Buying Advice for a CR125R

Hi all,

My son is preparing for a move up from his YZ85 to a 125. After comparing the manufacturers offerings and considering things like seat height, dependability, plastics configs, and general availability on the used market; he's decided on a CR, probably 2002 or newer.

I'm curious if anyone can lend any advice specific to a CR125 when looking over used bikes? Where are these bikes prone to have problems? We're OK to check out all the basic stuff: overall care of bike, engine sucking air/racing, wheel,swingarm,headset bearings, bent rims, loose spokes, leaky/broken radiators, engine compression, kick starter stripped, tires, viewable frame cracks, leaky fork or shock seals, etc.

Are there areas in the frame that should be specifically looked at?, power valve mis-behavior? anything else?

Also, what is the proper compression range for this size bike? I've always heard 125+/- thrown around but I've never been sure.

Thanks for any advice you can lend.

My boys are true to 2-strokes, they like 'em better. With the changes in AMA race classes this year, the 2-strokes are in their own class and it's more fair now. Plus I like 2 strokes better since they cost less and I can do all then engine work myself. 4-strokes are nice, but very costly to buy and mod and harder to work yourself (I think)

Thanks for the input though. Definately the aluminum frame!