Needing informed opinions on next bike

Personally I'd say go with the 125. A new top end and the chain and sprockets should make it run good. You never know what you are getting into with a locked up older 250. I think it would be a money pit.

That rmz looks horrid. Out of those the kx much better shape.

Easy. The KX,modded suspension and motor. Sounds like Suzi crunched a tranny.

Cons: The wheels could be trued up a bit there are a few loose spokes and they probably could be replaced because there old.

Pros: Replaced every component in the forks and rear shock bushings seals ex. Fluid and paid on of our Kawasaki techs to do the rebuild on the suspension. Bars levers grips foot pegs, throttle and clutch cable tires tubes fork guards seat cover and new seat foam. re packed the silencer and checked the clutch basket and everything looks great. Had Pro Circuit pipe and silencer. New brake fluid. Mika handlebars pro taper lock on grips. Was ported and polished by SASS out of Denver originally in 1998 Because it's engraved on the head. Had the stock stickers on it when I got it. The shroud graphics are stock. Has Uni air filter. And aluminum skid plate.

Surely the kx! I had the opportunity to try a friend's 2001 kx 125 and i had a lot of fun!

The KX no question, just look at the background of the pics compared to the rmz.

KX no doubt. More fun, more cool points, and a fatter wallet in the end.

That's a nice kx. Even the oem frame paint is in great shape! Put a period correct front fender on it and you have a winner.
I would also stay far far away from the rmz.

Thanks for the input so far everyone. The rmz has 0 votes and the kx is the clear winner. I wasnt sure which would win since theres 10 years difference in age.

Ill be able to see the kx on Wednesday or Thursday.

The rmz was just 5 miles away so right after posting the thread i went and looked at it. Pulled in the clutch and the bike kicks over with good compression and rolls forwards and backwards like a normal bike would while in gear with the clutch in. Let the clutch out and its stuck in gear. Shift lever doesnt go up at all, all though it moves downward about an inch without shifting... any ideas what this might be (bent shift fork?) Cost guesses?

Might buy them both for a winter project.

Nothing wrong with resurrecting. Who cares if you lose money? Its not always about the mighty Buck.

Neither one and for sure run from the rmz. Get a newer nike for a few bucks more. Youll save money and aggravation.

resetjet wrote:

Neither one and for sure run from the rmz. Get a newer nike for a few bucks more. Youll save money and aggravation.

resetjet wrote:

Neither one and for sure run from the rmz. Get a newer nike for a few bucks more. Youll save money and aggravation.

...more

Any examples? I am a bigger guy that hasnt ridden for awhile now due to injuries. 6 foot tall 235 lbs. Was looking at a 125 due to lower cost of maintenance and its lack of power forcing me to learn proper riding techniques.

The last 3 of my 4 bikes were 450s and a yz250 smoker. I was able to be lazy on them, im looking to lose weight and have fun riding. Im no racer

before i scrolled and saw the pics, KX, now i have seen them, deffo KX.

stangkag wrote:

Thanks for the input so far everyone. The rmz has 0 votes and the kx is the clear winner. I wasnt sure which would win since ...more

stangkag wrote:

Thanks for the input so far everyone. The rmz has 0 votes and the kx is the clear winner. I wasnt sure which would win since theres 10 years difference in age.

Ill be able to see the kx on Wednesday or Thursday.

The rmz was just 5 miles away so right after posting the thread i went and looked at it. Pulled in the clutch and the bike kicks over with good compression and rolls forwards and backwards like a normal bike would while in gear with the clutch in. Let the clutch out and its stuck in gear. Shift lever doesnt go up at all, all though it moves downward about an inch without shifting... any ideas what this might be (bent shift fork?) Cost guesses?

Might buy them both for a winter project.

...more

No telling what's wrong with the rmz but you'll have to split the cases and no matter what it's not gonna be cheap. 2008 is "old" but 1998 is cool old.
Buy the KX, throw some new plastic/graphics, change the trans oil, check the compression, and go ride. Next weekend its too cold to ride, do a top end (assuming the compression is ok when you buy it), and new bushings/seals in the suspension. The rmz looks like a money pit. Throw in a weak 4 stroke motor, and I just dont see the point in buying it.

If you pick that RMZ I will personally make sure Gibby clicks you before whatever brain infection you suffer from starts to spread to the rest of the VBT.

Pass on both , find a running YZ125 for $1500 bucks

125 for sure, could be a nice vintage piece, will cost less to rebuild and that zuk looks neglected and then some.

You shouldn’t take that RMZ even it he gives it you for free.

soggy wrote:

The KX no question, just look at the background of the pics compared to the rmz.

soggy wrote:

The KX no question, just look at the background of the pics compared to the rmz.

...more

Exactly! Locked up or not, I never understood people that don’t wash the bike when they put it up for sale.

100%....the KX 125! Christ , a $1000.00 is a steal with that bike. She looks to be in great shape. Even if you freshen up the entire motor , it'll cost a lot less than that RMZ.

Buy the KX 125 to keep and ride. Throw him an offer of $700 on the RMZ (expect him to counter) and buy it for $800, and part it out. You can get probably $1500 for parting it out on Ebay.

100% KX, not even a question! Especially not when you see the condition of each bike and where they're stored. That KX is clean as hell! Go get it, go over it, and rip it!

resetjet wrote:

Neither one and for sure run from the rmz. Get a newer nike for a few bucks more. Youll save money and aggravation.

resetjet wrote:

Neither one and for sure run from the rmz. Get a newer nike for a few bucks more. Youll save money and aggravation.

...more

stangkag wrote:

Any examples? I am a bigger guy that hasnt ridden for awhile now due to injuries. 6 foot tall 235 lbs. Was looking at a 125 ...more

stangkag wrote:

Any examples? I am a bigger guy that hasnt ridden for awhile now due to injuries. 6 foot tall 235 lbs. Was looking at a 125 due to lower cost of maintenance and its lack of power forcing me to learn proper riding techniques.

The last 3 of my 4 bikes were 450s and a yz250 smoker. I was able to be lazy on them, im looking to lose weight and have fun riding. Im no racer

...more

A 125 isn’t going to be cheaper to own than a 250 two stroke, regardless of what Vital might tell you. At 235lb you’re going to be ringing the hell out of the 125 and beating the clutch and trans, just find a 250 if you’re looking for something cheaper and more reliable. Not to mention parts for a bike that old might be problematic depending on what you need.

If it’s just going to be a project to ride every now and then that’s one thing, but for a primary bike I don’t think that’s going to be a good choice.

The KX looks like it was actually taken care of.... 125 all the way.

Got this beauty for $900! Thanks for all the input

not bad

Only 900$? In Italy and for 97-02 models they're asking 1200-1800€. Doubled.