How Jeremy McGrath Modernized His Classic Two Stroke for the Vet Nationals!

We catch up with the "King of Supercross" Jeremy McGrath at Glen Helen Raceway under the Kawasaki Support tent to get a close look at what modifications he made to his classic two stroke dirt bike, a 2004 Kawasaki KX 125 to compete with some of the fastest Vet racers in the world at the 2023 Vet World Championship. Now in his 50s this legendary Supercross and motocross racer shows us his Mitch Payton Pro Circuit built engine, how he put modern KXF 450 suspension on this KX 125, some other subtle tricks and a jetting change to try to get him up the big Glen Helen hills a little quicker. We will watch Jeremy ride the track as he aims to chase down perhaps the greatest vet rider ever Mike Brown. Enjoy this inside look at Jeremy McGrath's trick KX 125 2 stroke. #motorcycle #twostroke #2stroke
Subscribe ► / cycledrag

[@steveewing7253]

I was a track flagger at Anaheim in 93" in the corner where Jeremy launched over Stanton, I was only a few feet from the two fighting it out and witnessed close up one of the greatest passes in the history of Supercross. Jeremy was on fire that night! Just an awesome memory I will never forget. He still has it. Enjoyed your video Jack. Keep up the great work.

[@steveewing7253]

@126er3 yep, I remember that. Stanton went downhill from that point on seemed like.

[@pikecountyalabama]

Thats pretty freaking cool ...

[@steveortega534]

Bet he's Running a 93' Top end on that bike too! IYKYK

[@carlstanton2550]

Uncle Jeff still talks about that pass 😂 took him completely by surprise.

[@carlstanton2550]

​@@steveortega534wasn't his cr like a 95 barrel with a 93 head?

[@Eyore82]

That man was literally my fuggin idol as a youngster. Glad to see him still ripping around

[@SosopChabot]

Yep, the only reading I did was Motorcross Action to follow his career and bought arguably the worst 250 because of him 😂😂😂 (97 cr250)

[@steveewing7253]

My buddy at the time did the same thing, bought the 97' cr250. I didn't learn and bought the 98' cr250 and still have it. Love the motor but the rest of the bike not so much.

[@murrayminimotors1674]

4 sure 💯💪🏽🙏🏾👍🏾

[@loganchaney5981]

Same bro..reason I fell in love with dirtbikes

[@joski9030]

I love the old nack nack on the CR but my all time fave is Twitch

[@jackrabitt-214]

I grew up in the era of the king. Watching his style,got me started riding. I even had a 1994 CR250. Man I loved that bike...and now own a 2004 KX125. I get Goosebumps just staring at it.😊

[@dagodigs]

He still is my IDOL!!!! He gave my brother with cancer his shirt off his back and signed it at the silver dome in 98

[@jayo7799]

I'm 65 so of course I remember him, What a legend!! He's looking good

[@someoneyouknow96]

Every time I see McGrath do an interview he just seems so laid back. Dud is so content in life. Good for him!

[@JRotten]

He was a dick in the pits. That's what I know of him.

[@evil14life]

Definitely a 144. The Athena cylinder gives that away. Awesome bike!

[@edwardstroko4665]

I talked to Jeremy a couple times at High Point National!!! Dude was welcoming with the fans with pics and autographs!!!! Still have my signed hats and my pic with him!!!!😎💪🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@JonIronhorse]

Early 90s color schemes are unbeatable! Yammies and Kawi's looked bad ass!!

[@motoyamasnigglepuff8654]

What a sick video of my fav bike and Rider

[@robharper6662]

This is awesome to see. I raced with Jeremy and even kept my 01 YZ125 SX bike all these years. Just did a frame up resto and took her out to the track. Most fun I’ve had in 20 years.

[@onlygazza]

What a legend and I love seeing him still riding for fun cos most riders left hating the sport 👏

[@slp2538]

Never forget those Peak Hondas!

[@josephbullard1358]

He was always so good on a 2 stroke! Definitely don’t see as many of us guys over 40 riding them, but I love my 125.

[@cyclerider5652]

Smoothest rider ever. Jeremy always makes going fast look easy. He still has it.

[@JollUsARoint]

Jeremy McGrath was my all-time favorite and you won't find anybody more humbling he's a damn good dude dad husband a lot of people still look up to that man for good reasons💪🏻💪🏻💚👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇲✌🏼

[@goldentrunnell7450]

My first Supercross was the Kingdome in Seattle , I'm thinking it was 1992. Later that same year I also went to Washougal and McGrath did a knack-knack over the finish line. I was a young married guy with two kids and my wife was pregnant with our third. At the time i had a yz 490 but never raced, just rode for fun with my brothers. My oldest (daughter) and youngest (son) started racing about 7 years later and i finally entered my first race about 7 years after that. (Well into my 40s) I'm 61 now, kids all grown up and living their lives, wife got herself a new husband, etc. But i still have a dirt bike!

