Are 125s universally fun?

crc245
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4/21/2019 8:41pm
VET176 wrote:
Most of us ride/race for fun. Yes a 125 is fun to ride. They can be fun to race with other 125's.
Lots of good ideas in this thread, and you nailed it with this comment. Chose to race 125 Pro at the Glen Helen 2T National for this very reason: 30+ Expert would have been open to 125s/250s/500s, whereas a full gate of 125's just gets the heart going...

PS: Blockhead17 is also on point - Every time I toss my 125 off the stand, that JS259 magic glimmers just a bit. Doesn't matter if I'm 2, 4, 10 seconds a lap slower than an identical me on a 450, it's still a blast!
4
4/21/2019 8:46pm
125s are fun if you grew up racing 2 strokes and know how to ride and developed all the skills to keep them singing but if you only know how to putt around on a 4 stoke you wont have any fun bogging down trying to ride a 125
1
ktmdan
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4/21/2019 9:03pm
Small bore bikes are fun. So is the traction and ability to jump anything on a 450. I weigh 190 and am not interested in swapping top ends every few rides. That being said, I race a 250 two stroke. Moral of the story, dirt bikes is fun.
1
rhummel628
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4/21/2019 10:04pm
I have a nice (but slow) 2003 cr125. Its not my primary bike but the thing is an absolute blast to ride. I love trying to make a slow bike go fast.

The Shop

BikeGuy321
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4/21/2019 10:21pm
125s are fun, but 250 smokers are more fun. They keep your clutch hand and your left foot busy, but it's not such a struggle to clear big jumps on a 250 so you can take different lines.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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4/21/2019 10:59pm
zehn wrote:
Both
SrfNdirt wrote:
Funny. About a month ago I rode my 125 back to back with my 350 and thought, screw this I'm gonna sell the 125 and have...
Funny. About a month ago I rode my 125 back to back with my 350 and thought, screw this I'm gonna sell the 125 and have the 350. Rode the 125 yesterday and had a blast!
I go back and forth about my 125. I also have a 350 and it’s sooo fun to ride. But sometimes I think I love my 350 because of my 125.

For anyone who surfs, a great explanation is that a 125 is similar to having a quiver of boards, there’s certain boards that work well depending on the swell. Some tracks the 125 is the sickest bike you’ve ever ridden, other days(hard, dry) is like taking the wrong board out to the beach.
1
PJRAUS
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4/21/2019 11:23pm
one cannot acquire happiness lest they own a 1-2-5.
This is correct!
4/21/2019 11:40pm
Seriously: If you aren't having fun on your 125, you are doing everything ever in your whole life wrong.
4
jeffro503
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4/22/2019 12:06am
I burned a lot of gas through my 125 today. Probably more than I should have. Going to be sore tomorrow. Smile

Every one of us think differently on what a fun bike is , what a boring bike feels like. Some people hate 125's , some hate the 450's. To each their own , but for me I'll never NOT have one in my stable.

If a guy actually gets interested in the 125's , you have to go into it with an open mind and a will to learn / change your way of thought and technique. I've Re-learned so much on my 125 that it bugs me I didn't get one sooner. Most fun bike I've ever owned.
3
cwtoyota
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4/22/2019 12:49am
jeffro503 wrote:
I burned a lot of gas through my 125 today. Probably more than I should have. Going to be sore tomorrow. :) Every one of us...
I burned a lot of gas through my 125 today. Probably more than I should have. Going to be sore tomorrow. Smile

Every one of us think differently on what a fun bike is , what a boring bike feels like. Some people hate 125's , some hate the 450's. To each their own , but for me I'll never NOT have one in my stable.

If a guy actually gets interested in the 125's , you have to go into it with an open mind and a will to learn / change your way of thought and technique. I've Re-learned so much on my 125 that it bugs me I didn't get one sooner. Most fun bike I've ever owned.
I agree in full!
Where'd you ride?

I woke up feeling optimistic and drove down to Washougal Saturday. I did a few laps on my 250 in the mud.

I'm fine with the mud, but I couldn't deal with the "All big bikes" practice. It was way too sketchy with multiple people down in almost every corner.

I packed up my bikes in the van and drove up to Riverdale, then put 2.2 hours on the YZ250 in perfect conditions.
4/22/2019 3:25am
Always loved 125's and still do. But when I got on a 450, it was instant love.
It instantly made you and everyone else that rides one way (falsely) better than you are.
1
Indy mxer
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4/22/2019 4:06am
I love my 16 SX125. I have a lot of fun on it but I wouldn't want it for my only bike.
I wish Kaw and Suzuki would make them again. They're a great stepping stone for kids coming off 85's.


