Kx125 vs yz125

Sam Neall
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Bloomfield, MO US
8/9/2019 6:08am Edited Date/Time 8/11/2019 8:26pm
I am looking to upgrade from a crf150f and am currently looking for a 125 2 stroke. I want a yz but they are all 4000+ which won’t work for my budget. I can afford the kx125 but people have said it’s much slower than the yz. Will I be disappointed if I buy the kx? Is there that much of a difference?
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kb228
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8/9/2019 6:10am
id go with a yz just because of part availability and they are better pretty much in every way. This is coming from a long time kawi guy too. No need to spend 4k. Theres lots out there for 1/2 that if you look.
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.kyle
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8/9/2019 6:26am
Depends what year Kawi, but if it's 04+ then it won't be slower power wise. According to MXA's dyno, the kx made more bhp than the yz. (I know power is only part of the equation)
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DB97
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8/9/2019 7:17am
I have a kx125 and the thing rips if you're on the pipe. Down low is pretty bad as most two strokes are lots of shifting. Stock suspension the yz will be better but motor wise yz should be the same as it was around 04-05 time for last kx125. Mine is modded and I never rode it stock for comparison. If you get a cheap kx you probably would want newer forks on it.

The Shop

dadofagun
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8/9/2019 7:19am
Coming off of your current ride, either one of the 125"s you mentioned is going to be an eye opener for you. But, as mentioned earlier, there are TONS of YZ's out there for way less than 4k..... I myself would go the YZ route as well. Take your time, one will pop up.
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mark_swart
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Chapin, SC US
8/9/2019 8:19am
Any YZ 125 from 2006 and up is essentially thhe same from a performance standpoint. There have to be plenty out there for way less than $4K. I sold a nice 2006 last year for $2200. Just keep looking.
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Wandell
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Cairo, GA US
8/9/2019 9:06am
I agree. Buy the bike that is still being manufactured vs. the one that has been out of production for over a decade. This will guarantee you parts availability and even a little development (probably aftermarket only) for years.
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Phillip_Lamb
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8/9/2019 10:47am
stock wise 03-05 kx125 vs 06-19 yz the yz has the upper hand. the suspension is really good and the motor is clean.

the kx needs a fork swap and a linkage, and the motors need tuning.

stock: YZ
modded: TIE

if you want a kx and have money do it, if your on a budget go yz
8/9/2019 10:52am
No brainier for me, YZ all day long, endless amount of spares. Sod searching around for spares for a bike that isn’t produced anymore, been there done that.
Tracktor
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8/9/2019 11:44am
Buy the KX, use the money save to install an STIC metering block in carb and enjoy...........
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8/9/2019 11:59am
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage.

Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have to this day, YZ all day. Better suspension better power the Yamaha has also some minor things that are better. Like the D shaped heads on the shock linkage bolts that only requires one wrench to loosen not two like the kx did through the swingarm. Which makes working on the yz more enjoyable.

The yz is also a good 10lbs lighter than the kx
Then there's all of the massive aftermarket stuff the yz has going for it the kx doesn't especially nowadays.
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ElliotB16
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8/9/2019 12:03pm
You need a CR500 kid
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DB97
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8/9/2019 12:06pm
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage. Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have...
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage.

Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have to this day, YZ all day. Better suspension better power the Yamaha has also some minor things that are better. Like the D shaped heads on the shock linkage bolts that only requires one wrench to loosen not two like the kx did through the swingarm. Which makes working on the yz more enjoyable.

The yz is also a good 10lbs lighter than the kx
Then there's all of the massive aftermarket stuff the yz has going for it the kx doesn't especially nowadays.
05 kx125 dry weight 192. 20 yz125 wet weight 207. I think the kx is lighter not sure how much when full of liquids.
pdub187
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8/9/2019 5:39pm
Buy a YZ. Yamaha still make all the spares you could possibly want as it's still a current model. The KX has been out of production for years and Kawi isn't the best at supporting older models.
3
8/9/2019 6:50pm
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage. Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have...
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage.

Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have to this day, YZ all day. Better suspension better power the Yamaha has also some minor things that are better. Like the D shaped heads on the shock linkage bolts that only requires one wrench to loosen not two like the kx did through the swingarm. Which makes working on the yz more enjoyable.

The yz is also a good 10lbs lighter than the kx
Then there's all of the massive aftermarket stuff the yz has going for it the kx doesn't especially nowadays.
DB97 wrote:
05 kx125 dry weight 192. 20 yz125 wet weight 207. I think the kx is lighter not sure how much when full of liquids.
The kx125 weight wet was like 209 - 210 it is not lighter than the yz. The kx engine is a copy of the older gen yz125 cept for the different clutch setup.
The kx has more mass in the engine cases because it doesn't have the stacked gearbox like a 05+ yz125 engine does.

So the yz125 engine weighs less than the kx and the kx's steel frame is heavier. I really liked my 04 kx125 especially it's lower seat height with the sdg standard seat. I had a lot of fun on it in 04 n most of 05 doing my best bubba impression. Trying to beat the hoard that jumped ship to 250 f's. Every chance I got I'd dive on the inside of a 250f guy and roast away.



DB97
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8/9/2019 6:55pm
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage. Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have...
Having owned an 04 kx125 when it was brand new and having the pro circuit shock linkage.

Then going to a 06 yz125 i still have to this day, YZ all day. Better suspension better power the Yamaha has also some minor things that are better. Like the D shaped heads on the shock linkage bolts that only requires one wrench to loosen not two like the kx did through the swingarm. Which makes working on the yz more enjoyable.

The yz is also a good 10lbs lighter than the kx
Then there's all of the massive aftermarket stuff the yz has going for it the kx doesn't especially nowadays.
DB97 wrote:
05 kx125 dry weight 192. 20 yz125 wet weight 207. I think the kx is lighter not sure how much when full of liquids.
The kx125 weight wet was like 209 - 210 it is not lighter than the yz. The kx engine is a copy of the older gen...
The kx125 weight wet was like 209 - 210 it is not lighter than the yz. The kx engine is a copy of the older gen yz125 cept for the different clutch setup.
The kx has more mass in the engine cases because it doesn't have the stacked gearbox like a 05+ yz125 engine does.

So the yz125 engine weighs less than the kx and the kx's steel frame is heavier. I really liked my 04 kx125 especially it's lower seat height with the sdg standard seat. I had a lot of fun on it in 04 n most of 05 doing my best bubba impression. Trying to beat the hoard that jumped ship to 250 f's. Every chance I got I'd dive on the inside of a 250f guy and roast away.



Gotcha. Jumping off my 450 onto it feels like a toy lots of fun and handles great to me. No doubt he would be better with a newer yz if he can find a good one.
chippo
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AU
8/11/2019 8:26pm
Best off going with the Yamaha, they are still being manufactured so parts are availbale as well as having nearly a limitless spectrum of second hands parts on the internet that you can buy from. If you play the patient game you'll easily find one under 4k. Good luck with your search and have fun with the extra power.

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