Two Stroke Motocross
Two Stroke Motocross Forum => General Two Stroke Talk => Topic started by: Coop on September 18, 2010, 04:07:05 PM
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I am in the market for a newer bike than my 1988 since I can't get some parts for it (suspension, flywheel weight, bigger tank; basically stuff to make it a better trail bike). I was thinking about a 200cc or even a 250cc if I found a deal which I haven't around here, but I keep coming back to how much I enjoy riding 125's. The only two things I don't like about my 1988 KX125 is the power can be explosive so it's easy to lose traction on technical hills and sometimes on bigger hills with a turn right at the bottom or in the middle, it can struggle. So I am trying to decide I just want to buy a newer 125 and add a flywheel weight, and maybe a 134-144 kit in it, and set up the suspension for my weight or just got with a bigger bike. I see a lot of YZ125's in 1999-2002 range in my price range (Which is only about $1500max).
Any years I should avoid? What do you like/dislike about your bike?
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I may be straying from the topic slightly but have you considered a Euro bike? I've ridden 125 TM enduros and boy are they nice as well as being very durable. The 125 Husky's I've ridden are like mini 250s with bottom , mid and top end. These bikes come stock with bigger tanks, wide ratio gear boxes and lights saving you the trouble of adapting an MXr for offroad use..It might take some hunting but if my experiences are anything it would be well worth the hassle.A KTM 125EXC is rare but would be worth a look as well.
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When my son moved up from the TTR he went to a 99 YZ 125. It was rock solid. It was light, turned on a dime. It was a well designed bike. I sold it to a buddy who still rides it. I always maintained the bikes, but now its lucky if it gets a bath once a year. The only things he's done to it is replace the shifter (the splines in the shifter were worn), and he did the rings once in the 3 years he's had it. I say its been pretty solid. I've ridden with other who had the same vintage bike, and only one had a problem. They waited too long to to the top end, and the cylinder needed sleeved. So they went with a new athena cylinder and head.
I sold the 99 YZ 3 years ago for $1,300. I was asking $1,500 but I knew all he could afford was $1,300. I've known him for over 20 years, so I didn't get the money I wanted, but I gained a new riding buddy.
Coop I live West of Pittsburgh and I think you are East of the city. If you find a bike West side of the city, let me know. If I'm available, I'll be happy to check it over for you, so you don't waste a trip on a clapped out bike.
Eric
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I'd say go with a 96-03, plenty of parts available, and can be found very cheap. Very solid bikes, good ride. :D
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if i remember you are from acme pa. this bike is 15 miles down the road in connellsville $1200 http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961073437.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961073437.html)
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Have you thought of a KTM200EXC ?
All the advantages of a 125 but with more balls. 8)
I would have loved to have kept mine as a back up.
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if i remember you are from acme pa. this bike is 15 miles down the road in connellsville $1200 http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961073437.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961073437.html)
Damn that's a smokin deal... this one won't last long.
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Have you thought of a KTM200EXC ?
All the advantages of a 125 but with more balls. 8)
I would have loved to have kept mine as a back up.
Get this bike for sure, it sure beats my 125 up the mx hill climb
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I've got an 03 Yamaha Yz125
It's clean and I have always maintained it.
Air filter gets cleaned every ride, transmission oil every 3 rides.
Those such things
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k287/mxboy721/00000000000000000000000000000000-2.jpg)
My Yamaha Yz125 Update (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjNcNabjP10#)
I'll sell it for a solid price.
If I sell this for a good price, I'm thinking about trying a Cr125, not because I don't like my bike, but because I want to try some other flavor's of 125's.
Here is what dirtrider has to say about my bike
http://www.dirtrider.com/reviews/motocross/2003_yamaha_yz125/index.html (http://www.dirtrider.com/reviews/motocross/2003_yamaha_yz125/index.html)
And I was reading in a newer article, and they said 'The 2003 Yamaha Yz125 is the best 125cc two stroke ever made'
Cheers ;D
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Here Here!,
My race bike is a nice 2004 YZ125. I love the bike it handles like a razor blade on ice and it screams as long as the rider can keep up with it.
And it goes around whoopee cushion bikes like a super ball off a baseball bat.
I blew 3'rd gear on it once, but that's the only problem it's ever had.
Love it!
Thanks,
Jim
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Cant go wrong with the yz125. Ive seen 2003-2005 yz125 selling for only $1500 around here. If i were you i would try and find a 2005. Thats the year with the aluminum frame.
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Wow I'm glad I live in an area saturated by 2 strokes. That price is real high on that bike around here.
I picked up an 03 YZ 125 with a bad bottom end for $200. :D
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Thanks everybody for all the advice and info!
For the guys that have mentioned TM, KTM, and Husky 125's and KTM200's those bikes were tops on my list (as well as GasGas 200). But unfortunately, around here anyway, they are never for sale in my price range. They are always on the side closer to $2k. Well there is a 1999 GasGas200 but the seller wants $1250. I though that seems a little high for a '99 and he is 2.5hrs from me so I haven't gone to look at it yet.
helfrick, :D, I have emailed that seller but he hasn't responded ye. I also have been talking to a seller in Smithton that has a 1999 YZ125 and is asking $1000; he said he would take $900 but I think I could get it for $800.
eprovenzano Thanks. If you see any bikes for sale in my range please let me know.
