2018 125 2 Stroke Shootout - Dirt Bike Magazine

It's that time to take all 4 of our 125 two strokes and put them head to head. TM, Yamaha, Husqvarna and KTM were all thrown on to the track out at Cahuilla MX Park to getting a running order on which machine was the top performer. While each bike has its own unique qualities and traits, there could only be one winner. Sit back, relax and check out what we thought about each bike in running order.
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[@specht001]

Honda Suzuki and Kawasaki need to bring the 125s back

[@jakezark]

Steve S did they stop production of the 125s?

[@Sackmatters]

Steve S 125s are useless.

[@SNL92100]

i think 06 was the last year for the KX, im guessing the others were killed off sooner. lets hope they come back with new tech and throat punch KTM.

[@PechaSuper]

Last year of the suzuki 2stroke was 08

[@specht001]

jakezarkowski yeah of the 2strokes at least

[@dirt_rippa6913]

Yz Is always my choice

[@jrod264winmag]

Dirt_Rippa all day.

[@jameshope524]

Dirt_Rippa definitely yz

[@connorshortridge6787]

Damn right

[@seniorsqueaky9921]

Same

[@killr-au8334]

Dirt_Rippa yes my dude

[@EarthSurferUSA]

I want an alarm clock that sounds like this, but also gives off a puff of burning Castor oil when it goes off. I can't think of a better way to "start" your day.

[@vetb882]

Hahaha, no go on the bean oil. But you can play this in your laptop, record it in your phone and Viola. 2 stroke alarm in the AM. Braaaap

[@aixonoterre7335]

TM is made with passion and love. TM for me.

[@randonsoderstrom3647]

Tm for life!

[@isaachahn850]

@@randonsoderstrom3647 hell yeah

[@floridajames04]

For the love of GOD - Kawasaki please make the KX125 Again!!!!

[@pigbenis6341]

YES!

[@robbieeaton7630]

Yesss

[@ace_spitfirel3racing751]

They have the 65 85 and 100

[@keithhawkins7039]

I keep rebuilding my old kx.

[@thecman26]

Amen!

[@promx96]

Nah YZ all day

[@MythicalMayham]

Noah Jaramillo no. Not for 2stroke, 4stroke yes

[@truthseek3017]

@Noah Jaramillo You haven't felt KYB, or the blue band have you?

[@chadb2077]

SODGJOHNNY isnt 2 stroke literally their main focus?

[@JoeBlow-ub1us]

@@chadb2077 not anymore

[@chrisjesv4291]

Yours TRULY for real bro

[@stanleykania7184]

YZ250x in my garage now.. 10,000 bucks !! 47 years old love it

[@yourpaloreo7341]

That’s one old bike lmao

[@bonde2170]

Congratulations

[@yleld8253]

wow.. that is so badass to see those 4 brand new 2 strokes screaming side by side. literally making people get off the track to watch and appreciate the sound of all those guys rippin together. that’s awesome

[@christerstefansson7416]

The best 125 shootout ever made.

[@stefanolanza2491]

TM all day!!! ❤️❤️❤️🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹

[@TrailnTriggerTV]

If TM can stay in business selling HANDMADE bikes for $8000 then all the other manufacturers must be laying the screws to us.

[@opiestanborough4774]

aww shit, yer rite! and sum Kawis the same as Suzuki.... i agree if it keeps them alive.... cmon, if Kawi can make a 85 or 100 whatever, surly Honda can step up, pull the cobwebs off the ole tool an dies, crank out sum 2 strokes.... shit theres sum diehard CR Elsinore fans out there.... could charge $11000 and sell em faster than them pricks in Honda shop could getem together.... and the aftermarket..... Yamaha has yz125 an a yz125x, wtf , same with there 250....

[@markvisconti3491]

codeeLS6 best bike you’ll ever own

[@bertilnilsdongguiffu3088]

@@chrisgraves310 yes

[@aintnuttinnice_7590]

They only make a few bikes per year I thought he said

[@owenarsenault5955]

Music to my ears.

[@mixalis6168]

Sounds so good !

[@darkburn1000]

what the song?

[@owenarsenault5955]

Rob Santiago screaming 125s us the song

[@robzu1010]

Well, the automatic subtitles actually keep labelling the engine sounds as music... xD

[@armpump8980]

Robzu hahaha

[@MichaelSmith-ti6qc]

YZ for me

[@jamesbusby7463]

Michael Smith Anniversary Yellow

[@user-qw3wh5fy4n]

you are stupid

[@davem145mxr]

Michael Smith me too

[@chunkysmith6442]

me 2

[@chunkysmith6442]

fuck you

[@salvatorebuda5182]

Tm Racing...... Top

[@robbchastain3036]

I haven't ridden motocross since the Seventies, but I'd like to get a 125 just for kicks. And thanks for this video. I am glad I was wearing headphones.

