It was a bittersweet feeling to have to turn in my 2009 YZ125 Long Haul. With 66.1 hours tallied on the hourmeter the bike gave me zero problems over the year of use. Since the last update at 40 hours I added a tooth to the rear sprocket, changed the transmission oil a few times, ran Maxima K2 premix at 32:1, kept the air filter unchoked and changed the tires shockingly few times. Essentially, I ignored the bike when I wasn’t riding it, then promised to treat it better each time I was. The bike finished up its magazine duties testing a few pipes in our comprehensive pipe test, and everyone complained about my hammered tires though no one griped about any loss of power or major clutch fade, and this still on the stock piston and rings! I’m not a revver, so the motor got off easy. A 125 rider who keeps the piston up in the scream zone should have its routine top end schedule followed.There’s a theory that a year on a 125 will make you a better rider because the lack of power forces you to learn proper shift points, clutch control, line choice and to carry momentum. This is all true, but I think the most significant aspect is having a ride that doesn’t intimidate. Two-strokes naturally feel lighter and give that fun sensation of surfing over the track rather than gripping to it. If you want a fun way to learn everything from first-day-beginner basics to late braking in nasty, deep corner-entrance ruts, this is your machine.The little Yami also makes it easy to keep your race pace going long. I gained a lot of positions at the one-and-a-half-hour-long Day in the Dirt Coup de Grâce race because the bike takes such little muscle to moto. The glaring disadvantage to racing a tiddler is a straight-up pass is more challenging with less line selection available when momentum is key, and less thrust to pull off a pass on turn exits. Pre-mix bottles should come with a stack of tear-offs.The bright side of turning my 125 back over to Yamaha was that it was necessary for us to be able to take delivery of our 2010 YZ125. That’s right, even into 2011 Yamaha is still manufacturing its two-strokes and still bringing them into the U.S. Even without changes, I am glad to see the simple, cheap, fun bikes still on showroom floors.Running Tally
Hours on Bike: 66.1
Modification Costs:
Pro Circuit suspension revalve, internal kits and National spring tubes: $1,564.00;
Pro Circuit clamps with bar mounts: $599.85;
www.procircuit.com
RK chain and sprocket kit: $195.00;
www.rkexcelamerica.com
DeCal graphics: $79.95;
www.decalmx.com
Repair Costs: None
Maintenance Costs:
Maxima Formula K2 two-stroke oil: $18.49 per liter
MTL/Trans Clutch oil: $8.49 per liter
Bridgestone 403/404 tires
