The YZ125 didn’t sit stagnant over the ensuing years it often got hand-me-downs from Yamaha’s four-stroke line, most notably brakes, footpegs, brake rotors, arrow plastic, silencers, main jets and rim color. MXA has loved the chassis and suspension on this bike for years, and many of our test riders have called the YZ125 the most fun bike to ride straight off the showroom floor. In 2006, Yamaha brought out the brilliant Kayaba SSS (Speed Sensitive Suspension) forks that have been a huge hit ever since. It was radically changed from the previous 2004 engine, as was the new aluminum frame that replaced their previous steel frame. Yamaha made major updates to the 2005 YZ125 when they came out with an all-new engine. So, what changed on the Yamaha? First, let’s go over a little history. Was it all we ever wished for? No! But it was more than we expected.

After we were lulled into the YZ125 doldrums for 16 straight years, Yamaha came out with a shiny new Yamaha YZ125. So, we stopped complaining and became thankful that at least Yamaha was still producing two-strokes. For 10 years we complained religiously about the lack of any YZ125 improvements and, finally, we came to the understanding that Yamaha wasn’t going to make an all-new YZ125. Plus, with KTM as its only true competition, Yamaha didn’t need to worry, as the YZ125’s passionate demographic hated the idea of owning a KTM.Ī few years after the 2006 YZ125 was introduced, MXA started to complain that Yamaha wasn’t making any updates to the YZ125. With Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki discontinuing their smokers, Yamaha was able to continue selling the same model year after year, because it was extremely fun to ride, affordable and easy to maintain. You can make all the “White KTM” and “Red KTM” jokes you want, but the KTM group is keeping the 125 two-stroke class vibrant by increasing a 125 rider’s options-you don’t have to buy one, but thank your stars that one company cares enough to invest in offering three different 125 motocross bikes.Īlthough it placed fourth out of five last year, the new Yamaha YZ125 has some serious momentum coming into the “2022 MXA 125 Shootout.” Every rider knows that the Yamaha YZ125 has stayed basically the same since 2006. Surprisingly, the differences are greater than we ever imagined (as proven in our lap-time comparisons for both Pro and Novice test riders).

It’s not as set in stone as it would seem, because even though KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas share core components, they don’t all work the same. Those three share identical engines and frames (with different suspension settings, airbox configurations, seat heights and triple clamps).Įver since Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki defected from the two-stroke fold, the 125 class has been a Yamaha-versus-KTM battle however, for 2022, KTM has three different horses in the race. Only one of these bikes has received an all-new engine with an updated chassis, while the other three are unchanged from last year. Starting things off, we have to address the obvious. Of course, we would have gotten our hands on a Fantic 125XX, but their agreement to platform-share Yamaha’s frame and engine forbids them from importing bikes to the USA. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get a 2022 TM 125MX because of COVID-related issues in Holland. We had a blast conducting last year’s “2021 125 Shootout,” so when Yamaha introduced a brand-new YZ1, it was imperative that we schedule the bikes for a rematch. The fun-to-use powerbands, lightweight handling and distinct two-stroke melody light a fire that makes us forget about looming electric bikes, Zoom meetings and virtual-reality programs. We love racing four-strokes, and we’re thankful for fuel injection and electric starting, but there’s something beautiful about a simple two-stroke engine that brings a smile to every MXA test rider’s face. Don’t get us wrong, we drool over the latest dirt bike technology (at least the stuff that works). Even there, four-strokes, with their computer-programmed ECU mapping and Wi-Fi tuning, are more digital than ever. In a world full of smartphones, smart TVs, smart cars and virtual-reality programs, we strive to get away from the hustle and bustle of the internet by spending much-needed time at the track. JAPAN’S LONE HORSE VERSUS AUSTRIA’S TRIO OF HORSES

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