerful device.
Operation continues! And with family struggle and dialogue:
— Maybe we should buy one for the family?
- For what? They let you ride anyway...
But soon I will give up my place in the saddle to Alexei Khvoshchinsky. He will ride a D4 125 to pass the category “A” test, and at the same time he will tell you what it’s like to become an “official” motorcyclist.
Dmitry NOVITSKY Photo by Gleb MALOFEEV ABW.BY
Notes in the margins
The D4 125 has two steps: side and central. The central one is not clear why it is needed - in all cases the side one is enough. But the fact of its presence is pleasant.
For its class and price, the motorcycle is well equipped: a daily mileage counter, a separate button to “blink” the high beams, and a fuel level sensor in the tank.
The gas tank is locked with a key - also a big plus.
The front disc brake compared to the “drum” of the old Minsk is like heaven and earth. There are no complaints about the effectiveness of deceleration, because the motorcycle does not accelerate to super speeds.
I really like the tires with the classic Soviet pattern: they are made in Serbia, they hold the asphalt well, and most importantly, they don’t succumb to sand. A universal protector, no need to change to something better.
The front mudguard needs to be raised. The distance between it and the wheel is measured in millimeters; there will be problems in the mud. Therefore, the plant needs to finalize this unit first. And there is no protection from splashes and dirt - everything flies to your feet.
The front fork is rather weak: the stays are thin and it “falls through” under heavy braking. But the ride is smooth, and thank you for that.
Another minus is that the low beam is rather weak. Outside the city at night I drive with a distant driver: sorry, colleagues, but it’s scary on a nearby one.
On the plus side, there is a kickstarter. We checked: it’s easy to start the motorcycle with your foot.
There is some kind of trunk at the back. But a case is very welcome here, fortunately dealers have them for sale.
On the Internet, some people wonder why the rear pegs are screwed to the swingarm, they say, it’s inconvenient. My passenger didn’t say anything about the inconvenience, although we drive off good roads.
The rear suspension is not suitable for overload: on the highway, when two people are driving, there is swaying, but what happens if there are three passengers?
An open chain also hints at urban use: either replace it with an expensive and high-quality one, or don’t drive in mud
A sight glass is a good idea for monitoring the oil level. The window is duplicated with a plastic probe.
The carburetor says: Standard of Japan.
Vin number is Belarusian, Minsk, ours.
Reviews from owners Minsk D4 125
A good Chinese pepelats, the quality is really higher than that of a bunch of others. When I picked it up from the showroom, I checked everything myself (I had a negative experience with a Chinese 50cc scooter) - but it doesn’t matter, all the nuts are tightened, there is normal oil in the engine, the wires are insulated and neatly laid where necessary, there are no snot hanging around. I didn't even expect it. Igor, Brest, Minsk D4 125 '2018.
The motor reaches the declared maximum speed of 100 mph, but reluctantly, the Ybr 125 leaves it both at the start and then, but the difference is not critical. The shock absorbers are weak, I put stiffer springs in the fork, took them from Aliexpress - it helped. There are no breakdowns, the clutch burned out after 5k km, replaced it, a new one cost a penny to assemble, along with the discs, basket and spring. If you wish, you can disassemble and reassemble it on your knees in an open field. Vladlen, Tver, Minsk D4 125 '2017.
An every-day moto, he doesn’t do any brainwork, he drives everything that burns. I took it used, slightly attached to both sides, but it was cheap, the iron was not damaged. Now the odometer is almost 22 thousand, the mileage is increasing every day, the most serious problem of all time is the rear shock absorber is leaking. Ilya, Vyborg, Minsk D4 '2016.
Buyers' opinion
One of the main advantages of the Minsk D4 125 is the price, which amounts to up to 60 thousand rubles. Buyers are attracted by the modern appearance and good quality of the machines. The ergonomics of the motorcycle allow riders of different heights to fit comfortably in the saddle. Even drivers with a height of about 190 cm will be comfortable behind the wheel of the Minsk D4 125. Another advantage of the design is the use of regular A92 grade motor gasoline as fuel.
But at the same time, the design also has disadvantages, including an inconvenient and uninformative instrument cluster, certain problems with carburetor settings and an ill-conceived design of the footrests (they are rigidly welded to the frame).
Similar models
- Yamaha 125. Japanese, assembled in China, incredibly popular in many countries. Reliable, unpretentious and tenacious. Compared to the Minsk D4, it has only one drawback - a higher price.
- Irbis GS 150. Inexpensive and popular Russian-Chinese small-capacity aircraft, which deservedly enjoys a good reputation.
- Racer Triumph RC150 . Another “Chinese”, not particularly remarkable, but, according to reviews, quite good.
Total
took the right path, using the name of a well-known brand and being seriously concerned about quality control. Despite its Chinese origin, the Minsk D4 125 motorcycle is really reliable in operation, and with proper care there are no problems with it. It is also not difficult to find spare parts and consumables for it, since the manufacturer actively supports all produced motorcycles. So if you are looking for your first motorcycle, budget and simple in design, the Minsk D4 125 is worth taking a closer look at. This is not to say that it is better than all other 125 cc competitors, but it is better than many, that’s for sure, and reviews about it are mostly positive.
Advantages and disadvantages
The model has a lot of advantages, so it’s worth listing the main ones:
- Low price (up to 45 thousand rubles depending on mileage and region of sale);
- Good dynamic performance, among which it is worth noting power and maneuverability;
- Stylish appearance, as well as the absence of the impression of a “budget” motorcycle;
- Low fuel consumption with a large tank;
- Comfortable fit;
- Anti-slip seats;
- Reliability of assembly;
- Possibility of purchasing parts in almost all stores.
The model also has disadvantages, namely:
- Passenger footrests welded to the swingarm;
- Fuel sensor readings are inaccurate;
- Lack of tachometer;
- Poor place to store a set of tools;
- On some individual motorcycles, the odometer does not work (the reason is poor quality assembly);
- Sometimes minor problems with the carburetor are detected.
In conclusion, it is worth saying that repairs and tuning of the D4 125 model will cost the owners inexpensively, which is also an advantage of the motorcycle.
Video Review
Specifications
| Maximum engine power: | 10.5 hp at 8000 rpm HP |
| Working volume: | 125 cm3 |
| Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | 1-cylinder, 4-stroke, vertical |
| Number of cylinders: | 1 |
| Number of valves: | |
| Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
| Bore and stroke: | |
| Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
| Maximum speed in km/h: | 100 km/h |
| Cooling system: | Air cooling |
| Transmission (gearbox): | Mechanical, 5-speed |
| Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
| Drive unit: | Chain |
| Frame: | Steel |
| Chassis | |
| Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
| Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
| Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
| Seat height: | |
| Ground clearance: | |
| Curb weight: | |
| Weight: | 100 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 12 l. |
| Battery capacity: | |
| Year of release: | |
| Country of Origin: |
