Experienced 450 guy, wanting 2 stoke 125 or 250

SCH268
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7
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Concord, NC, USA
Edited Date/Time 6/4/2016 6:06pm
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
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SCH268
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Concord, NC, USA
6/3/2016 3:22pm
Obviously I'm An idiot and can't spell stroke on the title there
MxKing809
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Big Sand Whoops, MI, USA
Fantasy
6/3/2016 3:26pm
BOTH!

Same as you above just about everything.

Races 01-current with it taping off around 2013. Never quite good enough in MX to get bumped from B, but won an AMA national title in the woods doing enduros.I've had just about every bike you can imagine and enjoy my 02 CR125 the most. I have an 03 CR250 that I ride too, but pure unadulterated fun is maxed out on the 125.

Yes I get frustrated some times, and want more power.... especially when I get walked by dudes I know I'm better than.... but oh well. I'm not racing all the time anymore, so it's staring to bother me less and less. For 4 grand you can buy a 125 and 250, I'd recommend the same brand and near years that share parts.
SCH268
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6/3/2016 3:36pm
I appreciate it, going to be buying new, probably a yz, know the Ktm is bad ass but I bleed blue.
BobPA
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6/3/2016 3:40pm
2016+ KTM 150 SX

Paint it blue if you have to

The Shop

kzizok
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6/3/2016 3:47pm
This outta be good.
cwtoyota
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6/3/2016 3:53pm
SCH268 wrote:
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year...
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
If it's just about riding and having fun, go with the 125 / 144 / 150 size bike. If it's about racing and going fast, you'll get better starts on a 250 and you'll have the torque to deal with deeper soil, etc.

Something to keep in mind is that on a 125 you have to be going for it just about 100% all the time, while the 250 will allow a little more laziness factor. On the 125, if you don't rail that corner, you probably aren't getting over the next jump or going up the hill with any speed. You have to ride it hard all the time. I like that style of riding, some don't.

I have both a 125 and 250. I race for fun in the 30+ and 25+ classes.
I am 160 lbs during racing season, 165 in the winter.
Last year I raced my 125 in the 25+ and 30+ B classes. This year I'm racing the 250 to get better starts in the A classes.
SCH268
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Concord, NC, USA
6/3/2016 4:00pm
Never rode the 150, that much better? What about vibration? I'm fully aware they vibrate more than the 4 stroke. Is it really bad? Not sure if I can stay on the pipe with a 125 due to being 30 and heavy for the bike but it's all for fun, BOBPA, like the look of orange but if it will make me feel better I'll paint it blue haha
6/3/2016 4:02pm
At your size yz250. They are much easier to throw around then a 450, you can ride them like a 125, but the power is still there
CrGuy2T
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Santa Fe, TX, USA
6/3/2016 4:04pm
I'm 6'0 190 all I ride is 125's. Love em that's all I can say. Hopefully I'll be down to 185 in the next few weeks.
cwtoyota
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6/3/2016 4:06pm Edited Date/Time 6/3/2016 4:08pm
SCH268 wrote:
Never rode the 150, that much better? What about vibration? I'm fully aware they vibrate more than the 4 stroke. Is it really bad? Not sure...
Never rode the 150, that much better? What about vibration? I'm fully aware they vibrate more than the 4 stroke. Is it really bad? Not sure if I can stay on the pipe with a 125 due to being 30 and heavy for the bike but it's all for fun, BOBPA, like the look of orange but if it will make me feel better I'll paint it blue haha
None of the little bikes vibrate badly at all. When you get into the bigger crank and piston of a 200 or 250cc two-stroke you'll get a lot of vibration (from a four-stroke rider's perspective). I'm a two-stroke guy, so I'm used to it. Most people say a KTM 250SX vibrates more than a YZ250. I own YZ250s and when I get on a KTM 250 I don't really think it's that bad.


The YZ125 is probably the best bike ever devised by mankind. The KTM 150 is a great bike too. Pop a 144 kit on a YZ or grab a KTM 150. You won't be sorry.

The 144 and 150 will pull a faster gear ratio harder than a 125. That means better starts, less shifting and more torque in the deep soil or exiting corners. I run 13:50 on my YZ125 while my buddy can run 14:51 on his YZ144 (Athena kit).

