First Ride ALL NEW 2023 YAMAHA YZ125X

#dirtbike #sports #yamaha #motorcycle
We rode the new Yamaha YZ125X off-road two-stroke for the first time this week. This motorcycle has massive changes for 2023. It is based on the YZ125 motocross bike which had massive changes last year, so it follows in those footsteps with a mostly new motor, and completely new bodywork. The suspension is also updated just as the YZ125 motocross bike was. The fact that this bike even exists is a big win for us. It’s hard to imagine how that even came about. There’s no big demand for 125cc off-road bikes in the U.S.-never has been. There’s certainly a very loud base of cranky two-stroke fans, but they are notorious for being more talk than action. Still, those guys are right! All 125 two-strokes are wonderful bikes. This one especially.Comparing this motor to last year’s YZ125X would show that the crank, cylinder, cases, power valve and piston are all different. Those changes came to the motocross version a year earlier. In order to make that motor suitable for off-road riding there are a handful of further changes. The combustion chamber has a 7% increase in volume and the compression ratio is different. It’s 10.21:1 when the reshaped power valve is closed, which is a 5% reduction. With the power valve open, it’s 7.81:1, which is a 1% increase. The power valve governor is also designed to open sooner. The ignition mapping is different and the jetting is a touch leaner in most zones.The suspension is very similar to the motocross version’s right down to the spring rates (which are stiffer than those of last year’s X). The valving is softer at both ends compared to that of the MX bike. Then there are the standard badges of off-road membership: an 18 inch rear wheel, a kickstand, a petcock with a reserve position, an O-ring chain and slightly lower final gearing in the rear (50 tooth versus 49). Things that are the same as the motocross bike include the fuel capacity, the gearbox, the pipe and the silencer.he best aspect of the YZ125X is that it’s preposterously easy to ride. It’s light and has outstanding suspension at both ends. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Yamaha X bikes generally have the best suspension in the off-road world. The YZ125X also has considerably more low-end power than the motocross version. That’s especially good because the MX bike lost a little low-end with the new motor last year. The X regained that and more. On top, the X might suffer a little. It’s not as fast as the MX bike, which isn’t quite as fast as the Austrian 125 two-strokes. This year represents a big shift in the 125 class as a whole, though. The KTM and Husky 125s have new motors with throttle body fuel injection. They have considerably more low-end than older KTMs and Husky 125s, but not as much on top. That gives new life to both the Yamaha 125s, which suddenly find themselves more competitive in the power game. The GasGas oddly enough, is now the top-end power king simply because it uses the older carbureted motor. We will have a full test of the 2023 Yamaha YZ125X in the August, 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike.he best aspect of the YZ125X is that it’s preposterously easy to ride. It’s light and has outstanding suspension at both ends. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Yamaha X bikes generally have the best suspension in the off-road world. The YZ125X also has considerably more low-end power than the motocross version. That’s especially good because the MX bike lost a little low-end with the new motor last year. The X regained that and more. On top, the X might suffer a little. It’s not as fast as the MX bike, which isn’t quite as fast as the Austrian 125 two-strokes. This year represents a big shift in the 125 class as a whole, though. The KTM and Husky 125s have new motors with throttle body fuel injection. They have considerably more low-end than older KTMs and Husky 125s, but not as much on top. That gives new life to both the Yamaha 125s, which suddenly find themselves more competitive in the power game. The GasGas oddly enough, is now the top-end power king simply because it uses the older carbureted motor. We will have a full test of the 2023 Yamaha YZ125X in the August, 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike.
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[@jamiehalifax4954]

Drove a 1977 yz125 in 1977 and have been hooked for life !!!. Most fun you can have on two wheels, when the powerband kicks in you gwtrer be holding on 👍

[@deborahchesser7375]

Patiently waiting on the YZ200X, please Yamaha, make the dream come true ! ✌️🇺🇸

[@phillipbatho3213]

Reborn WR200 for me!

