Is kx125 1998 a good bike to start on?

[JoshCragg]

So I am very new to Biking, having spent only about 20 hours at the Kawasaki sandpit on a cheapo china rip-off 150cc 4 stroke. (have had a brief spin on kawasaki 250 four stroke too)

the poor old bike was a good way to get into with no $$ but is struggling in the sand (not enough power and just to small)

I weigh 70kg and pretty dam tall. I am looking at getting a better bike now that i have the $$ saved up. approx $2500-$3000.

I am looking at a 1999 KX125, but wonder if it will have enough power and will handle the sand?

would i be better of with a 250??

any help would be appreciated!

[scott411]

the 125 would be a good choice, nice and light and cheap to rebuild if anything goes wrong,

[oldskool]

So I am very new to Biking, having spent only about 20 hours at the Kawasaki sandpit on a cheapo china rip-off 150cc 4 stroke. (have had a brief spin on kawasaki 250 four stroke too)

the poor old bike was a good way to get into with no $$ but is struggling in the sand (not enough power and just to small)

I weigh 70kg and pretty dam tall. I am looking at getting a better bike now that i have the $$ saved up. approx $2500-$3000.

I am looking at a 1999 KX125, but wonder if it will have enough power and will handle the sand?

would i be better of with a 250??

any help would be appreciated!

Yep I've grown to like my little KX, handles corners better the more you cane it. I'm 5'8 and weigh 86kg. Sometimes I find the low end power lacking, specially up long steep hills but then again I prefer 4 strokes. Best part about it for me is when you line it up on a straight and open the throttle wide, the hit is nice. I've just got back into riding after 20yrs, been riding now for about 30 hours in the last 5 months and I reckon by next summer I'll be ready for a 250, because it's too much hard work for me doing the hill climbs on a 125. I'll most probably end up with a 250 4T. With a 250 there should be enough power on tap regardless of the speed you're doing.

[cave weta]

hey there welcome to KB and yep what a good choice! - the 125 will keep you happy till next year. now that you will be moving through those trees at woodhill faster make sure you have some body armour and good gloves etc. hand guards are a good investment.
The 125 will rip through there. try going to the max size tyre on the rear to get some floatation in that sand if that is where you will be riding mostly. Try a 120 if it will fit.
and have a serious look at some of the coaching days available. there is nothing worse than riding alone and picking up bad habits!
woodhill is a reasonablly safe environment and help is never too far away, but if you get out into the areas like where I ride, you have to look after yourself.
always carry plug and spanner and tools for removing wheels - and wire cutters. on anMX bike carrying a tiedown or rope is good then you can lash it to a tree on an angle if you need to get a wheel off with no side stand.
In fact hell- come and do a 1/2 day- $90 trailskills course with me and then you will know all the good stuff! http://www.overthetopadventures.co.nz/coaching-clinic.htm

[vazza]

125 I reckon mate! I started off on a 98 kx 125 haha:P!

[Taz]

I would highly recommend a KDX200 over the KX125.

[oldskool]

I would highly recommend a KDX200 over the KX125.
:lol:that's funny!:lol:

[green machine]

I would highly recommend a KDX200 over the KX125.
I liked mine........but wait for the knockers

[vr4king]

Learn on a 125 and get good on it youll haul ass after that

They are a good bike to teach you good riding habits
And I agre with oldfulla they do suck on the hills but hey you cant have everything

Been wandering if a FWW will help on the hills?

[cave weta]

:lol:that's funny!:lol:

snot funny if you are a dedicated trail rider!- look what you get as extras..
low down power, sidestand, headlight, toolkit. flywheel weight.
Keeping a 125 on the boil in the sandpit must be hard on the clutch.

[FROSTY]

Ive had two (unfortunately due to theft past tense) KX125's both bloody nice bikes to ride.
What I like is the suspension is really well matched to the bike making it very easy to ride precisely -its light and easy to toss around and its got a bloody good belt of power for thrills.
Funnily enough I found it easy on the big hills to ride. Just need to give the poor clutch a hiding.
What i have found buying and selling trailees is that maintainence history is much more important than the age.

[oldskool]

The original posting is asking whether the KX125 is a good bike to start on, not to compare it against the heavier and more expensive and older (for the same money) KDX200.