2
imoto34
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4/22/2019 4:34am
I weigh in at 210 pounds without my gear on. A 125 is soooooo slow. If the track is deep it's that much worse. But most days i would still rather ride my 125 then anything else. It's awesome to hold it pinned around most of the track.
MOTO732
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4/22/2019 4:42am Edited Date/Time 4/22/2019 4:43am
Those of that grew up riding and racing 125s know how fast and fun they can be. You need to clutch a lot and like to dance the shifter. My 450 I can put in 2nd gear and use the clutch on some tracks and never shift. On a 125 I'd shift 40 times at least. The weight difference is literally night and day. But so is the power. A 450 at times is friggin scarey it has so much power. A 125 is inspiring.
Patrick461
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4/22/2019 5:10am
I started riding on a 125 but at 6’ 210 lbs they aren’t much fun for me. But it did teach me how to ride momentum ect. Got a 250f. Worse than a 125. I couldn’t believe how slow a stock 250 was in 2005. It was a Honda. All I did was replace valves. Rode a 2015 Crf250 Honda. Slow as a dog. Went back to a 2004 YZ 250 won a lot of races. Regretting having sold it got a 2012 Honda 450 absolutely loved that bike. Bought it used but some a hole that had it before me drained the oil and only put oil back in the tranny. Blew the motor, not Honda’s fault. How hard is it to read the owners manual? It has separate engine and tranny oil. I’m an auto technician. It only makes sense to not wash the valve train in clutch particles. Anyway did the work myself still cost me 800$ to complete rebuild the Honda what sucked the worst is the damage was done I rode it once before I had to pull it down. Raced a few more times. Sold it got a fully race built 2007 CR 250. Pro circuit did every mod possible even stuffed the cases. That bike is a rocket ship. As fast as any 450. Still have it. But got my knee replaced and bought a brand new 2015 XR 650. Put around on the trails. 125s are fun for guys who weigh under 185lbs. But our tracks here are sand tracks so tryin to ride the 125 at my weight. Just wears out the motor That being said I love the fact that the 125 all star races will be at the Nationals. 4 strokes did kill racing at the local level. There was a series in the early 2000’s. That had 500 entries. Now at a local series it’s more like 75 entries and Houston is a big city. Racing is pretty much dead here. I’ll get the nerve up to ride moto again in my 250 just a pro practice rider now. Rather ride a 250 two stroke anyday. But my CRF 450 felt like cheating. Such a great bike. You can flub a corner and still hit the big jumps at 3 palms The 250 two stroke requires more precise cornering. And on a 125 you can’t make a mistake if you want to jump anything.
Indy mxer
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4/22/2019 5:47am
MOTO732 wrote:
Those of that grew up riding and racing 125s know how fast and fun they can be. You need to clutch a lot and like to...
Those of that grew up riding and racing 125s know how fast and fun they can be. You need to clutch a lot and like to dance the shifter. My 450 I can put in 2nd gear and use the clutch on some tracks and never shift. On a 125 I'd shift 40 times at least. The weight difference is literally night and day. But so is the power. A 450 at times is friggin scarey it has so much power. A 125 is inspiring.
Yeah I probably shift my 125 more times in a lap than I do my 450 all day. lol
4
lcgordon711
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4/22/2019 6:08am
I have my 450 for when I want to put in fast laps and my 125 for when I want to have fun. Guess which bike bike comes out of the garage more.
3
jeffro503
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4/22/2019 8:14am
jeffro503 wrote:
I burned a lot of gas through my 125 today. Probably more than I should have. Going to be sore tomorrow. :) Every one of us...
I burned a lot of gas through my 125 today. Probably more than I should have. Going to be sore tomorrow. Smile

Every one of us think differently on what a fun bike is , what a boring bike feels like. Some people hate 125's , some hate the 450's. To each their own , but for me I'll never NOT have one in my stable.

If a guy actually gets interested in the 125's , you have to go into it with an open mind and a will to learn / change your way of thought and technique. I've Re-learned so much on my 125 that it bugs me I didn't get one sooner. Most fun bike I've ever owned.
cwtoyota wrote:
I agree in full! Where'd you ride? I woke up feeling optimistic and drove down to Washougal Saturday. I did a few laps on my 250...
I agree in full!
Where'd you ride?

I woke up feeling optimistic and drove down to Washougal Saturday. I did a few laps on my 250 in the mud.

I'm fine with the mud, but I couldn't deal with the "All big bikes" practice. It was way too sketchy with multiple people down in almost every corner.

I packed up my bikes in the van and drove up to Riverdale, then put 2.2 hours on the YZ250 in perfect conditions.
Ahh shit man. I had heard Washougal was kind of a mud fest and pretty bad. 2 days before , with the amount of rain I was getting here I was about 95% sure Washougal wasn't even going to run. I'm surprised they did.

Anyways Wade ( Wade221 ) on here sent me a text a couple days before and said Woodland was going to have practice on Easter. They even started at 9:00 am which was weird. Track was a little dry and fluffy , but the way they had it laid out was pretty fun. Not many people there and they ran three classes , so we all got a lot of riding in. I almost was thinking about Riverdale too until Wade sent me that text , which I'm glad he did. I'd rather ride Woodland any day of the week!
1
Falcon
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Menifee, CA US
4/22/2019 8:18am
Falcon wrote:
I have ridden many, many 125s. Got a 250f in 2004, hated it, dropped it like a hot rock, and went back to a 125. Then...
I have ridden many, many 125s. Got a 250f in 2004, hated it, dropped it like a hot rock, and went back to a 125. Then I got a 250t.
Every now and then, I think "4 strokes are getting so developed now, they must be better. I think I could probably ride one now." So I do. And I instantly remember why I hate 4 strokes.
rehan53 wrote:
I've known of you since Ronronmx and if I remember right the 250 was to be able to compete in the Vet class. Which bike would...
I've known of you since Ronronmx and if I remember right the 250 was to be able to compete in the Vet class. Which bike would you take to the track if everyone else was going to ride the same one?

