Full Throttle on The Grape Ape! YZ144 Test Riding! (I put a thumb Throttle on it)

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for watching my video and thank you to everyone who watched the making of the Grape Ape! That video has exploded! Welcome aboard to all new subscribers 🤘

[@Hootman865]

Mike , man you gotta open a small shop.

[@MichaelSabo]

@@Hootman865 thank you man; I may actually do that

[@gordonfirth2334]

Love the build its great graffix sounds ace

[@greysonriegel9403]

@@MichaelSabo for some riding tips go to the MX factory on KZbin they’re really good at explaining and that’s how I learned.

[@raceradgarcia3274]

Can you do a start up video of all your cool toys and what’s all done to them that would be cool bro

[@PeteHager]

Great video Mike! Thanks for the shout out, You’re assembly and breakdown of the Urmosi throttle was awesome, the 400ex is coming together very nicely! 👌

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Pete! I'm about to check out your 400 video 🤘

[@krisp589]

Good to see a video from Mike,Pete,and John all on Friday. Yall killed it

[@andyperez4255]

Pete save me one thumb throttle kit, ill hit you up soon! 2016 Raptor 700R

[@BoxingLegends2024]

Whats crazy to me is I had a purple & black YZ125 for 10 years now & everyone says its ugly this guy builds one & its trending lol you gotta love it!

[@darrinwoodward14]

When I used to ride 125's,I never let off the throttle going through the gears.keep it on the pipe!!the bikes I used to race made about 35 hp.

[@MichaelSabo]

I'll try it out man, thank you!

[@darrinwoodward14]

@@MichaelSabo no worries! And love your content.your a man after my own heart with being technical on your builds.i used to b a machinist, and I also worked on bikes,quads for a living,and unfortunately where I live at now,it's too seasonal, and I can't make a living doing it.just work on my own bikes anymore.

[@benwood04]

2002 KX125 made 38 horse from the factory. It only made 19.5 ft lbs of torque though. 125 2 strokes had some ponies, just not a lot of torque.

[@greysonriegel9403]

@@MichaelSabo trust me don’t do that it’s super bad for your bike I did it with my kx 85 when I was on the road and caused damage to my engine and my clutch. When you pull in your clutch it disengages so your gears can grab without the mast disengagement your gears will just grind and wear away at each other

[@jamesjames6137]

@@greysonriegel9403 this is true for a car's manual transmission but a dirt bike has a consistent mesh transmission so there is no grinding cause they are always spinning with each other

[@chucklittlefield802]

Hey Mike, sweet steel frame! Just a heads up, I have a buddy who blew up his yz144 multiple times from the wristpin bearing wearing extra fast. Id just do top ends a bit more frequently. Also, sounds a bit lean in the upper, maybe up the main jet 1 size.

[@matthewturowski8281]

Sounds great, runs great. The Karen's in your neighborhood probably aren't digging it though.

[@MichaelSabo]

Lmao, I was getting worried one might call when I was making this

[@Kr4j]

Last time I heard a Karen joke, I fell off my dinosaur! #DeadMeme

[@grapejuic]

@@Kr4j what

[@halogod0298]

@@Kr4j it’s not a dead meme it’s a fact

[@fpvdominator9563]

@@Kr4j last time I heard a joke like that I feel off my couch watching stop brothers

[@johnnyroastbeef84]

It sounds BRUTAL!!!! I dig the thumb throttle being a big 3 wheeler guy. Great work as usual.

[@ethandfortune]

Launching in the grass too you have hella grip. Until that small patch is all dirt. I did that to my dad's yard as a kid I'll never forget. Beautiful bike I want another 99 kx125 I weigh 140 so it's perfect for my body size.

[@colindefreece2601]

Love the grape ape and also excited for the 400ex build I plan on getting one for an upgrade from my blaster and putting some nice parts on it

[@Shanem.07]

Dude I that’s exactly what I did. I had a 1998 blaster and it was really fun. Buttt it didn’t really have much tourqe but it’s was pretty fast. I trail ride so I needed that bottom end power so I picked up a 1999 400ex and it’s was 10x better in my opinion. I had it bored to 426 and rebuilt the entire engine and the thing is a beast. Def never gonna sell it.💪🏽💪🏽

[@colindefreece2601]

@@Shanem.07 yeah man my blaster is a beast it’s an 05 and has a toomey pipe it’s sick but definitely need more torque so I might just get a 400ex or yfz450

[@pierrelucstjacques591]

I watch the rebuild video twice now and love how you just tell everything in details

[@skeetlybeet2584]

Glad to see you getting more subscribers after every video. You definatly deserve it, been following since 4,000 subs, love the content

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for following for so long Skeetly; wouldn't be where I am without your support!

