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Langtown, CA
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My son who's only 12, has gone through a huge growth spurt and is too big for his 85. I'm beginning to search for a 125. We are professional practice racers 
My main goal is for the kid and I to always have something in common, and put him on something a bit cheaper for the time being. He's a pretty good novice rider, and been on a bike since around 4 years of age.
I don't have loyalty to brands and and just want the best bang for my buck. I was recently told that the 03-05 Kawi's were great bikes and diamonds on the rough. Were Suzuki and Kawi in cahoots with each other during this time ?
What are the best years and bikes for around 2k ? I plan on doing some work to it .... Suspension and new top end etc.
The obvious ...
06- up Yamaha
03-05 Kawi ?
Suzuki ?
03-07 Honda ?
Thanks in advance !
Heres an example ...
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/mcy/5645083427.html
My main goal is for the kid and I to always have something in common, and put him on something a bit cheaper for the time being. He's a pretty good novice rider, and been on a bike since around 4 years of age.I don't have loyalty to brands and and just want the best bang for my buck. I was recently told that the 03-05 Kawi's were great bikes and diamonds on the rough. Were Suzuki and Kawi in cahoots with each other during this time ?
What are the best years and bikes for around 2k ? I plan on doing some work to it .... Suspension and new top end etc.
The obvious ...
06- up Yamaha
03-05 Kawi ?
Suzuki ?
03-07 Honda ?
Thanks in advance !
Heres an example ...
https://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant/mcy/5645083427.html
I used to run RM125's and they were quicker, turns better, but not as stable at speed,
The Honda's were slow back then, when they went alloy frame and 5 speed gear box they were slow, but good handling, if you can find a nice one still not bad bike,
I think the YZ125 is the best of the bunch for smaller lighter riders at the moment, i would look for a 05 or later YZ125 or buy a new one if your that way inclined,
the new KTM is probably the fastest of the lot, but i think the YZ would be a better option all around than the KTM
06+ YZ
The Shop
2004 KX125 - light and fun. Solid in every area, but not exceptional in any. Suspension can be improved. Likewise with the motor, but I wouldn't hesitate to have another.
2004 RM125 - this year engine is a copy of the KTM, so it is fast. Felt very different to the KX. Handling is better than anything else I have ever ridden. Build quality can be suspect, and like other Suzuki's I have owned, it seemed to wear quickly and got tired before long. Little things annoyed me, like cheap bolts and fasteners and how quickly the frame and engine powdercoat/paint rubbed off. As a brand new bike it ran badly. Turned out that the main jet was loose in the carb and had spun around a few turns (but could happen to any bike).
2007 YZ125. Amazing suspension, great turning and bullet proof. Would be my choice for sure, but they're popular and the prices seem to be a little higher than the Kawasaki or Suzuki equivalent.
2011 125SX. Fastest motor of all, superb brakes and build quality. Once the suspension was dialed in, it was every bit as good as the YZ.
Some pretty good deals on leftover TC125 Husqvarna's if you wanted to spend a little more; a dealer near me let a new 2015 go a few months back for a shade over 5k just to get rid of it. All of the above bikes were great, and I would look for one with low hours above anything else if buying used.
Best for a practice rider? Any 04 and up major brand 125
I just love my -08 RM125
The benefits of buying a 2005+ YZ125 or a 2012+ KTM 125SX is the parts are available because they are recent production machines (KTM changed their entire engine & chassis for 2016, the YZ is basically identical from 2005+)
Yamaha parts cost substantially less than KTM parts. A lot of OEM Yami parts are roughly half the cost vs KTM. The YZ125 has been basically the same for 10 years. The stock suspension works well and the engine is fast, but easy to ride. The KTM makes more peak power, but it's slightly harder to keep on the pipe. Both KTM and Yamaha make a chassis that handles well.
That link you posted looks nice! I loved my 03 kx.
Power, reliability and handling and ergos are all top-notch. Brakes are good enough.
We've only been over this 10,000 times and Yamahas always get the most votes 10,000 times.
Donot let peoples sentiment sway you...
Rm and kx are hard to find and the cr125 handled well because all slow bikes do.
Pit Row
Everyone else, thank you !
Maybe you could find an old thread for me since theres 10000 of them and they are so easy to find. This isn't about the new yami vs the new KTM.
I'd say best bike would be an 06+ Yamaha, but if you can get an 02 RM125 for $800 bucks I'd say that's better "for the money". Around where I live people think all 125's are worth 2k+ for some reason.
Watch Craigslist like an eagle, don't miss opportunities but don't be impatient either. As people have said, generally all major brands 04+ can be made awesome, sometimes you'll be switching forks and stuff to make it awesome, but they've all got potential, it's about getting a live one to start off with for cheap.
Thx !
It's a 125, they are all slow as shit. Saying one is faster than others is like saying a Honda Civic is faster than a Nissan Sentra. Who cares, when every other big bike on the track will blow by you on a straight? If you want to go faster, buy a bigger bike. You ride a 125 to have fun, not go fast. But something that has the lowest hours you can find, good chassis, and easy access to replacement parts. Put your money into suspension and tires, not motor.
For me, that's a CR. I don't care that a YZ is a tad faster. If I want power, I'll hop on a 450.
I think my bro Peelout would recomend the cr as well
Thats good info about the parts.... Think I've narrowed it down to the YZ and Honda.
Thanks again everyone !
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