VOLUME 59 ISSUE 2 JANUARY 11, 2022 P99
Yamaha is focused on mak-
ing their MX two-strokes more
competitive and approachable
for new riders. Their lower price
points and simplicity are selling
points at the dealer, for sure.
Making the bikes better for more
riders is a smart move. The
YZ250 does this with a smooth-
er power delivery that doesn't
take a two-stroke specialist to
master. And the YZ125 has built
a broader power delivery to en-
courage more riders to consider
it, as well.
I abused the clutch (some-
what apparent that's going to
happen here), and it didn't back
down from my cook-off.
There isn't a massive motor
balance improvement like we've
seen in two-stroke updates from
the Europeans, but the 125 har-
monics are never much of a rider
fatigue issue, and the refinement
of the bodywork and ergonomics
make the real feeling of two-
stroke resonation quite enjoyable.
Speaking of enjoyable, you
should hear this thing. Yamaha
chopped a few inches off the
silencer and re-shaped it a bit
to be more compact, and the
sound output is, well, spicy. She
barks with purpose. And while
it's not an intimidating tone, it
does turn heads in the pits wor-
thy of an eye-wandering meme.
More new bits abound, mir-
roring most of the 2022 YZ250
updates. New ergonomics cour-
tesy of a new fuel tank, seat, and
radiator shroud system com-
bined with rear body panels that
fit better update the look and
feel of riding the new YZ. Gone
are the days of feeling vintage in
a Yamaha two-stroke MXer. Like
the YZ250, the saddle position
and movement on the bike is
comfortable and efficient, al-
lowing precise body positioning
for turns and easy adjustment
otherwise.
Chassis componentry is simi-
larly updated with new suspen-
sion refinements for the YZ125,
improving an already great ride
that is forgiving for riders up
to about 175 pounds, max. I'm
pushing 180 these days, and
I was at the max of that poor
