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/1441959
QUICKSPIN I 2022 Yamaha YZ125 P100 rear shock spring most of my test day. The Yamaha family of motocross bikes are stellar performers in the suspension department across the board. They are consistently easy to set up, forgiving and comfortable despite their performance edge. The new YZ125 fits in here nicely. Braking performance comes on strong and controlled with an updated system (same as the YZ250's) that is knocking on the door of Europe's highest performing pieces. And in practice, the brakes on the YZ125 are great. An improvement over the old generation? Probably, but I think the old YZ125 stopped pretty well, too. Interestingly, Yamaha has split up tire sup- pliers again on its motocross brethren, with the new YZ125 getting a dose of Bridgestone X20 meats front and rear. I've always been happy with the Bridgestone tire lineup across the board and look forward to more time on these to see how they fare. Our test day was good with them at Glen Helen, although I wouldn't mind a bit more front-end bite. If looks are your thing, the 2022 YZ125 will turn your crank, and it comes in super bro- style in a Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition with race-team-inspired colors and graphics for a couple of hundred bucks over stock MSRP ($6899 versus $7099). I am a fan of all 125cc two-stroke moto- cross bikes. I like the purity of the ride and the no-B.S. experience and performance you're in charge of. You're not going for a ride here; you are in control of the entire ride. It's basic and core. That's powerful. I'm here for 125s, not only for me but the health and future of the sport and the young rising stars of the racing circuit. A lot of young racers have skipped the 125 step. The new YZ125 proves that's a terrible injustice to their motocross heritage. Go ride a 125, I say. You will thank me for it later. CN SPECIFICATIONS 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 ($6899 / $7099 MONSTER ENERGY) ENGINE TYPE 2-stroke, reed-valve inducted, YPVS, single DISPLACEMENT 125cc BORE X STROKE 54.0mm x 54.5.mm COOLING SYSTEM Liquid COMPRESSION RATIO 8.2-10.1:1 FUEL DELIVERY Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S Carburetor IGNITION Digital CDI TRANSMISSION 6-speed CLUTCH Wet, cable operated FRAME Aluminum, semi-double cradle HANDLEBARS Aluminum, 2-position adjustability FRONT SUSPENSION KYB Speed-Sensitive System (SSS), 48mm, USD fork, fully adj. REAR SUSPENSION KYB single shock, linkage, fully adj. FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 11.8 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.4 in. FRONT BRAKE Single 270mm disc REAR BRAKE Single 240mm disc FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 in. Bridgestone Battlecross X20F REAR TIRE 100/90-19 in. Bridgestone Battlecross X20 SEAT HEIGHT 38.6 in. WHEELBASE 56.9 in. RAKE / TRAIL 26° / 4.3 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 14.4 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.8 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 209 lbs.