2022 Yamaha YZ125 and YZ250 two-strokes tested and rated

It's the first major redesign of the YZ125 for 15 years - and Yamaha has gone to town on it with a heavily revised engine, new styling, new subframe and much more. And the YZ250 also gets the slick new look, bodywork and subframe to change how it feels.
Former British 125 and 250 two-stroke champion Dave Willet tests the stock 2022 YZ125 and YZ250, and also GYT-R kitted versions of the bikes, on the Dorno track in Italy.

[@maxrpm2215]

From Australia Melbourne that was a great test and info. The 125 sound awesome on the track and you couldn't get a better track to test on. Hopefully 2023 the 250 gets the engine treatment as well. Yamaha needs big round of applause for keeping the 2strokes alive 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@diggs345lr]

brilliant , i just got the 250 and fitted a vforce 3 , apex head with sx insert and a 51t rear , first impressions for me at 53 yrs im wondering why i waited so long to go back to a two stroke .

[@Coopdegras]

Ain't nobody better to give a verdict on these bikes in my opinion, Daves the go to man for yz smokers like Eastwoods the man for Hondas.

[@ChupacabraOffroad]

Finally a review on the new 125!

[@philblakers775]

Brilliant Video thanks Dave. First real video on the 125 plus awesome insight into the GYTR kit 👍

[@MaxwellBenson80]

Wicked review! That 250 looks sick!

[@christiaanbotes6404]

Great video!

[@kenharris8743]

I like the raw power burst of a two-stroke it's like riding a wild boar I wouldn't change it for nothing !

[@curtiscollins2174]

Excellent review 👏.

[@GarbageDanks]

I sure hope the 2 strokes come back to take the game over.

[@mxengineer1]

Great review as always Dave - thanks! Sometimes newer is not better...any steps backwards on the updated '22 YZ125? The updated '22 yZ125 engine feel stronger everywhere compared to the '21 YZ125? How does the Keihin carb with Powerjet and TPS - make the engine feel more responsive and pull cleaner? As always appreciate your insights!

[@jgs1703]

Its better. Yamaha is trusted.

[@chrisbatstone9742]

Wicked daves a 2 smoker legend of mine old school nothing better for the 125cc and 250cc champ wicked guys dave and the farilegh castle maico ride was inspirational to us vets magic bud

[@davewillet4764]

Cheers chris 👊🏻👍🏻

[@zweitaktalteisen1854]

if that bike is as good/reliable as the models up to 2021 with no major problems there is no reason to buy another brand really. i own a few of the alloy frame 2stroke YZs and i cant think about any part which is prone to failure!

[@bradymxr4659]

My same exact thoughts! You can’t go wrong with a YZ their bikes are so amazing and the most reliable. I see too many KTM ppl having issues at the track and their parts are ridiculously priced way to high. A friend of mine just for his KTM 4 stroke the crank was $1000! you can do a oem crank, piston and rings, and gaskets for a YZ250F for just under $600

[@nissan_6828]

@@bradymxr4659 dunno man, half of the lads race ktms here and most say that parts aren’t expensive, there are very little yammies for sale around me so i have to get a european one

[@bradymxr4659]

@@nissan_6828 ya it’s nice when you have more brands to choose from.

[@nissan_6828]

@@bradymxr4659 Yup, lookin at a tc125 tho, i’m a little too big size wise and have ridden before but 125s are fun

[@bradymxr4659]

@@nissan_6828 ya I like hopping on smaller bikes and just ripping on them it’s really fun. Heck I rode my one kids kx65 and was shocked how fast it pulled me around. Lol

[@iancarson8614]

if the 125 is a new design, why did they not spec the engine to the "kit" standard right from the go?

[@josephelefante9617]

swap the 450 class with 250 2stroke and add a 125 class would be a dream come true

[@user-pg3ve3js8n]

YZ125💙

[@mateusmx1217]

Please upload the Raw GoPro footage

[@phillipharriott8632]

Do you think Yamaha will bother doing engine mods to the 2023 YZ250?

[@EF.BE.I]

Probably

[@CrosserKid]

So then, my question is if we have an older model yz125 (2015-2021) is it worth the upgrade given the price of used bikes at the moment? Could sell a used one for say 3.8-4.2k and then the 2022 is only another 2.5k on top, is it worth it for your average B class rider?

[@ScottGummels]

Yes

[@diggs345lr]

i was looking for a used 250 but the prices were so high it made sense to buy a new one , and im glad i did .

[@graysonbridges6200]

Just bought a 2022 yz125x. The MSRP might be $6899 but don’t forget that taxes and dealership fees will bring the total price of a brand new bike bike to around $8800.

[@brandonespinoza111]

@@graysonbridges6200 I just bought a 250x a month ago how are you liking your bike?

[@lukeborkovich7807]

Right haha I spent 9100 out the door on a 125x 😅😅😂 worth every penny though 😂

[@benstannard8789]

Where is this track? Looks ace!

[@Carter7five7]

How is the vibration of the yz250? i have a 2015 that vibrates like hell.

[@stevemx2778]

Maybe your cranckshaft or main bearing are toast

[@Carter7five7]

@@stevemx2778 Just did a full rebuild on the motor, brand new crank, main bearing, rod, bottom end kit, piston, rings, gaskets.

[@dustin9035]

What is a whyzed?

[@DavidJDiehl]

fUeL iNjecTiOn

[@josephfelice601]

Yamaha "Nearly every functional part of the engine is new-from the cylinder body, cylinder head, piston, piston pin, connecting rod, crankcase and expansion chamber, to a revised cylinder port shape and updated cylinder port timing." BUT to really get the bike exceptional you need the 2500.00 GYT-R kit which includes: NEW cylinder, piston, reeds, flywheel, rotor, cylinder head, carb kit, etc. SO WHY BOTHER WITH THE NEW BIKE YAMAHA?

