Posts
412
Joined
9/14/2006
Location
Howell, NJ, USA
Edited Date/Time
1/1/2014 12:49am
Ok... So I'm very close to getting a bike again after almost 6 years. I have ZERO interest in racing again and looking for a 125 as a project that I can not only build up for fun, but also get some exercise on as I'm starting to get a little doughey around the mid section (ok I'm straight up fat now). There are quite a few locally on Craigslist (which I have 2 to go look at today) that seem to be about right price wise.
Anything I need to know (good or bad) about either? Looking at a 2002 cr125 that appears to be totally stock and in very good shape and an 06 yz125 that doesn't even have any paint worn off the pipe.
Thank you!
Jay
Anything I need to know (good or bad) about either? Looking at a 2002 cr125 that appears to be totally stock and in very good shape and an 06 yz125 that doesn't even have any paint worn off the pipe.
Thank you!
Jay
But i've never ridden a bike that was more fun than my cr125, it's incredibly slow, but riding a bike that is that slow is extremely fun.
For what it's worth,
The Shop
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
I've got to say, though, that it takes a metric shit-ton of energy to ride a 125. I shred for 3/4 of a lap before I drop anchor. I hate to say it, but I look longingly at 4 strokes now as a way to live with my lack of fitness. It is something to think about.
It just feels like a Honda, the stock suspension is old but it isn't even that bad... The engine needs to be woken up though. Different reed cage + the jet kit, add in some air vents on the airbox and it will be much more responsive.
I have ridden my buddy's 04 YZ125 and I did like it better. Not sure if was the tubular frame or just insane motor, but I immediately felt more comfortable on it. I'm more of a weekend warrior rider, but let me tell you that SSS suspension is the real deal ...
I'd go with the YZ. Can't go wrong with those bikes.
I like my 02 yz. It's fast for what it is, I plan on sending the motor to gorr, or maybe tdc performance and make it really fly.
Very fun bike.
So YZ for sure, and they still make them, so you can always upgrade, and parts, aftermarkets, OEM I figure you have more to choose from.
Pit Row
I have an '06 YZ 125 and I absolutely love the bike. I would never sell it.
The downside to the YZ is the handling for some riders. Don't get me wrong, they turn like a dream but the CR is just a tiny bit better for the less dynamic riders. I am used to the YZs, so I move around a whole lot on the bike. If you like to sit in the middle of the seat, the CR will be far better. You have to put your butt on the front of the seat to make a YZ turn, but they go straighter through the rough crap than the CRs.
With a revalve, the CR suspension is probably every bit as good as a revalved YZ, and the CR engine probably has enough potential too.
The nice thing about the YZ is that parts are available all over the place since the model is still being made. Long story short, you won't go wrong either way, but if you're sticking close to stock, the YZ is better hands down.
I believe Honda was always changing things on the 125 from year to year or every other year. Limits your parts search.
YZ's are pretty bullet proof. I just sold an 06 and 07 my son raced/practiced on for 3 or 4 years. Only issue I ever had was when a very low hour Namura piston skirt broke. My son's only issue was trying to stay with 250Fs in the deep stuff and the corners and the starts and the hard pack and the whoops.....hmmm maybe it wasn't the bike ??
As far as being dynamic, i can adapt to any bike and any setup and ride the shit out of it (to the best of my ability!). I think the 1993 yz125 was known to be one of the slowest bikes ever and i won a ton of 125b motos on it that year.
I definitely appreciate everyones comments and i will lean towards the yamaha if i can find one. Unfortunately, everything ive seen is priced like it has a couple of gold bars hidden in the airbox. The 02 cr125 i looked at yesterday needs a top end, a complete rear wheel (hub and wheel were ovalled out from never tightening the spokes and finally started pulling the nipples through the wheel) and the rear suspension had about 2" of play. Yep and he wants $2100!
I think the kicker is the 6 speed on the YZ but I would not trade my CR for his (my old) YZ.
The CR134 is one of the best handling, most fun bikes I've ever ridden. Powerwise, it does not have the midrange of the YZ, but if you've ridden 125's as you came up thru the ranks, you'll be totally fine with that. It's a friggen buzz saw.
Handling, the 06YZ is significantly better than the 05. MUCH less fade when you get past 15-20 minutes. But that CR with the Showa forks is freaking awesome. Every rider that's been on it (that knows how to ride a 125) gets off with the biggest grin on their face!
Id go with the YZ125 and im a honda guy..the cr is a friggin TURD.
Pipes,reeds, jetting and your yz125 will be COOKIN!!
A cr125 might feel like every other 125 once you punch it out to 144cc and run race gas
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