Best and Worst 125s..

MB109
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MB109
Edited Date/Time 9/25/2015 10:01pm
I posted this in the "New Rider Questions" area but looking to get more traffic out here..

So I had to sell my YZ250F to pay for school this semester. I still have enough money to pick up a cheaper late 90s to mid 2000s 125 to squeeze in some riding before winter hits us here. I'm excited to get back on a 2 stroke and plan on keeping the bike..but will likely pick up another 250F in the spring.

Mainly I'm looking for info on what bikes to stay away from. Will mostly be doing some woods riding and some track riding also. There's a lot of YZs in my area (00-04s) for reasonable prices and a couple really clean KX125s (99-02). Thanks for the advice in advance.
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Prairieboy43
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Prairieboy43 9/21/2015 7:47pm
9/21/2015 7:47pm
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes. Cool
ratonmacias
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ratonmacias 9/21/2015 8:38pm
9/21/2015 8:38pm
pica the one in best shape. Hondas will be the slowest. i would get a yamaha.
DE262
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DE262 9/21/2015 8:48pm
9/21/2015 8:48pm Edited Date/Time 9/21/2015 8:51pm
i wood git sum spell chek
...and a CR125. Lo siento.

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twizzler
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twizzler 9/21/2015 8:49pm
9/21/2015 8:49pm
2001 yz125 was an awesome bike back then. If you can find a clean one it would be a great bike.
zehn
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zehn 9/21/2015 9:17pm
9/21/2015 9:17pm
The Champ wrote:
2003YZ 125 is the best 125 ever.
That would be the 2006. SSS suspension > steel frame
mb
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mb 9/21/2015 9:30pm
9/21/2015 9:30pm
The YZ125 was a magazine favorite in that era, you would be hard pressed to find a more well rounded bike for the price (usually $1000-$1200).
UpTiTe
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UpTiTe 9/22/2015 6:39am
9/22/2015 6:39am
2003-2006 yz125. I have an 06 in my garage that I love pulling out everu once in a while.
MB109
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MB109 9/22/2015 7:05am
9/22/2015 7:05am
Prairieboy43 wrote:
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes...
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes. Cool
It's been a long journey, I have about three more semesters left and I can't wait to get done. Going out riding on a Sunday with my pops is my new Saturday night! Gotta have it. Haha.
MB109
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MB109 9/22/2015 7:08am
9/22/2015 7:08am
Thanks for the advice also guys, looking at a 04 YZ125 and a 00 KX125 on Saturday after work.
BobPA
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BobPA 9/22/2015 7:14am
9/22/2015 7:14am
kkawboy14 wrote:
02 kx
shanes wrote:
i would agree they were a great bike
x3

Never gave me problems. Very stable chassis.
Grizz
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Grizz 9/22/2015 7:17am
9/22/2015 7:17am
Prairieboy43 wrote:
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes...
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes. Cool
Unless you die
ReturnofJorddo 9/22/2015 9:00am
9/22/2015 9:00am
03 KX125. Dads friend used to be on Kawis back in the early-mid 00s in his pro days and said the 03 was the best year for the KX125. Never met anyone that rode one and didnt love it. Sure love mine.
RCB33
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RCB33 9/22/2015 9:14am
9/22/2015 9:14am
The Champ wrote:
2003YZ 125 is the best 125 ever.
^
MxKing809
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MxKing809 9/22/2015 9:59am
9/22/2015 9:59am
I have a severely modded CR125, and it's quick.... but you'll spend a tad to get it there. In terms of reliability, tranny longevity (rm), handling and fit and finish you won't find a better package..... it's just less than impressive in stock engine form.
mx621
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mx621 9/22/2015 10:06am
9/22/2015 10:06am
the Hondas are really underrated. and there dirt cheap right now.. I just raced mine for the first time this weekend... I was very pleased with how it ran, even rounded the first turn in 3rd in unlimited B class on it, 14 riders in class, got 4th in the moto. . mind u I am way to big for it ( 6'3', 220lb). and it was my first race in 7 years. sure I was outgunned but it was so fun!

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Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 9/22/2015 12:09pm
9/22/2015 12:09pm
MB109 wrote:
I posted this in the "New Rider Questions" area but looking to get more traffic out here.. So I had to sell my YZ250F to pay...
I posted this in the "New Rider Questions" area but looking to get more traffic out here..

So I had to sell my YZ250F to pay for school this semester. I still have enough money to pick up a cheaper late 90s to mid 2000s 125 to squeeze in some riding before winter hits us here. I'm excited to get back on a 2 stroke and plan on keeping the bike..but will likely pick up another 250F in the spring.

Mainly I'm looking for info on what bikes to stay away from. Will mostly be doing some woods riding and some track riding also. There's a lot of YZs in my area (00-04s) for reasonable prices and a couple really clean KX125s (99-02). Thanks for the advice in advance.
cant go wrong with a 2000+ yz125. good motors, hondas are solid but anemic motors. 03-05 kx125 motors were great and chassis was awesome once setup right. Ive ridden every brand. YZ 2005+ best motor, and kx125 i would say was best chassis. and Ive always been a suzuki fan boy
cwtoyota
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cwtoyota 9/22/2015 1:28pm
9/22/2015 1:28pm
MB109 wrote:
It's been a long journey, I have about three more semesters left and I can't wait to get done. Going out riding on a Sunday with...
It's been a long journey, I have about three more semesters left and I can't wait to get done. Going out riding on a Sunday with my pops is my new Saturday night! Gotta have it. Haha.
That's so rad! You never know how long you've got, so enjoy it every chance you get.