[@johnx911]

Robb Chastain grew up on PE175....crazy bike

[@Kornball426]

If you do... Be careful. Even in the 90's 125's were making like 35 horsepower. In the 70's 125's were making like 15 horsepower. Even 250's in the 70's were barely 30 horsepower, the current YZ250 from Yamaha makes 47 according to Yamaha. When I was a kid I had a 1996 Honda CR125 and several of my condescending neighbors who hadn't ridden since the 70's wanted to "show me how it's done" and embarrassed themselves by crashing it. One of them had to buy me a $70 replacement set of renthal handlebars because he bent them when he crashed it. Bikes have come a LONG way since the 70's.

[@Kornball426]

@Tim Allen According to a 1974 dirtbike magazine article I read recently the 74 yz125 had 18.4 horsepower which was higher than Honda cr125 and about the same as the other 125's. So higher than the 15 I said, but not quite 20. 74 yz125 in the article weighed like 197 lbs so about the same as a modern 125.

[@Kornball426]

@Tim Allen YZ360 are rarer than hen's teeth and worth a ton... I have the more common MX360 not as exotic or fast, and has twin shocks instead of the mono shock on the YZ. I'd love to ride a YZ360 or own one, but I couldn't afford one. The dirtbike magazine test was actually 74 YZ125A vs. 74 MX125A. The MX had steel rims, and other steel parts that were aluminum or magnesium on the YZ, and the YZ had more radical porting and a different pipe. The MX 125 weighed like 7 lbs more than the YZ and had 2 horsepower less, but the test riders thought it was a better overall bike than the YZ because it had a broader more useful powerband, the YZ was very pipey and hard to ride fast because of it's narrow powerband and it's extra power was only useful on a straightaway. Just reporting what I read. Not sure if those were dry weights or wet weights.

[@Kornball426]

@Tim Allen In my opinion other than long travel suspension, the biggest advancement modern bikes have is the brakes. Being able to stop fast makes it a lot easier (not to mention safer) to ride fast. Some of those late 70's early 80's open class bikes and 250's are rocket ships... But the brakes are pretty pathetic compared to even early 90's disc brakes, let alone the brakes on a current production bike.

[@mxgryan]

Anybody else keep watching just for the noise?

[@jamesbusby7463]

The MX Guru Bbbbrrrraaappp

[@DevinLindstrom]

You would hate my bike I'm building. I'm turning a CR80R into a CR80E (E for electric). It will weigh 190-210 lbs but it will have a peak power of 70 hp.

[@Customwinder1]

The MX Guru There's a video ?

[@SOLDOZER]

70 HP in a 80cc? Uhhhhuuummmm......riiiight.........

[@DevinLindstrom]

BBQ Sandwich Well it's happening. Electric has come a long way. I'm thinking supermoto would be cool. Should do 0-60 in 2.4 sec if I can figure out how to keep the front end down.

[@CamRSaws]

Gotta love that 125 sound

[@tdksr5949]

Cam 48 125's sound nice but I love the sound of my CR500 though.

[@samsularifin2481]

Cam 48 ~()

[@carlogigante5239]

KTM/Husky are the sickest if money isn't an option, but the Yamaha is cheaper, prooven and has lots of spares, for having fun it is plenty. If the others wouldn't tweak their engines every 6 months they would be an option for the non racing people.

[@jasonlarson2487]

All these bikes would be so much fun.

[@reesewilliamson3346]

Man, I'm a Yamaha guy but tm's are sexy as hell

[@morgantaylor7209]

Loaf Of Eggs I think it’s purely the blue colour

[@randonsoderstrom3647]

You ride one on race gas in the woods, someone would have to beat the smile off your face brother

[@cb72804]

1:51 someone broke the lever on the yz 😂

[@patrickh6272]

Easy to do with stock levers, why unbreakable ones aint stock i dunno. Cost like nothing.

[@mbvjg4217]

Patrick H asv levers are over $100

[@dbmbrbkb]

Moto TM. Best Bike since the 90‘s!

[@jameshousser3085]

that tm looks sick

[@tdksr5949]

James Housser Agreed..they're beautiful.

