A lot of you might be overlooking some of the best bikes out there. Sure sales figures and what your buddies brag about may contradict what your friends here at Dirt Rider Magazine are going to tell you, but remember, we are the experts and we've ridden everything. Two-stroke 125cc motocrossers, and the 144cc and 150cc "cheater" versions of these bikes, might be the best all-around value and provide the highest fun factor on two wheels today. And value and fun are two things we can all really use more of these days.
In terms of sheer performance, the 125 hasn't kept up with the rapidly evolving 250cc four-stroke. Whoever thought a 250cc thumper could run that good? No one did about 12 years ago, which is why they were allowed to race straight up against the 125. The four-stroke has more peak power, but more importantly almost twice the usable power spread in rpm, the latest innovations in handling and suspension, as well as its double dose in displacement. But four-bangers also have higher maintenance demands and increased costs that grow over time with more necessary replacement parts. Plus, motor failures are often catastrophic, especially for mechanically challenged owners. On the two-stroke side of the fence, the Yamaha YZ125 has an aluminum frame and top-flight suspension components while KTM has kept two-stroke development alive with continuing improvements each year. The chassis and suspension components on both the 125 and 150 KTMs are the same as on all of the SX line. These Yamaha and KTM models are the only readily available small-bore two-strokes as Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki chose to discontinue selling 125s in the U.S. Whether we will continue to have 125s as a choice depends solely on how they sell-pretty simple.
Who are these bikes best for? They are perfect for riders outgrowing an 85cc race bike or even riders outpacing their midsize four-stroke trailbike like a Honda CRF150F or Yamaha TT-R125. Compared to the other race bike choices, a 125 is much easier to control for lighter riders, and much smarter than jumping all the way up to a 250cc four-stroke MXer. Consider that a 125 starts a lot easier, has less power to get riders into trouble and it takes more skill to ride them fast, therefore riders learn to be better operators on their first full-size machine. Clutch control is vital, and being in the right gear is paramount on 125s-what better way to learn to get the most out of your ride? The bike's light weight, combined with less rotational mass inside the engine cases affecting the handling of the bike, makes it easier to control and teaches riders to move the bike around without having to be incredibly strong. A 125 is surely one of the best bikes for the first-time rider to be looking at for the same reasons mentioned above.
Then there is a small but growing group of older riders who at one time raced or rode 125s and are going back, just for fun. Typically lighter riders, too small for a 250cc two-stroke but over the four-stroke fever (or at least taking a break). The small-bore two-stroke is a refreshing memory and still an absolute blast to ride and race, even if you are slower on it. (A great reason to talk your friends into this crazy idea as well.)
Dirt Rider hit the tracks with KTM's latest offerings and the 2009 Yamaha YZ125. To that we added our 2008 YZ125 that had been outfitted with an Athena 144cc kit (www.athena-ad.com) and an FMF exhaust (www.fmfracing.com), rounded up test riders young and old, and had a match-up of mega-fun proportions, just small on displacement.
Cameron Kyler:
120 lb Novice
Uses wood blocks because he can't touch the ground on the start line.
Chris Plouffe:
115 lb Intermediate
Drove the whole way to the track with the window down, rolling learner's permit style.
Sean Foos:
120 lb Novice
Yes, his mom drove him to the track. Yes, he's rocking a new set of Fox gear, too.
Chris Barrett:
180 lb Pro
Be cool, he rides the supercross class!
Jimmy Lewis:
185 lb Vet Pro
Sporting a nice dirt beard from a life of eating roost.
Tyler Ruiz:
180 lb Intermediate
Sticks his tongue out and makes 125 noises all the time.