From 1996 and later models, it is hard to beat a YZ if you're buying a used 125. I would look for mechanical condition over choosing a specific model year. If you can find a 2005+, they are almost the perfect bike.
loftyair
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loftyair 9/22/2015 1:49pm
9/22/2015 1:49pm
I wouldn't touch anything but yz in that year or price area.
Polishhammer 9/22/2015 5:44pm
9/22/2015 5:44pm
mx621 wrote:
the Hondas are really underrated. and there dirt cheap right now.. I just raced mine for the first time this weekend... I was very pleased with...
the Hondas are really underrated. and there dirt cheap right now.. I just raced mine for the first time this weekend... I was very pleased with how it ran, even rounded the first turn in 3rd in unlimited B class on it, 14 riders in class, got 4th in the moto. . mind u I am way to big for it ( 6'3', 220lb). and it was my first race in 7 years. sure I was outgunned but it was so fun!
Wow u must have done something right to that 02. I had one and it was a lot slower than my 1989 cr125.
Are u selling your 10crf on cl?
mx621
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mx621 9/23/2015 5:55am
9/23/2015 5:55am
Polishhammer wrote:
Wow u must have done something right to that 02. I had one and it was a lot slower than my 1989 cr125. Are u selling...
Wow u must have done something right to that 02. I had one and it was a lot slower than my 1989 cr125.
Are u selling your 10crf on cl?
motor is stock on the 125.. fresh topend, 05+ air boot, ported reed boot, opened up vents in side panels, fmf fatty, fmf shorty, 13/53 gearing and sprung for my weight. it has zero low end, barely any midrange, but pulls pretty well up top.. I made the mistake of riding a 2016 ktm 125..... . ive only put 8 hrs on my 125 so far this year. I have a 95 HPP cyl I plan on doing a 134 or 144 over the winter..

na that's not me on CL, my 450 only has 32hrs on it.. still pretty fresh..
cappelmans
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cappelmans 9/23/2015 7:04am
9/23/2015 7:04am
I always liked my 2001 cr 125, reliable and fast enough for having a good time. Well build too
Rupert X
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Rupert X 9/23/2015 8:20am
9/23/2015 8:20am
Yamadogs are waaaaay faster than everything else. Hondas turn best. My boy told me. He collects 'em.

Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 9/23/2015 8:31am
9/23/2015 8:31am
Prairieboy43 wrote:
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes...
Dude. Focus on Your education. Finish with good grades. Get a good job (Co-op) with work experience, in chosen field. Lots of time later for bikes. Cool
A professor in engineering school once told me to enjoy having lots of time, and no money in college...Now that I am 2 years out of school working as a mech engineer, and just got married, I know exactly what he meant. Now I have money, and almost no time ! Funny how things change.
respect_the_beast 9/23/2015 8:45am
9/23/2015 8:45am
I've had two 2001 RM125s (in 2001-02), and a 2009 YZ125 (returning to riding). Lately, I've been tinkering on Hondas and really like their build quality. There are rarely any fatal flaws.

I love Suzukis, growing up working at and riding for a family owned, single-line Suzuki dealer. But, that YZ125 was amazing. My 2000 CR125 that I'm slowly building fell into my lap, otherwise I never would have one as they (00-04) require a lot of changes to be a good package.

Work an extra month (without a bike) if you have to, and comb www.bikefinds.com until you find a good 06-up YZ.
Tracktor
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Tracktor 9/23/2015 10:25am
9/23/2015 10:25am
mx621 wrote:
the Hondas are really underrated. and there dirt cheap right now.. I just raced mine for the first time this weekend... I was very pleased with...
the Hondas are really underrated. and there dirt cheap right now.. I just raced mine for the first time this weekend... I was very pleased with how it ran, even rounded the first turn in 3rd in unlimited B class on it, 14 riders in class, got 4th in the moto. . mind u I am way to big for it ( 6'3', 220lb). and it was my first race in 7 years. sure I was outgunned but it was so fun!
Polishhammer wrote:
Wow u must have done something right to that 02. I had one and it was a lot slower than my 1989 cr125. Are u selling...
Wow u must have done something right to that 02. I had one and it was a lot slower than my 1989 cr125.
Are u selling your 10crf on cl?
The '02 CR125 with an HPP top end, 38 PWK carb & '03 KX125 pipe has been a very solid package for us. My kid just rode his at the 125 Dream Race at Washougal and was not under powered by any stretch even against KTM's. It's all about setup with 125's & watching them it seems most people have forgotten that. Our bike would pull where many others just bogged.......I think all of the colors have good points and would look for a clean bike that's been taken care of before I chose brand..........
mx621
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mx621 9/23/2015 11:27am
9/23/2015 11:27am
Tracktor wrote:
The '02 CR125 with an HPP top end, 38 PWK carb & '03 KX125 pipe has been a very solid package for us. My kid just...
The '02 CR125 with an HPP top end, 38 PWK carb & '03 KX125 pipe has been a very solid package for us. My kid just rode his at the 125 Dream Race at Washougal and was not under powered by any stretch even against KTM's. It's all about setup with 125's & watching them it seems most people have forgotten that. Our bike would pull where many others just bogged.......I think all of the colors have good points and would look for a clean bike that's been taken care of before I chose brand..........
I plan on that same setup over the winter. I just need the carb and a few small odds and ends complete what's needed. Curious to see how it changes the bike.

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