But how competitive against the 250F's in the under16yr age group?
If that's what you are looking for then you really should consider the KTM150. Is the 144cc legal in that class? It makes more hp than the 250F. Top quality components and is an absolute blast to ride. Other than that, we've had a couple RM125's and they have been great bikes. Lightweight, handles great, turns and stops on a dime and revs to the moon. 250F's are boring in comparison but that 4 stroke torque spread is hard to beat with half the displacement.
Still working on getting the same rule allowance in the AMA rulebooks. Even with the 144cc rule, I'm sure they aren't dominating 250Fs like you would think. The torque spread is hard to overcome.
But how competitive against the 250F's in the under16yr age group?
A lot of that depends on the rider and who you are racing. Locally my son (ama 14 yr old) can run out front in the mod B class/schoolboy2 on a stock YZ 125. At Loretta's his best finish against the 250f was 15th on a stock YZ 125 ( not a 144) in the schoolboy 2 field of 250f's (he was the only 2 stroke in the field as far as I know). At that level of competition being underpowered has its limitations, he had to pass the same bikes over and over because they kept pulling him on the straightaways and he kept passing them in the corners. He was inside the top ten against the 250's when he went down and broke his wrist in the last moto and ended with a dnf. But that was pretty typical for our week, we had a LOT of bike issues mainly with jetting. Yamaha worked on that bike on and off all week and never managed to get it right contributing to 4 dnf's over the course of the week.....needless to say we have had better times at the ranch in the past. lol. But he rode his butt off when the bike was functioning and he came out relatively unscathed. It was truly the most frustrating LL we have had in 9 yrs of my son competing at the ranch.
None are as powerful or better specc'ed than a TM. That you don't see many in the states is down to the AMA classifying them as 'factory' bikes. I can assure you they are superb in showroom stock form. Available in th U.S. too!
TM's were always quick but never had the reliability of KTM's, probably due to the TM's high state of tune. That said, I've an old 2001 KTM 125 that can match and pass 250f's on straights and other than an FMF Pore Core 2 silencer (which did make it rev out better from what I remember) it's standard. Rider skill definitely plays a much bigger role on a 125 vs 250f though, you really need to know how to keep it screaming and use your potential higher cornering speed. (note: in muddy conditions a 250f will have definitely advantage)
Anyways back on point more, a KTM or TM will be faster out of the box than either a Yamaha or Suzuki, all are good bikes, though Suzuki's did used to have quite soft gearboxs (hopefully no longer an issue).
If your allowed to race a 144cc then definitely that is the best route to take, they are simply put, faster than a 125cc everywhere and much better matched against 250f's.
None are as powerful or better specc'ed than a TM. That you don't see many in the states is down to the AMA classifying them as...
None are as powerful or better specc'ed than a TM. That you don't see many in the states is down to the AMA classifying them as 'factory' bikes. I can assure you they are superb in showroom stock form. Available in th U.S. too!
A few years ago a TM made it into an AMA national qualifier . Not sure if they made the main gate . Anyway the thinking was someone thought it was a KTM and just a misprint on the paperwork lol.
If anyone was buying a 2-stroke how in the hell could they buy anything but a KTM? They are they only one's that have been updated over the last 3-5 years.
The TM reliability problems must have been before we started riding them in 2004 - no real problems for us with any of the 6 we've had since.
Most 125s will pass a 250f on a long enough straight as they put out more max HP in (stock form). It's the lack of torque that gives them problems out of corners and off the start. When there's plenty of grip two stokes can compete ok but on dusty hardpack the 4s really put the power down sooo much better.
As for muddy conditions, the lighter weight (carried lower) gives the 125 the advantage.
Your really hurting your choice by not considering KTM!
x1000000000000000000000000 the ktm definetely has a stronger motor than the jap bikes and every year they improve on the suspension, so for outdoors the KTM is the best 125 out there and if 144 is allowed then the ktm150 would be the best....
Go with the KTM. Not much more in price, more fit and finish, the suspension is good on the new bikes, and the motors are incredible. I have never had a problem out of any of my KTM's and I've ridden ktms for 11 years
Next question.
The Yamaha is better stock for stock but I think the Suzuki is better once modified. JMO
They've been building the strongest 125 for years!
The Shop
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That happened to me on Thumpertalk the other day too...
I must be losing it...
That happened to me on Thumpertalk the other day too...
I must be losing it...
depends on who the rider is.
Skill level, weight, riding style, ease of maintainance, parts availability and dealer support all are bigger factors than what color the bike is.
As to setting up for different conditions - all of them can be adjusted.
Pit Row
Anyways back on point more, a KTM or TM will be faster out of the box than either a Yamaha or Suzuki, all are good bikes, though Suzuki's did used to have quite soft gearboxs (hopefully no longer an issue).
If your allowed to race a 144cc then definitely that is the best route to take, they are simply put, faster than a 125cc everywhere and much better matched against 250f's.
Most 125s will pass a 250f on a long enough straight as they put out more max HP in (stock form). It's the lack of torque that gives them problems out of corners and off the start. When there's plenty of grip two stokes can compete ok but on dusty hardpack the 4s really put the power down sooo much better.
As for muddy conditions, the lighter weight (carried lower) gives the 125 the advantage.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cougarred.com/images/Hon…
About 45 h.p., 140 mph, 150 lbs.
Oh, did you mean dirt bike? my bad.
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