Anyone sold their 450 and gone back to a 125?

RPM68
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4/29/2016 10:25pm
This thing was slo

w but has some really solid potential. I got work to do but it will be done. This bike won't be anything but motor and me. Don't expect beautiful bike building. Expect my skinny ass and some motor within a few months. I'll see y'all then.
mark_swart
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4/30/2016 5:26am
Interesting coincidence this topic is being discussed. Last year I picked up an 04 YZ 125 for my daughter, I race a 12 RMZ 450 in +30 B and +40 B. I really enjoy riding the 125, and last month at one local track I noticed that I seemed to be moving along very well on it - and knocked out about a 30 minute moto. Since then I have started comparing laps using my GPS. Here's what I saw last weekend (keep in mind that these are back to back motos so the first lap is usually a junk lap when switching between bikes, and the track conditions were muddy early and improved throughout the day.)


So the punchline, on that track, is that the 125 is about two seconds a lap slower for me. However, on another local track, there are jumps that I just don't have the talent to clear on the 125. The gap is about 5 seconds there. I seriously thought about trading that 450 for a 16 KTM or Husky 125 or 150, but I still think they would have the same limitations as my older one.

If I weren't racing, 2-5 seconds a lap probably wouldn't mean a thing to me. I love every second I spend on that 125. But I just can't take that hit, not to mention I would probably never get a good start again.

4/30/2016 5:57am
RPM68 wrote:
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...

Found an 05 RM125 (with a 144 kit) for cheap ridden by a guy that rides in the woods. I am thinking about picking it up, and selling my 450 while it has extremely low hours (12).

I want to ride the bike before I make a decision, but I could sell the 450 and have a 125 with no bike payments.

Thoughts on the bike itself and the experience you have had given the situation would be appreciated.
FWYT wrote:
As an aside, keep an eye out for a KTM 200. They rule.
Ryan,
I think you will love the RM and just like the CR!! JMO!!
Glad you have seen the light! You could always buy a KX500? Didn't you race one a few years back at the Ranch?

MX558
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4/30/2016 5:57am
I just picked up a bike GPS and I'm going to do the same comparison but I'm 210 lbs so I know I'll be faster on the 450 . I'll probably never sell the 125 though , too much fun to ride .

The Shop

4/30/2016 6:10am
The first 125 I ever owned was an '01 CR125 and that thing gave me the impression that 125's were just slow as shit. A few years later I picked up an RM125 and I realized I was wrong. The difference in power between those two was amazing.
RPM68
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4/30/2016 10:53am
Ryan, I think you will love the RM and just like the CR!! JMO!! Glad you have seen the light! You could always buy a KX500...
Ryan,
I think you will love the RM and just like the CR!! JMO!!
Glad you have seen the light! You could always buy a KX500? Didn't you race one a few years back at the Ranch?

Hell ya! That was a lot of fun!
4/30/2016 12:18pm
i have a 450 and a 125, like riding them both, racing a 125 is the vets class (plus 35) here is hard as most vets are on 450's, so starting at the back every race is not always fun, so normally take the 450 to races, but practice on the 125 when I can,

my 125 is a 08 KX125, and is standard except for a PC muffler, i know a newer YZ or KTM would be a bit quicker, but still wont get me a start,
Slosh 112
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4/30/2016 4:09pm
I got myself an 08 RM125 for a project, haven't ridden it except up the street and back when I got it home, tore it down pretty much the next day and its been a massive project since haha, I didn't sell my 450 because its my first ever new bike and is the first 450 I ever rode, so it holds sentimental value for me.

But the 450 is fun to ride in its own right, wanna clear a double out of a corner? wanna loft the front wheel over those acceleration bumps? wanna roost somebody in any gear? 450's are fun. But I realised early on that my skill level was not on the same par as the 450 so when I try to push hard things move far to quick for me. I've already ridden 250f's and 250 2st's back to back after the 450 on the same track and I am 2 seconds quicker a lap on each. I think that i am just generally suited to smaller bikes better, Hence the 125. I do think the 450 will get left in the shed a few times in favour of the 125.
nascarnate326
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4/30/2016 4:46pm


The 125 is FUN FUN FUN. yes its slower but this 125 was a blast. I regret selling it now.
MotoRoss678
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5/23/2016 6:42am


I ditched the four strokes altogether and picked up a 250 and 125. Honestly though, I ride the 125 constantly and the 250 rarely.

5/23/2016 7:32am
RPM68 wrote:
This thing was slo[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/04/29/133397/s1200_image.jpg[/img] w but has some really solid potential. I got work to do but it will be done. This bike won't be anything...
This thing was slo

w but has some really solid potential. I got work to do but it will be done. This bike won't be anything but motor and me. Don't expect beautiful bike building. Expect my skinny ass and some motor within a few months. I'll see y'all then.
That's old school. "Motor and me" don't expect beauty. I love it.
Dirtysmile56
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5/23/2016 7:46am
RPM68 wrote:
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...

