Getting first 2 stroke dirt bike

[ChrisMX3417]

I'm 5'5 or maybe 5'6 and I weigh 125 pounds and I'm 15 and when I was 14 I rode a 185 4 stroke dirt bike in a 74 cr 125 frame. It was kinda scary going past 3rd gear because I was not used to the power band or speed. It was really a 185cc 4 stroke engine that came off of a old honda 3 wheeler. I want the best and fastest 125cc there is mostly everything Ive rode was a Honda. I want he hardest hitting powerband and speed and good handling and suspension. I'm looking at a Honda CR 125 or a YZ 125 or a KTM 125sx the years for the bikes that I'm going to get are from 2000 to 2005. I heard that the Cr 125 had a weak engine and the YZ 125 is a blast to ride and the KTM has the most power and the hardest hitting powerband. Witch is the funniest one to ride. The CR 125s look the best though to me. I want power thats what makes dirt biking so much fun! Ive rode a 350 raptor before but no where as fun as Motocross! Ive rode that 185 4 puke in the trails in Michigan

[ktm150rippa]

well if you want power out of a 125 you can pretty much cross honda off the list. Yz would prob be your best bet get a 2003 I heard that motor was beast mode

[ruskee]

Ya get a yz 125 i have a 01 it rips

[riffraff]

I rode a 185 4 stroke dirt bike in a 74 cr 125 frame. It was kinda scary going past 3rd gear because I was not used to the power band or speed.

 I want the hardest hitting powerband and speed

 KTM has the most power and the hardest hitting powerband.

 I want power thats what makes dirt biking so much fun!

So you want to scare yourself even more? What gear do you plan on getting into on the 125? But seriously...you got Moxie kid!



I say get the KTM

[ACMX]

Yep get an 03 Yamaha Yz125. It's a five speed so for me I can corner a little faster than other 125's with 6 gears (unless they wanna try turning in 3rd gear...) Plus its just an all around stroke motor. Great bottom end for a 125 but its still a good idea to keep it ringin. My dad rode it for the first time and told me it was the best 125 he's ever ridden. And to boot it has Kayaba suspension. Can't go wrong.


2010 Yz125 Motocross Highlights

[Hondacrrider]

The funniest 125 to ride? Well... I am thinking that if you can't get past 3rd gear on a 185, any 125 will be funny for someone to watch you ride. But jokes aside, I would say the KTM has the fastest motor, hands down, the Yamaha having a close second, and the Honda comes dead last. For handling, the Honda wins, with a close second being Yamaha, and KTM coming last(KTM was known for oddly set up suspension until just recently). The Honda has the friendliest beginners engine, and I have loved it for racing motocross, and the engine for sure has potential, there is actually an article about how to make a Honda 125 fast on a budget on this site. Anyways.. here is something to think about, it is very easy to make a slow, but good handling bike fast, but it is next to impossible to make a fast, but poorly handling bike handle well.

[factoryX]

1. The 1995 and up cr125's were great bikes, parts availability not so great.
2. Any 125 1990-2011 would be great starter(Stay away from suzuki unless its 03 and up).
3. A atc185s motor that made 6-10 horse power scared you?
4. A 125 2t has nearly 3 times that if not more.
Here is what you can expect from almost any 125 if you mess up:
yz 125 crash
YZ 125 wheelie gone bad! ( yz 125 crash)


You might pull it off, but If I were you I would take it slow. I would look at a kx100 as it is a better choice to get used to riding 2 strokes. Your 5'5 and the kx100 was built for people 4'8-5'4 with your weight range. I loved mine when I was 14, and I was 5'8, and 150lbs.

[graham472]

 Any 125 1990-2011 would be great starter(Stay away from suzuki unless its 03 and up).

What is wrong with the 2001-2002 RM125's? One of the best bikes I've ridden was
a 2001 RM125

[factoryX]

 

[EJ]

Get a 144 or 150. A good basic platform, you will grow into these bikes as you grow and learn.
Or if you want something smaller, get a KTM 105SX (very rare) or a TM 85 with 125 engine in it.

Some info from MXA; http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/2317.aspx  

[ktm150rippa]

ya i loved my 2001 rm 125 i had to mod the crap out of it but i loved the suspension and handling. I deff think you should stay away from a 144 its a powerband that would be tough for a beginner there isnt much off bottom its all mid and top end.

[factoryX]

I have heard nothing but trouble with them, other than they handle great.

[ktm150rippa]

idk maybe i just got lucky? The bottom end did go out but it was 9 yrs old soooo very small power band it was all up top but I remember I got a whole motor rebuild, new piston, rings, balanced and pressed crank, main bearings and all the work done for 900 bucks good luck doing that on anything with and F behind it lol

[EJ]

Some friends of mine have RM's 125.
A 2003 and a 2005.
They say the weak point of the RM125 is the stock clutch, but that is easily fixed
with some Hinson components. For everything else, they are really great bikes!
Can be compared to the yz125 motor- and handling-wise. Both great 125's.
As for the 144's:
In our reagion, the fastest guys are on the TM144's.
But they were also the fastest guys when they were on KX and CR 125's, so i guess it's mostly
about the rider and what you are most comfortable on...

[TMKIWI]

Get a CRF150F.