A 125 for a practice bike. Should have done this yrs ago.

blaze 57
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blaze 57
Older vet rider (64) picked up a new YZ 125 and I don't know if its my head but my KTM 450 seems like its so easier to ride after practicing on the 125 for a couple weeks.
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MPJC
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MPJC 3/17/2021 12:26pm
3/17/2021 12:26pm
Just sold my 250F and have a TM 144 on its way from Italy. My other bike is a 350. Having a small bore 2 stroke and a 4 stroke seems like it should be a nice combo!
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MX915
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MX915 3/17/2021 12:41pm
3/17/2021 12:41pm
MPJC wrote:
Just sold my 250F and have a TM 144 on its way from Italy. My other bike is a 350. Having a small bore 2 stroke...
Just sold my 250F and have a TM 144 on its way from Italy. My other bike is a 350. Having a small bore 2 stroke and a 4 stroke seems like it should be a nice combo!
I have a KTM 150 and a Sherco 300 four stroke.

I see no need to ever have any other displacement motorcycles.
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backinthesaddleagain 3/17/2021 1:06pm
3/17/2021 1:06pm
I used to come off a 125CC moto and feel like a hero in the 500cc moto. Friends told me to stay off the 500cc till my moto skills improved as the big bore would make me lazy. Balanced it out by riding both. Always great to ride a bike that makes you work harder.
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Moto520
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Moto520 3/17/2021 1:12pm
3/17/2021 1:12pm
i have one too! They are so light and fun to ride but so freaking slow. It's fun to have to rail a turn to make a jump rather than just giving throttle.
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crusher773
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crusher773 3/17/2021 2:03pm
3/17/2021 2:03pm
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing about him going to a big bike is I just doubled my bikes. He says it will be his and I explain to him he has NOTHING! He is a free loading bum at 14 and he is lucky I let him ride MY 85.
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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 3/17/2021 2:15pm
3/17/2021 2:15pm
crusher773 wrote:
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing...
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing about him going to a big bike is I just doubled my bikes. He says it will be his and I explain to him he has NOTHING! He is a free loading bum at 14 and he is lucky I let him ride MY 85.
You should piss on his bed to establish dominance
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diz330
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diz330 3/17/2021 3:31pm
3/17/2021 3:31pm
I picked up a real clean 2004 cr125 last summer after taking about a 5 year break from riding(last bike was rmz450) and fell in love with riding again, don't know why I ever stopped. Had so much fun on the CR putting laps in. Cheap fun. I Just picked up a mint 2017 YZ125 now can't wait to compare the two back to back once riding season begins here in Ontario.
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Falcon 3/17/2021 4:43pm
3/17/2021 4:43pm
I used to race the Vet class on a 125. I'd get eaten up on the start and then spend the rest of the race harassing my way toward the front. Sometimes I'd win, sometimes not, but I guarantee you I was having the most fun of anybody on the track!
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 3/17/2021 4:57pm
3/17/2021 4:57pm
blaze 57 wrote:
Older vet rider (64) picked up a new YZ 125 and I don't know if its my head but my KTM 450 seems like its so...
Older vet rider (64) picked up a new YZ 125 and I don't know if its my head but my KTM 450 seems like its so easier to ride after practicing on the 125 for a couple weeks.
Got a REALLY clean 2007 RM125 2 monhs ago that I've been riding a bit. My "turn entry and exits" have improved.

Also, it's soooooo fun to wring-it-out (It's not the fastest 125/you've gotta ride it like an RM85) Grinning
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Nairb#70
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Nairb#70 3/17/2021 4:59pm
3/17/2021 4:59pm
For some strange reason when I used to practice on a 125 it felt like getting the ab/core workout of a lifetime and I swear it burned off belly fat like nothing else. And I felt like a hero when back on the bigger bike.
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Bruce372
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Bruce372 3/17/2021 5:01pm
3/17/2021 5:01pm
My 150sx is a lot more scary fast than my fc450.

