Getting back into it...what's the best 125?

BESTY #72
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BESTY #72 2/7/2012 5:26pm
2/7/2012 5:26pm
burnside wrote:
I've got an RM125, 06 and as a sporadic weekend warrior she has been a great steed. Just about to do top and bottom end and...
I've got an RM125, 06 and as a sporadic weekend warrior she has been a great steed. Just about to do top and bottom end and hopefully she'll be good for another summer.

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…
That is exactly what mine looked like when I got it. Other than Jims (werx) graphics on the swingarm. Wining bid at £1650! The guy rode it once, had a minor off and decided it wasnt for him. Bargain!
2Mattheseswide 2/7/2012 5:28pm
2/7/2012 5:28pm
YZ125H1 wrote:
I have a YZ125 one of the steel framed ones and i prefer it over the aluminum ones. Also the older YZ's have better motors than...
I have a YZ125 one of the steel framed ones and i prefer it over the aluminum ones. Also the older YZ's have better motors than the 06+. Never liked Suzuki always seems to be reliability issues (always is with them), but i hear they handle the best. CR125 is good bike but lacks power and is a 5 speed (yikes).
FGR01 wrote:
The older YZ engine is better than the 06+ ???? You are the only person in the world that thinks that.
I had an 05 and my buddy at the time had a 04. Both bikes being stock, I felt the 04 pulled longer and harder up top, but the 05 had more bottom. It didn't see any problems with the 5 speed either and actually preferred it, but then again I was really skinny back then.
Digger437
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Digger437 2/7/2012 5:29pm
2/7/2012 5:29pm
Love my 2011 YZ125 you can't go wrong with the durability of the Yamaha
Cancerman
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Cancerman 2/7/2012 6:35pm
2/7/2012 6:35pm
FWIW, I found an 02 RM125 Suzuki team bike that Millsapps rode back in the day. I found it on craigslist, in Jacksonville, stored in an enclosed trailer. It was beat, but all there. Dead motor, so I went through it, replated the PC cylinder to save the port job, has PC suspension, which I had FC rebuild the shock and respring. I did everything else myself. If you hunt around, you would be suprised what a cool bike you can do for really low bucks. Mine has the oversized front brake kit, rubber mounted fat bars, AOF clutch, full Hinson clutch, Gold wheels, PC exhaust. Ireally love my RM projects, I have a 03 250 also. And the best part........ta da.I finally sold my CRF 450! What a relief...........rant over and outCool

I don't know if the pic made it, I've never posted one here before

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Greg903
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Greg903 2/7/2012 6:36pm
2/7/2012 6:36pm


I have two older kx's (98&01) and picked up this 07 rm over the weekend. The rm seems much more nimble with a strong top end where the kx's hit hard down low.

My wallet only whispers so I probably won't be buying anything much newer than what I feel is a reasonable price for a scooter.
Hando
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Hando 2/7/2012 8:35pm
2/7/2012 8:35pm
YZ or RM...
EvanR127
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EvanR127 2/7/2012 8:43pm
2/7/2012 8:43pm
New
SX150 for sure!

Used
04+ RM125 (great handling, good motor and suspension)
06+ YZ125 (great suspension, good motor, frame feels too stiff)

CR have the weakest motors of the bunch
KX handles bad and suspension is ok
bangmyhead
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bangmyhead 2/7/2012 9:32pm
2/7/2012 9:32pm
love my 05 kx125, thing is sketchy and you gotta turn the grip all the way to go fast.


but hey thats how i thought 1-2-5's are supposed to rideWhistling
MXEditor
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MXEditor 2/8/2012 6:29am
2/8/2012 6:29am
I've had a 96, '01 and '06 and like the steel frame 2001 model the best, but the motors on the 06 and up really pull hard, I ride an 08 model all the time too and love it! Suspension on the 06 was really good.
roughneck
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roughneck 2/8/2012 7:21am
2/8/2012 7:21am
I had a 2005 cr125r with a 144 kit..it was the fastest best handling bike we ever had..but then again..Honda has had the best handling bikes for years..They lacked in motor in stock form is all but with a little motor work..they come alive!
DrSweden
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DrSweden 2/8/2012 7:48am
2/8/2012 7:48am
I understand people complain about some bikes miss hp compared to others, and it looks bad on paper/dyno? But how many of us have really tortured the CR125 pre 05 to it limit, feeling we need those 3 extra hp on 13000 rpm KTM or Yamaha offers? If that's the case, please provide a vid!