[@shaunholden7633]

Dude you knocked it out of park with that bike. That may be one of the nastiest yz I've herd. You killed it on the jets it sounds perfect not to lean and it's not breaking up so your not to rich. I love it bro.

[@luckyyou200]

I had a atv thumb throttle on my yz85 as a kid and loved it

[@Thewatson77]

Killer content Mike! 🤘🏼 I can hear it in your voice how fun it is to ride this thing! Looking forward to the 400 project coming up too. Thanks for the video! 🙌🏻🤘🏼

[@aidano7503]

Happy that vid is blowing up. You deserve it.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the love Aidan!

[@ericmacnichol3791]

I think the bike sounds great Mike,you did a great job on the build. Honestly you should do more build videos like you did with the grape ape, keep the videos coming. I always look fwd to watching them.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for this feedback Eric; much more to come 🤘

[@glenadams2858]

Nice build. I love the detail and all the trial and error. We learn and make things better. I just want to ride it with you.. Nice work on the video.

[@rossdarocy3576]

Content just keeps getting better! Goodshit Mike

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Ross!

[@austinstephenson228]

Love these videos. Loved watching you build the bike and seeing it run is amazing. I think it runs great definitely sounds amazing

[@luisguzman8695]

I follow all your video thank you to support the xtream sport . I am a technical instructor in Mech tech college at Puerto Rico and Mech tech in Florida usa, also your a good mechanic take care and be safe.

[@williamgreen2364]

super helpful mike, alot of guys dont ride bikes with a thumb throttle, i have to because i have deformation on my left hand and having a thumb throttle allows alot more grip for me

[@sherf2654]

Nice job! She looks and sounds great! A good 150lb rider will shame the 250 boys!

[@11GalleryATV]

Awesome looking and sounding bike! Love that thing but I could never do a thumb throttle on a dirt bike. Not after racing them way back when ...

[@MichaelSabo]

I appreciate the love man! I'm gonna say between thumb and twist, it comes down to 100% preference

[@11GalleryATV]

@@MichaelSabo I agree! Do you like the thumb throttle on the bike? I know you said it will take some getting used to, so is it going to stay?

[@MichaelSabo]

@@11GalleryATV I'm still undecided; I think what I'm going to do it get comfortable with it and just riding the bike in general, and then switch back to twist and see if I feel less at home on the bike.

[@11GalleryATV]

@@MichaelSabo That's a damn fine idea! I would definitely be interested in the results!

[@nymetsfan912]

That sounds absolutely perfect! Looks absolutely perfect! I’m absolutely jealous!

[@BraapEffex]

A YZ has never been so crispy 💯 nice

[@Urfavoritefascist]

Man that thing sounds nice. For a self proclaimed junior mechanic you’ve got a talent for building a beautiful machine.

[@BDauto86]

I don't know that I could do thumb throttle on a bike. As a youth I liked to buy bikes/ATVs and fix them up, it was more budget fix up but they usually were pretty nice when I sold. Your restorations are on a whole new level lately they come out nicer then new. I think you should keep some diy/budget builds in the mix tho, alot of viewers can relate to those. Keep up the good work Mike, your on your way to 100k subs.🤘

[@tomlenza2768]

New subscriber. Love the bike. Great video. I got a 92 RM 125 for free and I’ve been working on it slowly in my shed your bike gives me a lot of ideas. I had 250s. Multiple 125s.. Banshee. . Blasters when I was a kid. Minibikes go carts etc. There’s just something about a 125 I continue to love. And I’m 39 years old

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for subscribing Tom; sounds like 2 stroke is in your blood! Thank you for the compliments on my bike and good luck on you RM build!

