Best 2003, 2002 125s?

[Slips]

Not trying to start a firestorm but what were the best bikes according to the better MX magazines of 2003 and 2002 in the 125 class? I was out of dirt bikes for some years and did not keep up for awhile. Now that I am back in I am curious :)

Thanks and this isnt a yelling at each other thread. Not that dirt bikers would EVER do that :thumb:

 

[elf]

If your not including 4-strokes the yZ 125 has been the top pick in magazines for the last 6 or 7 years. Honda has been pretty much on the bottom. With a little suspension and motor work you can make any of the bikes competitive except for Honda. Nobody can seem to make the Honda motor as fast as the other bikes. The Honda's do have an excellent chassis though.

 

[bclapham]

if you want a really good bike, i would look to get a 03rm125 that has been yet to be sold by the dealer- suzukis are generally cheap and they dont sell that well so may be a few left in the dealers from last year going cheap- when the 03's were out, a friend picked up an 02 for $3500 otd and that is very cheap for socal. IMO the rm has the best showa suspension components in its class and has a really nice motor that revs to the moon and makes decent power.

the YZ is a good bike, maybe better power than the Rm, but worse suspension IMO. The kx was OK in 03, but an 02 is the old design and much harder to sell on.

the CR has good handling but has a notoriously lame engine (not that ive ridden one mind you, just going on what people that i respect have told me).

that leaves the KTM- best motor in class, but the 02 that i rode had terrible suspension.

 

[pat567]

ditto bclapham,I think he hit it on the mark.The yz250f was picked by most magazines as top 125.IMO skill,wieght and preferrance are deciding factors.

 

[Slips]

Nice replies and thanks. Hopefully there will be more but these are great. My plan is to get a brand new 04 Suzuki. Only problem is money... lol. But if I get it all together and am able to pay cash (the only way my wife will let me buy a bike) then the 04 is a go.

But if things dont work out I may indeed be getting an 03 Suzuki or YZ. But I am older and slower and like something that handles and turns well more than blazing speed like YZs. That's why I am getting all the info.

Great board, great replies and mucho thanks.

 

[Okiewan]

Mistake number one: "What the mags say"
Number two: wrong forum. :p
Moved.

 

[bclapham]

i am not going on what any of the mags say, i am just commenting on the bikes i and people i trust have ridden and owned :)

Slips- IMO the 04rm125 is the best one out there this year, suzuki always had a great turning, supension and handling bike and for 04 they copied the KTM engine layout, which as most will tell you is the best 125 engine going- if you have a look in the tuning forum, you will see how one very board English man that is prevented from riding by the weather with a lot of spare time on his hands has made a very fast 04RM125!!!

 

[Chili]

IMO the 04rm125 is the best one out there this year

AND it won the Magazine shootouts! :laugh:

 

[bclapham]

you are kidding me right? i know the 250 one MXA, but a double whammy like this...yikes!

 

[Chili]

Dunno about MXA but it won the 125 2 stroke shootout (no F's) in TWMX.

 

[MXP1MP]

Rm's are awesome 125's but I do really like my '04 KX 125. It definetly rates right up there in performance. I prefer my KX it's smaller low slung ero's fit me so well and the new sdg seat makes it better feeling. I want to see if that new YZ 125 in the aluminum frame comes out, seen the intake tract yet? it's very straight from past designs or an aluminum permeter framed RM 125 for '05!

 

[Slips]

Well, my ship came in! w00t!!! Next week I will be able to buy my first brand new bike. I am older and never had a really new MX bike.

I talked with some folks and can get an 04 Rm and an 04 Kx for almost the same exact money. Actually I am leaning toward the KX right now because I know that dealer just a little from some years back.

Is 4600 out the door about right for a good deal on the KX and RMs? Thanks bunches and am always willing to listen to the voice of experience.

P.S. sorry I posted on the wrong forum. To be honest I had not scrolled down far enough on the main forum page or would have posted here.