2002 yz125 or yz250f

I got an '02 YZ125 I love the damn thing it rocks its very similar to your 2000 as far as the motor go's. What will feel better is the newer body work, and the suspension will be better slightly. I like how my YZ handles after ridding mostly honda CR's the last few years. I wasn't expecting it to slice like the CR did but it does! The bike feels razor sharp but yet has great stability I guess its middle of the road but at the same time not. I think it gets more of the stability from the suspension since its pretty balanced stock. The bike is awesome with just some minor jetting tweaks and adding two teeth to the rear sprocket it will win right off the showroom floor. Compared to the YZF. Yes its an awesome bike but I feel it still has a few more years to go yet. You must ask yourself can you handle the starting ritual that comes with the bike its only bad when you dump the bike. My friend who races one dreads if that happens. That and the other thing is it will have smooth power band compared to a 2 smoke. It won't have that cut and thrust style to it. That and I understand it isn't that friendly of a bike to vertically challenged peeps like me and you. You can't go wrong with either bike really that right there has to be the main difference's in why you'd choose one over another. Other than the fact the YZ got the new bodywork thats it. Otherwise get the one you want, but don't blame me when your stuck on the side of the track getting a work out kickin that YZF :p hehe.

2002 motor us best described as being a cross between the 2000 torque and the 2001 over rev. not quite as much on bottom as the '00 had but close and not quite as much overrev the '01 had but very close. This power band is favored more due to the bottom being pumped up. I heard adding a pro circuit pipe /shorty silencer livens things up quite a bit. All three model years make the same HP figures 33 hp stock. The new bodywork is excellent, it was one of the reason's why I didn't get a YZ last year. I have had this bike since august and have ridden it 90% MX. I've currently racing it in the local AX series right now. One of the biggest questions I get asked is how do you like the 5 speed tranny. I don't notice it cause I had an '01 Cr125 before this bike. I usually ask them in return, how many times do you ever shift into 6th? usually followed by a long pause of pondering. If there was one thing I don't like about it, is sometimes 1st to 2nd up or down it get hung up on neutral but this only happens when you use the clutch and shift and its not consistant enough. Its not a problem if you shift under power or don't use the clutch and the bike is rolling. Depending on how agressive you ride might want to raise the oil in the forks it can bottom out on slapper landings but its far from harsh. like 10 -15 mms more of oil do it. So whatever bike you get I'm sure you'll love it, but I made the same choice you can see what I got :)

major handling difference...

although i havent ridden a yzf (or a yz for that matter) i read in a moto mag that the 2 strokes at rear wheel drive, and the 4-strokes are front wheel drive

meaning when your turning, you use more throttle control to turn than on a 4 stroke. this can be an advantage but only in great conditions, like really hard pack turns. If its sandy or muddy, it may become difficult, and the 2-strokes have the advantage.

I was really considering a 2001 yz250f for my next bike, but after hearing this, im moving more twards a yz125. I would ride both on both hard and soft courses if possible, if not try and get buddy-buddy with someone on more of a sandy course so you could witness a 4-stroke at its worst. Thats what i plan to do when the time comes.

After hearing this, i consider a 2-stroke the better all-around bike. This is just my opinion though.

later,

mxryder