Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

2003 1 25cc Motocross Bikes Honda CR125R vs. Kawasaki KX125 vs. KTM 125 SX vs. Suzuki RM125 vs. Yamaha YZ125 SuspensionlHandling_ Since the Cahuilla Creek track is so new, it hasn't yet developed into what we would call a rough track. What bumps did form by the end of the day were mostly rounded braking bumps padded by a thick layer of sand • perfect conditions for the KTM. If there's one area that has held the KTM back In recent years, it's the chassis. We've criticized the bike in the past for being overly harsh. Last year, we felt the KTM's linkage. less suspension. as a whole, was qUite good but lacked absorption over the smaller, square·edge ripples, and it had a noticeable rear·high feeling, which KTM went to great lengths to eliminate this year (thank you, guys). At Cahuilla Creek, the KTM felt right at home, though a few riders noticed some twitching up front in the faster, rougher sections • but It was nothing they couldn't deal with. Basically, the KTM's motor outweighed any suspension or handling flaw the bike might've shown at Cahuilla Creek, and it was the bike of choice there. But things changed quickly at Glen Helen, as what had been a slight twitchy feeling became more of an issue on the rougher track. The back end felt pretty good, but the front end just didn't feel as plush or as stable at Glen Helen as it did at Cahuilla Creek, nor did it feel as comfortable as last year's front end. We tried different clicker settings and lowered the fork legs, but to no avail. Most likely, this twitchy, shaky feeling derives from KTM reducing the triple clamp's fork offset from 20 to 14mm, a move that would benefit the KTM on tighter, indoor, Supercross-style tracks more than it would on outdoor-style circuits. Compounding the KTM's harsh front end is the bike', rock·hard seat, which we've also complained about for years. Overall, the bike beats you up on a rough track. In certain area" though, the KTM has gotten better. The new WP PDS shock feels better and more sensitive, and the lowered back end makes the bike much easier to move around on, as it now settles better Into the tums and jumps. As far as the other four bikes go, none of our testers complained much about suspen· sion or handling, but instead had high praise for them all. The general consensus about the Suzuki was that it feels the same as it did last year: It has great suspension and good, quick handling. Just like last year, the Suzuki feels light and agile, yet is stable down the fast, rough straights. If there was one area where the Zook might have felt a little sketchy during our testing, it was at Cahuilla Creek, where the quick·handling RM felt a little oversensitive in the thick, loose dirt. The Honda also hasn't changed any in this area. It's still as stable as a rock, comers well and simply inspires confidence. And, just like last year, there's still a tinge of harsh· ness that most likely arrives from the ultra· rigid aluminum frame. Most of our testers agreed that the Yamaha and Kawasaki have the best all·around suspension/handling package of the group. Again, the Yamaha feels as good as it did last year, while the Kawasaki, already a good·handling machine, seemed to only get better following its major revamping. The KX and the YZ rival each other in overall handling performance, but the Kawasaki seems to have a slight edge over the Yamaha when it comes to overall "plushness.· As one tester put it, the Yamaha has a more "stiff" feeling about it than the Kawasaki. And he's right. CR12S: The Honda tlddler boasts a much stronger motor than last year, along with its usual sturdy chassIs platform. ()De-l~iDers Yamaha: "The YZ turns quick and handled well, but, on fast sections, I didn't think it was quite as stable as the Kawasaki.· "Handling is terrific on the YZ. It's easy to maneuver· pick a line, get in a rut and stay there." "Loved it." "It's super stable. It doesn't tum the easiest of the bunch, but all 125s are nimble.· "The YZ just feels comfortable and natural, as usual. It's my favorite bike in this depart· ment." Kawasaki: "The Kawasaki has always hanclJed well, but this year it's even better.· "I felt the Kawasaki was the most stable but didn't tum as quick as the RM, CR or YZ." "I felt very confident on the KX: I could just pin it and let the suspension just do its thing.· "Point and shoot. This bike's a no-brainer to ride." "Just as it did with the motor, this bike has taken a huge step up in suspension and han· dling. It's unrecognizable." Suzuki: "I love RM's suspension and handling. The bike is eager to take orders and does what it is told." "The RM has a light, quick·handling feel that gives the rider confidence on jumps and in tight turns. The suspension is plush over rough braking and acceleration bumps.· "The RM's fork required no adjustments, and the back end was my favorite of all of the bikes." "The seat rules, even though it handles so well that you can stand up through rutted cor· ners." "As usual, the Suzuki feels the lightest and most f1ickable of all the bikes." Honda: "The CR's aluminum frame makes the Honda feel a little harsh, but it still handles great. It's very easy to maneuver and control." "Suspension at both ends is excellent· plush on small bumps and chop, and firm on big jumps and landings. It also handles quickly but is still stable." "It still feels a little harsh for me, but it still handles well and the suspension is good." "I have no complaints. It tums and jumps with ease." KTM: "The KTM's downfall is its high·speed stability. On fast sections and downhills, the front end is nervous and unnerving, which quickly takes away the confidence the motor gives you." "I thought the KTM handled well on the sandy track, but the front end kept trying to yank itself out of my hands at Glen Helen.· "The KTM turns better and jumps better than last year; even the back end felt better, but the front end..." "Man, what's it feel like when you put an awesome motor in a nervous chassis? It feels scary." "I'm bummed. I really thought KTM would finally have the handling sorted out this year." 18 NOVEMBER 13. 2002' cue I e n e _ s

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