My boss, who will be learning to ride next week, asked me to suggest a 125 bike for him to buy and export to his house in Portugal. It’ll have to do with some hills and dirt roads as the house is in a rural location. It also has to be able carry a pillion.
His first thought was to get a VanVan but I dismissed it as lame and not fit for purpouse - am I being a bike snob?
My thoughts are Yamaha WR125x or WR125r but can someone suggest other options?
for the purpose suggested the vanvan is actually a good fit goes off road comfy reliable and will take a pillion - on roads its also comfy just slow
A DT?
What about a baby Varadero?
KTM do a baby duke (125) if that takes your fancy?
The van van does have some rugged looking tyres but I’m not sure the engine would cope with big inclines, but then again I’ve only ridden one around a block. It’s not a bad little bike. I also agree with Bazacasa 
Are these dirt roads going to be a very long part of the trip/ commute or are we talking maybe 1-2 miles just to get to the house from the main road? If it’s the latter, most bikes will probably do, even scooters… I’ve seen the same happen on islands in greece.
Why does it have to be a 125? Is it because of laws and his licence?
My first geared road bike was a VanVan and I really really liked it. Yes, it’s a little underpowered but I road it up to Nottingham and back with a couple of mates (one on another VanVan) before we got our full licences and we never had any difficulties with inclines, or anything else for that matter. For something to ride around on holiday I’d definitely consider it as it’s comfy for the rider and pillion, will eat up bumpy roads and doesn’t really look like a 125. I heard they do a 250cc version, it just isn’t imported to the UK, so if he can find one of those then that might be a better option. I’d rather ride a VanVan than some of the wannabe 125 sports bikes out there 
My first bike was a kmx 125 and was good 2up. that or dt125 very much the same thing
Don’t pay over the odds for a 125 to learn on (like I did lol) WR125x are expensive and as soon as you pass you’ll want a bigger bike, if I had to do it again I’d get an old shitter to learn on. The WR125x struggled with one person let alone 2, but admittedly I’m a bit of a lump.