[Taz]

OK I'll qualify my statement. I started on a KX125 and then moved onto a kdx later. For trail riding the KDX is better in every way. MX is different of course. I realise that the KDX is not as sexy as a KX but I'd rather be faster for longer than worry about image. If the OP must get a 125 I'd recommend the YZ125 over a KX of the same vintage it's a much better bike. My opinion only but based on experience.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-210245068.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-209668504.htm

There goes your older dearer argument too Oldskool.

[noobi]

The original posting is asking whether the KX125 is a good bike to start on, not to compare it against the heavier and more expensive and older (for the same money) KDX200.

woohoo 500 posts 4 u

dont let BOOOOM near this thread :catfight:

if you can afford it a fatty and a shorty as a pipe muffler combination wouldnt be a bad thing if the bike is just for trails, because iv heard that combo absolutely kills top end fwiw

[JoshCragg]

sweet thanks for all the pointers. i think i will be going with the kx125.
ill save up for a bigger one in the future ;)

and ave wetta, Sounds like a mint idea. I may round up a couple of the newbies i am learning with and head you way one day soon once i get my new bike.

[Pierce]

Yeeah I'm trying to get a mate into biking and no doubt he will end up on a YZ125 if its up to us haha.

[oldskool]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-210245068.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Dirt-bikes/auction-209668504.htm

There goes your older dearer argument too Oldskool.
Not necessarily, picked up my 00/01 KX for $2k, 0 hours on the rebuild. Fatty and shorty combo.

[B0000M]

I would highly recommend a KDX200 over the KX125.

here we go all over again.

get the 125.

i normally say get a 250 (2 stroker) but at 70kg, you're too light. a 125 will serve you perfectly.

the previous comment about the fmf fatty & shorty, even better get the gnarley, made from thicker material and also more designed for a bottom to mid end boost. ideal for trail riding.

[Reckless]

All I can say is from our experience!
I bought my son, his first bike a Cr125, at 17. He's not into MX, Likes his trials and forest riding. Clutching the CR around the sandpit, and struggling with an, all on or off, machine in the mud etc, nearly put him off the sport. When we got the Ktm200 it changed his enjoyment of riding and is really loving it now. To the point if we are riding next day he'll come home or stay home and have a good nights sleep rather than staying out on the piss. And at 19 that's quite a major decision for a young party animal!! It was so much better for our type of riding I even sold my Cr250 (and that was a good bike) in preference for one myself, so for a while we had two 03 Ktm200's. About $3500ish each!!
I originally thought because of the 125 being bigger than a kids bike but smaller than say a 250, a 125 would be the perfect engine size for a learner. But the characteristics of the machine simply didn't suit what we where trying to do.

So all I can say is if your the kind of rider that likes the enduro side and don't want to go like a bat outa hell at every obstacle out there, don't get the 125. But if you like a screaming 2smoker and wanna fling it at everything go for it!
There is still probably some sense in saying if you ride a 125 well you can ride anything, but I reckon it certainly makes the learning curve quite a bit harder for a beginner!

I'm not saying get a Ktm or a KDX but at least ride a few different ones before you settle on what you buy! Thers heaps of enduro choice out there WR, DRZ, KDX, Ktm and the four strokes??

Just my 2c

[tommorth]

first one of those bikes you listed anthrax is zens its a good bike and just needs rideing kdx200s are easy to ride and will happily tractor around but not really set up for mx

[cheese]

its funny aye, I just can't ride a 125. It feels like a light switch to me! 250 is much smoother. But yes a 250 would probably put you off.

Another option is a Gasgas ec200. I think that Wellyman will probably be selling his EC250 soon.

[honda_power]

for 2.5 - 3 you could get a much better bike than a 98...

[Reckless]

for 2.5 - 3 you could get a much better bike than a 98...

Yeh I reckon! Sold my 2001 CR125 for 3k and that was before the slow down.

[javawocky]

The KX will be a great bike for hooning around the dirt but you will need to keep the revs up. If you are riding mostly in beach sand you will find it less fun than a 250 or 4poke.

[JoshCragg]

had a go on a KX125 the other day. It was really nice, alot better than my current bike. but even around the parking lot i did notice it wasnt great for the slow riding/ low revs up hill.

as most of my riding will be up at the sandpit i have been giving the 200's a bit more thought. I will be looking at one this afternoon, so will have to see the difference.

ill give my verdict once i have a go on that :)

[honda_power]

Yeh I reckon! Sold my 2001 CR125 for 3k and that was before the slow down.

shit you got lucky... i know someone that just bought an 02 cr125 for 1500... good nick as well. shit, 08 kx125s go for 3.5. Save up a bit more and Ill sell ya
my 06 crf250 for 4.8 :P

as for 125's i loved my old 02 rm125... so light and easy to throw around. absence of bottom end power never bothered me, but thats my riding style

[cheese]

Yeah that is the good thing about 125's once you amster them, you will be a much faster rider for it.

