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TL;DR
- "Apollo RFZ 125" is a line name. The bike most shoppers mean is the Apollo DB-X18: 125cc air-cooled four-stroke, 4-speed manual clutch, kick start only, 17 in / 14 in wheels, hydraulic disc brakes front and rear.
- Apollo's US site publishes 50 mph, a 32.3 in seat, 174 lb and a 165 lb maximum rider load. Apollo's own US sites disagree on seat height (32.3 in vs 34 in), and its Canadian page prints the top speed as 50 km/h.
- The FRP Moto FX125 uses the same displacement and gearbox pattern, then adds electric start, a 265 lb published rider load, two seat heights (28.1 in and 33.9 in) and a 1-year limited warranty.
- Best for the Apollo: a rider under 165 lb who is comfortable kick-starting, near an Apollo dealer, or who wants the largest aftermarket. Not right for: heavier teens and adults, riders who want a push-button start, or anyone who needs a 28 in seat with a manual clutch.
"Apollo RFZ 125" is a line name, not a single model. Dealers apply "RFZ" to three 125cc bikes: the DB-X14 (semi-automatic), the DB-X15 (manual, 14 in / 12 in wheels) and the DB-X18 (manual, 17 in / 14 in wheels). The DB-X18 is the one most shoppers mean, and it is what this review covers. Apollo's US site lists it at 125cc, 4-speed manual, kick start, 50 mph, a 32.3 in seat, 174 lb and a 165 lb maximum rider load. The FRP Moto FX125 is the closest match: the same displacement and gearbox pattern, plus electric and kick start, a 265 lb published rider load, two seat heights (28.1 in and 33.9 in) and a 1-year limited warranty. Choose by rider weight, start type and seat height.
Is the Apollo RFZ 125 the same bike as the DB-X18?
Close enough that you can treat them as one, with one catch. Apollo's US distributor page for the bike is titled "DB-X18 125cc RFZ 125cc Racing" and lists the model codes as DB-X18 and RFZ, and current dealer listings use the same wording. The catch is that "RFZ" is a family name: dealers also label the small-wheel DB-X15 and the semi-automatic DB-X14 as "Apollo RFZ 125." If you are pricing a 125cc Apollo, check the model code first, because the three bikes fit different riders.
| Apollo 125cc model | Transmission | Wheels (front / rear) | Seat height | Listed top speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DB-X14 | 4-speed semi-automatic | 14 in / 12 in | 30 in | 46 mph |
| DB-X15 | 4-speed manual | 14 in / 12 in | 31.5 in | 46 mph |
| DB-X18 (the "RFZ 125" most people mean) | 4-speed manual | 17 in / 14 in | 32.3 in | 50 mph |
Apollo ATVs (apolloatv.com) model pages for the DB-X14, DB-X15 and DB-X18, checked September 21, 2026. All three list a 3-month warranty and a 165 lb maximum load; the X14 and X15 pages recommend ages 12 to 16. Apollo lists no model year on these pages, so this review does not put a year on the bike.
The FX125 is one 125cc engine offered in two builds, so it covers the X15 role (14 in / 12 in wheels, 28.1 in seat) and the X18 role (17 in / 14 in wheels, 33.9 in seat) with the same manual gearbox.
What are the Apollo RFZ 125 (DB-X18) specs?
| Spec | Apollo DB-X18 ("RFZ 125") | FRP Moto FX125 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 125cc air-cooled four-stroke single; 6.0 kW at 7,500 rpm (about 8 hp) | 125cc air-cooled four-stroke (Zongshen); 8.7 hp (6.5 kW) at 7,500 rpm |
| Transmission | 4-speed, manual clutch | 4-speed, wet multi-plate manual clutch |
| Starting | Kick start only | Electric and kick start |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc, front and rear | Hydraulic disc, front and rear (dual-piston front caliper on the 17/14 build) |
| Wheels | 17 in front / 14 in rear | 14 in / 12 in or 17 in / 14 in |
| Seat height | 32.3 in (apolloatv.com) or 34 in (apollomotorcycles.com) | 28.1 in (14/12) or 33.9 in (17/14) |
| Weight | 174 lb (apolloatv.com); 67 kg net and 82 kg gross, about 148 lb and 181 lb (apollomotorcycles.com) | 150 lb (14/12) or 163.9 lb (17/14) net |
| Ground clearance | 10.6 in | 11.8 in (14/12) or 13.2 in (17/14) |
| Fuel tank | 4.7 L (about 1.2 gal) | About 1.2 gal |
| Suspension | Non-adjustable; 750 mm front and 320 mm rear as printed by Apollo | 17/14 build: 310 mm rear, fixed (Basic) or adjustable (Pro) |
| Frame | Twin-spar heavy-duty steel | See product page |
| Maximum rider load | 165 lb | 265 lb |
| Top speed | 50 mph on Apollo's US page; some dealers list 55+ mph | About 56 mph (FRP Moto figure) |
| Warranty | 3 months on Apollo's US page; dealer listings range from 30 days on parts to 12 months on the engine | 1-year limited warranty |
| Emissions | Off-road only; CARB status differs from one dealer listing to the next | EPA off-road; not sold in California |
| Price | $899 to $1,246.33 across three dealer listings; Apollo lists no price | $799.99 to $1,099.99 by build; 17/14 builds are $999.99 (Basic) and $1,099.99 (Pro) |
Apollo figures from apolloatv.com and apollomotorcycles.com (Apollo's US distributor sites) plus Apollo's Canadian catalog, and dealer prices from MotoBuys, Dallas Power Sport and GoKarts USA, all checked September 21, 2026. FX125 figures from the FRP Moto product page on the same date. Prices exclude tax and can change.