[@bigmotoxer]

Jeremy is a super nice guy, I raced MX for a long time I met all the pro riders over the years at local tracks around Florida and at Loretta Lynn's nationals etc but I was most privileged to have met Jeremy, the coolest nicest guy of them all. I met Jeremy a couple times and got to hang out & ride with him at a closed track here in Florida as well moments I will never forget!

[@tdog54]

Great memories of watching Jeremy as a ten year old kid. Man what a champion.

[@jlewee]

Watched McGrath at the very last Supercross in the Seattle Kingdom before demolition. It was electric. The energy and crowd McGrath brought was incredible 😃🤙

[@JokersWild70]

Luckily I got into SX just as MC's career was taking off in the 250 class, so I saw him race many times in person, and was there from the beginning to the end of his career. He really is a humble and easygoing guy in person. The sport just became massive around 1998 because of him

[@loadtoad714]

I watched RC4 race the 125 at Glenn Helen in 1998 for the first round of the MX season. MC was on the Yamaha. Also the first year the 400F was ridden by John dowd.

[@FEAR37924]

I remember seeing SHOWTIME for the first time in Peoria IL @ the PMC Racetrack for the TT Races and of course he dominated it.... Definitely a legend

[@1sir-onworld]

Good to see McGrath still riding 👌 🏁. I a have 1990 KX500 my favorite bike ever it's so fast after 30 it's still fun to riding. Go Kawasaki 👍🏁✌️

[@scott729]

Glad I was a young adult (22 ish) and racing myself when JM was 1800- Collect Honda. Really fun to watch, of course. That collect calling was a real thing believe it or not, lol.

[@goldenwheeledbanshee9160]

Damn, I'm old. I remember Jeremy as a youngster.

[@davelabrum7580]

It was great talking with the guy. My son and nephew used to ride with them out at Paris. It shows in time what a class act he is.

[@johnrode7109]

Great video thank you

[@rodbrezinski8033]

Awesome the king and a 125 2 stroke sounds amazing

[@neekopeeko9054]

The pics he took with those few fans at the end was super cool. He didn't seem the least bit bothered by it.

[@christhomas2644]

He was the coolest guy in the world in 1996 and in 2023 he still is

[@billydias6807]

He always reminds us just how badass he is!🤘🏻 The love for this man is my favorite.👑💪🏻

[@ScottysDetailing]

Can you believe when I was a young kid in 1989 me and my friend got to go joy ride his race bike, and he never even knew about it

[@slp2538]

Dude you rocked the Moto!!! Way to go! 🤘

[@choypunk7443]

Old but gold 2stroke❤❤❤

[@skyedog24]

I have two signed hats from the ride red days 🤔❤

[@scottfairbrother]

Great dude. Love how he took time for the fans and shook their hands!!!!!!

[@anamarinamathews1379]

SHOW TIME THE GOAT ❤❤❤ THE KING OF SUPERCROSS

[@kennethwise7108]

I can almost smell it!! ❤

[@tolonicks1]

Great job 👏 He’s got to be the most liked mxer all time

[@kaitlinwessinger8129]

Man like he said seems like yesterday he was hanging on my wall on the Yamaha 250 2t doing a nacnac over the finish line 🏁 he was my all time favorite racer still to this day Jeremy seems like a good dude on and off the track, I grew up watching Jeremy eming and Kevin windam then after Ricky came in and started winning that was good and my other all time favorite riders to watch battle was James Stewart chad reed and Ricky battling 125s and the 250s that was when racing was everything to me I was racing a kx 100 at the time and I learned so much about riding the little tricks you see the riders are able to pull off a line that nobody else is taking and pass you like it’s easy it amazes me the pure talent these guys have definitely played a big role in what got me into mx was after watching my first sx race live in atl Georgia at the old Georgia dome and McGrath won the 250 main that year never forget the first time smelling that race fuel and oil in the air it was so intense it grabbed my attention till this very day at 32 years old I still love riding but not competing anymore might start back when my son is ready too start

[@GregoryMueller-ss2qv]

I watched him grow up and became the best back then 😊

[@55tmilam]

The most down to earth,humble champion in MX/SX history

[@romastamaliunas1353]

LEGEND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ArmathuX]

sweet kx125 n crisp

[@Bobcat325]

Cool to see the mechanic there I think he used to be at kaplans cycles in ct.

[@theriderdtm8650]

Thanks for the review ✌🏻 Awesome Rider "The King"👑

[@TheJagjr4450]

I had a 92 KX125... remember everyone considering 2nd place as being the winner when McGrath was riding.

[@F5Tornado44]

I was one of the lucky ones that actually got to race with Jeremy. Well...maybe not that lucky. It was when he just got on 125's and he was racing in the novice class at Barona Oaks. I think it was a Golden State National race. Anyhow, he got the holeshot. I was about 5th. Ryan Hughes kept up with him for maybe 1 lap, then he was gone. Next thing I know is I'm being lapped in less than 5 laps and thinking "WHAT THE HELL!!", "WHO IS THIS GUY??". He ended up lapping 3rd place. Only Ryan stayed on the same lap. So yeah, he's fast.