Pistons cost more for a 144 / 150 than a 125. I say start with a 125 and punch it out when you decide you want more.
AS64
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6/3/2016 4:07pm Edited Date/Time 6/3/2016 4:09pm
SCH268 wrote:
I appreciate it, going to be buying new, probably a yz, know the Ktm is bad ass but I bleed blue.
With you on that.

If you go the YZ125 route and you're not exactly stoked on the power, there seems to be a lot of room for improvement with the mods available. I decided to take a few steps back from MX a couple years ago and not be as competitive so I sold my thumper and bought a YZ125 all in a matter of about 3 weeks. (6'2 190lbs) The 125 was a fun bike to ride, extremely light and easy to throw around but I got bored with the power very soon. I thought about going all out with it and modding it to the sky with a YZ167 kit among other things, but ultimately decided I didn't want to go through that whole process and possibly still be unhappy with how it performed and then be stuck with a bike that would be hard to sell and get back what I put in it, so it went up for sale as it was.

Soon after it sold I bought a 2010 YZ250 and haven't looked back. Did a complete overhaul on it, every bearing replaced, new bushings and seals in the suspension, and got the motor built last year and it SCREAMS. Just an animal and sooo much fun to ride. I'm probably going to buy another YZ125 in the near future but I will be sending the motor away to get it bored and stroked like I would have done if I kept the first one.

IMO, if you're a big dude with experience, a 125 is a blast to ride but don't have one as your primary bike.
SCH268
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Concord, NC, USA
6/3/2016 4:08pm
SCH268 wrote:
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year...
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
Not a bad idea to buy both! Don't really need 2 of them, would make me happy and the wife pissed!! That's why I'm trying to choose one, better to ask for forgiveness than permission
SCH268
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Concord, NC, USA
6/3/2016 4:14pm
SCH268 wrote:
I appreciate it, going to be buying new, probably a yz, know the Ktm is bad ass but I bleed blue.
AS64 wrote:
With you on that. If you go the YZ125 route and you're not exactly stoked on the power, there seems to be a lot of room...
With you on that.

If you go the YZ125 route and you're not exactly stoked on the power, there seems to be a lot of room for improvement with the mods available. I decided to take a few steps back from MX a couple years ago and not be as competitive so I sold my thumper and bought a YZ125 all in a matter of about 3 weeks. (6'2 190lbs) The 125 was a fun bike to ride, extremely light and easy to throw around but I got bored with the power very soon. I thought about going all out with it and modding it to the sky with a YZ167 kit among other things, but ultimately decided I didn't want to go through that whole process and possibly still be unhappy with how it performed and then be stuck with a bike that would be hard to sell and get back what I put in it, so it went up for sale as it was.

Soon after it sold I bought a 2010 YZ250 and haven't looked back. Did a complete overhaul on it, every bearing replaced, new bushings and seals in the suspension, and got the motor built last year and it SCREAMS. Just an animal and sooo much fun to ride. I'm probably going to buy another YZ125 in the near future but I will be sending the motor away to get it bored and stroked like I would have done if I kept the first one.

IMO, if you're a big dude with experience, a 125 is a blast to ride but don't have one as your primary bike.
Thanks for the input man, not looking to go crazy on the motor because I don't race anymore and spent more than my fair share building the 4 stroke race motors, looks like a 250 might be best, haven't rode one since 09, How long does your clutch hold up?
Torco1
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6/3/2016 4:16pm
Quick.....F, Marry, Kill......

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Go......
AS64
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6/3/2016 4:24pm Edited Date/Time 6/3/2016 4:25pm
SCH268 wrote:
Thanks for the input man, not looking to go crazy on the motor because I don't race anymore and spent more than my fair share building...
Thanks for the input man, not looking to go crazy on the motor because I don't race anymore and spent more than my fair share building the 4 stroke race motors, looks like a 250 might be best, haven't rode one since 09, How long does your clutch hold up?
I toasted one clutch and then put Hinson plates and heavy springs in it. I also run ATF (Amsoil SuperShift) in the transmission and that made a big difference in engagement and clutch feel. So far so good at 18 hours of moderate-hard riding.