How fast does the Apollo RFZ 125 go?
Apollo's US page for the DB-X18 lists 50 mph, and one dealer listing prints "55+ mph." Apollo's Canadian catalog prints 50 km/h, about 31 mph, in the same spec block where the US page prints 50 mph, so one of those is probably a unit mix-up and we cannot tell which from the outside. We found no GPS-timed test of a stock DB-X18. Treat 50 mph as the manufacturer's number for a light rider on flat ground, not a promise.
The FX125 lists about 56 mph. On paper the two bikes are within a few miles per hour of each other, and that gap is smaller than what rider weight, gearing and soft ground change. With the same displacement and a 4-speed gearbox on both, the useful comparison is not who wins a top-speed number but who each bike is rated to carry.
What is the Apollo RFZ 125 weight limit?
This is the number most Apollo comparisons leave out. Apollo's US site lists a maximum load of 165 lb for the DB-X18, and its Canadian page lists 75 kg, which is the same 165 lb. Many dealer listings publish no rider limit at all, and one review site we read repeats 220 lb, which is not Apollo's number. The FX125 publishes 265 lb for both builds. A 12-year-old fits comfortably under either rating, but a heavier teen or an adult is already past the Apollo's published limit.
Who should buy the Apollo RFZ 125?
The DB-X18 is the right choice if:
- The rider is under 165 lb and tall enough to handle a 32 in to 34 in seat.
- You want the biggest aftermarket. Apollo says it supplies more than 2,000 US dealers, and one brand review reports parts through retailers and eBay, with some parts interchanging with Honda.
- You are comfortable kick-starting a 125 and teaching a rider to do it.
- A local Apollo dealer can assemble and service it, or you have a listing that confirms CARB approval for your state.
Who should NOT buy the Apollo RFZ 125?
The DB-X18 is the wrong choice if:
- The rider is over 165 lb. That is above Apollo's published load rating, and the FX125's 265 lb is the number to check against.
- You want an electric start. The DB-X18 is kick-only; the FX125 has both.
- The rider needs a seat under 32 in with a manual clutch. Apollo's lowest 125cc manual is the DB-X15 at 31.5 in; the FX125 14 in / 12 in build is 28.1 in.
- You want one consistent spec sheet. Apollo's two US sites and its dealers disagree on seat height, weight and warranty, so you have to measure before you buy.
FX125 vs Apollo RFZ 125: the practical decision
The Apollo's edge is its dealer network, its aftermarket and, at some dealers, a lower sticker price. The FX125 answers with electric start, a 265 lb published load, two seat heights on one engine and a 1-year limited warranty. For a taller rider under 165 lb who is happy kick-starting and has an Apollo dealer nearby, the DB-X18 does what it says. For a growing rider, a heavier teen or an adult, the FX125 is the more flexible bike.
What are the Apollo RFZ 125's real strengths?
- A big dealer and parts footprint. Apollo's US site describes it as a wholesale distributor with more than 2,000 US dealers, so dealer support and replacement parts are widely stocked.
- A twin-spar frame on a 17 in / 14 in chassis. Apollo lists a twin-spar heavy-duty steel frame and a 10.6 in ground clearance on the DB-X18, a real trail layout for a taller teen.
- Three configurations. The X14 semi-automatic, the X15 small-wheel manual and the X18 big-wheel manual let a dealer match a rider without changing brands.
- Lower sticker prices at some dealers. One dealer listing we checked was $899 with free shipping. Prices and warranty terms vary widely by seller, so compare the whole listing, not the headline number.
What are the Apollo RFZ 125's main weaknesses?
- A 165 lb rider rating. That is a low ceiling for a 125cc bike with a seat 32 in or taller.
