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Oh sorry forgot to mention above that I was 224 lbs at the beginning the year….now down to 209 lbs.

Depends on skill level and what class if you are racing. I race 40 + Jr on a 23 YZ125. Yes race starts are usually shitty, but everywhere else I ride the piss out of that thing and it is great. A few weeks ago at a Washougal race my wife commented how fast I was going up horsepower hill compared to the guys around me…they were tired and had to back it down just to survive. My son who is a very timid beginner on an 03 KX125 thinks he needs more power to be able to clear jumps...

How much riding experience do you have? And you looking at a modern 125 or something 20+ years old? For a new or well maintained 125 your size and weight would be fine. But if you are new to riding a 250F would be easier to ride and learn on, and cheaper too.

IMO it is more or less do you think you will be able to (or want to) ride a 125 properly. You can throw a 300lb dude on a 125 and he will be able to ride it, but he may not have any fun. If you think you can keep it screaming and relish in it, you will have a blast. If you are not used to clutching the shit out of it and constant shifting, (the power really is only at the top, nowhere else), you may think "dang, this is way too much work". And as others...

I'll name 9 ways you can go wrong with a 250F: -Heavy -Hot -Flameouts -Hard to start (well, not so much anymore, now that they had to add 4 additional pounds' worth of electric start) -Pipe burns your leg, melts your boots and pants -Sounds like shit -People 14 miles away know that it sounds like shit (it's LOUD) -More complex to maintain -More expensive

I second the carb 150 plenty of bike especially with a little bit of motor work for your weight but will also teach you all the skills to keep your momentum up and super light and agile!

KTM 150SX is exactly what you need! Im 5'10 and 210lbs with gear on. I also have a YZ250F. The 150 clears everything the 250f does for me.

Don't start a beef with your step dad, at least he's cool with you riding. it will always end with "my house, my rules". Be happy and rev that thing

I've had more fun on my 125's than my KX450 lately. I have a 2004 CR125 and 2003 RM125 that I thinker with. I'm 6'2 240lbs. At all the local tracks I ride at, I'm able to clear all the big jumps but it's hard :p Being heavier on a small bore 2 stroke, you'll need to keep your momentum up as much as possible, because if it boggs, you're stuck for a little bit until you can get it back up and moving.

At 200lbs it will be hard to really be fast and you will pay for any small mistake, which will probably help you be better in the long run. It may be a good source of motivation to keep losing weight because if you get into the 170-180lbs range it will make a noticeable difference. Try to convince your dad to let you get an austrian 150. I don’t know how good the new FI generation is, but the old carb one were fast and at your curre t weight it might be the little extra that you need. And...

I hover around 175-182lbs and i got a 2022 YZ125 for this season. I have stopped racing and i only ride 25-30 hours per year at this point in my life, so i thought i would try a 125 for the fun factor. Well, it is fun on hard packed and smaller tracks. I can go pretty fast on it (1-2 seconds slower than on a 450) and it is rewarding. And i love how light it is! But the issues start the second i go to a soft sand track or any kind of track that is a bit...