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Venado Tuerto
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Edited Date/Time
2/26/2018 6:06am
Hi guys, I´m pretty sure this has been discussed but which bike is better when coming off a KX 450? I´m looking for a 2 stroke only, because I feel like I´ve lost some moto skills. This bike is easy to ride, but when I´m trying to push it is way too much, so I want something to have fun as I don´t race. I´m 165 lbs and around 6´. I looking for a Yamaha only, as I don´t like European bikes tough they´re pretty good. Should I buy a YZ 125 or 250? Thanks in advance
I'd suggest getting a 125 because you really need to work hard and get things right in order to go fast on it, and this will only translate to better technique on your big bike. When i first road mine, i immediately noticed how much i DONT use the back brake on my 450 as I nearly overshot corners on the 125 since they have essentially 0 engine braking. I now notice my corner speed getting faster and faster since riding the 125. I also notice myself charging deeper into corners before braking since i'm now properly using both brakes.
I feel like you can still be lazy on a 250 and be able to get around a track, and it wouldn't "reteach" you the techniques as much as a 125 would.
I hadn't ridden a 125 in 10 years.
Holy God!! I forgot how much work they are to ride and how lazy I got on my 450.
I think I shifted more in one lap on the 125 than I did all day on my 450. lol
It's been fun to ride and work on my skills, or should I say, lack of.
But I wouldn't want it for my only bike. Still love my 450!
The Shop
The YZ125s I own now are all about SPH. "Smiles Per Hour"
Last year, I owned a '16 KX250F and my son's '04 KX125 that we were waiting for him to grow into. I rode his bike a little bit until he outgrew his KX100 and in that short time, I said "I've gotta get a 125 for me... " So, when an '02 RM134 came up, I got it. I rode it and the 250F back to back for a couple of months and put the 250F up for sale. Again, the 125 was SO MUCH more fun.
The 250 2S would have more power than a 125 (duh....) but for me, it's all about the fun and for that.... 125/144. I've had 2 YZ250's and they were both great, but I just like the uber-light weight of a 125. I would not throw a good 250 out of the garage, though. In fact, I've been thinking about... no, never mind....
I'm 5'11, 185lbs and while the 125 cleared every jump there is no way I would trade my 250 for one. After 1 session on that 125 i was more spent than 3 sessions on my 250
On the other hand the 250 will be nice with its stronger, broader power band and top end ....also, a bit less work overall managing revs than the 125 and more forgiving with low rev situations as well.
Which ever one you choose, don't forget to enjoy the smell.
I found that, yeah, coming off a bigger bike, the tendency is to work too hard. But once you get used to the 125 again, you learn to relax and just ride the thing. I'm not trying to go as fast as I can anymore... I'm just trying to be smooth, have fun, and make my heart beat.
Pit Row
I've always said that if I get my weight in check I would ride a KTM 150. Rode a family members on their single track trails about 2 years ago and it hauled my big A$$ around the trails fine. To ride MX I would need to be 215lbs or below with suspension.
To the OP, at one point I weighed 260lbs and had a 2008 YZ250 two stroke (so kind of the same power to weight as you to a 125) and it was without a doubt the most fun I'd had on a dirt bike since my early 20s. I giggled when I laid into sand berms.
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