- Kick start only. Every start, and every restart after a stall, is a kick. The FX125 has a button as well.
- Conflicting specs. Seat height is 32.3 in on one Apollo site and 34 in on another, and dealers list 32 in and 36.5 in. The top speed is 50 mph in one country and 50 km/h in another.
- Short, variable warranty. Apollo's US page says 3 months; dealer listings range from 30 days on parts to 12 months on the engine. The FX125 carries a 1-year limited warranty.
Where does the FRP Moto FX125 give ground?
The FX125 is not sold in California, while some Apollo listings are CARB-approved. Apollo has the longer track record and the larger aftermarket. And at the 17 in / 14 in size, the FX125 Basic at $999.99 is not the lowest sticker price when a dealer runs the DB-X18 at $899. If you ride in a CARB area or you specifically want the Apollo ecosystem, that is a reason to buy the Apollo.
What if the rider is younger, or bigger than the FX125?
The Apollo lineup runs from small-wheel 125s to larger 250s. The FRP Moto lineup covers the same ladder on one page: the FX40 is the 40cc starter, the FX125 product page lists both builds side by side, and the FX140 is the 140cc step up with a 33.9 in seat, a 265 lb load rating and about 65 mph published. The full FRP Moto dirt bike lineup shows where each one fits.
Is the Apollo RFZ 125 the right buy?
The DB-X18 delivers what Apollo lists: a 125cc four-stroke with a real 4-speed clutch, hydraulic discs at both ends, a twin-spar frame, a seat around 32 in and a 165 lb rider rating. It does not deliver electric start, a heavier-rider rating, a low seat, or a spec sheet that agrees with itself.
For a taller teen under 165 lb, near an Apollo dealer, the DB-X18 is a proven choice. For a rider who is still growing, a heavier teen, or an adult who wants the numbers in writing, the FX125 covers more ground with one bike: two seat heights, electric and kick start, a 265 lb rating and a 1-year limited warranty. The FRP Moto FX125 125cc dirt bike page lists the seat height and rider load for each build, and the gas dirt bikes collection puts the FX40, FX125 and FX140 on one page. Both bikes are for off-road use only, with a helmet, gloves, boots and eye protection on every ride.
FAQ
Is the Apollo RFZ 125 the same bike as the Apollo DB-X18?
Mostly, yes. RFZ is Apollo's beginner line name, and dealers apply it to three 125cc bikes: the DB-X14 (semi-automatic), the DB-X15 (manual, 14/12 wheels) and the DB-X18 (manual, 17/14 wheels). Shoppers who search for the Apollo RFZ 125 usually mean the DB-X18, which dealers list as DB-X18 125cc RFZ. Apollo publishes no model year for it.
What is the top speed of the Apollo RFZ 125 (DB-X18)?
Apollo's US site lists 50 mph and some dealers say 55+ mph. Apollo's Canadian site prints 50 km/h (about 31 mph) for what appears to be the same bike, so the published numbers conflict. The FRP Moto FX125 lists about 56 mph. Rider weight, gearing and terrain move the real number more than the gap between spec sheets.
What is the weight limit on an Apollo RFZ 125?
Apollo's US site lists a 165 lb maximum load for the DB-X18, and its Canadian page lists 75 kg, the same 165 lb. Many dealer listings publish no limit. The FRP Moto FX125 publishes 265 lb.
Is the Apollo RFZ 125 automatic or manual, and does it have electric start?
The DB-X18 is a true 4-speed manual with a clutch lever and it is kick-start only. Apollo's semi-automatic 125 is the DB-X14. The FRP Moto FX125 is also a 4-speed manual with a wet multi-plate clutch, and it adds an electric start button alongside the kick starter.
How much does an Apollo RFZ 125 cost?
Apollo does not list a price on its own pages. Three US dealer listings checked on September 21, 2026 showed $899 (MSRP $959), $1,150 and $1,246.33 for the DB-X18, with warranty terms from 30 days on parts to 12 months on the engine. The FRP Moto FX125 17/14 builds are $999.99 (Basic) and $1,099.99 (Pro) with a 1-year limited warranty.
Can you ride an Apollo RFZ 125 on public roads?
No. It is sold for off-road use only and has no lights, mirrors or signals as delivered. Ride on private land or in a designated off-road area with a helmet, gloves, boots and eye protection, and supervise younger riders. The same applies to every bike in the FRP Moto dirt bike lineup.
Where to go from here
If the rider is under 165 lb, near an Apollo dealer and happy to kick-start, the DB-X18 is a sound choice. If you want a published 265 lb rating, electric start and a bike that comes in two seat heights, look at the FRP Moto FX125.
