I agree with CaptainObvious... I also ride a 125 and like you grew up on xr's with a big break inbetween were I was'nt riding... On the 125 you'll learn to go fast, faster... And they go plenty fast, I ride allot of desert and can keep up with everyone I ride with... I'm always the only 125 and I kind of like that underdog thing... I like going through gears, and up shifting out of turns, and all that... All that shifting and having to always be on the pipe is good practice for when your ready to really ride a 250 on the pipe and go as fast as you can... There is more to riding a 250 than just being able to ride a 250... Most people think if I can ride it and not die I'm ready for it... That's just is not true... Don't forget you can always sell the 125 after at least a season of riding, it won't be a waste...