First Impression - 2010 TM Racing 125MX

[ford832]

Having had 3 euro bikes I'd assume he was talking more about the landing.All mine tended to be harsh,almost like the tubes bound on impact.My SX I got in the habit of landing front wheel first.Even a slight slap down felt like they were solid and you took the rest through your wrists and elbows.

[JohnN]

I'd like to know 2 things. How much experience he has had with euro bikes before this test. And, (since I don't  jump), what does he mean when he says "jumps like a japanese bike" (I know he said chinese, but I figured he meant  japanese  ...this is what happens when you put beer on your Corn Flakes every day for an extended time period) . I'd like to know the differences.

Mike was sponsored by KTM for a year or two... and he loved them. He is also very open minded about bikes and tries them before he makes comments on them. He has ridden Maicos, I believe a 1981 250. He also has had the opportunity to ride a few factory bikes over the years.

Currently he is riding a YZ250 two stroke in the 450F class in which he won the loacl number #1 plate. And he is riding a YZF250 in the 250F class, which is why I wanted him to try the TM 125. He really dislikes the four stroke an would prefer a two stroke, so we'll see how he does on that.

To answer the second question about jumping I just called Mike.. he said some of the Austrian bikes are a bit weight forward, the TM is not. He means that there is no adjustment needed in your riding style. And that the bike doesn't feel "weird".

Hope that answers your questions!

[Hondacrrider]

I'd like to know 2 things. How much experience he has had with euro bikes before this test. And, (since I don't  jump), what does he mean when he says "jumps like a japanese bike" (I know he said chinese, but I figured he meant  japanese  ...this is what happens when you put beer on your Corn Flakes every day for an extended time period) . I'd like to know the differences.

Mike was sponsored by KTM for a year or two... and he loved them. He is also very open minded about bikes and tries them before he makes comments on them. He has ridden Maicos, I believe a 1981 250. He also has had the opportunity to ride a few factory bikes over the years.

Currently he is riding a YZ250 two stroke in the 450F class in which he won the loacl number #1 plate. And he is riding a YZF250 in the 250F class, which is why I wanted him to try the TM 125. He really dislikes the four stroke an would prefer a two stroke, so we'll see how he does on that.

To answer the second question about jumping I just called Mike.. he said some of the Austrian bikes are a bit weight forward, the TM is not. He means that there is no adjustment needed in your riding style. And that the bike doesn't feel "weird".

Hope that answers your questions!

Don't you have the 250/250 rule at the amateur level where you live, couldn't he race his yz250 in the 250f class? and if he can't, what about the TM 144, I was actually considering buying the tm 144, there was a 2008 for sale around here, I think it was for like 3500 or 4000

[JohnN]

Unfortunately in our area they are sticking to the same rules as AMA Pro Racing. My local area is not AMA sanctioned, so they have their own set of rules.. believe me, they are sick and tired of hearing me talk about two-strokes!!  

So to answer your question, here the 250F races the 125cc two-stroke, except that in the class you can also race a 144cc two-stroke, which almost negates the 125... then the 250 two stroke races against the 450F four-stroke.

I didn't want to get a 144cc because of a few reasons, but mainly because I'm trying to get everyone involved in racing 125's, which I think are a great transition between the mini ranks and the big bikes. Plus last year I got our race organization to add a 125cc two-stroke class... if I got a bike that didn't fit in that class I'd be... well let's just say that I wouldn't be very popular on race day!!  

[TotalNZ]

Now you can see why the big 5 love the production rule, visually. If TM, Gas Gas, Husky and Maico were allowed to compete, who would lose? The big 5!!. People could see for themselves how the media has been undeservedly bashing euro bikes. All designed to help the big 5. Racers, riders and ultimately, the consumer would benefit from a rules change.

Write AMA, DMG, Davey Coomb and the big 5. Ask them what they are afraid of.

I mean really, should Roger Decoster, Mitch Payton, Keith McCarty and the rest of the team managers be scared if any of the above named brands showed up at a SX or MX race?? They shouldn't be...but they are. And we are the ultimate losers

TMracing also make a fourstroke range which they race in MXGP. They are also THE force to be reckoned with in supermoto, having won several world championships (with the 4T unfortunately).

[JohnN]

The small TM Racing factory also posted some good results in the ISDE. Rodrig Thain winning the E-2 class on a TM 450F, Michal Kadlecek winning the C-3 class on a 300 EN two-stroke and Luca Cherubini winning the C-2 Class on a 250 EN two-stroke.

This is amazing when you see how many racers and different brands of bikes that compete in the six day event.

Then in MX1 Grand Prix Aigar Leok finished 12th overall after missing 6 rounds of the series due to injury.

Not bad for a relatively unknown brand here in the USA.

[offroader]

John,are the 2010 Tm's available in the states yet?I have ridden an 03 125,250,and 300 with the steel frame and they are one of the nicest handling motorcyles i have ever riddenThe front end would stick in a corner like it was on rails.I am a big guy fairly agressive A rider and that 125 pulled me with no problem.Would love to try a 2010.for that matter would like to try a Gas Gas and the new Maico's also.

[JohnN]

offroader - Yes the TM's are available in the states. Where are you located? Maybe you could take a test ride?

Still waiting to hear from Rich Winkler (new Maico distributor) when he will be ordering some bikes... once I hear I'll post on here when there will be test rides on the Maico.

Sorry, but I don't know the Gas Gas guys...