XSR125" Wins Grand Prize at Japan Motorcycle of the Year 2025! This is the first time for a Yamaha vehicle to achieve this feat

On December 10, the selection results for the "8th Japan Motorcycle of the Year" award, sponsored by the Japan Motorcycle Culture Association (AMAC), were announced. The Yamaha "XSR125" was selected as the "Best Motorcycle of the Year," the most highly rated of all the classes. This is the first time a Yamaha vehicle has won the Best Bike award. The Japan Motorcycle of the Year award is given to the motorcycle of the year that excels in popularity, function, design, etc., based on the total points obtained from public voting via the Web and the votes of the jury members. 50 models were entered for 2025 from various companies, including new models and electric vehicles from Japan and abroad.

A neo-retro mini-naked won the award for the first time!

The Japan Motorcycle of the Year selection is based on displacement and manufacturer, with one model selected for the Grand Gold Award and two models selected for the Gold Award in each of five classes: Moped, Light Motorcycle, Small Motorcycle, Foreign Motorcycle, and Electric Motorcycle categories. The model that receives the most points from web voting and jury selection is awarded the "Japan Motorcycle of the Year Grand Prize. This year's grand prize winner was Yamaha's XSR125 in the moped class. With a displacement range that is easily accessible to entry-level riders, sporty athletic performance shared with the MT-125 and YZF-R125, and authentic neo-retro styling, the XSR125 is a model that exudes a unique personality in its class. In recent years, the Kawasaki ZX-25R SE won the Grand Prize in 2024 and 2023, and the Honda Daks 125 won in 2022, but no Yamaha model has ever won the Grand Prize, making this the first time that a Yamaha model has won the award. In addition, the "Best Gold Award" in each category was awarded to the "XSR125" in the moped category, the same as the Grand Prize, the Kawasaki "W230/MEGURO S1" in the 250cc or smaller light motorcycle category, the "XSR900" in the small motorcycle category, and the "E-Vino" in the EV category. Yamaha held the three classes in check. In the foreign vehicle category, the QJMOTOR "SRV250" won an award for the first time, a result that also drew attention to the entry of new manufacturers.

Moped category

Light Motorcycle Division.

Small Motorcycle Category

Foreign Vehicle Category.

Electric Division.

Outline of the 9th Japan Motorcycle of the Year 2026

This year's awards have already been set for 2026, and the selection schedule is for three months from May to August 2026. The resulting awards are scheduled to be presented on December 14. More information on the entry models and other details will be available on the official website of the AMAC as soon as they are announced.

Eligible vehicles: Motorcycle models for the 2026 model year*, regardless of domestic or international category Selection criteria: The motorcycle that excels in popularity, functionality, design, etc. for that year will be selected by a vote from the public via the website (public voting), and the vehicle with the highest total points from the voting by the judging committee will be selected as the Motorcycle of the Year for that year. The motorcycle with the highest total points of the votes cast by the judging panel will be selected as the Motorcycle of the Year. Selection Schedule: [Web-based public voting] May 1 - August 31 [Jury voting and selection period] September 1 - October 31 Announcement of results and award ceremony: December 14, 2026 (Monday) Organizer: Association of Motorcycle Culture, Japan (AMAC) Culture Promotion Committee, Awards Selection Subcommittee Supported by: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan BDS Cooperation: National Federation of Motorcycle Cooperative Associations, JIMA General Incorporated Association Japan Motorcycle Culture Association (AMAC): https://amac.or.jp/ Go to  (16)