Moving up from a beginner to a race bike

suzukinash99
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 12:50pm
So I just started riding this summer, my buddy got me into it and I love it! Every day I think about riding, have only gone 2 on an legitimant track. I am comfortable on my DRZ 125l and am wondering when would be a good time to move up to a bigger bike. I want to be racing in 7 months, and what bike I have in mind a 125 2 stroke either a YZ or a rm. what do you guys think?
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SwapperMX
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SwapperMX 12/28/2011 10:50pm
12/28/2011 10:50pm
Yeah maybe posted in the wrong section to get many serious answers, but it seems like you are on the right track as far as what bike to go to next. Either a YZ or an RM 125 woud be a great bike, just take someone with you that knows what they are looking if looking at if buying second hand.
EvanR127
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EvanR127 12/28/2011 10:53pm
12/28/2011 10:53pm
Age, height, weight, and terrain would help
mx510
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mx510 12/28/2011 10:55pm
12/28/2011 10:55pm
SwapperMX wrote:
Yeah maybe posted in the wrong section to get many serious answers, but it seems like you are on the right track as far as what...
Yeah maybe posted in the wrong section to get many serious answers, but it seems like you are on the right track as far as what bike to go to next. Either a YZ or an RM 125 woud be a great bike, just take someone with you that knows what they are looking if looking at if buying second hand.
All of his answer plus, get some professional lessons if you havent already. Also talk to someone that knows the sport well and can give you honest advice about how your riding is going and if you are ready. The key is HONEST advice.

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ocscottie
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ocscottie 12/28/2011 11:07pm
12/28/2011 11:07pm
Have you gone out to your local race track and watched the races? see what other riders in the class you plan on racing are riding, meet people in your area to go riding with etc etc.

You should also check out and post this in our New Rider Section of the forum HERE

You will probably get a lot of flack and not so serious answers in this section. Dont take any of it personally, it is their way of initiating you to the board. Cool

The best advice i can give you is to keep having fun.
pummel
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pummel 12/29/2011 10:29am
12/29/2011 10:29am Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 10:30am
Go to local races, practice track or shop and talk to people make friends and beg borrow or bribe a test ride on whatever bike seems to suit your size/ age/ skill. .
peelout
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peelout 12/29/2011 12:46pm
12/29/2011 12:46pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 12:47pm
new rider and wanting to get into racing, go for a newer 125 or even a KTM 200 two stroke.

unless you make big money or your parents do, stay away from a 250f. it will only be a $1800 hole in your wallet
Charles Bronson 12/29/2011 2:38pm
12/29/2011 2:38pm
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better.

make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored wheels on it immediately upon buying it, then send photos of it to "DirtyFilter75" on here and tell him you race 125 beginner.
bullpen58
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bullpen58 12/29/2011 2:50pm
12/29/2011 2:50pm
Charles Bronson wrote:
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better. make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored...
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better.

make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored wheels on it immediately upon buying it, then send photos of it to "DirtyFilter75" on here and tell him you race 125 beginner.
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
zippy895
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zippy895 12/29/2011 2:54pm
12/29/2011 2:54pm
the class you want to race in will depend on what bike would be the best fit
Charles Bronson 12/29/2011 3:09pm
12/29/2011 3:09pm
bullpen58 wrote:
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
all kidding aside i know plenty of squids with needle bearing throttles, Ti footpegs, talon wheels, and Ti headers. not to mention the entire 500AF community collectively not being able to handle a 500AF (seriously, is there one fast guy who owns one?) I just don't think your purchases should be restricted to your skill level.

the real underlying problem is that people phrase their personal opinions as fact on this website. then younger, impressionable people read it, and interpret it as fact.

i'm guilty of it from time to time, but IMHO, i think a guy like the OP would be best off on a low-hours two stroke 125, rather than a clapped out, last-leg 250F that some 17 yr old local A rider has been running open money class on. the 250Fs like i just mentioned always have beginner appeal because they always are adorned in aftermarket parts.
suzukinash99 12/29/2011 5:31pm
12/29/2011 5:31pm
Charles Bronson wrote:
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better. make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored...
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better.

make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored wheels on it immediately upon buying it, then send photos of it to "DirtyFilter75" on here and tell him you race 125 beginner.
bullpen58 wrote:
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
fuck you posers.
sec114
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sec114 12/29/2011 5:43pm
12/29/2011 5:43pm
out of yz and rm , a yz 125 may be better because of the durability aspect of it. concentrate on basic bike skills and staying on 2 wheels. get ocals to give you ideas about air filter, 32:1 mix ratios, and such , so you start out on the right foot. just have fun on the track and tag onto riders with your likewise speed. seat time is your friend. enjoy
ocscottie
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ocscottie 12/29/2011 5:46pm
12/29/2011 5:46pm
Charles Bronson wrote:
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better. make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored...
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better.

make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored wheels on it immediately upon buying it, then send photos of it to "DirtyFilter75" on here and tell him you race 125 beginner.
bullpen58 wrote:
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
suzukinash99 wrote:
fuck you posers.
HAR!!! you tell em Matt!

