Would I hate a 125?

fanboy
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fanboy
Edited Date/Time 5/6/2014 8:45am
I'm selling my crf450 and getting a two stroke. I've had several two strokes ('98 kx250, '02 rm250, '87 ktm350), but never anything smaller than a 250. I went from my first bike (87 xr80) to my ktm350, so I skipped right over the 125. A few months ago I decided to sell the 450 and buy a 250 two stroke. I like the 450, but would like to save a little money and was planning on buying a late 90's/early 00's 250. But recently I've been thinking a 125 might be pretty fun. The kind of riding that I do is freeriding. I just like to go jump in the hills mainly. Some of the jumps have rough runways that can be shorter, so I like having the 450 for that, but I'm thinking maybe the 125 could tackle it okay. I really don't know as I don't have experience with one. How do the 125's handle rough terrain under power? How much lighter do they feel in the air? I won't mind giving up some bigger jumps if I can have more fun trying to style smaller ones.
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markit
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markit 3/18/2014 6:16am
3/18/2014 6:16am
The 125s are the most fun on two wheels and great in the air and jumping but not as easy to do bigger jumps as a 250 or a 450. I raced a 450 in 02/03 and found it to be way to much motor for me but I race off road and not much jumping back then more now with the GNCC type races.Basicly the 125 is eaaser to manage in the air and all around but the trade off is in the power, I would say you have chosen the weakest point of the 125, I thin most non racers and weekend worrers would be way better off on a 125/150 in most situations but get drawn into the 450 craze. For just jumping the 450 is hard to. Have you given the 250F any thought? But you will find yourself having more fun on the 125 imo.
fanboy
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fanboy 3/18/2014 8:31pm
3/18/2014 8:31pm
Thanks for the response. You've got me nearly convinced to get a 125. I hadn't considered a 250f, mainly because I don't enjoy working on my 450. Also a reason for selling is to save a little money from the sale by getting an older and cheaper bike. Any suggestions on a 125 from the late 1990's to early 2000's? I'm limited to older bikes because I don't want to spend more than 1500 as I'm a student trying to avoid loans.
markit
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markit 3/19/2014 10:34am
3/19/2014 10:34am
I've been racing a 03 KTM 200 sx for the last 8yrs, last newer bike was a 07 KTM 250 xcfw and won my class the following yr on the 03 too so don't worry about the yr model. The Yamaha YZs are the only way to go on used 125s IMO All the others are not in the same class just find a good used one, ask around here maybe someone here has one.
newmann
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newmann 3/28/2014 9:20am
3/28/2014 9:20am
From a 450 to a 125......I'm not so sure. Totally different everything. I love a high revving 125 though, a 150 even more.

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Anthony Siracuse 5/4/2014 9:22pm
5/4/2014 9:22pm
fanboy wrote:
Thanks for the response. You've got me nearly convinced to get a 125. I hadn't considered a 250f, mainly because I don't enjoy working on my...
Thanks for the response. You've got me nearly convinced to get a 125. I hadn't considered a 250f, mainly because I don't enjoy working on my 450. Also a reason for selling is to save a little money from the sale by getting an older and cheaper bike. Any suggestions on a 125 from the late 1990's to early 2000's? I'm limited to older bikes because I don't want to spend more than 1500 as I'm a student trying to avoid loans.
I don't know if you made your decision yet but I would advise you not to if you haven't bought it. Yeah 125s are a blast, I've had my best memories on one like winning my first gp on one, but honestly if you're going from a 450 you'll regret buying it. Just go with the 250.
madmaxperformance 5/5/2014 12:06am
5/5/2014 12:06am
125s are great fun bikes for puny guys. For big guys, they are gutless blenders. I hate them when I ride them, but when I see a small fast guy on them, it is poetry in motion.

If you weigh over 180lbs (and that's being generous to a 125) then stay away and get a 250. Or, a 200 KTM.
markit
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markit 5/6/2014 8:45am
5/6/2014 8:45am
madmaxperformance wrote:
125s are great fun bikes for puny guys. For big guys, they are gutless blenders. I hate them when I ride them, but when I see...
125s are great fun bikes for puny guys. For big guys, they are gutless blenders. I hate them when I ride them, but when I see a small fast guy on them, it is poetry in motion.

If you weigh over 180lbs (and that's being generous to a 125) then stay away and get a 250. Or, a 200 KTM.
I agree but would add just for fun riding the 125 or even better the 144/150 could be good for up to 190ish. I run around 190lb A level CC/HS racer and the 200 is great but racing the 125 would have a fairly bug problem in open sections with the bigger bikes.

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