[Ktmboy]

Well I'm a KDX200 fan over a 125. No question for the type of riding you do. here's some of my reasons.
Reliability
Resale value
Low end torque
Larger range tank
Less maintenance (engine wise)
Still competitive for novice to intermediate level enduro, cross country.
and......has a light for our Two Moons night rides:laugh:

Heres our hire bike KDX200, its an 08 and was Luke Uhrles. He used it in the 2008 ISDE 6 days in Greece toward the end of last year and came about
224th overall competing against the best enduro riders in the world. He also rode for 4.5 days with no front brake. Luke was 16 at the time and won a silver medal.

I think it was only 2-3 years ago some one won a Bell Ray series or race on a stock bike straight out of the box.

Not competive eh.....eat some soap.

[Ktmboy]

Hey, shit I'm in the same league as oldskool. 500 posts. Beer for me:clap:

[honda_power]

Well I'm a KDX200 fan over a 125. No question for the type of riding you do. here's some of my reasons.
Reliability
Resale value
Low end torque
Larger range tank
Less maintenance (engine wise)
Still competitive for novice to intermediate level enduro, cross country.
and......has a light for our Two Moons night rides:laugh:

Heres our hire bike KDX200, its an 08 and was Luke Uhrles. He used it in the 2008 ISDE 6 days in Greece toward the end of last year and came about
224th overall competing against the best enduro riders in the world. He also rode for 4.5 days with no front brake. Luke was 16 at the time and won a silver medal.

I think it was only 2-3 years ago some one won a Bell Ray series or race on a stock bike straight out of the box.

Not competive eh.....eat some soap.

anythings compeditive with the right rider... just think what he could have done if he had a REAL bike :P

[oldskool]

Hey, shit I'm in the same league as oldskool. 500 posts. Beer for me:clap:
yeah I'm cerebralating with a woodstock.
Oh how one can mount up the posts with extraneous dribble hey! Chalk and cheese this debate. Enduro Viz MX bike for trail conditions, errr no brainer. Maybe I'll invest in a 9oz FWW for the short term until next summer.:msn-wink:

Now that begs the question. If it is high revs that wears out rings and you put on a flywheel weight to increase lowend torque..thus not having to hit those silly highs to produce torque then wouldn't the KX125 last longer between re-ringing? Lower the compression with an extra barrel gasket blah blah blah

[honda_power]

yeah I'm cerebralating with a woodstock.
Oh how one can mount up the posts with extraneous dribble hey! Chalk and cheese this debate. Enduro Viz MX bike for trail conditions, errr no brainer. Maybe I'll invest in a 9oz FWW for the short term until next summer.:msn-wink:

not quite, id still choose mx bike any day

[oldskool]

not quite, id still choose mx bike any day I did too! :laugh:

[Ktmboy]

anythings compeditive with the right rider... just think what he could have done if he had a REAL bike :P

No...thats wrong.. for the riding he does its about suitability.

I go so much better on an enduro bike than a MX bike for the riding that Josh does. Luke had the option of using a KX125 (he had 2 in the shed) but choose the KDX for the reasons I stated. The 125 would have blown up as had done previously, many times and with different brands, yes Booom he road Honda, Ktm etc.

This is not about your choice, its about what is suitasble for this particular rider.

If he said he spent most of his time at Ardmore, Harrisville and was into jumps and MX then the 125 would be more suitable!!

Give the guy an unbiased opinion!

[honda_power]

No...thats wrong.. for the riding he does its about suitability.

I go so much better on an enduro bike than a MX bike for the riding that Josh does. Luke had the option of using a KX125 (he had 2 in the shed) but choose the KDX for the reasons I stated. The 125 would have blown up as had done previously, many times and with different brands, yes Booom he road Honda, Ktm etc.

This is not about your choice, its about what is suitasble for this particular rider.

If he said he spent most of his time at Ardmore, Harrisville and was into jumps and MX then the 125 would be more suitable!!

Give the guy an unbiased opinion!

notice the :P at the end? normally means theres a hint of sarcasim somewhere...

seriously though, iv ridden kdx200's and they did nothing for me. thought it was boring, heavy, and handled like shit. Nothing to do with being enduro bike, ridden WR's and they wernt to bad

oh, and crf-x's

[Ktmboy]

I'm taking the KDX up tomorrow if anyone wants a try. It will be good to get back to real riding with no added aids.