[@UltraSS-nj8kd]

200x would be awesome. Even a 2T YZ500 would sell like hot cakes they can make them more reasonable priced versus others. Also 🇷🇺 or 🇨🇳👍🏻 (same thing as 🇺🇸 they just aint changed it yet).

[@paulpence8895]

Had an 84 IT 200, all around just a blast!!!

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@phillipbatho3213 if you go back to my age bracket, my first woods Yamaha was a 1979 IT175F, a 200ish cc bike is hard to beat in the tight stuff 🐾✌️🇺🇸

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@paulpence8895 I had an 86’ IT200S and it was probably still my favorite trail bike. Fastest? Nope, most power ? Nope best suspension? Nope kick ass across the board and stone axe reliable ? You bet your ass 🐾✌️🇺🇸

[@metalofthedeath]

Do a 125 shootout with all of the 125s. Xc and mx on off road and mx tracks. That would be sick

[@johnbranson7253]

Yeah let’s have it

[@gooddeal3186]

Such a nice looking bike.

[@Travis_125]

Love, love, love that bike.

[@toddsimone7182]

Why did they lower compression and how does the HP compare to the standard YZ? I get the feeling it's de-tuned a bit up top for better trail riding.

[@l.w.morrison34]

Awesome job on the video ✌️

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Thank you 😁. Appreciate the nice comment!

[@tylerberryman24]

I love it just the way it is, I’m glad they haven’t changed much

[@bernardolopez2770]

Awesome 👍

[@anthonyadams9520]

hope Yamahas Will making a dual sport motorcycle like this soon 😋💥💯💥

[@brendanmacdonsld2macdonald48]

No excitement in de tuned bikes. I enjoy the MX bike's in the bush. Always on the pipe thinking in the moment and work harder bettering your bike control. I took all my MX bikes pretty much everywhere from wide open terrain filled with hill climbs to very rocky trails. Keeps my body and mind busy just the way i like it.

[@mikebishop6095]

Is the jetting better than the moto version

[@retrograde11]

Anyone knows from experience how this bike would compare to honda crf250f for woods/enduro? There are some things that Iike in each bikes. Havent seen anyone compare these two against each other, but both could be used for that purpose.

[@ronlawson5819]

Don’t forget a good quality skid plate

[@DirtyDanTV-mr8op]

buying a second bike next year, upgrading from a 1990 kawi ke100. (ive ridden 250s before, im good at riding but still a beginner) saw one of these at my dealer and fell in love, but they wanted too mch so im gonna get one used. i was skeptical about trail riding a 2t but after watching this, theres nothing else i want

[@brianwilkins2311]

What are the jetting u using? Mine is rlly rich at 52 pilot 165 main

[@ShawnBlais]

"all new" - that's a good one :D

[@jonnysnipes3123]

Innovation lol that bike hasn’t changed in two decades lol

[@dikalahlamaa901]

Keren banget nih kayak sepeda

[@justinwalton9571]

Electric start? Or 6th gear?

[@wmosman100]

Would be interested to hear a more in-depth comparison between the older X and the new platform. Considering the number of changes Yamaha made to their 125 “it feels more modern” doesn’t tell me a whole lot. Also was quite surprised to hear that the new X only provides a small boost in low-end over the yz…the ‘21 I rode was night-and-day from the moto version. Is that due to the new motor configuration, or do you feel the same about the previous model? I rode the ‘21 on tight, steep single-track and felt that the “lugability” and pick-up of that bike was quite remarkable for a small-bore. Thanks

[@mikebishop6095]

Ya answer that or is a just a screamer like the new one

[@gregmaggio5217]

The 250 is the better woods bike, especially if you're over 5'9, and 160 lbs plus. The bike will grow with your advancing skills too..

[@metalofthedeath]

What’s the ride time/range of these compared to the fi ktms? Are the ktms as fuel efficient as four strokes now?

[@gumpycognac4505]

2023 250x I got over 3 hrs of trailing on a full tank (before swapping to reserve)

[@paulpence8895]

They have to be good sellers just from the affordability perspective, the 125 and 250...

[@GForceRacing543]

Nice video but I have a question..you had time to order and put graphics on why couldn't you just throw some hand guards on it...

