Posts
3566
Joined
10/5/2012
Location
GB
Edited Date/Time
2/26/2015 4:09pm
I know someone who maybe be selling one and I would like a bit of info on the pros & cons of this bike. I read somewhere that this year doesn't come with the SSS suspension but is it easy to upgrade? What are the prices like for spares?
The suspension does leave something to be desired stock, but a spring and a revalve makes it livable. My bike went through a stator, not sure if that's common. As far as power, well it's a 125. But it's very very nimble and fun to ride.
My plan is to build it up with rpm's 167 kit eventually and keep it as a spare , ride once in awhile bike.
I prefer the feel of the steel frame over the later aluminium ones (have owned both) spares are pretty cheap but they are pretty much bulletproof, does have the old style front brake cable routing which isn't the best but can be modded
The Shop
The bottom-end of the power range felt a bit weak for my liking, though the extremely loamy track played havoc on the Y-zinger. However, one tooth larger in the sprocket made life grand. The new YZ motor has more midrange than any other 125 I have ridden. It revs out like last year’s bike but seems a bit harder to keep on the pipe. The fork is awesome; I tried unbolting a set to take home, but the Yamaha guys didn’t find that so funny. The suspension and handling on the Yamaha are impressive. The new, larger fork gave me a feeling of confidence when trying jumps for the first time, mainly because bottoming is no longer an issue. The brakes are as terrific as they have been in the past. The rider compartment feels very comfortable and is roomy enough for my height and riding style. With a few minor changes in jetting and gearing this bike would be a very potent race weapon.
Brad Daugherty/6’0″/165 lb/IntermediateThe 2004 YZ125 wasn’t all that different from the ’03 model. The only big changes that I felt were from the bottom- and top-end performance and the fork. The motor still has a strong pull down low, but it is not quite as good as the ’03 version’s; the midrange is really wide and can be shifted early. The ’04 also seems to pull longer than the ’03. So it is a give-and-take. The ’04 YZ125 is more suitable for faster riders. The bike is so much better with the 48mm fork on it. It can handle slap-down landings without that dreaded clank Yamaha owners are used to. The bike also soaks up small chop a bit better. The shock is good but may be a tad too soft for my liking; a heavier spring will do. The ergos remain good and the graphics still look wrecked after a couple of rides. All in all, the 2004 edition is a little better.
Kris Keefer/5’11″/170 lb/ProThe ’04 YZ125 feels like a full-on race bike right out of the crate, with the exception of the missile on the bike that all manufacturers call silencers. This could possibly be the best stock 125 I have ever ridden. With a few carburetor adjustments and a 50-tooth rear sprocket to replace the 49, the bike pulled hard and strong throughout the powerband. The new Kayaba 48mm fork that replaced the old 46mm is icing on the cake. The suspension couldn’t be better. If I had to race the bike, I would leave the valving and clickers bone stock, that’s how good they are. The new YZ will be a threat in this year’s shootout.
Levi Reid/5’10″/160 lb/Pro
Yes, you can upgrade to the later SSS forks, but you need at least the triple clamps also.
http://www.lightspeedcarbon.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=141%2D17…
And thats my son's YZ.... he's got new front plate, shrouds, and graphics coming for it soon, so it'll look right.. Its an 04' 250 with SSS suspension, oversize front brake, and 15' plastics.
And yeah, the 15' stuff bolts right on for the most part.
Chassis-wise they are very nice and still feel pretty modern. Bars feel sort of up high compared to my CRF (and it's not just the bar size). I think a revalve or ideally swapping the forks for some SSS units would make it a great bike.
Go with a vforce, fatty pipe and shorty silencer.
I went with a 49 tooth rear and one leaner on the main jet. Not sure what sea level you are at. I would get new power valve springs and clutch springs. Go through the linkage, the lower pivot of the shock gets abused so that would be something I would go through.
If you can get the SSS forks, you will be set. Those are by far the best forks you can get off of the show room floor. So spend some time and find them on ebay and convert the front end.
I spent maybe 1000 dollars on everything for my bike and that was with wheel bearings, full top end, etc.
My bike is in the bike check if you want to take a look at it, ask me questions and I will try to answer what ever I can.
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