[Ktmboy]

notice the :P at the end? normally means theres a hint of sarcasim somewhere...

seriously though, iv ridden kdx200's and they did nothing for me. thought it was boring, heavy, and handled like shit. Nothing to do with being enduro bike, ridden WR's and they wernt to bad

oh, and crf-x's

Yeah, missed that:doh: Always a good and boring debate to be had when a noob comes along. What we need is an affordable new generation multi purpose bike.

Unfortunately, I can't see the japs giving us one in the near future.

[Reckless]

Yeah, missed that:doh: Always a good and boring debate to be had when a noob comes along. What we need is an affordable new generation multi purpose bike.

Unfortunately, I can't see the japs giving us one in the near future.

The Ktm200 does a pretty good job at that. Oh except for the affordable part?? Parts aren't to bad but a bit dearer up front for the bike. Although you do get braided lines and Brembo brakes etc standard?? ooops I suppose everyone think that about there own bikes LOL!!!

[Ktmboy]

And real suspension. You have no argument here. But its still 12k as opposed to under 10k..well under 8k really.

If only the KDX got a make over. Even just the front end with KX125 forks and triple clamps as std.

[Reckless]

yeh mate would be a good idea. But they initially build bikes to win competitions so they build Enduro or Mx bikes and joe bloggs like me who want a bike to do everything well misses out. Mind you if they did try and build an eveything bike I suppose theyd be bagged by either camp as the bike wouldn't make the grade in their particular area. WR springs to mind as a suggestion as well?

[oldskool]

If only the KDX got a make over. Even just the front end with KX125 forks and triple clamps as std.

So now we're talkin a KX125 roller with a KDX200 motor implant. Well I've got a '97 KX125 roller, anybody got a donor KDX200 implant?

[scott411]

Service honda are said to be building a KDX200AF, its a KDX200 motor in a KX250F frame,
have a look at some of the other bikes they have built, they are the 2 stroke kings

www.servicehonda.com

[clmintie]

So now we're talkin a KX125 roller with a KDX200 motor implant. Well I've got a '97 KX125 roller, anybody got a donor KDX200 implant?

Been there, done that with '89 200 motor in '91 kx125 frame (both bought new for the job.. :shit: ) I've not ridden anything as good at crosscountry/trail since I sold it to my neighbour in '95... I keep asking, but he still won't sell it back (at any reasonable price...) Norm Cobb did good port job for more top end without losing anything noticeable anywhere else in the rev range, modded pipe and suspension.... I rode it round my section a little while ago and although pretty tired, it's still wonderful......The best bike Kawasaki never made. Stupid Kawasaki, stupid... :spanking:

I grabbed one of the last KX125s, so we can do it again, should we want to.........

End of nostalgia trip........

Must go and see the neighbour again.................

[IIIRII]

To answer the original question,
Depends on what your preference is for, with regards to type of riding.
If you have come off a 150 4 stroke, and you have been riding tight slow stuff, you will not like a motorcross bike ....
If you want to take up motorcross, perfect ....
If you want to do all the charity trail type rides, I would recommend a kdx200 or ktm 200 enduro bike.
Reasons:
You wont like trying to ride the kx up something that is steep, slowely with a direction change half way up.
Unless you have the balls + experience to ride it fast where you need to, you wont be able to.

Get on an enduro bike as a step up, then when you can blow away everyone else, get a mx bike.

[allycatz]

My son loves his....agree with other posts tho that you could get later model for price you are looking at.

[Azzman]

Well it certainly boils down to individual taste.
Years ago when I rode bikes in my youth it was the DR/XR200s/250s of the mid eighties.
A few years back I erred toward a KDX200 (through talking to an experienced KTM200 rider) as all the qualities fitted the bill, ie great trail bike.

I found the bike to be everything it was cracked up to be, reliable, great engine (broad power) and low maintenance.

I have also ridden a mates RMX250 and found that to be very similar but engine wise it had more all over, most noticeble being the stronger midrange hit.

On one ride I also tried out a YZF250 and found it to be my least favourite for the trail.

The great thing about 2 strokes for me (coming originally from 4 strokes) was that certain 2Ts can do everything a 4T can do (minus engine braking) as well as giving you that 2T grin/buzz that no 4T will ever do.

One day I will take a 125 for a blat, and if I like it it may well be my next bike...