Rm125 , would ya, thoughts and reviews

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

I bought an '01 RM125 for my son for $1000. It wasn't bent up, but it needed all new bearings (wheels, swingarm, linkage), I had the shock and forks rebuilt, and had to put a new clutch basket on it (had grooves worn in it from the plates). Threw some new tires on it, a nice sticker kit, new goodies like chain guide and rollers, handlegrips, etc. Still have less than $2000 in it. Took it to the track myself one day, and it moved my 200+ pound ass around just fine (I'm 52 now, but a former A rider from the late '80's, so I still remember how to ride a 1-2-5). I've always owned Zooks, and I've never had issues with any of them.

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

I have already got the cr, for some reason I just don't like the look of the kx

What's with the bad rep, I notice over here there's not many zooks at the tracks, so there could be some substance in that !

I had on 01, and an 03, both were fun, issue free bikes. Rode an 06 and it was noticeably better, assuming it remained unchanged from then on. The VIN digit is the 10th one I believe, for an 08, it should be an 8.

I had an 07 rm125, it was an awesome bike, and I had no issues with it, but it was ungodly slow.

I have an 05 and it is a brilliant little bike. Fun to ride, incredibly light and very reliable so far. I rode CR 125, YZ 125, and prev gen KTM 125 and out of those 4 I would buy Zook again without hesitation.

cody41 wrote:

I had an 07 rm125, it was an awesome bike, and I had no issues with it, but it was ungodly slow.

I agree. A stock YZ will smoke its ass, but the RM was a blast to flick around on. Btw, the stock YZ I rode was a 99 ?

81,82 and 83 rm 125s are still better than most modern bikes.

I love my RMs. Go for it!

UpTiTe wrote:

81,82 and 83 rm 125s are still better than most modern bikes.

G.....have you by chance ridden any of these newer ones? Not just current 17'- 19' bikes , but 05' - 07' bikes? These newer one's would blow your mind on how fast they are. They are NOT like older 125's. For Christ's sake.....my 17' 125 put's out more peak HP than the 81' - 83' 250's!! And this is a 125 we are speaking about here. When you say " better "........please explain.

As far as that goes.......these new 125's aint much off from the 465 and 490's of day's past. Not near the tourque.....but peak HP? yeah.......pretty incredible.

Bman_145 wrote:

I love my RMs. Go for it!

Those are damn fine Suzuki’s. I’d be proud to have either one in stable! Great work ?

Had no clue 125 perfection was attained between 1981 and 1983 by Suzuki, brilliant. Guess I will look for one so I can be the best today.

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

I have a 2005 Yamaha YZ-125 that is the best and most reliable motorcycle I have ever owned. Buy a 2005 or newer YZ-125 and you will be glad you did. I am 56 and have owned a lot of motorcycles in my life. Honda and Yamaha are the best quality motorcycles in my opinion. I also worked in the motorcycle industry for 30 years.

I have 700+ hours on an 08. Have replaced a few gears but apart from that it’s only been routine maintenance. Great little enduro bike.

UpTiTe wrote:

81,82 and 83 rm 125s are still better than most modern bikes.

I’ve often pondered the thought of finding an ‘85 RM250 for a rebuild and throwing a modern set of forks in it. I’ve had discussions with my suspension tuner about the final iteration of the Full Floater and he thinks the new stuff is better. I don’t agree with the rear. That original full floater was practically flawless in its execution. It NEVER surprised me with a kick or step out. And I grew up on the old stuff, and currently ride an ‘06 Zook with revalved suspension.
Oh, and on the ‘83, well, she was fairly lethargic, but the ‘81 was awesome.

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

Sc2 wrote:

I have already got the cr, for some reason I just don't like the look of the kx

What's with the bad rep, I notice over here there's not many zooks at the tracks, so there could be some substance in that !

Dont know really. Maybe shootout results and suzuki not developing bikes like everyone else. The bikes arent bad. I own a suzuki and its been perfectly fine. Just hard to sell

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

Want to do something cool? Get a TM 125.

