YZ125 or KX125 for my son?

I think the yzs would be easier for finding parts the kx starting get hard

Unless the price is despairingly large, I would go with the Yamaha.
-Dave-

Find the newest YZ125 you can find in the best shape you can find
The YZ125 has a great trail riding engine and a decent about of bottom end
15 years ago My son got off an XR100 and was fine with the YZ125 , so much so that he purchased a new one recently and its his favorite bike

If you can hold out for an aluminum framed YZ125, part availability will not be an issue. They are great bikes and still current for the most part.

Cr500

The 03 kx125 is a bit unusual as well. Some difference before and after , harder to get some parts for

I would try and get an 05 yz125 or newer.
It's basically the same as a current yz125.
Parts will be easy to find. And you can update each item as you replace it. It won't take long and the bike could look and feel like a 2020 model.

The YZ125s are better in almost every way for your needs , They run better are faster have better suspension there are more of them out there parts are everywhere and they hold up better , etc etc .

Yamaha for sure. Just for the simple fact of parts availability, as already mentioned.

As an ‘05 kx125 owner, I would say get the yz125.
Kx parts are hard to find and the ‘03 was an oddball year, as scott_nz mentioned.

I would look for a YZ125. Better chassis and suspension on the YZ, steel frame or aluminum in my opinion. Better parts availability and probably a better re-sell value too when he is ready for the next size up.

As everyone already has stated get the YZ, I have a 05 KX125 and luckily i built it back in 2016 because all the parts I bought back then are pretty much unobtainable right now.

Even an 02-04 steel frame the motor is basically the same up to 22. But like others say, really 06+ is best when they switched to SSS and in my area there isn't much price difference between a lot of these "older" bikes. With winter coming, prices should go down as well.

01-02 already having OEM part scarcity, like their ECU's. But 21 ECU works on 03-04, might work on 01-02 as well.

I would recommend at least an 03, with the 04 actually being a better bike if you can find one they are rare. 04 got 48mm forks and a better powervalve, both can be retrofitted onto an 03 which is what I've done.

But this is a bike they still make brand new, and they're not that expensive. If you can afford new that's what I would do, otherwise you just end up putting as much money into maintaining an old one.

if you can get the kx125 for free, go with it.

yz otherwise

I had an 01 yz125 in 2017 and I didn’t really have any problems finding parts back then except for a few aftermarket parts. It did however need A LOT of parts. It felt like something would break every ride because it's just old and worn out. Never had any engine issues tho.
I would try to find something newer if I were you but if it’s his first bike and it’s cheap I say go for the yz.

I’d agree on the YZ just due to parts, it’s a solid bike with a lot of aftermarket support thanks to its many years of existence with similar parts. I know others have recommended a 05 aluminum frame bike but I’d personally say skip to 06 or 07 if you can.

Reason being I had an 05 yz250 and despite it being all original it was kind of a bastard year, forks were pre SSS, brake hanger on the forks was different from newer models, the chain guide took ordering 3 different ones to find the right replacement the holes never lined up. There was also some other just odd parts fitting issues I came across over time that didn’t 100% cross over.

I have heard the 06 models have the same front caliper mounts as 05 and after 07 they all cross over. I don’t personally have experience with this but it’s things to consider.

"YZ125 or KX125 for my son?"


Depending on how good of a student he is someone would have to give me at least a 250 2 stroke. Any other trade just wouldn't make sense.

Ba dum tsss......... I'll see myself out.