Which Year YZ125?

[NineTwoSeven]

What's up guys? So right now I race a 2007 crf250 and want a yz125 to play around on and race schoolboy. I finally convinced my dad and I've been looking around on Craigslist for a solid one and need some help. How much better is like a 2011 compared to say a 2002? Thanks for the help!

[TMKIWI]

Any YZ 2007 and newer are all good. Nothing has changed since then.
Unless you think bng makes a bike faster.

[motoman356]

the major differences between the two is 1 the weight, they dropped about 6-8lbs? and the gear box. for some reason the yamaha (and even the KTM 125) went with a 5spd gear box. it wasnt bad or a deal breaker as the engine was still awesome and could be somewhat fixed with a bigger rear sproket. also the susp wasnt as good as the new SSS forks.

overall if your looking for somethin to play on and even race. you cant go wrong with older yz's including 00-01 bikes were pretty good and these have 6spd. the thing about the bikes from the last 10-15 yrs is they havent seen SO MUCH improvement on the chassis and engine that they couldnt be competative today. the plus side is you  can find them for much cheaper. for the price of a used 07 you could buy and 03 and have money for susp and engine

[Stusmoke]

the major differences between the two is 1 the weight, they dropped about 6-8lbs? and the gear box. for some reason the yamaha (and even the KTM 125) went with a 5spd gear box. it wasnt bad or a deal breaker as the engine was still awesome and could be somewhat fixed with a bigger rear sproket. also the susp wasnt as good as the new SSS forks.

overall if your looking for somethin to play on and even race. you cant go wrong with older yz's including 00-01 bikes were pretty good and these have 6spd. the thing about the bikes from the last 10-15 yrs is they havent seen SO MUCH improvement on the chassis and engine that they couldnt be competative today. the plus side is you  can find them for much cheaper. for the price of a used 07 you could buy and 03 and have money for susp and engine

This. I would hunt for something no older than 06. Only difference between 2005 and 2006 YZs, is the Kayaba SSS (speed sensitive system). Anyways I've never ridden it but apparently it might as well be works suspension.

Any YZ 2007 and newer are all good. Nothing has changed since then.
Unless you think bng makes a bike faster.

Thats not strictly true. In 2010 or 2011 Yamaha went to global specs on all their 2 strokes. For the states this mean't slightly reduced compression and a longer muffler. But other than that yes you're right

[2T Institute]

In 05 Yamaha did a really stupid thing and reduced rod length by 3mm to 102mm an 04 would be the latest engine I would consider. The SSS forks/shock is supposed to be a worthwhile upgrade.

[motoxr377]

The facts:

http://twostrokemotocross.com/forum/general-two-stroke-talk/definitive-yz125-model-year-changes-settings-mods-2005-onward/msg49692/?topicseen#msg49692