[@oskarforsberggg]

James Housser they are sick

[@raaycommunications8254]

@Your Mums HITACHI : I believe the TM guys started with an almost spec'd 2-stroke CR engine back in the day... then made it great again.

[@thibo2107]

The tm is nothing like the yz

[@Mustaerkki]

I owned, owned a yz125 and own Tm 125 both 2001.. Tm way faster!

[@boygirlandadad5814]

The 125 2's are such a fun class. And they sound so right.

[@davem145mxr]

KTM also wins the highest maintenance award

[@interman7715]

David Miller Goes for anything European.

[@dustinstokes1090]

David Miller ktm has too much hype around it, used to be you got made fun of for riding ktm

[@GrowingDownUnder]

@@dustinstokes1090 performance matters though, that's where ktm is the best

[@swagswag6286]

David Miller what’s the best bike tho?

[@dustinstokes1090]

David Miller Honda

[@spacejaime]

Fast, loamy, fun track! The racing scene between 7:31 through 8:45 almost orgasmic - too much fun!!! Thanks DBM!

[@dementedspirit1359]

Jesus 7 grand for a 125. Wow

[@cameronmartens1809]

dementedspirit1 450s used to be 7 grand lmao

[@jrod264winmag]

dementedspirit1 not really, at Christmas time I passed up a closeout deal on a yz125 for $5799. If you watch you can find them at a decent off season price if your anywhere near snowy winters.

[@yeetboi5272]

Jess Roberts 5 k for a two stroke is crazy. I hope you know your getting robbed. Better off buying a used one

[@jrod264winmag]

Jacob Greeson I do buy used ones. I said I passed on it. I get clean used ones a go through them with new wear items and usually a top end. Then do it again every couple years. I enjoy working on them as much as riding.

[@hoosieronthefarm7677]

Back when I was racing in mid to later 90’s my brand new cr125 every year was $4300 out the door Can’t believe they almost doubled! I’ll buy an older one and spend a grand updating it and still be way cheaper, not saying I wouldn’t love to take that TM for a spin over a trip

[@toddoverby5538]

Had a KTM 125 SX 2004 , frickin awesome bike. It converted almost all my friends to KTM. Went to the 144 in 2008 and still have it. Never a single issue. Just a super fun bike that has never fouled a single plug in 10 years and loves to run with the big bikes in the woods. Ask most mechanics at your local bike shops, secretly, they all ride KTM at the local harescramble.

[@iggywater736]

Tm Racing !!!!!!

[@diopork3904]

make no mistake... 125cc is the most intense and high performance machine money can buy today. Specific output is unmatched by any production engine in any vehicle. makes exactly 1 third of a horsepower per cc in the husqvarna tc125. A small rider could turn one of those into the most insane supermoto on the road.. these engines are fucking unbelievable

[@huggyyz450]

Judge on pure reliability and handling yz every time I have 3 ktms at my house always broke down yamaha for life

[@MrKdr500]

I'd rather push my KTM than ride a Yamaha.

[@huggyyz450]

MrKdr500 that's cuz you've never owned a yamaha or your just such a fan boy you are blinded by your ignorance but I'm betting you don't even moto bro but that's cool you push I will ride

[@mountainman066]

"Always broke down"... Good one dickhead. Why the fuck are they "broke down"?

[@mountainman066]

Yeah, true that, should have been obvious duh

[@skylerhealyvlogs9642]

Huggy yeah Yamaha is so much better in ny opinion. I will never buy a ktm cause they are peices of junk

[@MotoMarvmtb]

Ahhh the symphony of 4 2 strokes at the same time. can't get any better then that!

[@STEVE_M439]

I think Evinrude should build a e-tec 125 dirtbike engine.

[@jaggerdfletcher1618]

Yes! A two stoke shoot out, exactly what I want to see!! :)

[@carpchef518]

YZ will be still going while the other three are in pieces . First rule of MX is always buy Japanese.

