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11/5/2022
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Durham, NC
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Hey what’s up guys I wanted to get your quick opinion on which bike I should pick up.
So I’m 25 and have been riding motorcycles (dirt, street, adv) since I was about 10 so I am by no means a beginner. I grew up in SoCal so I did a ton of riding in the desert and could probably hold my own in a district 38 race just based off of riding with friends who race.
Now having said this I have probably been to a track maybe 5 times in my whole life…and I sucked (not a ton of corners in the desert) I have recently just moved to a new place where there is a mx track fairy close to me so I plan on turning all my attention into figuring out how to get good at track riding. Only gonna be here for a couple years so once I leave I’ll probably pick up another 450 and head back to the desert. Or maybe I’ll pick up another bike specifically for mx?
I know that I definitely want to go with a 2 stroke and am unsure which size to get. I’ve read and heard that 125’s are best for developing technique and skill but I’m unsure if I’d find it a little too small / underpowered pretty quickly since I’m so used to riding 450s. I’m roughly 6 foot and weigh about 170lbs (77kg).
So what do you guys think? Could I skip the 125 and still develop the necessary skills since I have a fairly decent riding background? Or would maybe riding a 125 for a year or so help me in the wrong run?
(Lets also ignore maintenance differences for now. I just want to gain more skill)
(Also this will be my first 2 stroke)
So I’m 25 and have been riding motorcycles (dirt, street, adv) since I was about 10 so I am by no means a beginner. I grew up in SoCal so I did a ton of riding in the desert and could probably hold my own in a district 38 race just based off of riding with friends who race.
Now having said this I have probably been to a track maybe 5 times in my whole life…and I sucked (not a ton of corners in the desert) I have recently just moved to a new place where there is a mx track fairy close to me so I plan on turning all my attention into figuring out how to get good at track riding. Only gonna be here for a couple years so once I leave I’ll probably pick up another 450 and head back to the desert. Or maybe I’ll pick up another bike specifically for mx?
I know that I definitely want to go with a 2 stroke and am unsure which size to get. I’ve read and heard that 125’s are best for developing technique and skill but I’m unsure if I’d find it a little too small / underpowered pretty quickly since I’m so used to riding 450s. I’m roughly 6 foot and weigh about 170lbs (77kg).
So what do you guys think? Could I skip the 125 and still develop the necessary skills since I have a fairly decent riding background? Or would maybe riding a 125 for a year or so help me in the wrong run?
(Lets also ignore maintenance differences for now. I just want to gain more skill)
(Also this will be my first 2 stroke)
I have a buddy who's about your size (a few pounds heavier), late 30's... He had a Honda 450F. I loaned him my YZ125 in 2021 for the two stroke race at Washougal and he never rode the 450 again. He bought the 150SX and he's having more fun for more laps. The 450 was riding him after about three hard laps.
I own 125, 250 and 500 two strokes. I race them all and have time on all brands of four strokes of every size and every kind of suspension. The 250 two stroke is the hardest bike to ride consistently at speed. You need motocross time on a 125 or a 250F before you should go for the 250 two stroke or the 450F. The 125 and 150 are great bikes because they can teach you proper technique. Learn all you can in your 20s, then get the 250 two stroke or 450F for the 30+ class if your still racing.
If it was guaranteed you'd only ride track, I'd maybe say a 125 purely as a skill builder, obviously on a 250 gear choice and momentum aren't quite as critical as on a 125. If you were older I'd maybe say a 125 because of the pure fun factor and slightly lower speeds when you ride it wide open and less risk to grab a handful and end up over there, but you're a young healthy dude.
You can't go wrong either way though.
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With your weight and the fact that you are used to a 450 I'd go with the 250 2 stroke
If you want to race and never wonder if you're at a disadvantage and if the bike is just a tool to you, four strokes are solid. If you want a two stroke for the character and all the good stuff above, fair play and enjoy the ride dude, a lot of guys here race small bore two strokes and love it but I think most are a little older (still badass, not knocking them, just that age is relevant sometimes) 👍
125s are what Moto should be.
They are pure fun.
Get one.
This will give you a few dollars to get some awesome parts for it. 22mm clamps are a nice addition and a shorty makes it sound so good you’ll have to go out and start it up every day for the first two weeks. A flywheel weight will smooth it out and make it so pleasant. The suspension is incredible bone stock.
Have fun, most importantly.
Pit Row
Also, a 250 two stroke is a hard bike to ride properly around an mx track. Sure you can lug it around like a beginner and it’ll do the job. But if you want to make it sing you’ll need more track experience.
Side benefit is YZ125’s sell very easily when you’re ready for something else.
I went for a KTM150 2012 model, I liked it a lot especially the ergo's im also 6ft anyway, I love my power however when I rode my friends YZ125 and honestly preferred it, it felt much more planted and the power delivery was much smoother it had much punch at the bottom then revs out decently where as the KTM150 rips to the top it, but this is comparing a 2012 model KTM I don't know what the current ones are like.
When I had a year on the KTM150 I wanted to upgrade (haven't around getting there yet) I wanted to get a 250 2 stroke or try a 450.
DISCLAIMER If you don't plan on ever racing, buy what you can get the best deal on....
However, the most FUN smoker I've ridden thus far has been a KTM 150. If you've grown accustomed to the 450, I wouldn't consider a 125. The 150 is a useable powerhouse that is plenty exciting for an average/above average rider, and one that would be great for the developmental purpose. Only caveat would be WP... The 150 I rode had the KREFT conversion and I loved it.
Good luck and smoke on!
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