1986 125 Motocross Shootout

This is my look back at how the 125 class of 1986 stacked up in the motocross shootouts of the time. This video covers the 1986 Honda CR125R, Yamaha YZ125, Suzuki RM125, Kawasaki KX125, Cagiva 125WMX, and KTM 125MX.
Support The Motocross -
Motocross Vault Merch here - teespring.com/...
Patreon here- www.patreon.co...
If you are in the market for some oil head on over to Blendzall.com and use the discount code VAUlT20 at checkout to same 20%
Follow the motocross vault -
/ themotocrossvault
/ tonyblazier
My classic racing channel-
/ @themotocrossracevault...

[@MMACHMP]

I had a full pro circuit motor Yamaha YZ 125 in 86 and it was a rocket ship bike fast as hell I won a lot of races on it

[@lethalmicky13]

You can tell that the guy that runs this channel puts a lot of effort into his videos. Good job.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@mcman47]

I had the KX and rode it in our sand dunes. I had to ride it hard to keep it going fast.

[@dannyleon6215]

great video would love a 90s 500 shootout

[@TheMotocrossVault]

You got it!

[@rmfun-qo3ge]

Always love the shootouts!

[@TNTMOTO]

Great video. Made me feel like i was 17 again reading the magazines at the local store.

[@theozBandit]

Again... you've come to the party and put together another awesome video! Cheers!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks again!

[@theozBandit]

The best thing about the KX125 for 86 was the adding of the rear disc brake, worst thing as Tony mentioned, the engine was all over the place compared to the 1985 model. The rear suspension was alot better this year too! It was listed 3rd in Australia with Australasia Dirt Bike magazine.

[@robertrishel3685]

Would love to see the 1979 125 shootout👍 or the 1981….

[@robertrishel3685]

Another terrific video, strangely satisfying to my growing nostalgia. I grew up by motorcycle magazines, ALL of them! While I was first and foremost a motocrosser and if I only had enough money for one magazine, it was ALWAYS going to be MXA. I loved everything about motorcycles. I would buy every motorcycle magazine I could get my hands on, except for the biker type/Harley magazines. This particular year, I was locked in to Kawasaki as my parents owned a Kawi dealership in Warrenton/Astoria/Seaside Oregon. I remember I was in between racing motocross and riding trials in early ‘86 and didn’t have a bike. A friend of mine who raced Vet, trying to get me back in racing moto again, loaned me his 1986 CR125 for a couple races that year....that bike was sooooo good, it really made me want to race again. Which I did of course! We had a local Expert racing for our shop, Bret Stevens. He was so good on a 125 and I recall so many great battles between he and Ricky Simmett during the 1985 season in the 125 Intermediate class. Bret and I drove all over the northwest racing moto out of my parents shops’ box van -Mr.Bike Motorsports👍😂

[@Lightnin42]

Had 2 86’ YZs excellent bikes

[@jamesokeeffe4614]

Just got my first bike. Always wanted one. Got an 85 honda xr100. Love your channel I just subscribed and I'm learning an incredible amount. Thank you for your life and research and knowledge. Much love from MAINE

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you!

[@jameskoskinen6763]

I really appreciate your narration skills! The detail (at 4:15) you go into about motocross in the 80s really brought me back. You're good at this and I appreciate what you're doing for the motorcycle community!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thank you I appreciate your kind words 🙏🏻

[@EmperorNerox]

The cr125 was so much better than the other 125s. I rode them all. The kx had a good power plant only one close to the cr. But the cr was great and would have won the 87 125 shootout it was so much better. Another CR did best was ease of maintenance..you could take thing apart w 2.sockets a 10 and 12mm and a Phillips head screwdriver. Lol. The Yamaha u need 3 different tools to get the seat off and get to the air filter it was ridiculous

[@Mustaerkki]

This channel is gold! Thx again man! I got a ´85 kx125 that i renovate and the orginal Kawasaki sticker well half of it is still on the gastank, the exhoustpipe looks as new.. cant wait to get it started!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

thanks and good luck with the restore

[@DEREKFUMI]

Had an 86 CR80 and loved it.

[@chadkennedy529]

Excellent video as always tony!

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks again!

[@abrahamhernadez8232]

Great video, I had a kawasaki kx 250 1985 with disc breaks in both wheels, but I think that KTM 125 1986 is ahead of its time.