I've heard of people putting in 3 heavy springs for a YZ450 and having good results as well.
AS64
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6/3/2016 4:33pm
Forgot to mention... 22mm offset clamps vs the stock 25mm clamps made me love the bike even more. It's way easier to take an inside line and is still really stable.
Markee
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6/3/2016 5:24pm
Wow.
MxKing809
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Fantasy
6/3/2016 6:43pm Edited Date/Time 6/3/2016 6:45pm
SCH268 wrote:
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year...
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
SCH268 wrote:
Not a bad idea to buy both! Don't really need 2 of them, would make me happy and the wife pissed!! That's why I'm trying to...
Not a bad idea to buy both! Don't really need 2 of them, would make me happy and the wife pissed!! That's why I'm trying to choose one, better to ask for forgiveness than permission
Well, you can spend $6000 on a new 250..... OR $600 on a blown up 125, and $1500 on a tired 250 (what I did)..... and you're $2100 into two bikes. Then take a grand each and go through everything. New cylinders are $250, top end $150, bearing and seals $200.... you get the point.

Idk why everyone always asks "Blondes or Brunettes".... in my perfect world I'd have both! Now, that may be upkeep and maintenence on two rides, but given the choice I'd rather swap between the two, than get stuck with one and wonder about the other Cool
6/3/2016 7:55pm
SCH268 wrote:
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year...
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
Get what ever will allow you to be on the pipe. If your not pinning it it's not as fun
cool_hand
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Bear Creek, NC, USA
6/3/2016 8:05pm
Well, if you can find one,. go with a Suzuki RM250 04--08, you'll have a blast!
6/3/2016 8:14pm
Well my yz 144 pulled a holey on two 2016 Ktm 150s. Yz or Ktm you'll have a blast. You can build two sick yamahas for what you can buy 1 Ktm for...



Stop watching after the 4th turn. Woohoo

100-150cc open Moto 1
nascarnate326
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6/3/2016 8:54pm
Get the 125 so you can be on the pipe non stop. If your goal is fun, the KTM/Yamaha 125's are hard to beat. ( I would go blue just because of the suspension)
mb
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6/4/2016 12:11am
If you want to have the most fun and not care about racing/going fast than 125 for sure. I'm a little bigger than you and the 125 can still haul the mail.

Fun factor is defiantly still there with the 250 though. Tough call.
JWACK
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6/4/2016 12:27am Edited Date/Time 6/4/2016 12:31am
I would do the 250 if your getting only one.. You can still putt up to a jump and then braaapppp!!!! your over it like your 450 only cooler because of the brapp you just released... 125s not so much. If your just riding for fun that's what it's all about.!
RCN4HIM
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6/4/2016 3:24am
Vet guy here on a 15 YZ 125... Send your cylinder and head to Tom Morgan Racing and tell him what you want! We had ours done this spring (stock cc, Vforce/Fatty/Shorty) and the bike is Insane fun, would rather race it than our 16 YZ250F any day if it's a open track!
MxKing809
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Fantasy
6/4/2016 11:08am
Go with both..... trust me!



6/4/2016 4:03pm
SCH268 wrote:
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year...
What's up guys, raced from 99-07, was in b class the last few years of racing. Continued riding till last year. Sold my yz450f last year, got the itch yet again but I want a 2 stroke, what I grew up on but only raced for 3 years on a 125 then switched. I'm only looking to ride for fun again, moto/woods/fields etc. I'm not racing! Brand isn't the question! Should I go 125 or 250. I'm 6'1 185 with no gear. Just want the fun factor. thanks
I like this guys style. Not sure why I didn't think of that. Go both. Buy two used yz and refurb em.
6/4/2016 6:06pm
I recently did the switch you're talking about.

The 125 will be fun for the day but not practical for when you decide to hit the throttle hard to clear some jumps.
You are used to the 450, same as CR500, the 125 is a blast but we get comfortable clearing jumps easy on the 4 stroke and that isn't happening on the 125.

I went YZ250, and after about 10 weekends of riding it hard at MX tracks I am finding myself missing that toque of the banger, at the end of the day the YZ takes way more balls/skill to ride fast and that was fun for a while but I am 47 and the YZ is hyper active for the old man. I find myself wanting to run with my riding bro's and their 4 strokes are way easier to ride fast, as I have been eating the roost while I used to be the one giving the roost!

I am keeping the YZ, but I am getting another 4 stroke to be competitive in my crew.

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