[@nzdds7631]

Carp Chef damn right

[@zane4964]

Nope

[@joepduijvestijn2387]

KTM dies after 2 times driving an hour

[@rrrrrrr9859]

Joep Duijvestijn wym I have 20 hours on my ktm 125 and I’ve had no problems

[@TypicalJacques]

James Bennett I have 173 hours on my ktm, never rebuilt

[@SeanHollingsworth]

It feels like 1997 again. I love that the video was essentially over, but continued with watching the 125's rip around the track!! :-)

[@shaun7126]

Yz

[@vetb882]

Man oh man. Was a time when I was lighter than these bikes. Now at 58 (59 on 3.19) I'm heavier than all of them at 214. But at least I'm lighter than my KTM 250SX. 👍🏽😎 THIS is what Motocross sounded like when I was introduced to the sport. Thanks for making an old dude feel warm n fuzzy again 😎🤗🥰 Braaaap on, brothers n sisters. 🙏🏻💞🙏🏿

[@dannylicious88]

TM 😍

[@factdesignbr]

I will always love the 2 strokes ❤️

[@triscadz5263]

Putting TM last is completly stupid... because it’s to much of a racing bike. Are you kidding me

[@dylanhedges5634]

Yea exactly. Who is gonna buy a 125 to ride around the farm? They're race bikes...

[@rammerjammer6980]

@@dylanhedges5634 Well that's the problem with this generation.. They're ignorant to the fact that these are competition bikes. Not "let's cruz around the neighborhood and look cool" bikes. I race a YZ125 and I have to keep it wide ass open or else I'll foul out the spark plug in 10 minutes lol. Damn 2 strokes ;D

[@Billy28376]

@@dylanhedges5634 I had one I picked up cheap and did exactly that. Never had a problem. Surprisingly wasn't hard on plugs either. These bikes aren't as fragile or picky as some would have you believe.

[@ferg4609]

YZ for sure

[@mick3422]

Yamaha all day every day🔥

[@danielsedletzeck1558]

That tm is freaking dope.

[@sunnysacto]

Great track camera work. 125 screaming wide open makes me jump. Great video 125 sound

[@syedasim6666]

Legendary yz 125

[@Giove83]

I could almost smell the two stroke and Honda need to bring back that amazing CR. I used to race the cr 85 in my inter 100 class and it was hands down the best bike in the class and what I owned.

[@tinytim307]

Best intro ever! Sweeet🔊125🎶sound

[@pusongmarino1816]

yamaha always no. 1

[@sharkdon_2925]

YZ no 1💪 and YAMAHA MOVING FORWARD 👍

[@jeremypierce1979]

Now Suzuki RM125 and the Kawasaki125 and also the Honda CR 125 needs to get on it and then will be set!! For a real review!!!👏🏻👏🏻😁

[@kristijanpetkovski9610]

Yamaha = Like Ktm = Comment

[@tazness1853]

Kristijan Petkovski l

[@mixerguru]

the best motocross bike shootout ever great riders ! great info great pacing nice job !

[@tidepods3182]

Yz125 because it’s a Japanese bike

[@cameronmartens1809]

Tide Pods every 125 still made absolutely romps the YZ125

[@MX-CO]

A decent rider could win on any of these I hope to see more 125 races in the future

[@hunterjanovsky5616]

Cameron Martens the yz125 was one of best bikes ever made

[@jrod264winmag]

Cameron Martens the yz is over 13 years old. That's an eternity and it's still very competitive in stock form.

[@tidepods3182]

Jess Roberts that yz is brand new 2018 idiot

[@timmcwhajr8053]

BRAAAAAP.....thanks for this guys!!!

[@juanfelipemontoya5821]

I put the captions and in the minute 0:21 thay said [MUSIC] 😍

[@carnivoroussoupspoon]

oh that sound, how I love that sound. I close my eyes and I can still smell that yamalube r mix

[@monkeyguy80]

Yamaha is still de Best ya! 🙂👍🏼

[@dirtlfc2851]

For me...YZ only..

[@jestonjump5647]

Keep up the two stroke love

[@ericr2163]

Yz alllll dayyyy 🔥

[@wiggasoup6672]

This is the video I have been waiting for

[@akathecanadian]

A wild YAMAHA RETURNS

[@budiwaluyo2923]

Yz wow best sound 2 stroke

[@saucybread4766]

1:52 yz clutch lever broke😂

[@EarthSurferUSA]

44 years to now, I have never said this, but am saying it now. Husky makes the best bikes on the planet and are way more fun to look at than the color orange.

[@Vini-rm2ss]

Tm Racing !!! 👏👍👌😉😁💨💨💨💨💨

[@aceman1651]

Those are pretty good

[@elcincero321]

Don't know why but that part they lined up to start ripping looked old school to me... awesome

[@channel1_channel]

TM - too sweet

[@tobyjones2140]

YZ boi

[@MiikeyLawless]

Not sure why the TM is last? Because its too much of a race bike? Guess id have to ride them to know. Lol

[@MrKdr500]

I agree, they're meant to be race bikes so how can it be to much of a race bike?