[@Max__apex]

It’s better power and wide power band and reliable more

[@EF.BE.I]

Because people would bitch even more about the price increase

[@andrewtorgerson6143]

3rd gear my fav on my yz 125

[@joedirte716]

No one asked you

[@Dylans503]

@@donalddonaldson7211 hey! no one asked you what gear he's in guy!

[@jaydenbrockington4525]

125 and 125?

[@davywoodbury8446]

How much HP is the 2022 yz125 making?

[@albertjankins2225]

It’s a secret

[@philprindle8145]

Why did Zed cross the street?

[@joeyholthusen6495]

Please ask Yamaha to build a updated YZ490! If they build it, we will buy it!

[@garysavala665]

Affordable power . Would smoke a 450

[@flacco1679]

The 2 strokes are back thanks to those city boys who ride them in the streets . Gotta give credit when is due , I’ve gone to north philly powersport warehouse and every year they end up sold out before they even arrive

[@rapscallion3421]

I thank them same "city boys" for the bikes I pick up at the impound auction for next to nothing. 👍

[@flacco1679]

@@rapscallion3421 look at that . Winning 2x 🙏🏼

[@crnkin2]

If Mitch Payton going all out with race gas can only get 4.8hp on a yz125, theres no way in hell GYTR are getting 5hp with bolt ons.

[@donalddonaldson7211]

Smoke more !

[@Mockle07]

GYTR kitted YZ125 or KTM SX150 with a fork upgrade… money aside?

[@philblakers775]

Ooohhh, great question. I had a 2019 150SX and sold it cause I really didn't like the forks, plus I had no idea how to set them up. I went back to my hopped up 2013 yz125 (waaay more fun to ride and i could ride harder for longer) and kept hoping Yamaha would one day upgrade it. Thanks Yamaha 👍😊

[@Natedoc808]

YZ

[@nissan_6828]

Sx man, trust me they are good bikes, test them out if u can, the KTM’s don’t have overly expensive parts like ppl say and they are pretty reliable

[@Mockle07]

@@nissan_6828 no I have a KTM enduro bike at the moment, it has been rock solid and no more expensive than any of the Japanese bikes parts-wise 👍🏻

[@ScottGummels]

Yz125, if a part breaks on the ktm, the bike will be in the garage for a long time..

[@connerhood2542]

Weird question. But how much do you weigh?

[@davewillet4764]

95Kg

[@skirrtmainey2405]

I was looking for this question!

[@albertjankins2225]

321lbs

[@MS215_]

What do you think about a 200 pound guy riding the new yz 125? Looking to buy one

[@andrewgould699]

The bloke in vid is 95kgs(210 pounds near enough)Im heavier 115kgs and a 2021 125 pulls me around flat out,depends on how far you twist the throttle 🤙

[@mikeweber74]

@@andrewgould699did you have to do anything special to your suspension? I’m 230lb and looking to get a 125

[@andrewgould699]

@@mikeweber74 i bought the bike 2nd hand,the original owner softened it for his teenage son.i thought it would be too soft however owner was my age/build and suggested i go for a ride b4 i poo pooed it,he was correct....it was sweet as,im in my 50s still riding the 125 on trials semi motocross stuff and loving it. You'll be fine with stock suspension,dont overthink it🙂. Just because us older blokes have a bit more belly,we dont need 450cc to pull us round the trails, tracks,you can RIDE a 125/250 and not waste the horses😃

[@mikeweber74]

@@andrewgould699 Thanks for the reply, that info is very helpful! I was wondering if I'd need the 250 but I haven't rode in over 25 years and figured the 125 would be good. Plus hearing that the '22 and on has a stiffer suspension is reassuring as well.

[@andrewgould699]

​@@mikeweber74the four stroke is a more fluent ride, however if you've riden two bangers you know what there about 😁, enjoy the ride.

[@darylsmioth1904]

Is that GYTR kit available in the USA ?

[@joedirte716]

No. Can thank democRATS for that

[@johnlorenzo1413]

@@joedirte716 Serious question. What are democrats doing to prevent the high performance parts from being sold in the USA . I'm wondering if they can be bought out of country and shipped in.

[@joedirte716]

@@johnlorenzo1413 obviously they can't look at the ships waiting to be unloaded

[@johnlorenzo1413]

@@joedirte716 😂😂😂 I have to agree

[@davidkanalos6710]

I want 😫one can find a 250 anywhere!!

[@toddlail44]

If I hear another person say it looks like a blue KTM I will puke.KTM aint even close.Yamaha baby

[@wyattlarson1104]

I think I’m going to get a yz 125 and a 250 fuck it

[@gladegoodrich2297]

125s have been responsible for more noise complaints than any other bike. I'm 75 years old and still love those little 2 strokes but after 10 laps around your cabin even I get a little upset.

[@seanbeaman7414]

they aren’t though. a majority of tracks got shut down as the popularity of 4 strokes rose due to the deeper sound of the 4 stroke traveling farther.

[@Dylans503]

@@seanbeaman7414 people that dont like motorcycles really hate the high pitched noise of the 2 strokes

[@jgs1703]

They are quiter than 4 strokes clown boy.

[@lukeborkovich7807]

don’t want people running around having fun these days. Those damn 125 riders are hurting so many people it’s wild. Especially in a world with so many problems , people getting killed and killing each other daily, I think we should definitely focus our attention on those damn 125 riders

[@craighills2382]

He don't answer your question maybe saying its not that much better

[@rapscallion3421]

For real....like WTF else can you do to 500 year old technology?????

[@donalddonaldson7211]

@@rapscallion3421 hold it wide open and ride it