Found an 05 RM125 (with a 144 kit) for cheap ridden by a guy that rides in the woods. I am thinking about picking it up, and selling my 450 while it has extremely low hours (12).

I want to ride the bike before I make a decision, but I could sell the 450 and have a 125 with no bike payments.

Thoughts on the bike itself and the experience you have had given the situation would be appreciated.
cwtoyota wrote:
I have been riding 125s for the past 4 years. At 160 lbs (155 during the summer) and 5'9" I get around the track pretty well...
I have been riding 125s for the past 4 years. At 160 lbs (155 during the summer) and 5'9" I get around the track pretty well on the little bikes.

Last summer I decided it was time to move up a class and run a bigger bike. So in August I bought my first four stroke: a 2014 YZ450F. It was extremely fast, but I couldn't get used to the engine brake feeling on it.

It will take you some time to adjust to the smaller bike. It's a more active riding style and you'll have to learn to take a lot of outside lines at first to get over certain jumps. You will have to become a better rider; better at carrying speed through everything. If you don't, you'll get smoked.

I learned a ton racing my '08 and '11 YZ125s in the 30+, 25+ and 250B classes. I still prefer to race a 125, it's not even about lap times, but getting a good start. Hence I gave the 450F a try. I sold the 450 about 3 weeks ago.

You can beat the 450's on the little bike... You just have to get used to coming through from the back of the pack and carry speed:




Great moto man! Did you end up second? You almost had that guy ahead of you.
RPM68
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5/23/2016 8:08am
I sold my TTR Mad Dog bike this weekend and just dropped off the motor. Here are a few things being purchased:

VForce Reeds
Fatty Pipe (instead of sst)
Stroker Crank
Wiseco GP Piston (without intake window)
OEM Crank Bearings
New Air Box (previous owner cut this thing all up, this was a task as all oem air boxes are Discontinued)
Already got some new tires (MX 32)
Clutch and Throttle Cable
Brake Pads
Bearings head to toe
New bars and grips
MSR Clutch Lever Assembly
MX Gurl Designs graphics
Cutting the Carb
Port and Polish the Cylinder


Like I said before, I dont want her to be super sexy; we expect 38-39 HP when we put her on the dyno. We will see.

Dirtysmile56
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5/23/2016 8:09am
To the original poster, you will definitely have a blast going from the 450 to the 125.I don't think you will regret it. Don't worry about being disadvantaged power wise. Focus on the sheer joy of ripping a 125 and you'll end up going faster, definitely having more fun and probably end up finishing better than you think. Right now I have a '14 KX450 which is mainly for the Timbersled kit. I converted it over for the summer just for an extra bike and I barely ride it. A '14 YZ250 2 stroke and a '05 YZ125. Just last week I sold the '15 KX250f. I weigh 205 lbs without gear lol(a tad heavy for a 125) I'm a 43 year old vet expert rider. Out of all three bikes, I end up riding it more and having more fun on the 125. It's a complete blast to ride and people that I ride with absolutely love hanging out watching and listening to the bike. After watching CW Toyota's Washougal vid I am getting inspired to see what I can do in a vet moto on the 125. CW is right, get the best start you can and just start picking away at the 450's you will beat them in the corners, especially if you get creative with your lines and focus on carrying your momentum through the corners.The average 450 riders are spodes in the corners, a 125 specialist can smoke them in the corners and there are a lot of corners on most tracks(lots of passing opportunities). Races at the local level can be won in the turns. Jump for show turn for dough....
Good luck with your transition and keep us posted on your experience.
RPM68
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5/23/2016 8:34am
To the original poster, you will definitely have a blast going from the 450 to the 125.I don't think you will regret it. Don't worry about...
To the original poster, you will definitely have a blast going from the 450 to the 125.I don't think you will regret it. Don't worry about being disadvantaged power wise. Focus on the sheer joy of ripping a 125 and you'll end up going faster, definitely having more fun and probably end up finishing better than you think. Right now I have a '14 KX450 which is mainly for the Timbersled kit. I converted it over for the summer just for an extra bike and I barely ride it. A '14 YZ250 2 stroke and a '05 YZ125. Just last week I sold the '15 KX250f. I weigh 205 lbs without gear lol(a tad heavy for a 125) I'm a 43 year old vet expert rider. Out of all three bikes, I end up riding it more and having more fun on the 125. It's a complete blast to ride and people that I ride with absolutely love hanging out watching and listening to the bike. After watching CW Toyota's Washougal vid I am getting inspired to see what I can do in a vet moto on the 125. CW is right, get the best start you can and just start picking away at the 450's you will beat them in the corners, especially if you get creative with your lines and focus on carrying your momentum through the corners.The average 450 riders are spodes in the corners, a 125 specialist can smoke them in the corners and there are a lot of corners on most tracks(lots of passing opportunities). Races at the local level can be won in the turns. Jump for show turn for dough....
Good luck with your transition and keep us posted on your experience.
I decided to keep my 450. After riding it again yesterday, I have no doubt that keeping it was a good decision. This is a fun project bike that JM Racing is building for me. James Marshall qualified at Millville in 2002 on a cr125, and John had 39.8 HP with an AMA Legal motor. I am expecting similar if not better results because I dont race anymore.