Here mate, I fixed the last sentence for you

I have a 05 Rm 125 and I love it. It has a fully modded motor that dynoed at 37 rwhp. You have to run avgas or race fuel but it is surprisingly fun to ride and fast especially on braking and mid corner against big bikes. I think the new 125s put out that much horsepower now though but it turns and brakes really well and the Showas are great and plush. Never had a problem with it or it's garage mates. 05 rm250 and 05 RMZ450.

I had a 78 and 81 and both of those bikes were bulletproof except the water pump seal on the 81.

Had an 04 full mod 144 for a couple years. One of the best bikes I’ve had, sold it to upgrade to a new 150. The ktm is overall better but not by much.

Sc2 wrote:

Just lately found myself looking at rm125's.
My last exsperiance was with a 3month 03 old at the the time and it shit the gearbox, so sold it .i keep hearing stories "chocolate gearboxes" . And never touched one since.
The only one I would consider is an 08, as they were the last models, so if I only rode it 3 times a year, it's not loosing money.
Btw they seem to be a lot cheaper than yz' and cr's ....how come ?

So what are the 08's impaticular like,
How can I tell the year, is buy frame no digit

What's your thoughts lads

i had an 02 03 04 i never had any major issues with them but i did notice the gear boxes getting a little worn by the end of the year. i had ridden other brands in that time frame with no issues.

theyre good just durability testing in this time frame wasnt that great

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

Sc2 wrote:

I have already got the cr, for some reason I just don't like the look of the kx

What's with the bad rep, I notice over here there's not many zooks at the tracks, so there could be some substance in that !

kb228 wrote:

Dont know really. Maybe shootout results and suzuki not developing bikes like everyone else. The bikes arent bad. I own a suzuki and its been perfectly fine. Just hard to sell

Do you think it's lack of championships along with the shootouts? I don't think the Suzuki has a bad rep mechanically at all on the street. They are great bikes. But Yamaha and Kawi have been pulling in the dubs (same in moto along with KTMS) all around the world so I think that has a lot to do with it as far as street goes. When Mat Mladin and Ben Spies were winning EVERYONE had a Suzuki. haha.

I had a 03 with the eric gorr 144 kit ported for mid/top power. I miss the hell out of that bike

VetMX.com wrote:

I have a 05 Rm 125 and I love it. It has a fully modded motor that dynoed at 37 rwhp. You have to run avgas or race fuel but it is surprisingly fun to ride and fast especially on braking and mid corner against big bikes. I think the new 125s put out that much horsepower now though but it turns and brakes really well and the Showas are great and plush. Never had a problem with it or it's garage mates. 05 rm250 and 05 RMZ450.

I had a 78 and 81 and both of those bikes were bulletproof except the water pump seal on the 81.

Don't mean to derail the thread but a quick one, what did you do as far as the mods go, and which one was the biggest improvement? Not going to turn mine into a fire breathing beast but I coold use some extra "ooomph".

Ported, pipe, bored carb, reed block, head milled, cases matched I can't remember what else. It was Cole Martinez's Loretta's bike built by JM Racing John Mitchel.

Very fast and pipey but when you flog it hard it hauls. It pings like hell on pump gas so I mix it w/ Avgas or race gas but the funnest bike in my stable.

kb228 wrote:

Suzukis have had a rep for being the worst brand bikes for a long time. that even bleeds into the streetbike scene. Its not totally true, but its why theyre cheap. I wouldnt touch a zook at all. Theyre hard to sell.

Want to do something cool? Get a cr or a kx 125 and do a 2018 conversion on them.

Turbojez wrote:

Want to do something cool? Get a TM 125.

Here mate, I fixed the last sentence for you

Do love the look of them, but out of my budget for a decent one

I love my 2004 RM125. Been a great bike.....and it feels good to bring back one of these and put it into perfect condition again....

RockyMtnMX wrote:

I love my 2004 RM125. Been a great bike.....and it feels good to bring back one of these and put it into perfect condition again....

Good looking Suzukis. What year is the 250?