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We've had, in the past 5 years: '02 RM 134, '04 KX 125, '05 KX 144, '15 Husky TC 125, '19 KTM 150 SX.
Of these, the Husky is the fastest for both my son and I. He rides it faster than his 150 SX because it _demands_ to be ridden mid/up. It revs FAST and HIGH.
The RM was the best handling bike, IMHO. It had really good low and mid-range power to and I was SO tempted to turn it into a hare-scramble bike instead of spending $7500 on my KTM 150 XC-W.
When my son got his KTM, I inherited the KX. Riding it and the RM back to back against him, I'm faster on the KX and it has a "solid" feel to it whereas the RM was just the slightest bit "loose". But darn... hard choice!!! In the end, my son doesn't like the RM and we both like the KX, so off the RM went.
Now, the KTM... that thing is FAST. It has great low end and mid range and top end, too. Son has used it for enduro, hare scramble, MX, and general play riding. Suspension is very good and very adjustable. Great bike, but he likes the Husky TC 125 a little bit better for pure MX because the power is a little less and he rides it harder and therefore faster.
The one bike I haven't had and want to try is the YZ125. However, I've had 2 YZ 250's, 1 YZ 450F, and YZ 250F and I just don't get along with Yamaha for some reason. Every Yamaha I've had has thrown me on my head and the KX's never have. Even so... a YZ 125 would be high on my list.
I don't get along with most Yamaha's either, but the 06 YZ 125 was great fun.
Pit Row
The YZ 125 is by all means still competitive and the cheapest 125 to own/race. I just saw a 125 go from outside the top 15 to 7th in the 450 C class at Loretta's. Robbie Reynard was destroying the Vet Class a couple years ago on a YZ 125 against 450-s. It has great bottom and mid range. Porting and pipe will give the YZ top-end to compete with the KTM and it has the best suspension out of the box,
The KTM is great bike but out the box it will need some suspension work. The KTM is faster on top but gives up some power to the YZ on bottom and mid. The PV design is also prone to sticking so you must keep an eye on that.
The TM is fast and slightly exceeds the KTM on top. The build quality is superior to the KTM and YZ but it is also more expensive. The suspension is great but the forks on the 19 were a little soft up front, You are basically buying a works bike and parts are available but pricey. The importer kind of has a stranglehold on the aftermarket items in the U.S. PC actually offers a pipe but it is 3hp down from the stock HGS.
Good Luck!
Maybe 'ol mate is paying for the band width. Dunno.
best chassis this era was split Suzuki/Honda
best suspension was/still is Yamaha KYB SSS
Best motor was KTM
or buy a new age 125 which is any euro brand, mainly ktm/husky and TM, these have good chassis and good suspension (better than SSS is debatable) but the motors are much stronger and these bikes are all ~10lbs lighter than all but alum framed yz.
ultimately all 125's are all slow enough that rider skill is a much larger factor than you find on a 4stroke.
All the 125's ive owned back when i raced are 2002 cr 125,2003 rm125 2004 rm125, 2005 yz125, and a few years ago when i got back into riding i had an 04 kx125
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