Once she is done I will make sure to do an updated report on her.
5/23/2016 8:38am
There was some time in between but I went from a 10 crf450 to a 07 rm125 with 144 kit. It was a huge transition, the 125 was fun because it was so light and it was a two stroke. That being said there were things I felt I should have been able to do that I could not, I'm also 200 lbs so I think a 250 two stroke probably would have been a better transition.
Dirtysmile56
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5/23/2016 8:55am
jmurphy243 wrote:
There was some time in between but I went from a 10 crf450 to a 07 rm125 with 144 kit. It was a huge transition, the...
There was some time in between but I went from a 10 crf450 to a 07 rm125 with 144 kit. It was a huge transition, the 125 was fun because it was so light and it was a two stroke. That being said there were things I felt I should have been able to do that I could not, I'm also 200 lbs so I think a 250 two stroke probably would have been a better transition.
I just picked up a '14 YZ250 and it is definitely much better for us heavier riders lol....
cwtoyota
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5/23/2016 9:07am
Great moto man! Did you end up second? You almost had that guy ahead of you.
Thanks! I was second both motos that race.
The Rock
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5/23/2016 9:54am
I'm over 195 pounds in riding gear so a 125 isn't really an option.

Agree or disagree?
5/23/2016 9:59am
It's not that it's not an option it will still be fun to ride, just don't expect to go out there and hit everything you do on a 450. Or if it's deep sand like it is down here be prepared for some times where it feels like you aren't moving.
shanes
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5/23/2016 10:29am
Went 450 to 350 to 250 smoker , 250 the most fun to ride by far , 350 was the easiest and lap times better than 450 and 250 , but I am getting close on the 250 now just can't do as many laps as it takes a bit more effort

Go back to a smoker you won't regret it
Uncle Tony
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5/23/2016 10:42am
I went from a 450 to a 125 and at 6 foot 210lbs at some tracks it's difficult to keep up with the big bikes but on rough tracks not so much of a problem, but I have a blast racing my 125 and that's all that matters to me, I say go for it!
Dirtysmile56
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5/23/2016 10:57am
The Rock wrote:
I'm over 195 pounds in riding gear so a 125 isn't really an option.

Agree or disagree?
I am 205lbs without gear, underpowered? A bit. Fun meter? Off the charts Smile I took it to a track (practice day) a couple weeks ago and lost count of the 450's I passed lol....
The Rock
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5/23/2016 2:07pm
Thanks for the 411. For only the second time (first time was over forty years ago) in my life I look forward to someday racing a 125 again.

To date 300cc two strokes are my weapon of choice
Randy_Nix
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5/23/2016 2:33pm
i had a 450x a few years ago. sold it to pay for school to get a real job after some crashes. then bought a cr250 last year. not a 125 but still close! i love my 2 smoker. its currently undergoing a complete rebuild and i may have to post some more pics later on.



cwtoyota
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5/23/2016 3:00pm
The Rock wrote:
Thanks for the 411. For only the second time (first time was over forty years ago) in my life I look forward to someday racing a...
Thanks for the 411. For only the second time (first time was over forty years ago) in my life I look forward to someday racing a 125 again.

To date 300cc two strokes are my weapon of choice
Like DirtySmile56 said, it's going to be a little underpowered, but you'll have a shit eating grin all week.

I am only 160 lbs without gear and there are certain tracks where the 125 is at a serious disadvantage. A big bore kit will help you heavier guys a ton without taking away the light weight fun-factor.

This year I am racing a 2002 YZ250 with a 2009 fork. I moved up to the 30A class and decided to try the 250 again since I have learned so much on the 125. It's working and I'm faster than ever on it. I had a 300cc top end on my other YZ250 for a few years, but decided to try the stock 250cc cylinder this year because I can ride it that much harder.

twnorton
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5/23/2016 3:13pm
230 with gear and love my 125, just ride it!
The Rock
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5/23/2016 4:30pm Edited Date/Time 5/23/2016 4:40pm
cwtoyota wrote:
Like [b]DirtySmile56[/b] said, it's going to be a little underpowered, but you'll have a shit eating grin all week. I am only 160 lbs without gear...
Like DirtySmile56 said, it's going to be a little underpowered, but you'll have a shit eating grin all week.

