Already know im good for a 125, which will haul the most butt on the trails?

depends on how tight, hills, and what you want to spend, kaw and ktm have the biggest following for trail 2 strokes here in michigan, a 125 will need some work to get low end grunt though, im tempted myself to do a big bore 150 for the tight trails

I've owned and trail ridden two 125's in the past 15 years. A 93 RM and an 02 YZ. Neither were ideal,but both were a lot of fun. Whatever color you end up with,if you ride aggressively and keep a finger on the clutch,the fun factor is up there. Try to sit down and lug them around,and times may not be so great.

Alright I know all 125's aren't going to be very good in the hills. I've heard of the KTM sx 150, and was wondering if there is really any difference between the two sizes. Also, do you think it would be harder to control or handle than a 125? Thanks for the help.

its supposed to be noticably more powerful all over but mostly in the bottom and mid which would make it easier to control in my opinion

They make the 150 in  XC trim too I believe. More expensive than an sx I'm sure,but also purpose built for off road.

Thanks that helps a lot, i am not looking to spend much money, but for a reasonable price on a good used bike (if i can find one) will be alright. Also have lots of room to ride, and have a nearby track, not so much a track rider, but could get used to it. If there is slim pickens, a kx 125 is probably the best to get both jobs done decently.

Look into the Husky WR 125/150.  There are some guys over in the Husky forum that have these, and they say the bike takes them anywhere they point it.

Ive never really considered a brand outside of the major 5, or ridden one. Do you really thing it compares to the popular bikes? I have heard quality isues about any unpopular brand, but i dont know for sure. Maybe ill test one out sometime.

Don't forget about the newer yz's, good low/mid power for a 125.

Any of the 125s will be a blast.  I have a lot of seat time on various 125s in the woods/trails, and to my mind the ONLY real difference is that the Honda is only a 5 speed.  If you are only in the woods, then it is an awesome bike.  But if you have high speed transfer sections, the lack of a 6th gear is a PITA.  Other than that, I would strictly buy on price and condition, and not worry about the brand at all.  Look for a clean example that is as stock as possible.  When buying a 125, stay away from bikes with a lot of engine mods.  I've seen bikes with so many aftermarket parts slapped on, they barley even run, and are totally unbalanced.

Id stick to a YZ125 with the 6 speed. 05 and up?. or a KTM/Husky/GasGas. The last 3 will be the best for any woods use. Im personally a GasGas fan after owning a few of their other bikes, was alot better quality and performance for woods when compared to my previous YZ. Never owned KTM but worked on them and rode them, great bikes. Not much experience with the Husky's but hear good things.

When I raced enduro's back from 1990 to 2000, I rode YZ125's and absolutely loved them. Once you get the hang of where your power is, they are the most fun bikes to ride in the trails. I rode enduro's in the deep sand, tight pines, rocky hills, hard packed dust and the 125 was awesome. I haven't riden any newer YZ's but can't see a reason that they wouldn't be great. Now, I  have a 07 Husky TE450 and a new Husky WR144 and I have had zero problems both. I just raced my 125/144 in a sand and pine enduro and it was a blast. The WR125/144 Husky is probably the best handling woods bike right out of the box I have ever bought......but it is a 2012 so it should be.  It did need some carb and jetting tweeks, but what 2t doesn't. I would not have hesitated on buying a YZ but I needed a factory street legal bike and all husky 2t's are in NJ.

get a kdx or something in that range for trails, a 125 will be fun, and if thats what you want then get one, but you will be exhausted from flinging that bike around all day and playing with the clutch and throttle. theyre a blast, but if you have the balls to ride a 125, a 200 trail bike shouldnt be much more power, not to mention all the bottom end you will have. its really a bitch to keep those 125's in the powerband in the trails, and they have almost no bottom.

get a yz or a cr and mod it out if you go with a 125...

younggunz, on 20 March 2012 - 08:08 AM, said:

No offense, but anyone who makes statements like this are  listening to/reading other posts and forming an opinion from them or are just not a very good trail rider. A 125 in the trails is the exact "opposite" There are tons of FAST riders of all ages riding all kinds of terrain doing very well on 125's.........but hey, get a 450 they are so much easier to ride on single track with.......
BTW incase your wondering.....49 yr old 210lb  A class enduro rider........

Edited by justplayin, 20 March 2012 - 08:58 AM.

Nice, i ride trails fast anyways, and im 130lbs, so it should work ok.

jstaylor16, on 19 March 2012 - 10:31 PM, said:

"Unpopular" bikes that have problems are made in China.  The Euro bikes, including KTM, make some of the best purpose built, off road bikes you can buy.

Having bought a husqvarna wr 125 as I was desperate for a ride due to a blown engine on my regular ride all I can say is you cant go wrong with one of these, it has become my number one ride
The little thing will climb anything I have thrown at it ! the top end is exellent, the handleing is superb, I can not think of a negative for these bikes
You can get the factory 144 top end if its not enough for you or even purchase a 167 top end that a lot of people are now using on Cafehusky, so the bike has loads of scope
Pop along to there web site and have a read its worth a look

Nice, i have heard a lot about these husqvarna's now, and nothing about them has been negative. I love the fact that they have made two strokes for the hills in a 125 class. I live in Canada, and the husqvarna dealers are scarce. This is why I hope for a bike in the classifieds! Thanks for your help.

the "unpopular" brands are the only ones improving 2 strokes since....2008 i believe