Need some advice. 125 vs 250f

A

Affliction313

PR Member
I know this was on a previous discussion topic and I remember browsing through the discussion. But now I am faced with the same decision I need of some advice from other parents that went through the same. My boy is 14 will be 15 In a couple months he is currently on a crf150r which he loves but is out growing he is 5'9" and about 115lbs. I can't decide what the next move is 125 or 250f. I'm kind of split 50/50 on the issue i see advantages and disadvantages to both. I will say he loves the 150 and is not going to be turning pro anytime soon. But he does love to ride before the 150 he had a 85 and I can say he does much better on the 150 than he did on 85 but I'm not sure if it's the bike or just more seat time. Any advise from anyone that has been in the same situation would be greatly appreciated.
 
I understand the confusion here and yours is even more complicated because of the 2 stroke versus 4 stroke issue. I for one believe that the 125 is a great transition bike before putting him on a very powerful and heavy 250f. Your son is tall but not heavy and I believe he may struggle with the weight of the 250f. We are currently on a stock 125 and my son loves it and everyone that I talk to that has ever ridden one seems to love riding them, even after going to the 250f. The other good thing about the 125 is its a full size bike that is light but teaches the kids how to ride it hard in order to try and keep up with 250, 2 strokes and 250f's which I feel ends up making them better, more aggressive riders. To compete on a 125 they can't be lazy and have to perfect their riding technique which is a good thing before putting them on a bike that may be to much bike, to soon. I would go to a 125 and let him experience one of the most fun bikes to ride and are typically cheap to repair. Thats my 2 cents!!!
 
I'm 28 years old, 165lbs and my 125 pulls me around swimmingly.

That being said, when I graduated high school I was 135. I raced a supermini until I was 16. I was 5'9" and 115 lbs. I transitioned to a 250F after racing both the supermini and rm125 for a full season. (And we raced every weekend) I hit my last growth spurt at 17 and grew to 5'11" and gained 15 lbs. that made a huge difference for me I think when getting on a 2004 crf 250.

I really suggest a 125 2 stroke. Especially today, the HP the new 250f puts out today is about 10 more than what I raced. These bikes are faster, snappier and lighter. Get him comfortable on the 125 and he will come out a lot faster when he transitions to 250F.
 
My son was in a similar boat, (only at age 11) he rode a 125 for about 6 months. The problem... he was dabbling on a 250f also. That was my mistake, letting him ride a 250f. Once he felt all the bottom end of the four stroke he didn't want anything to do with the 125 again.

If I had to do it over again, he wouldn't even get to sniff a 250f for at least a year after transitioning to the 125. The main reason, the additional weight of the 250f.
 
Yea once you hop on a 250F, your technique can get real lazy at the same time doubling your race pace. Makes no sense. But it's nuts.

Therefor, you get astute on the 125 and you start really blowing doors off when you get to the 250F


And there's guys like me that consider the 250F even too much to maintain a great working relationship with my boss.
 
So it sounds like it's a unanimous everyone is on the side of the 125. So that brings me to the next question its been awhile since I've bought a 125 2001 to be exact and it was a cr loved the bike wish I would have never gotten rid of. I know I'm limited on my choices to yz Ktm or husky for a later yr model. Yz I had which I liked the motor did not like the way it turned all be it it was a 2003. Have zero experience with a Ktm or husky which I know there basically the same bike. Any info on this would be appreciated.
 
The YZ from 2006 to present really hasn't changed but they still always perform well in the 125 shoot outs, as a matter of fact the last one they won vs the KTM. They are typically cheaper to buy, the parts are less expensive and are easier to come by. Also, at the tracks if you need something to get you by for the day you will have a better chance of locating a YZ part than a KTM. The suspension on the YZ has always been great so there typically isn't much that needs to be done to them other than dial them in. However, if you have a lot of money and live close to a KTM shop and don't mind spending more for your parts then you probably will be fine with a KTM.
 
Going to a 125 seems like a smart choice. I'm 5'9 and about 180lbs and mine pulls me around no problem. It'll be lighter and something a little easier to transition with as everyone else explained earlier. I have an 05 yz 125 and the only thing I can say is find an 06 or newer. The forks on the 06 are much better than the 05 stuff even with a revalve. I agree with the previous post, yamahas are going to be easier to get the parts for and much more inexpensive.
On to my second thought, this is just my opinion and I am 2 stroke biased. If you're not going to go for the pro card and all of that, why spend the money on a 4 stroke anyway? Yes, they are easier to ride and if you have the money go for it. However, the price of a top end in a 4 stroke is almost what it costs to do a top end and crank in a 2 stroke. I'm cheap and my hardcore racing days are over, so I stick with the 2 strokes. Either way you go, dirtbikes aren't cheap. If you have the money to get a new bike every year and don't have to do major maintenance on a 4 stroke like top and bottom ends, go for the 4 stroke. If you're looking for a more cost effective way to teach him how to ride and transition to a big bike, go for the 125. Tons of yamahas for sale these days! Good luck!
 
My son was 14 when I put him on a 125. We went with the Yamaha for a lot of the same reasons that were mentioned. Plus, I have two really good Yamaha shops close by. The closest KTM dealership is over and hour away.

The rumor mill has it that next year MX Sports is adding a 125 class to LL. Another good reason to buy a 125 for next year.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top