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/1522712
P120 RIDE REVIEW I 2024 YAMAHA YZ125X for a fun-factor two-stroke) may consider a re-valve for high-speed conditions, but the standard range of tunability will suit a wide range of lightweight pilots. In all honesty, the 125X feels like an over- sized mountain bike with an engine. At 212 pounds fully fueled, its lightweight nature and soft suspension make it playful and easy to maneuver in the tight stuff. You can still feel the 125cc DNA that begs to be ridden hard but it plays nicely when cruising at slower speeds on more technical trails. It scoots along nicely when opened up and makes for a super-well-rounded machine. By the end of my trip, I only opted for the 125 as I chased the larger displacements over the river and through the woods. My only complaints with the YZX are the lack of electric start and the same fuel capacity as the motocrosser. The kickstart isn't a make- or-break item for me, but in terms of practical- ity it wins every time, especially in the world of dead-engine starts. The 1.8- gallon fuel tank is another gripe for off-road riders look- ing to push their luck with pit stops or longer trail rides. These two simple additions would certainly upgrade the 125X from the get-go. I see the 125X as a bike that fits two roles. First, it serves as the perfect stepping stone as the first "big bike" for riders moving up from an 85cc just like it has in years past. Here, younger racers can learn the tools of the trade like throttle control, bike handling, and carrying momentum. Certainly they can move on, but the 125, in my mind, is still the perfect pre-requisite to any aspiring racer. The other role is an adult-sized pit bike. The 125cc engine it can fill is as a great option for fully-grown riders looking for that fun factor without the need for a "pull-your-arms-off" four-stroke. As the 250cc and 450cc thump- ers get faster and faster, there's something to be said about riding a small bike to its potential. And at times a smaller 125 might be more usable than a larger-than-life-450. Whether riding or racing, the updated YZ125X goes to show that good things still come in small packages. CN 2024 YAMAHA YZ125X ($7199) ENGINE TYPE 125cc liquid-cooled 2-stroke; reed-valve inducted DISPLACEMENT 125cc BORE X STROKE 54.0 x 54.5mm STARTING SYSTEM Kickstarter COMPRESSION RATIO 7.8~10.2:1 FUELING Keihin PWK38S TRANSMISSION 6-speed; multiplate wet clutch FRONT SUSPENSION KYB SSS (Speed Sensitive System) REAR SUSPENSION KYB single shock, with linkage FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 11.8 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 12.4 in. FRONT WHEEL 21 in. REAR WHEEL 18 in. FRONT BRAKE 270mm REAR BRAKE 240mm FRONT TIRE 80/100-21 Dunlop Geomax MX33F REAR TIRE 110/100-18 Dunlop Geomax MX33 RAKE 26.4° SEAT HEIGHT 38.2 in. GROUND CLEARANCE 14.0 in. FUEL CAPACITY 1.8 gal. WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 212 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S