[@dikalahlamaa901]

Gue banget nih akuh suka banget nih

[@eastsiderc]

Nice to see it not smoking like a dang choochoo train! Someone must of mixed it right!

[@easternyellowjacket276]

Properly jetted.

[@daneg]

it's difficult for me to get my head around using a 125cc 2-stroke on the trail. They kinda need to be wound (edit: used "rev'd" incorrectly), and there's so much slow and tight in the woods that I see myself bogging down below the power band. that said, most of this test footage is a lot faster than I think for off road (in upstate ny).

[@gpaull2]

It can be fun and rewarding to ride a bike that makes you work and think to get through things. Lots of guy locally going back to a 250 from a 300, because they have to ridden harder and shifted more.

[@daneg]

@@tatersncorn amen to that. I was riding between 200-210 lbs on CR 125 and 250. The 125 was always my favorite despite the obvious handicap of 20-odd pounds vs everyone else in the class. it's just so much fun to flick around. basically what ppl say today about all 2-strokes vs. 4-strokes. 😄

[@daneg]

@@gpaull2 yeah. there's a big diff between a 250 and a 125 though. like I could putt around on a stock 250 in the woods and always have w/e torque I needed. on the 125 (granted these were MXers), it was a completely different story. I'm sure gearing it down and the remapping you can do these days helps that a lot though. :)

[@riccochet704]

Been riding 125's in the woods since the early 2000's. I've never felt like it was under powered or couldn't lug up a hill. But I do love the light weight and flick-a-bility. Plus they're a godsend on the technical stuff where you're dropping your bike a lot. Picking up a heavy bike over and over wears you out. I briefly had a 300 4 stroke. Quickly noped out of that. I'll take a 125 in the woods all day. And I ride MX versions.

[@daneg]

@@riccochet704 most riders in the (hare scrambles?) races in our local trail rider association modified MX bikes as well. that was mid-late 90s though. way too much clutch work for me when I took my 125 on trails. trying to keep it in the power was a pita. fly wheel needed significant work which I would never do b/c motocross was my jam (hehe). no doubt about the flickability of 125s though. CR and RM 125s were my favorite bikes to ride even though I was tipping the scale at 200 lbs. whip it and rip it! 😎 oddly enough, I had KTM 250 SXs in both 95 and 96 trims, and they felt more at home on the trail than the mx track.

[@lcdubs7847]

I wish they'd bring back the IT with a head light and tail light.

[@704WheelDEE]

You still rode it like motocross bike🤝🏿🤣🤣🤣

[@hometownguy7184]

it should have a skid plate included

[@sgatwork7193]

Is it road legal or is it solely for off road?

[@charlenemichellecox9251]

How tall are you? What do you weigh?

[@SoCalMisfit712]

No one in these reviews talk about the horrible jetting these bikes come with. In the throttle range this bike was being ridden at you would never hear the low engine bog it has. They just tell you to slap a jd jet kit in it and get it just closer enough 😂. 90$ for 2 needles, a pilot that is too lean, and 3 mains. Then when you call them for advice they tell you to buy jets out of the range of which they gave you. This bike should have been on some tech stuff and not on a fire road behind glen helen. There are some good trails towards crestline or big bear this bike could have better been put through its paces.

[@user-wn1ek8di5t]

Is this ever coming to the european market all we have is the heavy enduros.

[@antbritto]

Makes you feel like you are going really fast 💨 even though you are really not?

[@ngrimm0]

What did you do for jetting? I have this bike and it’s horrible

[@nicrogers7577]

I hear ya. I tried to tune the carb with different jets and adjustments and I still couldn't find the sweet spot, so I purchased a Lectron Billetron Pro 38 and it rips! Highly recommended

[@joeschmid6028]

@@nicrogers7577 Sounds Cool. What about the TPS throttle position sensor - ?

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

I love the electric start and the hydraulic clutch.