I had a 2005 CRF250 and it felt like a bloated turd. I didn't like it, and, it turns out, I didn't know how to ride it. I assumed it wanted to be lugged down low. The newest bike I've ridden since then was a 2015 CRF250 and it was my favorite track experience ever. Everything was tight, responsive and predictable. I didn't want to give it back.

I've been daydreaming of buying a bike and getting a 125 (as a primary bike) feels like it would be going back in time. I had a 2005 YZ125 and I don't think they've changed a whole lot since then.
Yes, the YZs are largely the same since the first aluminum frame in '05. '06 if you count the SSS forks.
I would definitely ride a 125 in the vet class and did for a season or two, but obviously I was at a big power disadvantage.
Later on, the 250t worked out better for me and at my speed (Intermediate or "b" class,) I am being 100% honest when I say a 450 would not be any better. In fact I'm sure I can charge harder and turn faster laps on the two stroke.
2
4/22/2019 8:20am
i'm really in between,

I prefer a 250F vs a 125, but i prefer a 150 over a 250F .
jeffro503
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4/22/2019 8:23am
I have my 450 for when I want to put in fast laps and my 125 for when I want to have fun. Guess which bike...
I have my 450 for when I want to put in fast laps and my 125 for when I want to have fun. Guess which bike bike comes out of the garage more.
There is a very big variable in what you just said. It depends on the track , and the layout that day , but on certain days I can run with the same guy's on my 125 , as I did my 450. There are definitely days where it's a losing battle , but it's also fun as hell to try as hard as you can to keep up with them.
1
Since73
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Pearland, TX US
4/22/2019 11:41am
When I raced both 125 and 250 two-strokes last year, I would always be more excited about taking that 125 off the stand and hitting the track. Now, the only times I want to ride a bigger bike are in deep sand or mud.


1
4/22/2019 11:43am
I think the people who vote against 125s being fun are the cranky old fat guys who can't jump anything on one so they don't like them.

Yes, 125s are fun. The sound, the smell, light and easy to throw around, if you like riding dirt bikes then you like riding 125s.
2
cwtoyota
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4/22/2019 12:43pm
I think the people who vote against 125s being fun are the cranky old fat guys who can't jump anything on one so they don't like...
I think the people who vote against 125s being fun are the cranky old fat guys who can't jump anything on one so they don't like them.

Yes, 125s are fun. The sound, the smell, light and easy to throw around, if you like riding dirt bikes then you like riding 125s.
The jumps are the symptom, but the corners are probably the cause.
If you can't carry some speed in the corners, you won't get over a lot of jumps on a 125.
1
sam hain
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4/22/2019 1:03pm
I'm probably the odd man out here, but I've never owned or ridden a 125. I went from an RT100 to a KDX200 when I was 12. Then at 14 RMX250 then at 16 RM250 and on from there.
4/22/2019 1:06pm Edited Date/Time 4/22/2019 1:48pm
If you want to be an all around better rider.... Get a 125. If you learn proper technique and can go decently fast on a 125, you can go fast on anything.

I'd say most average riders could benefit huge from having a 125 in their lineup and learning how to ride it properly.

All I know is that after getting my YZ250, I can ride my 450 a lot better!

I plan on adding a 125 to my garage in the near future. The wife wants to have a project to do together Smile

Edit: Now, with that said, 125's are a lot of fun if you know how to ride them or have the patience to learn how to ride them. Guys that don't know how to ride them properly will tell you they suck and are never fun to ride.
1
ProKawi24
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4/22/2019 1:38pm
I had my accident back in 2001 so I never had the chance to ride a 4 stroke, my last bike was a 01 KX85. I can't say for sure I would hate riding a 4 stroke, after all it is more power and easier to ride I'm told....but good God half the fun for me was having that 85 tapped out and screaming around the track. PC works pipe, shorty muffler = heaven.
1
4/22/2019 1:44pm
Ramrod wrote:
I wish Yamaha made a yz150. I went from a KX450 and rode my kids 125 and loved it. Got a yz250 to match, 450 was...
I wish Yamaha made a yz150.

I went from a KX450 and rode my kids 125 and loved it. Got a yz250 to match, 450 was great but got a little boring.
It’s real easy to do.....I got a Yamaha 144. Athena big bore.

Itza niiice.





Bike without numbers is a stock 125. I love 125s.....
1
4/22/2019 1:48pm
Always loved 125's and still do. But when I got on a 450, it was instant love.
It instantly made you and everyone else that rides one way (falsely) better than you are.
Well I’m sure you’ll be winning nationals pretty soon, Mr. Talent.

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