[@harrysloman9490]

I want one I've never been able to afford one but yours takes it to a hole new level of me wanting one 😍

[@kdsgarage8475]

Great rebuild video! I was watching this test video and noticed your neighborhood looked familiar. Funny coincidence. I used to ride in those back-to-back retention basins when I was a kid on my RM80 and 250 Quadracer. We used to also rip through the woods and the farmland, before the newer section of the neighborhood was built. The section you drove through first. That area was farmland with section of woods with trails behind villa, and the cops used to sit at the dead end waiting for us after the ride - I think the nuns used to call the cops on us. Another kid we rode with, lived on the far side corner of the back side basin, had a couple of 125's and I know one of them was a YZ. I think the other was an RM. If you would have turned right on Georgiana instead of left, you would have dead ended at my old house. I have a 02 KX250 I picked up about a year and a half ago that I plan to completely restore some day. Its in pretty good shape as it sits, so I am not in a rush.

[@roberturmosi-dirtbike-atv]

Amazing video Mike! Love how that engine revs, You made me to thinking to get one.Thanks for the detailed explanation on the throttle!

[@sharkey5150]

SWEET!! Brings back sweet memories. The YZ125 was my favorite, being a smaller guy, I could handle it or rather it could handle me on the track. Later, I went to a YZ250 but, it was just too much for me at my size. Honestly, the “Grape Ape” sounded like you were getting much more out of the low end than I remember. I imagine all the work and boring out to 144cc could be the difference. I just remember my YZ125 was a screamer, seemed much higher pitched in the power band but, it was virtually bone stock. Great video, Great Bike!!👍👍

[@bunnymanmoe8819]

You would have to lower the suspension. Ricky Carmichael had his 250 set up damn near like a 85cc. RC was a short guy n is legend. Don't give up Champ

[@doug_errickson]

That was fun! She eats for sure! Excited for the TRX vid! Keep the great stuff a' comin'! 🤘🏼👍🏼✌🏼

[@jamiejohnson9895]

Damn son sounds good looks good nice riding as well can feel your joy and happiness in this video

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Jamie!

[@dustinshives6577]

Your not going to want to ride those quads anymore lmao!! sounds good and looks good buddy! great job..

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you man, I was thinking this as I was riding it 🤐

[@bigc7t]

Bike can out great man, looks awesome

[@krisp589]

Im gonna be honest man it seems wrong to replace the twist throttle. Can't wait for the 400ex video. I'm going riding this weekend. When I get back then the tear down and refresh begins. Itll be interesting to see how different my build will be from yours. I'm going with 426bore too. Keep pumping these videos out. Your killing it

[@MichaelSabo]

It definitely feels weird, there's no denying that lmao, but I've always wanted to try it. Good luck with your 426 and thank you for the kind words 🤘

[@BeerKillenRedneck]

Michelle… Damn Girl!! The Whole Cool Factor Of The Bike Disappeared With The ShortBus Throttle. “WTF”… Is Definitely The First Thought, When Seeing That Blue Wart Sticking Out Atop The Taiwan Special… GREAT JOB…!! It Went From A Cool Custom Build… To An Over-Dressed, China-Digger Unit… With A “FLAMBOYANT” Sissy Throttle. ** People Are Most Definitely, Licking Your Rear-Entry…And Not Being Real, When Telling You They Like It. …An Obvious Fact. Just Paint It Yellow… And Design Graphics To Name It, The “ShortBus”. ⚠️ …Or, You Can Take That “Boyz-Town” Throttle Back Off!! Hehe 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@diesel7391]

The Moose dual is a cool setup too. You have twist and thumb throttle. Love the builds

[@coopscoop5424]

Sound like it's running perfect, love the bike this video made me realize I want to go retro with my 2000 yz125 instead of a restyle

[@DerekJamesDenny]

That bike is so tight and sounds amazing

[@rescuehoundemtd]

Sweet. I have a crf150f 150 with adult suspension. I too am a quad rider and have never been good on a dirt bike but I love ripping on that bike with a f f pipe on it. And the think sips on gas. LOL. Love your content.

[@Drain09]

The 144 won’t rev out as much same with the low end power. When you ride it, ride pigeon toed with toes pointed in and when you corner put leg up on shroud and toe pointed toward front fender. Elbows up will help control the bars when cornering and cover clutch and front brake with a finger or two.

[@brettlaage9687]

That thing sounds sweet. I can't wait for the 400ex build video. I built one like 12 years ago. Unfortunately I had to sell it when I got sick. Now I'm building an 02 CR125R.

