Posts
199
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Oxfordshire
GB
Edited Date/Time
2/8/2012 10:20pm
As my topic says, I'd love to get back riding. it would be Mx only, and would love a late model 125. Of course, I'll have the suspension redone, my question is, who makes the best 125 out of the box. Yes, I'll be buying used, and something made in the last 2-8 years.
I'm not brand loyal, just wanting the best package for a 125.
I'm not brand loyal, just wanting the best package for a 125.
The Shop
I have always been partial to the RM125, better handling bike than the YZ.
1st choice used Japanese = 05+ RM125
A new RM125 would be tits here in the States due to it's rarity.
Ride what you are comfortable with. Unless you are trying to race competitively. Which you still can on the YZ.
Suspension is better on the YZ but the KTM comes stock with some aftermarket goodies. Which will save from the get go.
I just picked up a clean 04 YZ125 for 1300. So depending on what you want to get used you may be able to find something in decent shape depending on the year and model.
TM
KTM
Husquvarna
Yamaha
Husaberg
GasGas
The 125 is pure fun to ride, makes you feel as if you ride like Bubba Stuart. I am actually more competitive against the 450's on the 144 though (Duh!) You wouldn't believe how many 450's I pass in mud races on the 144.
I have also raced an 01 Husquavarna 125. It is on par with the KTM in the power department with superior suspension to the KTM. Used Huskys are dirt cheap here in the USA.
I have not ridden a YZ 125 lately, but I hear many good things
All of them are better than the vintage iron I race. Well except for my 1988 TUF Racing KX 125 and my 1989 Pro Circuit CR 125.
If you buy a used 125, 250, or 500 for MX, you are buying a machine who's engineering comes from a time when the main maintnance job for mechanics between tough pro outdoor motos was washing, polishing, fuel pouring, and clutch tuning... Mechanics like Mike Laroccos's dad used to just lay the bike over on it's left side and do the clutch then close'er up tight and done-ski, because they didn't have to worry that the engine they had prepped before the weekend would be likely to let go on the face of a jump and maim someone.
When you buy a Fooper, used OR brand new, you are getting a machine who's engineering comes from a time when WHOLE ENGINES must be changed out between motos... Not in exceptional cases, but as normal procedure... This pretty much says it all.
If the factories have to go to lengths like that to keep their meticulously primped 4 strokes from popping like water balloons on TV.... what does that say about the bike they want to sell to you??? They change the whole engine out FOR EACH RACE so that it's most likely the bike will last through the moto. Last year during the nationals, there were a couple of races where the announcers had to work REALLY hard for their palm grease, sputtering on and on for minutes at a time about how "It's so hot out today", and "You can't test for this", "The new super-cool modern Foopers are so much more complicated that there are more parts melting at the same time-but that's a good thing..." and that's why the bikes are failing.
That don't sound like no used bike market I'd want to get into... OR new bike market either for that matter. It's a JOKE...
So when you hear Fooper Troopers making fun of people who buy used 2 stroke bikes, just realize that they're probably jealous.
The YZ has the broadest range of power, great ergos, handles great and it will last forever unlike a Suzuki (I can see why you guys would say Suzuki, but unfortunately the RM 125s were back when Suzuki built shit, they went through clutches like crazy and had tons of rattles and vibrations after just a few hours)
Pit Row
Strange how all that stuff happened to your bike. Such a severe defect, if design related, would normally demostrate itself across the whole model's production until the design was supplemented... It would not manifest itself on just one bike. I'm pretty sure that the European bikes all feature "Interchangable Parts".
And if the defect was production related, the first round of replacement parts should have taken care of it. To think that you just happened to get that many flawed parts is so extremely improbable that it's..... well.... get a lottery ticket next time that happens.
The jetting, spring rates and powervalve actuator arm adjustment were just poor setup choice from the factory. Not sure why they weren't shipped out tuned better.
Did find this beaut if any UK guys are in the market.. As new YZ for £2500
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/yamaha-yz-125-exceptional-condition-2005-year…
I've read your posts about the Huskies and they sounded so good that I want to get one.
I know that when things happen like with your springs, sometimes it's because of something goofy like a kid grabbing the springs out of your crate for himself, then tossing in any old pair of beat ones from around the shop during final assembly...
Post a reply to: Getting back into it...what's the best 125?