I am only 160 lbs without gear and there are certain tracks where the 125 is at a serious disadvantage. A big bore kit will help you heavier guys a ton without taking away the light weight fun-factor.

This year I am racing a 2002 YZ250 with a 2009 fork. I moved up to the 30A class and decided to try the 250 again since I have learned so much on the 125. It's working and I'm faster than ever on it. I had a 300cc top end on my other YZ250 for a few years, but decided to try the stock 250cc cylinder this year because I can ride it that much harder.

I like the background on 300 to 250. You make a good point. On the other hand there's no replacement for displacement either :-)

I was a long time big bore rider so it was an adjustment switching to a 250 twenty years ago. Things I noticed about a 250 right away:

1) spent more time actually riding it than I did hanging on like the 500
2) didn't rest in the corners then pulling the trigger and hanging on til the next turn.
3) I missed third gear starts. Those on a CR500 at Carlsbad is something I am glad this guy from Ohio got to experience. Don't get me started about catching fourth on the back wheel on the way to the first turn.
4) SUCKS having your gate jump advantage nullified when somebody on big bore motors past and steals the holeshot

Number four is why 300cc bikes are my preference and would be the only bike I would purchase. Additional factor is how much lighter they are compared to most 250 and 450 machines.

My main application is MX but I am surrounded my single track off road riders that are pretty amazing. Single track just is too much work and zero flow for me. I also don't want to crash. To each their own as we know and more power to those guys.

On the 125 front it is amazing what a resurgence we are seeing. I like it!
cwtoyota
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5/23/2016 5:19pm
The Rock wrote:
I like the background on 300 to 250. You make a good point. On the other hand there's no replacement for displacement either :-) I was...
I like the background on 300 to 250. You make a good point. On the other hand there's no replacement for displacement either :-)

I was a long time big bore rider so it was an adjustment switching to a 250 twenty years ago. Things I noticed about a 250 right away:

1) spent more time actually riding it than I did hanging on like the 500
2) didn't rest in the corners then pulling the trigger and hanging on til the next turn.
3) I missed third gear starts. Those on a CR500 at Carlsbad is something I am glad this guy from Ohio got to experience. Don't get me started about catching fourth on the back wheel on the way to the first turn.
4) SUCKS having your gate jump advantage nullified when somebody on big bore motors past and steals the holeshot

Number four is why 300cc bikes are my preference and would be the only bike I would purchase. Additional factor is how much lighter they are compared to most 250 and 450 machines.

My main application is MX but I am surrounded my single track off road riders that are pretty amazing. Single track just is too much work and zero flow for me. I also don't want to crash. To each their own as we know and more power to those guys.

On the 125 front it is amazing what a resurgence we are seeing. I like it!
At 160lbs, I can pull a 3rd gear start on the YZ300 and holeshot. The 250cc engine will do it, but I give up too much feathering the clutch to make it an advantage.

bsharkey
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5/23/2016 5:39pm
RPM68 wrote:
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...
I have a 16 KTM 450, and its a great bike but I just love riding 2-strokes. I ride them better, and just have more fun...

Found an 05 RM125 (with a 144 kit) for cheap ridden by a guy that rides in the woods. I am thinking about picking it up, and selling my 450 while it has extremely low hours (12).

I want to ride the bike before I make a decision, but I could sell the 450 and have a 125 with no bike payments.

Thoughts on the bike itself and the experience you have had given the situation would be appreciated.
cwtoyota wrote:
I have been riding 125s for the past 4 years. At 160 lbs (155 during the summer) and 5'9" I get around the track pretty well...
I have been riding 125s for the past 4 years. At 160 lbs (155 during the summer) and 5'9" I get around the track pretty well on the little bikes.

Last summer I decided it was time to move up a class and run a bigger bike. So in August I bought my first four stroke: a 2014 YZ450F. It was extremely fast, but I couldn't get used to the engine brake feeling on it.

It will take you some time to adjust to the smaller bike. It's a more active riding style and you'll have to learn to take a lot of outside lines at first to get over certain jumps. You will have to become a better rider; better at carrying speed through everything. If you don't, you'll get smoked.

I learned a ton racing my '08 and '11 YZ125s in the 30+, 25+ and 250B classes. I still prefer to race a 125, it's not even about lap times, but getting a good start. Hence I gave the 450F a try. I sold the 450 about 3 weeks ago.

You can beat the 450's on the little bike... You just have to get used to coming through from the back of the pack and carry speed:




Great moto man! Did you end up second? You almost had that guy ahead of you.
that's badass tye crandell practically lives at that track(they guy just ahead of you)

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