[@r3fl3xion]

What 🤷‍♂️ electric start

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

@@r3fl3xion Bingo. They are stuck in 1987. 😂

[@valentinkay2928]

@@lostinpa-dadenduro7555 I agree with still having cable clutch, that's piss poor but a kick starter is all you need for 125. I can basically start it with my hand its that easy.

[@mackeymichael]

@@valentinkay2928 I have one of these bikes and l can use the clutch lever with my index finger. First ever dirt bike l have owned to be able to do that. Feels really good.

[@gpaull2]

All new, but somehow still old at the same time.

[@zackk695]

I think your best investment is renting a dozer or hiring one for your track. This keeps you away from the trees which can be real dangerous and also give you more space to ride on

[@dashriprock2916]

LOL

[@jcummings9655]

Needs a headlight for offroad

[@IanMcCauley855]

You didn’t even show how you can lug it around on the bottom end. No hill climbs or any slow technical. You rode it like a motocross bike. Screaming on wide open roads. This bike is capable of way more. Not a good review.

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Sorry you are upset. Hope you have a better day !

[@sarahdell4042]

You still can’t lug this up steep hills without committing and using a lot of clutch.

[@IanMcCauley855]

@@DirtBikeMagazine lol not upset just saying you could have done a better job with this bike

[@IanMcCauley855]

@@sarahdell4042obviously not but I wasn’t talking about lugging on hills. They always do reviews on enduro or cross country bikes but then they never test on the type of terrain the bike was made to be on. If they’re gonna test a bike made for the woods, they need to go to Northern California where there is woods.

[@theradioison]

I agree, I was stoked to see Dirt Bike Magazine publish this review but let down that it wasn't as comprehensive as their recent videos on the Beta and Husqvarna bikes.

[@KapitanPisoar1]

Still waiting for the 250 with electric start...

[@bobscott9253]

It looks set up pretty stiff for a trail bike

[@sarahdell4042]

It is fairly stiff out of the box, but it doesn’t feel it which is odd. Lovely example of a 125

[@colechristensen25]

Let’s me honest, no one is short shifting a 125

[@adambrown6930]

Did anyone else hear the suspension rattling on those rocky sections? Doesn’t know inspire me to go out buy one for the kind of riding I do.

[@neilpincus855]

Relax. That's the chain slapping. All bikes do that. KYB suspension is good shit.

[@adambrown6930]

@@neilpincus855 No, not all bikes. Last 3 KTM bikes never did that. My son has a KLX 110 that doesn’t do that either.

[@stevebrooks8625]

what the hell is a spring fork?????

[@robertcadiz4346]

Lot's of the footage looks like it's sped up?

[@DirtBikeMagazine]

Nothing is sped up. Promise!

[@robertcadiz4346]

@@DirtBikeMagazine it may have been my phone.

[@nuthintoprove]

So according to you if you lower compression ratio, you pick up low end? No thanks, I'll look to someone else for info on what it really is.

[@dashriprock2916]

Yep lower compression don't help lower end power.

[@TR3LY.RYZ0]

Can you be 5’3 and still start it up

[@TR3LY.RYZ0]

And ride

[@mackeymichael]

@@TR3LY.RYZ0 maybe with wooden blocks to plant your feet on. They are pretty tall.

[@SANDS78]

If it's the $7999.00 price tag I've been seeing floating around the inet then no thanks. No hydraulic clutch, no e-start and a mx sized tank. The KTM 125 XC is $8399.00 and has way more to offer.

[@diegosurfeliz8167]

Mas que ofrecer, más mantenimiento igual a mas problemas no gracias.

[@vagelispavlopoulos]

2024 8k USD no estart 🤮Great innovations

[@videocardzrule354]

It’s $7,000

[@Fxdedity]

is this suitable for a 13 year old

[@jaymontgomery3330]

If he's at least 5'-6", yes.

[@888ssss]

its not YAH-MAH-HAR its YAMA-HA

[@AuliaRahman-su5id]

Jangung manis bayam obat mata tempe patin minyak manis satu sendok kerupuk wortel manis dingin rokoknya sempurnamild

[@mikeoconnell9019]

The reason Yamaha is the only brand that still makes 2 strokes because they started the two stroke downfall

[@gpaull2]

First Japanese or mainstream, but far from the first. Same for last two stroke.