[@55tmilam]

Absolutely awesome

[@Stunna710]

got my boy mario testa spinning those wrenches hell yea buddy

[@martinbone2889]

My legend !

[@dropbear9526]

Small bore 2T FTW!

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Old age and treachery will kick the crap out of youth and exuberance anytime! Ride it like ya stole it!

[@rochellestanley9532]

Great content 👏🇺🇸

[@SuperDolemite1]

Tuff love it

[@bradn1559]

The King 👑 awesome person

[@jessarellanes6648]

Wow awesome bro.

[@danielosmon]

Legend

[@Matthew-om1ux]

more power to ya J

[@ericbaker4109]

I love my 1996 CR 250, never parting with it.

[@evanmiller1642]

Badass vid and badass bike. Athenna wtf they couldnt find a 05 cylinder to work with?

[@purebloodheretic4682]

Bubba Stewart knew how to ride them 125's

[@Stroke2Handed]

In '94 I bought a brand new 1994 Suzuki RM125 and man was it a screamer!!!

[@vwgtdturbo]

ohh shit what a legend!!

[@55tmilam]

Man you’re making me miss my razor blades!

[@wtfftw24]

2 STOKES Bring it back!

[@bertbroeder1832]

Buy a SX300 or RX300, they are here!

[@RJAustin09]

I wonder if he's almost tired of the fame. you did it to yourself MC, it's never going away.

[@evanmiller1642]

12days ago the 24 450 appeard

[@gamergirlkayla6394]

There is only one King... That is McGrath

[@danielarney9729]

How does he do it with knee replacement

[@HouseWashingRick]

How do I purchase a Cycle Drag sticker

[@hencetirta322]

I love . when . mike wiliamsoN .set up kx

[@FoTwentyVlogs]

pro circuit told me they don't know how to do work on Athena cylinders so that fuckers definitely top secret

[@watts4200]

Would be sick to see an injected 2 stroke moto

[@MichelDisdier]

French are all over 😂😂👏🏻👏🏻🏁 🇫🇷🇺🇸

[@baca6445]

Witam wszystkich serdecznie życzę miłego dnia Tobie oraz wszystkim którzy kochają motocykle Dzięki za to że Jesteś zdrowia życzę I pięknych chwil dla których warto żyć Dobrego dnia życzy Stary Baca ❤❤❤

[@clzay]

Where you get those shades? They look like Oakley razor blades! Do tell…

[@wannaseethevid]

04125 huh? me likey

[@voodootele]

Is Brownie faster than Dr D?

[@masterofdisaster7427]

Raced the kx500 for 25years. Was glad the KX450F came along. 2 stroke is fun, but 4 stroke even more!

[@vwgtdturbo]

is it 144 athena ??

[@Evo836]

There is only one J McGrath.

[@ankrapek12]

It sure does not look like pc motor with that sthena kit on it

[@brakel8r]

Fuckin A boys.......🤙😎🤙

[@danmckinney6536]

Well...Now the old 125's will skyrocket in value...Lol!

[@sydrider6023]

Jeremy was on Yamahas, no?

[@Matthew-om1ux]

125 makesHOW much power? lordy the works motors are something else

[@JRotten]

What's Jeremy got to do with motorcycle drag racing? Jack, you're losing your way.

[@christophertottle6022]

I'm so glad that when I was racing there was none of this hyped up drama, so 2023.....yawn.

[@bearbones4347]

Definition of dingle dorf..

[@harm97]

Big bore for ✔️

[@paulhetherington3854]

Then why - do it skip - e lines - under idle? The spark - left and returned! It stalled - many tyn! And you - violated camera law - at Tribal: Glen Helen! Sioux MOHYK Tribes - caught u on - TV' Group profile mode. You cannot - tell your name - birth right - family.

[@paulhetherington3854]

Kawasaki - don't prefit - for any pro circuit! Manual if - you ever - seen one! Yamaha own - pro ciruit! Also - FOX! Kawasaki = FXR! In any shop - you'll be told - the above - under Tribal law.

[@anthonys5170]

You shut your mouth, emig is the best refer addict

[@atticushexcel9567]

I'm Jeremy McGrath - I have no idea how I ride so fast. Honestly pretty boring answers from McGrath.

[@emexduzentos]

Oh, that old idolatry going on again...

[@AL-tv4ht]

Geremy is still KING in my book . I have his same bike he used to race 92 CR250 and It Rips and a 84 CR250 same bike Johnny Omara used to rip. They are legends in my book.

[@markdittbenner9949]

A 125 is a joke its for kids ...a weed Wacker with wheels... nobody wants to see that crap...😂😂🤣😂🤣

[@evil14life]

Then why are you here?

[@skylermummert24]

lol k bud