Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/127975
Shootout 1999 125cc MX Shootout Yamaha YZ125 Engine type ..... ...Liquid·cooled. 2-stroke. Single Bo 54mm x 54.Smm "stroke Displacement . 124<:c COmp....sion ratio 8.7-10.41:! Carburetion Mikuni TMX36SS/1 Transmission Final ratio Drive chain EIectricIlI SUSPENSION 6-speed 12/49 520 chain . CDt Front Kayaba, 46mm inverted, fully adj. Rear Kayaba. single shock, fully adj. WHEEL TRAVEL Front , 11.81 in. Rear . , . . . . . , 12.4 in. Rake . . . . , .25.6.' Trail . . . . . 4 . 2 8 in. BRAKES F_ Disc, 245mm ........... Disc, 240mm TmESlSIZES . . . . . . . . . . .80/100-21 in. Bridgestone ..,;......... , ...100/90-19 in. Bridgestone ... 56.9 in . ...... .15.7In. .... .39.1 in. , , 2.1 gal. 196 Ibs. . .$4799 1I!"IIIi-.a None Intermediate rider. "It made me feel like [ could do things with unusual control and precision; for me, it's the best-handling bike of the bunch, while the suspension is effective and businesslike - not overly plush, but never abusing. Only the Suzuki's suspension is better." • The ovice rider said, "1 have the same old complaint about the aluminum frame: It's too rigid. Luckily, the fork and shock are able to make up for some of the lack of frame flex. If not for the fork and shock, the bike would be worse." Everyone else, for.the most part, agreed that the CR has a slight "harshness" when it comes to its suspension, but, overall, it's a good-handling machine. Everyone also agreed that the KTM's suspension and handling is much improved over last year's model and is now in the same league as .those of the other four bikes. The new WP shock and beefier fork have certainly smoothed out the SX's ride. One Novice rider called the KTM's suspension " ... much, much better. 1 could race this bike right out of the crate with little suspension adjustment." Some testers, however, had minor complaints: "The back end did not soak up acceleration bumps and braking bumps as well as the others," said one, while another rider said, "Through the whoops, it didn't quite have the ability go through the Whoops level and smooth. We made progr~ss in tuning, but it never did float over the whoops like the others did." The word "plush" was often heard when describing the Kawasalci's suspension, followed by "neutral," "predictable," and "stable." But most of our riders seemed to agree that the Yamaha and Suzuki have the best overall and most well-rounded suspension and handling packages for a broader range of riding styles and skill levels. ERGONOMICS AND CONTROLS Yamaha offers another wellrounded package with the YZ12S. 10 Again, ergonomics is a very personal thing. Sitting on a bike and feeling it out isn't much different than trying on a pair of shoes, but we can tell you that all of these bikes are in the ballpark when it comes to comfort. 0 longer does the Austrian-bred KTM have that "Euro" or "big" feel as compared to the other four Japanese bikes; instead, each bike has subtle differences that sets it apart. Some riders voiced their opinions that the Yamaha and Kawasaki felt a little too "cramped," though turning the handlebar clamps around on the KX helped. Our taller riders fit nicely in the roomy Suzuki, while the KTM and Honda fit somewhere in between the other three. As far as controls are concerned, we didn't hear too many complaints about any of the bikes, though one tester did