You will fit right in here Laughing
suzukinash99 12/29/2011 6:02pm
12/29/2011 6:02pm
EvanR127 wrote:
Age, height, weight, and terrain would help
im 16 years old, average height maybe 5.9??? weigh around 125, when i am on my drz i feel as if it is too short for me though, and i feel as if i would be better with more power, when i turn with my drz i dont get enough wheelspin to acctually do a good turn. much harder to get the back wheel up also. when i watch 125 races the kids riding those arent much taller than me, let me know what you think.
suzukinash99 12/29/2011 6:04pm
12/29/2011 6:04pm
bullpen58 wrote:
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
suzukinash99 wrote:
fuck you posers.
ocscottie wrote:
HAR!!! you tell em Matt!

You will fit right in here Laughing
Smile i now understand where and how to post forums, i didn't realize i was posting in the wrong section!! thanks for help!!!

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sec114
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sec114 12/29/2011 6:30pm
12/29/2011 6:30pm
EvanR127 wrote:
Age, height, weight, and terrain would help
suzukinash99 wrote:
im 16 years old, average height maybe 5.9??? weigh around 125, when i am on my drz i feel as if it is too short for...
im 16 years old, average height maybe 5.9??? weigh around 125, when i am on my drz i feel as if it is too short for me though, and i feel as if i would be better with more power, when i turn with my drz i dont get enough wheelspin to acctually do a good turn. much harder to get the back wheel up also. when i watch 125 races the kids riding those arent much taller than me, let me know what you think.
a yz 125 is also a taller seat height of a bike that may be good for you. be sure to set your sag in the rear/shock to roughly 4"/100mm.
bullpen58
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bullpen58 12/29/2011 6:59pm
12/29/2011 6:59pm
Charles Bronson wrote:
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better. make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored...
You need an 04 or newer RM125 or an 05 or newer YZ125, the less molested, the better.

make sure you put aftermarket bars and colored wheels on it immediately upon buying it, then send photos of it to "DirtyFilter75" on here and tell him you race 125 beginner.
bullpen58 wrote:
Don't forget the different colored radiator hoses. Those are MUST HAVE components for any serious racing.
suzukinash99 wrote:
fuck you posers.
Ouch. That hurt. You're mean. Sad
suzukinash99 12/29/2011 7:08pm
12/29/2011 7:08pm
EvanR127 wrote:
Age, height, weight, and terrain would help
suzukinash99 wrote:
im 16 years old, average height maybe 5.9??? weigh around 125, when i am on my drz i feel as if it is too short for...
im 16 years old, average height maybe 5.9??? weigh around 125, when i am on my drz i feel as if it is too short for me though, and i feel as if i would be better with more power, when i turn with my drz i dont get enough wheelspin to acctually do a good turn. much harder to get the back wheel up also. when i watch 125 races the kids riding those arent much taller than me, let me know what you think.
sec114 wrote:
a yz 125 is also a taller seat height of a bike that may be good for you. be sure to set your sag in the...
a yz 125 is also a taller seat height of a bike that may be good for you. be sure to set your sag in the rear/shock to roughly 4"/100mm.
why yamaha?? like i think there nice but would you say there the best?
Old Mate
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Old Mate 12/29/2011 7:23pm
12/29/2011 7:23pm
KTM 150 2t would be a good bike depending on the classes its allowed to enter USA.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 12/29/2011 7:39pm
12/29/2011 7:39pm
Your weight and height are perfect for a 125! There is some great advice in here to to kiddo.......but the key is to have fun doing it. If you were loaded with money , a 250F would be the best choice. But if you get a descent 125 and keep that sucker running good....you will learn a lot on that bike! The maintenance alone on a 125 compared to a 250F is pennies compared to dollars. Just make sure you pick one up with low hours ( best you can get ). Then go out on your 125 and wax some kids that have a $10,000 modded 250F......that will put a smile on your face.
jeffro503
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jeffro503 12/29/2011 7:41pm
12/29/2011 7:41pm Edited Date/Time 12/29/2011 7:42pm
Old Mate wrote:
KTM 150 2t would be a good bike depending on the classes its allowed to enter USA.
Mossy....that 150 wouldn't be illegal in 99% of the local races because it's past the 144cc limit. If he started doing good...people could protest him and shove him right into the fire.....the 450 class.