[@EmperorNerox]

And 85 kx 250 w rear disc? Not stock you didn't. Lol the cr125 smoked the ktm125 in 86 wasn't close.

[@abrahamhernadez8232]

@@EmperorNerox awesome

[@EmperorNerox]

@@abrahamhernadez8232 no stock bike had read disc in 85. I think 86 Kawasaki had the 1st. Honda in 87.

[@abrahamhernadez8232]

@@EmperorNerox Yeah you're right I've been investigating about the history of rear disc break and I found that it appeared for the first time in 1986, so I guess that my bike was modified cuz it's from 1985.

[@EmperorNerox]

@@abrahamhernadez8232yea I raced back then I was up to date on every bike. The back disc was something to get used to they were so touchy at first

[@gregmaggio5217]

A great review for sure,,but I have to say the two bike (s) from the 80's that were utterly amazing to me were the the 84 KX 125,,and the 87 CR 80,,as always thank you for all nostalgia..

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Both of those were great bikes for sure

[@mmazz30]

Another great episode Tony, the 80’s were great for innovation and all my mags are from late 79 to late 80’s then the interest slowed for me. Publishing companies certainly made some money from me buying 4 or 5 different mx mags at a time during my lunchtime breaks. Keep them coming.....looking forward to a review on the PE Suzuki’s when you get time.👍

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I need to get on that one!

[@deborahchesser7375]

The Motocross Vault IT’s too T, please.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Hopefully a history of the Yamaha IT or all enduro bikes for that matter, is forthcoming. Us slower guys need to reminisce too lol, thanks T, love your work.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I am writing the history of the Suzuki PE175 as we speak

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@TheMotocrossVault awesome, I can’t wait, thanks brother 👍🇺🇸

[@1969cmp]

#1 in looks.....the KTM. Man that bike is a work of beauty.

[@Workerbee-zy5nx]

Honestly I'd love to have the Cagiva and that sexy Ktm in my collection..They would be fun to fart around in.👍

[@dalehicks6112]

Great review Toni! I always look forward to watching your reviews. Would love to see a 1996 or 1997 125 shootout with the new and improved Yamaha, the return to conventional forks on the Suzuki and the last of the steel frame Honda. Plus I race a 1997 cr125 in a vintage motocross club😊.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

That is a great year to do for sure. I had the new 1996 RM125 and RM250 that year and loved them. Those forks were amazing.

[@rg807]

I had a 1985 KX, great bike. I bought an 86 and, just like MXA said, it would not turn. Terrible handling. Bought an 87 Honda, was, what a revelation.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

The 1987 CR125R was one great machine

[@rumpelstiltskin6252]

you do a Awesome job reviewing takes me back, had a few of these bike back in the day, and the books don't always match my impressions, always been Honda fan, had 84 and 85 honda cr 125 and then i got an 86 kx, 125, the KX felt way better, and had less problems, felt way more solid and the power of the 86 was amazing compare the older cr,s, i was honda all the way until i got the kx, it was like getting in roll,s from a VW, even thought it was a bit chunky compare to the cr,

[@acuraintegrar5]

Another great vid!! What about a vid on the bw350 or maybe a 500cc shoot out? Keep up the good work🍻

[@1969cmp]

In one season the Honda line-up went from a good bike in the mix to 'the' bike to have in 1986.

[@chrisgleis2821]

My Uncle had the Yz that we called the dinosaur.

[@SD-ir1vf]

LOL All 2T are dinosaur 🦕🦕🦖🦖

[@robertmartin5646]

Would to see the 74 125 shootout

[@Motovlog_69]

Keep up the good work man

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks, will do!

[@Justen1980]

I had an '89 rm80 just might have to get that t-shirt

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks!

[@adriantowe278]

86 was a good year for the kx cr yz rm with the looks and crs performance I was lucky enough to get my mum and dad to get me a cr 500 has I was 13years old at the time I can't tell you about the times I tried to kill myself on it I looked like a suicide bomber in practice but I learned well has all my friends said I would kill myself on it

[@danspiro231]

Were can I find information on the full floating suspension legal issues , that you mention??? Thx

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Just google it. Suzuki was sued by the man who invented it for stealing the concept and not paying him. They lost the suit and were made to pay damages

[@TGC1023]

I was wondering, what does the RC stand for,? When it comes to the early 80’s Honda works bikes. Like David Bailey’s RC500 works bike.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I don't think it is an acronym. It just denoted that the bike was a one-off factory bike and not a production racer.