I also want the 125 cc with the most horse power, but it becomes a bit silly when one maybe avoid a mint 04 CR125 just because the 05 got like 1,5 more hp? For 99,9 % it's just bs...

https://youtu.be/ISQpYz7s6sk

I shut up if you are JimmyD! Grinning And just saying of course!Blush
burn1986
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burn1986 2/8/2012 7:59am
2/8/2012 7:59am
Excellent Dr S!
roughneck
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roughneck 2/8/2012 8:01am
2/8/2012 8:01am
You cant beat the Honda cr125r...Thinking of building another for my son...07 cr125r with a Varner 139 stroker motor..and suspension...i can smell the race gas now.... Smile
DrSweden
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DrSweden 2/8/2012 8:15am
2/8/2012 8:15am Edited Date/Time 2/8/2012 8:18am
burn1986 wrote:
Excellent Dr S!
Hey, if I just avoid religion I usually have my great moments!Grinning
MtnBoy
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MtnBoy 2/8/2012 8:46am
2/8/2012 8:46am
DrSweden wrote:
I understand people complain about some bikes miss hp compared to others, and it looks bad on paper/dyno? But how many of us have really tortured...
I understand people complain about some bikes miss hp compared to others, and it looks bad on paper/dyno? But how many of us have really tortured the CR125 pre 05 to it limit, feeling we need those 3 extra hp on 13000 rpm KTM or Yamaha offers? If that's the case, please provide a vid!

I also want the 125 cc with the most horse power, but it becomes a bit silly when one maybe avoid a mint 04 CR125 just because the 05 got like 1,5 more hp? For 99,9 % it's just bs...

https://youtu.be/ISQpYz7s6sk

I shut up if you are JimmyD! Grinning And just saying of course!Blush
It's not that the 1.5hp makes a difference, with 125s for most people its about "where" the power is. The Yamaha and KTM have more usable power than the other 125s.
YZ125H1
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YZ125H1 2/8/2012 9:01am
2/8/2012 9:01am
FGR01 wrote:
The older YZ engine is better than the 06+ ???? You are the only person in the world that thinks that.
You obviously never rode a 96-01 YZ125 probably the best YZ125 motor. (98 having the most HP) The newer YZ's are some what tame in stock form due to all the emissions and stuff. All i have is an FMF pipe on mine and its pretty violent up top (I like hard hitting motors). It all depends on what powerband you like the new YZ motor gets more traction but at the sacrifice of less peak HP. (Like how they kept detuning the CR500 because it was too hard to ride it).

You really cant go wrong with a YZ125 or CR125 very great overall packages.
burn1986
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burn1986 2/8/2012 9:05am
2/8/2012 9:05am
I had a 99 YZ125 that was a beast.

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roughneck
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roughneck 2/8/2012 9:13am
2/8/2012 9:13am
We had a 01 yz 125...and it was just ok...The Honda was way better..
WillyB
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WillyB 2/8/2012 9:18am
2/8/2012 9:18am
I love my 02 rm 125. I have two friends who have 2006 YZ 125's and I'll admit they do pull a lot harder than my RM but I think the RM wins in the handling department. The damn thing rides on rails, so flickable.
tbanks
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tbanks 2/8/2012 9:30am
2/8/2012 9:30am
bangmyhead wrote:
love my 05 kx125, thing is sketchy and you gotta turn the grip all the way to go fast. but hey thats how i thought 1-2-5's...
love my 05 kx125, thing is sketchy and you gotta turn the grip all the way to go fast.


but hey thats how i thought 1-2-5's are supposed to rideWhistling
Same here except I've got an 02 model. IMO the kx motor makes the bike much more harder to ride. When you push the bike the better it performs.

However I hopped on my friend's 05 rm125, and the motor was a beast down low. It was way easier to ride as well. It didn't handle as good, but I've got to admit the rm is a solid bike.
burn1986
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burn1986 2/8/2012 9:43am
2/8/2012 9:43am
They can all be made to go faster with a good pipe, reed cage, and more air vents. After this, I would think the 134cc kit would be the best option for most 125s. The coolest thing would be to put a 150sx engine in these (yeah, I know).
IceMan446
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IceMan446 2/8/2012 10:04am
2/8/2012 10:04am Edited Date/Time 2/8/2012 10:09am
Lets face it. Unless you are a really fast intermediate or pro any of those 125s will work for you. A very few select people can ride them to their full potential.

Yes, some may suit you better but thats up to you to decide. The motor maybe the thing you are looking for, or the better handling bike.

But it comes down to the fun factor. You arent going pro and dont need a complete rocket, ride what you enjoy and have the most fun on.

Buying new or used will be the biggest hurdle you will come across.
bangmyhead
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bangmyhead 2/8/2012 10:08am
2/8/2012 10:08am
bangmyhead wrote:
love my 05 kx125, thing is sketchy and you gotta turn the grip all the way to go fast. but hey thats how i thought 1-2-5's...
love my 05 kx125, thing is sketchy and you gotta turn the grip all the way to go fast.


but hey thats how i thought 1-2-5's are supposed to rideWhistling
tbanks wrote:
Same here except I've got an 02 model. IMO the kx motor makes the bike much more harder to ride. When you push the bike the...
Same here except I've got an 02 model. IMO the kx motor makes the bike much more harder to ride. When you push the bike the better it performs.