[@darrellfolk5284]

Hey Mike Great Video! Iv got a Mint 94 Kx250r. And I would say I'm a mediocre rider. Someone once told me, Seat time is all it takes! That little area back there looked awesome for testing and tuning as long as no one cried about it. Dam Karen's! If you keep the bike for yourself enjoy it. Take it one ride at a time!

[@olliechristopher467]

Hi there Michael, If you want to try something cool on your quad get the Gasser throttle. It's a combo twist/thumb style. Made by terry Cable. Great job on your builds young man.

[@rubenechezabal6397]

Nice man ... you always do quality work! 👍 👌 👏

[@thumbgas888]

I've tried the Urmosi and it's very nice, but so used to the Honda Thumbthrottle I kinda like the ergo more,awesome video man

[@chadsmith14]

Let it rev up more. It is still pulling hard when you shift, you are just getting on the pipe when you shift. You did better towards the end but the 125s can't be hurt w revving. The more you rev the more the 125s like it, she wants you to beat on her before she will reward you. Friend had a yz144, fun bikes.

[@MichaelSabo]

Hell yea man, I'll let her wind out more next time!

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Omfg the ass dyno segment is GOLD!!! One of the best things I've seen on KZbin in a long time 🤣🤣🤣

[@robinjohnson4613]

I am 112 bikes deep…been riding and racing for 30 years… have built a custom thumb throttle for every bike. Yeah it sounds weird but it works for me… on a side note…it’s way easier to teach someone to ride with a thumb.

[@theredneckrider7422]

YES IVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE THIS!!!

[@mzondi1970]

I learned how to ride on a 86 YZ 125 I love that bike

[@baked_red_eyes]

Yes back with a bang absolute 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👌🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙❤

[@kennynadeau17]

keep it up! love your work man! cant wait to see that 400ex!!

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Kenny!

[@shanefarmer7193]

That bike is so cool!!! Looking forward to the 400ex vids mike!!

[@speedokoterefinishnetwork4937]

Love the channel man !!!

[@davemooreracing]

Man my CR500 had a thumb throttle on it. None of my friends ever ask to ride it lol.

[@MichaelSabo]

Hahaha, it's dual purpose Dave, serves as an anti-theft device!

[@Holmanboyz]

She's a Ripper! Nice job man

[@kennethschoeff322]

The bike sounds spot on

[@MusicSensations1971]

Sounds crisp clean and on point to me

[@aboutfaceretreats6562]

That is awesome! Sounds amazing!

[@yourmompog1450]

I’m so excited for the 400ex video!!! Let’s goooo I picked up a crab model yfz450se bbe I’m upgrading slowly

[@johnlangston466]

Always great content keep up the great work 👍

[@jasononeill3709]

Sounds good takes a bit longer depending on temp outdoors for the pipe to build up heat plus it’s only received the 144 kit plus new jetting. you’ll notice the tone changes more depending on the outdoor temp. Great job

[@haniyacouby4859]

Great content and luv the bike. You sir have earned a subscriber.

[@dankybras8585]

Loved the build vid

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for watching it man!

[@JIMBO718SLICE]

Sweet build mike! Used to have a 98 RM125 I regret selling it loved that bike.

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Jim; sounds like you need another RM!

[@mikewiley1007]

Bike sounds crispy 🤙🏽😎

[@Urkuwayku]

Great series on this YZ-144! Thank you. You definitely do not want a thumb throttle on a motorcycle. A twist throttle provides far more precise acceleration control. If you race, where you need to continually weigh the pegs for balance and traction, you will get a cramp in the palm of your hand as well as arm pump after an hour. I understand that a thrumb throttle can make sense on an ATV, where weight and balance is distributed among four wheels. I wonder if racers on ATV ever go to a twist throttle.

[@bunnymanmoe8819]

Interesting

[@sharkey5150]

Makes a lot of sense to me! I was wondering why when I was a youngster, my friends and I never experimented with thumb throttle but, We had plenty experience of riding and using a damn piece of string as throttle until we could get to Yamaha Shop.

[@STEINKTV]

Yes they use twist throttles. Almost any pro quad racer at least off road use twist throttles

[@ThAtGuY-u9d]

I’ve rode motorcycles my whole life, put a twist throttle on my quad just to see. Long story short it was a really bad idea. It’s just unnatural even though I rode both for a long time.