[@stevend3753]

Have you done videos on the ill fated Cannondale MX bike?

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Yup here is the link. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIvZhJ9qoNt0mKc

[@SD-ir1vf]

Do you know what year the CR125R went from a 6 to a 5 speed gear box?

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I believe it was 1998

[@JETZcorp]

I'd love to see a late-70s open-class shootout. It would mean not getting to hear about Honda, but we'd see some of the best Maicos and Huskies instead.

[@1969cmp]

...in short, a club racer or on a budget who had the 1985 KX 125 was better off staying on that bike over any of the 86 bikes....bar the CR. Maybe 😎

[@NameIsLegit]

Awesome video you should do one on the ktm 360sx

[@TheMotocrossVault]

Thanks for the idea!

[@VintageSaws]

Do the 1986 80cc shootout. The 87 was one year off my bikes 😂

[@steveperelli3602]

If you look at Honda and cagiva the reds are similarity

[@richardstremlow6075]

Can you do a shoot out on a 1992 125 class. Well done.

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I will be doing it in the future for sure

[@alexanderdengvongsa7525]

Never had a dirt bike but I have a 1983 Honda ATC 250r

[@1969cmp]

The Cagiva's seat being flat and being hard as concrete, was ahead of its time. I hate the seats of the modern bikes...😁😂🤣

[@LifeWideOpen780]

1983 rm80 review please. First year of watercooled

[@gregmaggio5217]

I had that bike,,new off of the showroom floor,,sooo many fun days in the hills,,and track riding at Indian Dunes..

[@TheMotocrossVault]

I will be doing the 1983 RM80 👍🏻

[@joshmarks3954]

Yeah that's awesome, maybe tie it in with an 83 80cc shootout? Love all the 83's liquid cooled and single shocks. The start of the best bikes!

[@dormantmenace]

I have a 86 yz 125.. in pretty decent shape. It wouldn't shift for shit. . When I got it. Wich sucked cause I got it for the step son to learn on and it's pretty discouraging when the bike refuses to shift... any who I switched to ATF-type F in cases. Redline specifically. It pretty much has had zero issues since. I now use it in all my 2 strokes. They all shift soooooo much better. And clutch feel is much improved. Atf type f is designed for automobile so yes it can handle the load just fine. It's not a snake oil trick. It really works

[@rg807]

There was an adapter you could get that created a better leverage point for the shifter, I don't remember who made it, but you can probably find it in an mxa issue from that time period. I think Doug Dubach ran it. He runs Dr D now.

[@stevend3753]

I knew a kid who had a 86 Cagiva 125, the bike was a dog.

[@derrickzenner9300]

For some reason I thought kawasaki had dropped the ball in 85. I trust you though and stand corrected.

[@davebowers1498]

Had a 86kx 125 in 1993 . My 1980 rm125 was a lot faster

[@raoulduke3770]

Then there was something wrong with your KX. I had an 86 with a DG pipe, reeds, opened up the airbox and jetted it and it ripped from midrange on up. Much faster than my Dad's 85 KX, which had a great motor and every bit as fast as my neighbors 86 CR.

[@stevend3753]

The only redeeming quality of the RM I remember was the beautiful electric blue color of the engine. I wish they painted the new motors the same color.

[@happyraccoon4791]

I had a 125 Cagiva. No power valve. Power band was a light switch. 3 hp below 8000, 30hp From 8000 to 10500. My Three Cagiva 500's were better that that

[@1969cmp]

Peter Stayt rode a Cagiva WMX500 in the 1986 Finke Desert Race (on youtube). Probably the only Cagiva I saw ridden in anger that I can remember.

[@happyraccoon4791]

@@1969cmp I'm trying to imagine an angry Cagiva 🤔. On a serious note, they're kinda heavy so that anger would be invested in hauling it around the turns and thru swales, working that Ohlins soft damp suspension.... 🐄🐱

[@1969cmp]

@@happyraccoon4791 😁😂🤣

[@anttonydamico2578]

When things are strange it’s political 👍