Which MX125 for woods/trail riding?

[redbird16]

I am looking for a bike for my 14 year old 110lb 5'5'' son who is beginning a growth spurt.He currently has a xr100 and is ready to move up. I am looking for the best 125 for woods/trail riding as well as jumping. Low end power is certainly a plus. I even considered a kdx200 but I am afraid that it won't have the zip to satisfy him as well as the penalty of the extra weight.
I have found a 2002 Honda cr125 for 4200, 2001 kx125 for 4400 or less! 2001 rm125 4175 2002 RM125 for 4400. I can't find YZ's or KTM for much off list.
However I don't want to save money and not be satisfied.Any help is appreciated.

 

[SpeedyManiac]

You can't go wrong with the Honda, very reliable, beginner friendly and excellent quality. If it was me I would go with the Honda.

 

[Mini Me]

Since there is no more KTM 125 EXC, go with the 200 EXC - just take a look at wattsy ride it!! Its a bike with 125 handling and near 250 class horsepower - For a smaller rider, i couldn't think of anything better for woods riding - plus the motor will be a lot more forgiving than a 125 - especially seeing that he is coming off an XR100

 

[Coach in ND]

The 200 KTM would be a great choice for you. A light weight chassis with a easy to ride motor that will haul butt.

If your dead set on a 125 I would suggest a 2000 or 2002 YZ 125. Both the 2000 and 2002 have great powerbands with alot of low end power to help in the woods. The 2001 lacked the low end power.

Coach

 

[redbird16]

I have been rethinking the 125 deal. I have found a good deal on a 2002 yz125 at 4400 delivered.
However I have found a 2000 kdx200 here in town that has barely been ridden. If I can get a good price then I may want to go that way. I am curious however, Will the stock kdx keep up with the current 125's in 50--200 yard races? Also if I add a pipe later how will the kdx stack up against 125's then?
Remember my son is not much over 110lbs.

 

[Coach in ND]

The KDX is a great trail bike and that may be more of what you are after. Motor wise it has alot more grunt but I'm not sure how it will stack up against a 125 in a drag race. One thing is they are heavy and undersuspended compared to all the 125's out there. Exhaust really wakes the KDX's up but my main concern on a KDX would be the weight and suspension, not the motor. Since your son is so light the suspension may work great....

Coach

 

[9110911]

go with the yz and that is coming from someone who has a honda, you can't go wrong there either because they are super reliable which is nice and awesome frame and suspension but has very little bottem end the yz has a great motor for a 125 and good suspension but not the most reliable but its still a very very nice bike....
my 2 cents

 

[redbird16]

I keep finding good deals just not on the bike that seems ideal. I started looking at the KTM's and happened up on a new 2000 250exc that I can probably get for around 4000(dealer going out of KTM business). I know that it's too much bike right now but the price is unbelievable. I really am not sure what I am asking but if the choice was between the 2000 kdx200 and the new 2000 250exc which do you think for my 14 year old 5'5" 110 lb son? If the choice was for me it would certainly be for the ktm. I guess that I wonder if the KTM would be that much harder for him to ride at this point, I feel like if he were a little older and a little bigger that the KTM is the choice. However now is now I must try to figure out what is best for him with all things considered.

 

[Eyedoc]

If your son is mostly woods riding the 125 MX bike is going to be no fun. It would make a better jumping bike (if your crazy enough to let him do that). The 125 MX bikes don't have enough bottom end and are generally to stiff for small riders when off of the MX tracks.
For the price the KDX is hard to beat for the trails and mild play jumping. My 14 year old is 5'11' and 170 and he has a 2000 KTM 250. We both fight over who gets to ride this bike. For a smaller kid the 200 EXC would be great. I am trying to talk wy nephew into the KTM 200. He is a bout the same size as your son. The KTM is a step or two above the KDX whtch is two steps up from the XR.
I generally trail ride and have seen many a frustrated youngster strugling with MX bikes in the woods. O f course they all want 125 and 250 MX bikes like the pros..I think that very few riders can use MX bikes to their full potntial on the track let alone in the woods. THE most important question is what level rider is he and what will he really use the bike for?

Ralph Gentile
42 yr old woods rider

 

[Fred T]

Get the KDX

Learning to ride is all about confidence. The KDX will instill his cnfidence and it will have all the power he will need. You will need to make 3 changes for the bike to suit him. 1. Get a 4.6 KG/MM rear shock spring for it and add an FMF pipe and add an o-ring chain. Trust me at 110 lbs he will haul a s s on this bike. The way kids go through parts on the bike you will be happy its a KDX and not a KTM. The KTM wil have too much motor for him to learn on and will scare the hell out of him coming off an XR. The power band on the KDX is more likened to the XR so the transistio to the 2 stroke will be easier for him. Let him ride that for a few years and when he gains the skills then he will be ready for a KTM. I think it would be a mistake to get him any 125 MX bike or the KTM at his size/age. IMHO.

 

[MoO_coW]

Yes, if your mostly riding woods a 125 mx bike can be a pain. Riding in tight woods requires constant clutch and reving and if your like me constant kicking of the kick starter :confused: