I have rode small bore 4ts since I was a kid, but haven't ridden in a few years since I moved away from home. Now that I'm in WY and have some people to ride with I want to get back into the sport. I know for sure that I want a 2t and my plan is to grab a 125 for cheap, ride it on the track and some mild trails to get used to the powerband, and then after this season pick up a 250. I found a 95 cr125 for $800 that seems to be in pretty good shape mechanically. I also found a 92 rm250 basket case that needs the motor rebuilt along with a rear wheel and tire for $100. I figured I could pick up both bikes and rebuild the 250 throughout the winter and have a nice old bike by next spring. I'm 5'8" 150lbs and I'd say I'm a pretty decent trail rider but I've never been on a 2t or on a track. Would those two bikes be worth my time?

Edited by yooperjosh, 03 June 2012 - 12:40 PM.

sounds like a pretty decent idear to me... make sure you check em out well before buying though

I would stay away from the RM.  I bet it will be a money pit.  My guess if it is really roached you will have at lest 7 or 800 out of pocket to rebuild the motor.  Then tires, brakes, cables, bars, you get the idea.  I would buy the 125 and save and wait for a deal.  seems that if you start shopping in November bike prices drop.  At least in my area you can get a late 90's 250 in pretty good shape for 1000 to 1200 bucks.  Good luck!

poldies4, on 08 June 2012 - 01:12 AM, said:

I would agree....ditch the RM and ride the 125. You may find that you will end up ringing the guts off the 125 to keep up with the lads but the 2T will be fun. I am rebuilding all the time and I personally would not buy anything earlier than 2000. You would want to have a spare 800 in the pocket for a rebuild just incase.
If it has low hours on a top and bottom end rebuild then it might be a good deal but if the seller cannot tell you the engine history then have some spare cash available.

https://www.facebook.com/CleanRebuilds

Edited by GEOF, 08 June 2012 - 04:04 AM.

I agree with the last 2 posts.  Dont even consider a bike that costs less than $500...unless you know the history.  Generally, you get what you pay for.  The #1 rule is to know what you are buying.  Its hard to get really screwed on a 2t because there are fewer moving parts than a 4t, but its possible if you buy a complete POS.

Don't even get a 250. 125's will be plenty as your only 150lbs. You'll have a ton more fun on a 125 as well. If I was you I would look into getting a newer (04+) 125 and putting money into suspension and getting it the way you want it set up. That will be a killer bike.

shawn1331, on 08 June 2012 - 01:56 PM, said:

Yeah thats the ticket.In my area you can get a nice,lightly modded '00 or newer 125 for $1000-1500.
And you only weight a buck fifty so a 125 is gonna be a blast.
'97 $650
http://phoenix.craig...2999333946.html
The big deal in AZ is they want you to title and register anything w/ a motor,unless it a track(I dont ride track),so bikes w/o a title are cheap.
I was gonna get a smoker to ride instead of a pitbike,but my buddys done for the summer and when he and his kid start riding again its gonna be like teaching the kid allover.
I like keeping the motor stock,but I think the big bore kit is 151cc's.That would rip.

Edited by Bonefrost, 08 June 2012 - 05:12 PM.

Thanks for the advice guys. I got the 125 down to 700 so I think the new plan is ride the hell out of it this season since I wont have money for a newer one till next year and I want to ride before the season's over so I don't beat the piss out of a newer bike while I learn. The seller said the top end has about 10 hours on a rebuild so I should be alright for a little while right? Then before next season I'll pick up a newer 125 2t. Even with me being small would the 125 be enough on trails? My buddies have a 450f and a 250f. I live in Wyoming so its pretty hilly. I'm not afraid to keep it wrapped up and hit hills fast by the way. I just really don't want to get into 4t's since I like to work on my own toys and I don't feel like dropping 500 on a top end.

yooperjosh, on 08 June 2012 - 07:58 PM, said:

If you get good with the clutch and your buddies are half decent to pretty good riders, you'l kill them on a 125 in the trails because they are so light and nimble with a suprising amount of jump in em. If you maintain right you can get 90 hrs easy on a top end trail riding. Make sure you do your air filters and warm it up right and you should be good to go. You'll notice loss of power and it'll make a smacking noise in the engine called "piston slack". That's about time to get a new one in there.

So i just found a 99 yz125 for 950 but I think I could get him down to 800.  Which one is a better bike for the money, the CR or the YZ? I'm torn

here's the YZ
http://fortcollins.c...3069928025.html

And the CR
http://fortcollins.c...3054817799.html

The ad for the CR says 95, but he gave me the vin and it came up as a 96

Go with the YZ.  Looks like less mods and probably less abuse.


To restate what others have said.  At 150 a 125 is plenty.  I am 200lbs without gear and I rode a 125 for a several years and never was at a loss for power.  I was only trail riding in mostly sandy stuff.  I'd probably still be riding a 125 if I hadn't jumped ship to a 4 stroke.

Thanks guys. It's looking like it's gonna be the YZ. Hopefully will be picking it up tomorrow, as long as it's not all clapped out.  If I get it, expect some pics and probably a rebuild thread in the off season.