Every lap on the 150 has a come to Jesus moment lol
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Spudnut
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Spudnut 3/17/2021 5:18pm
3/17/2021 5:18pm Edited Date/Time 3/17/2021 7:40pm
We’ve landed on the moon!!!
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JB500
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JB500 3/17/2021 7:01pm
3/17/2021 7:01pm
Falcon wrote:
I used to race the Vet class on a 125. I'd get eaten up on the start and then spend the rest of the race harassing...
I used to race the Vet class on a 125. I'd get eaten up on the start and then spend the rest of the race harassing my way toward the front. Sometimes I'd win, sometimes not, but I guarantee you I was having the most fun of anybody on the track!
This is me now. I moved full time to a 125 mid year last year and sold the 250f. I haven’t looked forward to racing like this since I was a kid.
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DynoDan22
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DynoDan22 3/17/2021 8:04pm
3/17/2021 8:04pm
Bruce372, my 150sx would suprise me too compared to my 350sx-f. When she would light up on the face of a jump, it was a butt-puckering event. Haha
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profeshenal125 3/22/2021 11:34am
3/22/2021 11:34am
Better yet a practice 125 and a mod 125. The mod 125 brings the excitement to a much higher level.
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brocster
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brocster 3/22/2021 11:45am
3/22/2021 11:45am
Props to you! One, for riding a 125 (my only bike) and two, for not using “of” in place of have in your title. Cheers!
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Top End
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Top End 3/22/2021 12:34pm
3/22/2021 12:34pm
crusher773 wrote:
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing...
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing about him going to a big bike is I just doubled my bikes. He says it will be his and I explain to him he has NOTHING! He is a free loading bum at 14 and he is lucky I let him ride MY 85.
nytsmaC wrote:
You should piss on his bed to establish dominance
My childhood imaginary friend would always pee in my bed. That jerk got me in so much trouble.
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Brent_Apodaca 3/22/2021 1:05pm
3/22/2021 1:05pm
crusher773 wrote:
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing...
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing about him going to a big bike is I just doubled my bikes. He says it will be his and I explain to him he has NOTHING! He is a free loading bum at 14 and he is lucky I let him ride MY 85.
nytsmaC wrote:
You should piss on his bed to establish dominance
You made my day, solid delivery 10/10. I laughed out loud for 5 min easily.
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nytsmaC
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nytsmaC 3/22/2021 1:07pm
3/22/2021 1:07pm Edited Date/Time 3/22/2021 1:08pm
crusher773 wrote:
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing...
I can't wait my boy will be ready for a 125 either late in the year or next spring. I keep telling him the good thing about him going to a big bike is I just doubled my bikes. He says it will be his and I explain to him he has NOTHING! He is a free loading bum at 14 and he is lucky I let him ride MY 85.
nytsmaC wrote:
You should piss on his bed to establish dominance
Top End wrote:
My childhood imaginary friend would always pee in my bed. That jerk got me in so much trouble.
You’re lucky, mine used to shit in my pants. Still does every now and then.
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Falcon
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Falcon 3/22/2021 1:26pm
3/22/2021 1:26pm
Falcon wrote:
I used to race the Vet class on a 125. I'd get eaten up on the start and then spend the rest of the race harassing...
I used to race the Vet class on a 125. I'd get eaten up on the start and then spend the rest of the race harassing my way toward the front. Sometimes I'd win, sometimes not, but I guarantee you I was having the most fun of anybody on the track!
JB500 wrote:
This is me now. I moved full time to a 125 mid year last year and sold the 250f. I haven’t looked forward to racing like...
This is me now. I moved full time to a 125 mid year last year and sold the 250f. I haven’t looked forward to racing like this since I was a kid.
My trick was to not even try to get to the inside of the first turn. Just start wide, stay wide, and rail around as many fools as you can under braking. Of course, we're talking about the Talladega first turn at Glen Helen, so your results may vary...
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Rickyisms
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Rickyisms 3/23/2021 9:03am
3/23/2021 9:03am
My only two bikes are a mod 125SX and a slightly worked 150SX, absolute blast and don't tire me out. Keeps me honest with corner speed and technique, cheap to maintain, and the fun factor is through the roof!
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IanMac138
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IanMac138 3/23/2021 2:07pm
3/23/2021 2:07pm
diz330 wrote:
I picked up a real clean 2004 cr125 last summer after taking about a 5 year break from riding(last bike was rmz450) and fell in love...
I picked up a real clean 2004 cr125 last summer after taking about a 5 year break from riding(last bike was rmz450) and fell in love with riding again, don't know why I ever stopped. Had so much fun on the CR putting laps in. Cheap fun. I Just picked up a mint 2017 YZ125 now can't wait to compare the two back to back once riding season begins here in Ontario.
Your '17 YZ125 is going to feel incredibly better than the '04 CR125. Night and day better. The SSS suspension is incredible.
IanMac138
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IanMac138 3/23/2021 2:09pm
3/23/2021 2:09pm
Bruce372 wrote:
My 150sx is a lot more scary fast than my fc450.