[@MiikeyLawless]

Yeah, makes little sense. I could see it being almost 1g more being a reason, but if your spending 7k already, whats another grand? This is why i tell people to take the tests with a grain of salt. Theres the theory that manufacturers pay for positive reviews...but also, a rider who has more experience on a certain brand will tend to gravitate towards that bike out of familiarity.

[@alessiofantei6077]

@@MiikeyLawless because TM its italian ed spend much money for import. Tm In italy it cost much less

[@quadcityracing]

I think the tm just doesn't have bottom, which makes it harder to ride. They say the 144cc is smoother.

[@markvisconti3491]

Michael Peretto I felt with TM and had 17 250 2 stroke . They are by far the best bike you will ever buy and dominate overseas. Reason why is because they don’t advertise and promote the bikes like Japanese. If you want a works bike out of the box TM is for you . Every part is hand made and billet , ported pilished unbelievably attention to detail every bolt nut on that bike . Just like the kids Cobras , Ferrari, Bugatti , Beta etc you may not hear much because all there profits go back into the technology of building a better and better bike every year . TM USA Ralph Schmidt will get you one delivered to your nearest ltl carrier it house . They are super trick faster than any bike you will ride off the floor you will not be disappointed. Run them 30 1 or 32 1 have a nice day

[@er1248]

Tm has the best top end. No doubt.

[@MrAdam-kp3en]

YZ always Top 1

[@lucasguzik1936]

Gotta love the 2 smokers... keep doing this videos

[@Mustaerkki]

TM racing all the way!

[@dohansiti4058]

2-stroke sound😘

[@deanfabricius3761]

Something inside me was still looking for the Honda through the entire video

[@interman7715]

All the manufacturers should bring back all classes of 2 strokes.

[@jamesrussell4914]

Nice broken clutch lever on the yz125

[@chicwoah2378]

James Russell it really suits it man. Show me a Yami without a broken cluch lever 😂

[@EmotionalHotWheels]

mines broke off just perfect lol

[@spencer19811]

@@ratsnroplive5575 what the fuck were you trying to say there?

[@rot_v]

Ratsnrop Live Kawasaki make great bikes, tf are you on about?

[@etaunknown4024]

I buy shorties just to save time.

[@jakubondrusek9954]

I think KTM and Husqvarna is in the lead in motocross and enduro now but i like the husky design more

[@MR-04]

📸Tm Racing📸 All The Way !!!⌚️

[@lucditton6029]

Those are some damn good looking 4 strokes you’ve got there!

[@chakmon6586]

Idk if its a joke, but if its not, those are 2 strokes.

[@lifewithjosh695]

Yz all day

[@jameshope524]

Nice, can't beat good old two strokes,

[@jnuxca]

SWEET SWEET MUSIC

[@sonyaallwood7056]

Love the yz, the tc125 kept bogging out in the corners

[@thareal1318]

I think the husqvarna is the best but that’s just my opinion

[@bebexanax61]

thareal13 m tjdzh

[@paulstefanik2448]

Getting a Yamaha this year, don’t like the air forks on the other bikes. Have a 2013 kx 450 and getting the suspension dialed in has been nothing but work.

[@lmtada]

I want Red one.

[@danielmackey6594]

I love 125's. Always have, always will.

[@daneblackwood8262]

Use need to do a 250 two stroke enduro shootout

[@gdv4612]

The future is for Honda to have if they decide to put their exceptional and groundbreaking engineering back on the game again.

[@ameyamoy5551]

Yi

[@tommasi221]

TmRacing reigns✊💨🚀

[@josephelefante9617]

Honda and Kawasaki and Suzuki need to bring back the 125 2strokes

[@Oliveira-tm9tn]

Yz course

[@kristianmcghee2242]

I have a 2014 Tc 125 and that thing is the shit. It is definitely the best out there

[@banzai8137]

YAMAHA YZ BEST!!!!!

[@iBehalez]

yup, i'm buying the tm without a doubt even though i'm 14 but i'm not a novice, i'm more like a amature/pro

[@kalebcullen3158]

does the broken clutch lever come stock on the Yz?

[@mbvjg4217]

Kaleb Cullen i think so

[@hmobb7838]

Motokid194 I think that’s what Kawasaki’s have

[@williamkee7924]

Man I remember when Honda was the top, and I always wanted a Honda. Now I just picked up a yz450f, and I have no regrets

[@etaunknown4024]

I love my yz400f