However I hopped on my friend's 05 rm125, and the motor was a beast down low. It was way easier to ride as well. It didn't handle as good, but I've got to admit the rm is a solid bike.
Yea the 6speed tranny makes for lots of clutch use and shifts!! Also I really dig the feel of the steel frame.
DrSweden
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DrSweden 2/8/2012 10:37am
2/8/2012 10:37am
MtnBoy wrote:
It's not that the 1.5hp makes a difference, with 125s for most people its about "where" the power is. The Yamaha and KTM have more usable...
It's not that the 1.5hp makes a difference, with 125s for most people its about "where" the power is. The Yamaha and KTM have more usable power than the other 125s.
Maybe so, and I'm clueless about displacement in relation to torque and HP, but I figure they have squeezed almost everything they can from these small engines, hence the lack of torque and hp in the high rpm department, meaning it's kind of pointless exploring or being all excited if you have 10 hp or 11 at 6000 rpm since you constantly clutch the sucker up to where the ponies are? Sure you can reach the goal a bit faster with a bit better midrange, but kind of an impossible task since it goes against the low cc/high hp equation?

I experimented with pipes on my CR between PC, DEP and stock. Did some combos and figured if you gain some, you kind of lost it elsewhere and I ended with the DEP muffler with PC pipe that gave most on top to sacrifice the complete PC 304(?) system that noticeable gave some down low but killed the top hp....

This whole discussion make me want to ride a smoker again! Grinning
PC
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PC 2/8/2012 10:59am
2/8/2012 10:59am
I've got a 09' Husky cr125 and although it was a bitch to get setup it is a fantastic bike. Probably the best handling and most confidence inspiring bike I've ever ridden. Plenty of motor, plenty of brakes and impeccable handling. Plus, I got it brand new for less than $3700.

It was a struggle at first, but after spending the time and a few bucks dialing it in I am thrilled with it. Very competitive bike, for sure and parts are WAY easier to get than for my YZ. My local Husky dealer stocks EVERYTHING while my local Yamaha dealer stocks a bunch of fucking shirts and helmets, but he can get it in a week. Or maybe 2 Pinch
Barrett57
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Barrett57 2/8/2012 11:11am
2/8/2012 11:11am
RM125, awesome machine

The cr125 is a slow pile of shit, its like they tried to make the thing as slow as they could. I bored mine to a 134 and it was still a pile of crap.
Deetsmx
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Deetsmx 2/8/2012 11:24am
2/8/2012 11:24am
DrSweden wrote:
Maybe so, and I'm clueless about displacement in relation to torque and HP, but I figure they have squeezed almost everything they can from these small...
Maybe so, and I'm clueless about displacement in relation to torque and HP, but I figure they have squeezed almost everything they can from these small engines, hence the lack of torque and hp in the high rpm department, meaning it's kind of pointless exploring or being all excited if you have 10 hp or 11 at 6000 rpm since you constantly clutch the sucker up to where the ponies are? Sure you can reach the goal a bit faster with a bit better midrange, but kind of an impossible task since it goes against the low cc/high hp equation?

I experimented with pipes on my CR between PC, DEP and stock. Did some combos and figured if you gain some, you kind of lost it elsewhere and I ended with the DEP muffler with PC pipe that gave most on top to sacrifice the complete PC 304(?) system that noticeable gave some down low but killed the top hp....

This whole discussion make me want to ride a smoker again! Grinning
I know most of the time a hp here or there wont make a difference, but those cr's were painfully slow. I had an 04 that I bought for the fun of it and while it handled awesome it, the motor was the worst 125 I'd ever ridden. My brother also has an 06 that is ported and my stock 06 yz is still much easier to ride and just as fast. The cr's are hard to keep in the sweet spot. Granted, at 175 lbs it makes it a bit more difficult but the yz is like a mini 250 as far as the powerband goes.
MXEditor
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MXEditor 2/8/2012 11:49am
2/8/2012 11:49am
I'm an average rider at best and even I could feel the CR125 was down on power. I always wanted one until I rode it...I will say the handling and braking were excellent though, I wish my YZ had brakes like that!

I am gonna try to test out the Husky CR125 - it looks badass.
MXEditor
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MXEditor 2/8/2012 11:50am
2/8/2012 11:50am
PC wrote:
I've got a 09' Husky cr125 and although it was a bitch to get setup it is a fantastic bike. Probably the best handling and most...
I've got a 09' Husky cr125 and although it was a bitch to get setup it is a fantastic bike. Probably the best handling and most confidence inspiring bike I've ever ridden. Plenty of motor, plenty of brakes and impeccable handling. Plus, I got it brand new for less than $3700.

It was a struggle at first, but after spending the time and a few bucks dialing it in I am thrilled with it. Very competitive bike, for sure and parts are WAY easier to get than for my YZ. My local Husky dealer stocks EVERYTHING while my local Yamaha dealer stocks a bunch of fucking shirts and helmets, but he can get it in a week. Or maybe 2 Pinch
What have you done to the Husky?

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