Stick with a stock or modded 125 ( even if it's bored out,.........lie....everyone else does! ).
suzukinash99 12/29/2011 7:51pm
12/29/2011 7:51pm
jeffro503 wrote:
Your weight and height are perfect for a 125! There is some great advice in here to to kiddo.......but the key is to have fun doing...
Your weight and height are perfect for a 125! There is some great advice in here to to kiddo.......but the key is to have fun doing it. If you were loaded with money , a 250F would be the best choice. But if you get a descent 125 and keep that sucker running good....you will learn a lot on that bike! The maintenance alone on a 125 compared to a 250F is pennies compared to dollars. Just make sure you pick one up with low hours ( best you can get ). Then go out on your 125 and wax some kids that have a $10,000 modded 250F......that will put a smile on your face.
thanks bro! dusting some posers on 250s sounds amazing! Smile
NP301
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NP301 12/29/2011 7:57pm
12/29/2011 7:57pm
suzukinash99 wrote:
So I just started riding this summer, my buddy got me into it and I love it! Every day I think about riding, have only gone...
So I just started riding this summer, my buddy got me into it and I love it! Every day I think about riding, have only gone 2 on an legitimant track. I am comfortable on my DRZ 125l and am wondering when would be a good time to move up to a bigger bike. I want to be racing in 7 months, and what bike I have in mind a 125 2 stroke either a YZ or a rm. what do you guys think?
I love my kawasaki 125!! Look for a 2005 though, they turn way better better then the earlier models! Also I am just a smidgen bigger then you.

Ps check out my channel in my sig and watch my helmet cam! That should give you some pointers!!
partialperson
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partialperson 12/31/2011 5:05am
12/31/2011 5:05am
Honest answer! A 250f would be a better choice. The f is much more forgiving, has plenty of torque, a smooth transition through the power, easy to do obstacles on modern day short run tracks. A 125 would be a good choice if you were used to ringing the guts out of an 85 but....come on dudes be real, he's coming off a trail bike and WILL not have fun on an MX track trying to figure out how to keep the bike in the power.
Ghost of Jabroni 12/31/2011 5:11am
12/31/2011 5:11am
partialperson wrote:
Honest answer! A 250f would be a better choice. The f is much more forgiving, has plenty of torque, a smooth transition through the power, easy...
Honest answer! A 250f would be a better choice. The f is much more forgiving, has plenty of torque, a smooth transition through the power, easy to do obstacles on modern day short run tracks. A 125 would be a good choice if you were used to ringing the guts out of an 85 but....come on dudes be real, he's coming off a trail bike and WILL not have fun on an MX track trying to figure out how to keep the bike in the power.
Youre right.

But I think you are missing the point the other members are trying to make and that is the fact that this noob is so new, that he definitely isnt ready for the maintenance and technicality of a 250f.

Im not one of these anti-250f guys...but that is also because a 250f wasnt my first bike so I didnt have a bad experience involving a "1800 hole in my pocket".

My 250f has ran perfect and I change the oil only every 15 hrs.

The 125 will be super simple for him to learn simple bike maintenance on when considering he's coming from a bulletproof DZ.
suzukinash99 1/1/2012 2:49pm
1/1/2012 2:49pm
partialperson wrote:
Honest answer! A 250f would be a better choice. The f is much more forgiving, has plenty of torque, a smooth transition through the power, easy...
Honest answer! A 250f would be a better choice. The f is much more forgiving, has plenty of torque, a smooth transition through the power, easy to do obstacles on modern day short run tracks. A 125 would be a good choice if you were used to ringing the guts out of an 85 but....come on dudes be real, he's coming off a trail bike and WILL not have fun on an MX track trying to figure out how to keep the bike in the power.
Ghost of Jabroni wrote:
Youre right. But I think you are missing the point the other members are trying to make and that is the fact that this noob is...
Youre right.

But I think you are missing the point the other members are trying to make and that is the fact that this noob is so new, that he definitely isnt ready for the maintenance and technicality of a 250f.

Im not one of these anti-250f guys...but that is also because a 250f wasnt my first bike so I didnt have a bad experience involving a "1800 hole in my pocket".

My 250f has ran perfect and I change the oil only every 15 hrs.

The 125 will be super simple for him to learn simple bike maintenance on when considering he's coming from a bulletproof DZ.
if i buy a 250 ill have to be racing in a 250 class, which i defiantly am not ready for, i have tried 2 strokes and understand the power band.

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