Time to upgrade

**budget biker** · 6th August 2011, 17:32

looking to upgrade sons bike to a 2 stroke 125 , from a crf150f.
not looking to start a 2t vs 4t argument but figure it will happen anyway

he is looking for a toy that can handle trail riding but he can still thrash on a track without killing it.
we have no experience with 2 strokes so will it die if he does not ride it aggressively enough?
son is 16.
4 stroke enduro too heavy and mx too expensive.
all advice will be taken with a pinch of salt. HAHA
looking at rm125 new or recent rebuild.

**SpikedPunch** · 6th August 2011, 17:36

What do you want to know? I trail ride a 125 2t. I'm not a very aggressive rider and it hasn't died yet, in fact it's been the most reliable bike I've owned. It hasn't got a flywheel weight or anything, it seems to have enough grunt to do what I want it to.

**budget biker** · 6th August 2011, 17:40

son online
do i need to ride it hardish in bush or can i take my time?
not very aggressive rider yet (according to dad)
back of pack trailrider

**Jay GTI** · 6th August 2011, 17:42

Nah only if the bike isn't jetted well could you have a few issues with it not being spanked hard enough. Most 125 2Ts are so much fun, he'll be giving it huge handfuls of throttle in no time anyway.

Quite fancy a 125 2T as a spare bike, for mates to ride and for me to have a play on now and then, they really are awesome fun.

**budget biker** · 6th August 2011, 17:44

cheers for advice
finance on the way

**cave weta** · 6th August 2011, 18:56

Originally Posted by budget biker

son online
do i need to ride it hardish in bush or can i take my time?
not very aggressive rider yet (according to dad)
back of pack trailrider

A 2t 125 is great on trails if you are under say 70kg but heavier that that you are asking a lot from it. But rebuilds are cheap. ALWAYS carry a spare plug with you. they load up on the trail sometimes and get a whisker on the plug

**krad_nz** · 6th August 2011, 19:00

I have a 2008 yz125 and love it so far. Can bog a bit in the sand if I'm not on top of things though.

I weigh 75-80kg and don't have too much trouble. I would be quicker on a 250 4/ though I suspect, but thats not a big priority for me at the moment

**ktm84mxc** · 7th August 2011, 10:16

Being on a 125 will make him a better rider as he will have to be on his game to get the best from it.
A RM125, YZ125, KTM125 wud be an ideal choice, CR or KX have been outta production since 06 so most getting long in the tooth & wud require more repairs.

**trailrider** · 8th August 2011, 10:49

Buy it now. Sounds like he will have lots of fun

**cambocambo** · 8th August 2011, 15:20

I have a 2000 kx125 and it is great fun, I second having a spare spark plug handy. I weigh about 75Kg

**tigertim20** · 8th August 2011, 15:46

Originally Posted by budget biker

son online
do i need to ride it hardish in bush or can i take my time?
not very aggressive rider yet (according to dad)
back of pack trailrider

if youre a back of the pack rider youre not ready for an upgrade.

**motor_mayhem** · 8th August 2011, 16:12

Originally Posted by tigertim20

if youre a back of the pack rider youre not ready for an upgrade.

What BS, if the bike is too small for him it is quite possibly inhibiting him, and if he's on a 150f when everyone else is on a 250R/X or 125R it will be difficult to be mid pack let alone front.

- Bigger wheels and better suspension on the 125 go over rougher ground better
- 125R's are lighter than 150Fs
- 125R's are more powerful than 150Fs
- An undersize cockpit can cause unnecessary fatigue

150's are great bikes, probably the best learner machine around but they're not so good for keeping up with 250s and 125 2T and/or if your prefered seat height is over 90cm.

**CRF119** · 8th August 2011, 17:24

I am going to have to go with what every body else has said, you really can beat a 125 for learning. If jetted right you can putt around at your own pace and they are built to handle abuse from the best riders so it will see you through many years of fun riding and it should be reliable and cheap to maintain.

As for Brands, If you are looking to spend between 2 and 4g id go with the CR125. The frames were more superior and i had 4 mates with them with no issues. That sort of money should buy you a 2000 to 2006 model bike. After 07 they stopped production but parts won't be an issue for at least another 10 years. If you want to spend more and want a newer year the YZ125 would be my choice.

**vr4king** · 8th August 2011, 17:25

Has he ridin a 125 ringer dinger before?..............If not id sugest he does before you pull the trigger on anything

If you get stuck I could sort one out for him to try and if he wants a 250 four stroke
to try aswell be a huge step up from a 150f so prob best to try before you buy.

I have a place to ride also just bring ya helmet and boots

**budget biker** · 8th August 2011, 20:16

thanks for the offer.
neither of us have ridden a 2T. son is comfortable on my toy,wr250, but finds it too heavy.i'm hoping to get a bike from shop to test. ideallly for a trail ride but not that time of year around here, so a track some where. will probably end up buying thru a shop.
when ever he finds it too difficult

( eg hills at wet blue mountains ,for the locals) i ride his out of trouble . hopefully i can do the same for a 2T
or we swap bikes

sounds like they dont have to be fanged all the time so i should be able to get around on it .just run a hotter plug until we get used to it