[@NW_DB]

not true i have been running a thumb for four years now, it all depends on rider, no whiskey throttle, and way more control "for me", in every situation, so always leave your opinions open ,and not look like you "think" you know everything

[@nelsonkarrer6961]

Sounds great way to go

[@FLEXHARVEY]

Aint nuttin' betta then a thumb throttle don't ya know eh der brah! Nice bike too!

[@B4R19]

I would love to own a bike like that You did a great job with this build

[@sheaburns3713]

Sounds class!

[@Iamdesignproducts]

If I was his neighbor I couldn't be too upset seeing that thing brap by it's surisingly beautiful it's not like any dirt bike you normally see 👌

[@JohnTurner-rk9mb]

Top job on the "weapon" YZ,lovely job,excellent workmanship, love the bike,the thumb throttle out of this world but it would take a bit of time to suss it out.💯👍

[@matthewalbone4975]

That Athena jug must make that thing wicked fast I love the grape 🍇 Ape 🦧

[@careysoutherland8291]

sweet man can't wait for the 400ex video.

[@shaunholden7633]

Deffently gotta hold the gear alil longer that's it the two strokes 125s love to be reved out the more you beat them the more she'll show u..

[@hayzi9630]

Love that bike proppa nice man 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@kurky72]

Awesome build, luv it. Sounds like it screams #2strokeforlife

[@SketchyXC]

Love the bike! That Urmosi is impressive, i get wanting it on the bike. I thought about it with my 250xc (quad guy too) but now i feel better off after seat time and learning proper technique. Love the vids bro! 🤘

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you for the love bro!

[@squid_racer]

Man you clean up stuff good, would love to see your process to clean up that 400 swing arm when you get to it!

[@wyld_chyld2239]

damn i miss having a bike,used to have a kdx200 with a custom transmission that was dyno tune ran to almost 50 horsepower,was some fun days

[@DoodMang7]

DAMN THAT BIKE SOUNDS AWESOME!!!!

[@yenko3378]

This really makes me want a dirt bike but I’m quite inexperienced with as well mostly rode quads I would love a thumb throttle on one though I never got the hang of a twist through the trails I may or may not of met a tree or 2 when I was younger 😂😂

[@MichaelSabo]

It's worth a try if you get yourself a bike; I would say it really comes down to preference. IMHO from riding both, I think you have the same control with either.

[@lanniewiant8269]

Sounds and looks great bud

[@MichaelSabo]

Lannie, what's up man! Thank you for the love as always 🤘

[@LogansCustomWorks]

Really nice bike I’ve always been a fan of yz 125’s but never got to ride or own one. It sounds like a beast and nice work on the 400ex, I can’t wait to see it when it’s done.

[@zachstein2538]

that thing sounds amazing wow😳

[@aidano7503]

Great series

[@MikeBlunt2]

that thing sounds sick man

[@michaeldehart3049]

Blueported the engine?. 😂. In all seriousness though, great build man, keep them coming.

[@ScreaminBanshee559]

That’s Crazy I thought of putting a thumb throttle years ago on a dirt bike being that I grew up riding A T C s and quads and people thought I was crazy and I find myself years later watching a vid of a dirt bike with a thumb throttle

[@timmykrakcorn8355]

Sounds delish..shoulda named it purple nurple

[@connersnow298]

Awesome vid and edits and filming and shop and bike and parts

[@MichaelSabo]

I appreciate you Conner 🤘

[@chrissteed3392]

So healthy! I’m you could advance the trimming a bit if you wanted but it’s perfect where it’s at

[@TheOnlyDonQuixoteDeLaMancha]

Tearing up the grass. Im sure the groundskeeper approves.

[@CrazyOutdoorZ]

God dang bro that bike is so so beautiful I wish I could have that so nice

[@MichaelSabo]

Thank you Chase, you should build one for yourself 🤘

[@brianjacobsen5762]

As soon as the front end comes up.shift into higher far. You'll Carrie that wheely a lot farther.

[@sethgarrett1994]

Nice dude looks sweeeeeet

[@XoticKazoo1]

love the video mike and you kind of remind me of the guy from cat and the hat you know the neighbor