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
Honda CR125R Engine type liquid·cooled. HPP. 2·stroke, single Bore x stroke 54.mm x 54.5mm Displacement " .. 125cc Compression ratio 8.8:1 Carburetion ....Keihin 36mm flat·slide Transmission ..S-speed constant-mesh Final ratio 13/51 Drive chain 520 chain Electrical Solid·state 3·D map·type digital ignition SUSPENSION Front Rear. WHEEL Front ....r. Rake .46mm inverted Kayaba cartridge fork. fully adj. . . . . . . . . . ...Pro·link Kayaba single shock. fully adj. TRAVEL . .. 12.1 in. . 12.6 in. .. . .27.0' . . . .4.2 in. T BRAKES ~ Disc. twin·piston caliper ..............................Disc 'TIIESISIZES ................80/100·21 in. ........ . . .100/90·19 in. .... .57.7 in. allINrice 13.3 in. .. ... .37.1 in. ',",-' "" 2.0 gal. 192.9 Ibs. ................ .$4800 nn overrev than the Yamaha on fast tracks," said one Novice tester. "It has gobs of power up top," said our Intermediate rider. KIM made great strides in making the SX's motor more user-friendly this year. Last year's KIM had a surplus of power on top and an explosive hit that, for many riders, resulted in a taxing ride. KIM managed to tame the motor somewhat but did so without sacrificing much power, most of which was lost way up top, where you really couldn't use it anyway, unless you're a Pro. "The power is broad and big," said our Intermediate tester. "You won't have any problems getting to the first turn in a hurry or pulling second-gear starts with the KIM. This bike is fast." The '99 CR125 didn't excite us the lot, it just seemed to me that it is slightly down on power: I had a little trouble pulling second-gear starts on the YZ compared to, say, the Suzuki or the KIM," said our Intermediate-class rider. The YZ's smooth powerband kept our ovice and Beginner riders happy, too. We heard no complaints from them, just praises. "It has smooth power delivery in all areas yet hits hard enough to get you into the next turn in the lead," said a ovice rider. A broader, smoother powerband and a longer-revving motor had our testers saying nothing but good things about the Suzuki. Even our Novice and Beginner riders, who had hard times coming to terms with last year's quick-revving and confined powerband, were far more comfortable on the '99 RM. "This bike has decent bottom end, then pulls hard from midrange on up, and you really notice that it has more first time we rode the bike, bu t after some jetting (and more jetting), we finally got some good power out of the CR. "With the new jetting, the CR pulled strong and smooth throughout the powerband," said our Vet Expert, "maybe not quite as strong as the Yamaha or Suzuki, but it does pull pretty well." "The new jetting makes all the difference in the world," said a Novice tester. "At first, the bike felt lazy, but now it has good throttle response and accelerates well." Another Novice rider went as far as to say that the CR's motor "...rips, and with explosive power." We still have mixed opinions about the Honda's five-speed transmission some like it, some don't. The CR125R benefits from a stronger motor. 7