Edit: Here is the '99 I mention above:
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f190/SVCoop/Bikes/99YZ125.jpg)
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Cant go wrong with the yz125. Ive seen 2003-2005 yz125 selling for only $1500 around here. If i were you i would try and find a 2005. Thats the year with the aluminum frame.
Wow I'm glad I live in an area saturated by 2 strokes. That price is real high on that bike around here.
I picked up an 03 YZ 125 with a bad bottom end for $200. :D
Man you guys are lucky. Around here 2001 125's still go for $1200 or so. Any 2005 and up I've seen are all well over $2000. I could sell my '88 125 to ad to my budget but I kind of want to give that to my oldest nephew since he has talked about wanting to get back into riding. Some of guys you know I enjoy helping my nephews and nieces with riding if they show an interest.
If anybody within 6-8hrs finds a good deal on a newer bike, please let me know. I have a trailer and will travel :D :D
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Coop I sent you a PM
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I'm just below you in VA, I check ads everyday for part outs and always come across steals.
I'll post em up for you.
Heres an 01 YZ for $600, says it runs great needs plastics and a gas tank if you want a project.
http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/1961329156.html (http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/1961329156.html)
03 YZ 144 in Baltimore
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/1922823441.html (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/1922823441.html)
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here's an 04 yz 125 for $1300 on pgh craigslist http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961341356.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1961341356.html)
here's another good bike for the trails for $1350 no need to worry about power with this one http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1937977832.html (http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/mcy/1937977832.html)
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Thanks for the links folks. I have emailed/texted most of them. Not the 500 though, sorry. After having two back surgeries I need smaller, lighter bikes. That's why I was originally limiting my search to bikes 250cc or less.
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ill have to let you know when i get back in pittsburgh so we can go riding. i went to mountain ridge atv park back in august. it was alright but definitely for atv's not bikes. always looking for new places to ride in pa.
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I've ridden at MTN Ridge a few times. It's not too bad, considering there's not many places around here that aren't pay to ride.. Not real good for anyone with lack of off-road experience though with all the rocks (most MX racers do not like it). My nephew liked the little MX track, if you can call it a track, lol.
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those aren't rocks on the trail they are more like boulders and it did suck trying to find a good route through them. the track was really washed out when i went there. didn't get to ride that long to really check the place out. i came up on the accident where the quecreek miner's son was killed. led the ambulance back to the scene and about an hour later they shut it down for the day. kind of a bad day.
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Yeah 6 Wheel run, Rock garden, etc are awful. Gentle Ben is is a good trail for smooth flowing singletrack. I didn't realize someone died there so that would have been a bad day for sure.
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Thanks for all the advice guys. However I think I may be buying a 2003 KDX200. I went and rode it tonight and for how I ride, with some suspension upgrades it may be the perfect bike for the super tight SW PA trails I ride. Light, smooth & responsive power, lots of low end grunt, and quiet to boot.
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Plenty of aftermarket goodies for the kdx.
Fitting a pipe opens them up considerably I have heard.
You sure like green don't you coop :D
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Ha, the whole time I was reading this thread I was thinking, "He needs a KDX 200." I don't think you'll ever regret the choice. Superhunky said the KDX 175/200s were some of the best bikes ever built. Can easily be made much faster, if you feel it needs it, doubt you will though. They have the reputation of being rock-solid as far as reliability goes. I'd much rather have one than any 125 ever made. Can do so much more on it than a MX 125. Nope, it won't match a KTM or Gas Gas 200 stock, but it wouldn't take much to be able to run with them. I think it's a great choice.
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Except they are a little on the heavy side.
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You sure like green don't you coop :D
Yeah I just can't help it, :D .
I really enjoy riding 125's, but with my tight budget I think the KDX is a better choice for me right now.
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Coop I too ride the same super tight SW PA trails as you. I know you prefer a smaller bore, and I do agree the 200 would better suite your needs. That's why I ride a 300, (to carry my fat arse, I need the extra low end torque it give me). If you were to stay small bore, a 134 / 144 would give you the low end grunt the smaller bores are missing, but I can't disagree with your choice. One nice thing with the KDX is the ability to run a headlight. add lights. It sure is nice to be able to turn on the light an make it back to the truck when you lose track of time and its gets dark sooner than anticipated.
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epro, yeah I agree and it's pretty much why last night after I rode it I decided to get it. The headlight and brake light do work, in fact the headlight plastic is new. It needs some work like grips, a new clutch lever, rear wheel bearings have a little play, etc. Since I do all my own work it's nothing more than a day in the garage getting it straightened out to my liking.
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epro, yeah I agree and it's pretty much why last night after I rode it I decided to get it. The headlight and brake light do work, in fact the headlight plastic is new. It needs some work like grips, a new clutch lever, rear wheel bearings have a little play, etc. Since I do all my own work it's nothing more than a day in the garage getting it straightened out to my liking.
Sounds like the right bike for you, I think you're making a good choice. As we all know all bikes need a little TLC to be "right", and I 'm sure this one is no different. How many people (not me) buy a new brand new bike, and customize before it ever see's the dirt. I'm sure that after you replace the consumables like grips, wheel bearing, etc. that she will feel more like its your bike... Besides its green.. and we all know you have a special place in your heart for green bikes... :D