Every lap on the 150 has a come to Jesus moment lol
I have a 150SX too...amen to the scary fast and come to Jesus moment. The girl can bark and scare the ever living sh*t out of me if I get tired or lazy.
AZRider
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AZRider 3/24/2021 5:21am
3/24/2021 5:21am
This is me to a "T" I picked up a 150 to help with my practicing, but still raced my 350. Sold the 350 last year and raced the 150. I will be picking up a new 450 for some races, but I have so much fun racing 2 stroke open and occasionally racing it in the 40 and 45+ that I cant imagine giving it up.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 3/24/2021 5:59am
3/24/2021 5:59am
I have an 87 CR 125 vintage bike and a modern 450. Raced Daytona Vintage SX a few weeks back, they use transponders there. Guess which bike I turned a faster lap on (both motos)? Yeah, the 125. I realize that it's just a given track on a given day, and I wasn't jumping some of the things I should have been on the 450, but still....damn...a 34 year old 125?!? I noticed it going into turns faster, a 125 can out brake anything.
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AH387
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AH387 3/24/2021 7:47am
3/24/2021 7:47am
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.) I used to really be a 125 only guy. I raced Plus 25 back10 years ago when I first was eligible for that class, on a YZ125, just for the fun of it. But now having several 250F/350/450s, I hop on the 125 and it takes me all day to get used to it. Plus, I feel like it messes up my timing with the throttle, compared to a 4stroke. I'll still always have a 125 as a 2nd bike, because they are my favorite bikes, but I just have a hard time switching back and forth with whatever other 4-stroke I have in the stable. I envy you guys that can switch right back and it helps you be more aggressive on your 450 (or whatever your main bike is.)
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mark_swart
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mark_swart 3/24/2021 8:20am
3/24/2021 8:20am
AH387 wrote:
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.)...
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.) I used to really be a 125 only guy. I raced Plus 25 back10 years ago when I first was eligible for that class, on a YZ125, just for the fun of it. But now having several 250F/350/450s, I hop on the 125 and it takes me all day to get used to it. Plus, I feel like it messes up my timing with the throttle, compared to a 4stroke. I'll still always have a 125 as a 2nd bike, because they are my favorite bikes, but I just have a hard time switching back and forth with whatever other 4-stroke I have in the stable. I envy you guys that can switch right back and it helps you be more aggressive on your 450 (or whatever your main bike is.)
That's interesting- I'm the opposite. Going from 450 to 125 I pick right up just like muscle memory, other than reminding myself to downshift more for the first few laps. But going from 125 back to 4T, it's like I have to re-learn it all over. I think it's because I spent so much time on 125s growing up?
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FGR01 3/24/2021 8:35am
3/24/2021 8:35am
AH387 wrote:
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.)...
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.) I used to really be a 125 only guy. I raced Plus 25 back10 years ago when I first was eligible for that class, on a YZ125, just for the fun of it. But now having several 250F/350/450s, I hop on the 125 and it takes me all day to get used to it. Plus, I feel like it messes up my timing with the throttle, compared to a 4stroke. I'll still always have a 125 as a 2nd bike, because they are my favorite bikes, but I just have a hard time switching back and forth with whatever other 4-stroke I have in the stable. I envy you guys that can switch right back and it helps you be more aggressive on your 450 (or whatever your main bike is.)
I do 125/350. Mostly practice on the 125 because it's fun and to keep hours off the 350. But I am like you. I can adapt to each and go relatively the same speed, but it takes a few motos to reacclimate. On a 125 you have your right wrist locked back all the time. When I switch back to a 350/450 I have to be careful not to overshoot jumps and corners. And when I switch back to the 125 I am initially lazy with shifting and have to get used to the no engine braking entering corners.
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wisey
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wisey 3/24/2021 9:22am
3/24/2021 9:22am
AH387 wrote:
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.)...
I'm probably the only idiot to say this but I think having the 125 as my play bike actually does more harm than good (for me.) I used to really be a 125 only guy. I raced Plus 25 back10 years ago when I first was eligible for that class, on a YZ125, just for the fun of it. But now having several 250F/350/450s, I hop on the 125 and it takes me all day to get used to it. Plus, I feel like it messes up my timing with the throttle, compared to a 4stroke. I'll still always have a 125 as a 2nd bike, because they are my favorite bikes, but I just have a hard time switching back and forth with whatever other 4-stroke I have in the stable. I envy you guys that can switch right back and it helps you be more aggressive on your 450 (or whatever your main bike is.)
I struggle moving from 125 to 450 is throttle control.
125 = hammer the throttle WFO
450 = wrong idea
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