Two Stroke Motocross

Two Stroke Motocross Forum => Vintage Two Strokes => Topic started by: TMKIWI on October 12, 2012, 03:25:34 AM

Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: TMKIWI on October 12, 2012, 03:25:34 AM
After weeks of health & weather delays I managed to get the bike to a track today to dial it in.
First i did a couple of slow laps just to make sure everything worked as it should and nothing would fall off. Parked the bike and ran a spanner over everthing and checked for leaks.
Next I went out again and gave it a few berry's to see how it ran. It was a bit rich low down but wanted to make sure it was not lean to start with. Managed a few top gear runs and did a few chop tests and plug was nice. So I pulled the carb and droped the needle 1 clip and went out again.
OMG :o what a difference. Although it has very little bottom end it pulled cleaner into the power band and was easier to clutch the revs up.
This was the first time I have riden a 1985 bike since , well 1985, and wasn't sure what to expect.
The track is a hard pack sand/river silt track with lots of woops. And I mean alot.
Once in the powerband the bike has more power then I was expecting and was pretty easy to keep on the pipe. The biggest fault was ME as I am used to a 300 and I was having to learn to use the clutch again but it didn't take long to get into the swing of things. The gearbox is a dream with the ratio's nice and even and very easy to shift.
The suspension was the major surprise.
I was expecting the front end to be a bit soft but it was actually quite good.The springs I am guessing are heavier then standard. The Full Floater is as good as they say it is. Period.
The only complaint would be the shock has no rebound adjustment and it could do with a little more. I think I will look out for an Ohlins.
The bike handled very good for what it is. I could keep it pinned in 5th down a wooped out straight and it would track pretty good. The odd time the back did step out it came back into line very quickly. The tracktion out of corners and on berms was good and as I got more comfortable I could hit the berms quicker then I thought I could.
I spent an hour going round and round and couldn't take the grin off my face. I think I may even had a semi. ;)
I did not adjust any clickers as I just wanted to get used to the bike first and the rain was coming.
The front end needs softning a little on the compression side and the rear needs stiffening a little.

It is quite surprising how quick a well built 27 year old bike can be.
Can't wait for the next meeting in 3 weeks.



Look Ma , Not even dirty.
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: 2T Institute on October 12, 2012, 08:51:39 AM
Set of emulators in the forks will make the back feel like shite. They are a good bike the 250 is even better.Glad your happy with it. Time to start hotting it up :D
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: ford832 on October 12, 2012, 01:30:05 PM
Thanks for the RR,that sounds like too much fun.Even today you still hear about how amazing the FF rear on these bikes was.Maybe KTM should buy the rights from Suzuki for their new bikes. :)
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: SachsGS on October 12, 2012, 03:59:01 PM
The Full Floater rear suspension is still as good as it gets on a natural terrain track but has too much rate rise for super cross/artificial stuff. You'll find the FF tends to "pack down" on the face of jumps etc.. Bet those old conventional forks surprised you (plush). ;D
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: TMKIWI on October 12, 2012, 09:12:22 PM
Bet those old conventional forks surprised you (plush). ;D

Yep. But these are not standard issue. :-X
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: rmpilot on October 23, 2012, 02:58:41 AM
ahh, my mono-x on the 490 is better
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: bad72ss on October 24, 2012, 07:59:54 PM
 i had an 85 . ported that thing till i could cut my self on the knife edging . bike was fast would run with 250's . to bad the guy that rebiuld the crank never trued it right. it would open the seal and suck air and lean out . burnt up 3 topens then sold it. then i found out it was the crank . wish i still had that bike.
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: ronaldwebb on October 26, 2012, 07:15:31 AM
Power is good and Suspensions are very good, Handling is very easy and it has good steering rate. In all good in performance as well as riding, I will give 9/10.
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: Super Trucker on October 26, 2012, 06:17:09 PM
Cool write up, Cool bike. I would like to get a 83-89 cr or rm 125, for 1989 and under racing if there is such a series in the USA.
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: mxr515 on November 18, 2012, 02:41:32 PM
Great write up!  I attended a vintage event last month which really brought back alot of memories and I ended up picking up an 84 CR 125 to restore which is in great shape already.  Your RM looks like an 84?  Does it have 84 plastic on it?  Nice work!

(On Edit), never mind,  I saw your previous post of the restoration using the 84 & 85.  Very nice..
Title: First Ride Impression 1985 RM125
Post by: msambuco on December 04, 2012, 12:45:45 PM
Cool write up, Cool bike. I would like to get a 83-89 cr or rm 125, for 1989 and under racing if there is such a series in the USA.

I had an 83 CR125. Handling was excellent.