[@r3fl3xion]

No electric start 🤬 What a joke , stuck on the side of a slippery slope kicking a bike 🤮 KTM 150 has the goods

[@mackeymichael]

Does the KTM have a kickstart as well ?

[@r3fl3xion]

@@mackeymichael yep 👍

[@ngrimm0]

You can push this kicker with your hand lol. I tried it

[@videocardzrule354]

Yeah but the EFI KTM’s are softer on power. Go look at a KTM 300 dyno. You’ll see the YZ250 put down the same HP, and the YZ250 still hits harder. Also, Less parts to break.

[@r3fl3xion]

@@videocardzrule354 yeah but power is not king , traction is king and with maps KTM have advantages! YZ is a old bike A good bike but an old one No electric power valve , no electric start 🤮 Yamaha are free to develop whatever they want , they just don’t 🤷‍♂️ Look at the YFZ350 Banshee It’s and old RD 350 motor from the 80’s Brutal power sure Zero traction 🤮 Electric power valve controls the power curve which will only increase traction and reduce arm fatigue. And if you drop a YZ in a race you’ll have to kick & kick to get going . Maybe if you’re young & super fit , strong arms , good clutch control and you never drop a bike , sure 👍 In Australia however 2024 YZ 250 $12000 AUD 2024 350SXF $12500 AUD Why would you chose the dinosaur compared to say the KTM with traction control Map settings & great suspension. Yamaha suspension is great too but not quite with the KTM’s suspension

[@kakashi1578]

Innovation? Where? This is still 98% the same bike as from 2007. No electric start, no fuel injection, no oil injection, not counter balanced. Where again is the innovation? I'm starting to think Yamaha is the Apple of the motorcycle world, they keep making the same product for 20 years and the brand zombies keep buying it while touting that they're new and cutting edge. Lol

[@dac999]

Same old dinosaur. I hate how media always sugar coat it with “all new”.

[@morganboyd5738]

I mean you are right, but at least they have continuned to make an offroad two stroke that works.

[@IanMcCauley855]

Frame and body is practically the same but they did a whole new engine in 2022

[@kakashi1578]

@@IanMcCauley855 True, but they didn't do anything to justify the word "innovative". They made some refinements, but it doesn't count for much when it took them 20 years to do it, and it's still generations behind the competition of other modern 2 strokes. And if they went to the trouble of redesigning the engine, why not (at the very least) add electric start? The most requested feature of any jap 2 stroke enthusiast. KTM deserves the title of most innovative 2 stroke, but even if you ignored them, Beta, Sherco, Rieju and TM all have e-start 2 strokes that are comparable in price to the YZs. I'm not trying to hate blue, but I just don't see why anyone would buy them when they are so far behind in technology, even if they are a little bit cheaper than the competition 😕

[@MFStarrboy]

@@kakashi1578 I’ll agree that saying these bikes are innovative is a reach lol. Having just recently purchased a 23 yz250 I will say this bike is pretty damn fun. Albeit I’ve just came back to riding after an 11 year hiatus. Truthfully I don’t see the need for e start/counter balance or oil injection. These are all just personal preference tbh. It’s not like the average consumer are professional racers so it truthfully doesn’t matter unless you’re extremely lazy and don’t want to kick over a bike or mix 2t oil and shake the gas can. Vibration is meh it honestly never hinders my riding capabilities. Again all just creature comforts. Not saying you’re hating but it kind of sounds like a little bit of hate towards people that love Yamaha 2t even if they’ve remained unchanged for 1.5 decades. Edit: I’ve not rode a 2t with efi but from my understanding it makes the powerband more linear like a 4 stroke. Which to my knowledge isn’t bad for enduro/technical trail stuff

[@jgs1703]

The bike has way more bottom end than the motocross version.

[@AxeRedrum]

I have a 76 yz125. I think it's amazing that you can still buy a new one damn near 50 years later. Engine braking kills. 2 strokes 4 life. Except for super moto. 🪓