2023 125 Two Stroke Shootout - Motocross Action Magazine

#twostroke #motocross #adventure #sports
It wasn't that long ago that the Motocross Action Wrecking Crew had all their 125s lined up for a shootout video in 2022. Since then, two bikes have drastically changed and two have remained the same. KTM and Husqvarna now have fuel injection and electric start amongst a laundry list of changes to the overall platform. Yamaha and GASGAS have stayed the exact same for 2023 and still feature a carburetor . Don't forget that in 2022 the Yamaha YZ125 saw its first major update in a long long time. GASGAS has the previous generation frame, swing-arm, suspension settings that KTM and Husqvarna had in 2022. Is all new always better than a platform thats been around a year or two? Is the closed off air box on the new Husqvarna better or worse than the KTM's open ended air box? Which bike is more fun to ride? Which bike were our test riders faster on? Which bike had the most horsepower? We answer all these questions and more in this video. As long as manufacturers are making two strokes we will be here to test them!
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[@biggamecurs]

Glad to see there are still guys out there that can make a 125 talk

[@walthendr104]

Facts a lot of ppl be scared of the 2t Hit an can’t handle it an make it work right

[@davecarson6100]

Make it sing from that video

[@jedielder7970]

Nothing better to listen to than a 125cc 2-stroke. Thanks for the fun video.

[@thomasknapp7236]

125s are THEE 2 stroke sound everyone loves. When I was young my absolute favorite part of a motocross was the 125 start. A swarm of 125s going for the holeshot sounds like a pissed off yellowjacket nest.

[@cwpitsenbarger3295]

Honestly the most fun cc to ride and have fun with. Im a local pro rider, 6'2" 195lbs and enjoy my 450s but I rebuilt a 2007 rm125 from the ground up. I end up spending more time riding it just cause its an absolute blast.

[@andrewacton5885]

Big thanks for acknowledging the other Japanese brands and TM in the beginning

[@duckdiver5549]

Its awesome KTM is pushing 2 stroke tech forward and their new bikes are way more user friendly for the everyday rider who wants to ride 2 strokes. I love my '23 TC125!

[@ec1xpse]

thats a husqvarna

[@eric6rock]

@@ec1xpse KTM is lead developer's for the three brands. KTM is racing, Husqvarna is premium, and GasGas is the cheaper alternative.

[@duckdiver5549]

​@@ec1xpse KTM owns and manufactures Husky; they are parent company.

[@daffyduck9901]

@@ec1xpse all three are group KTM not any other order.

[@j-sammys5549]

Great video Boys. Can't wait to see the 250 2T shootout. Cheers

[@ChrisR57]

All these bikes look like a blast to ride...now if I was only 45 years younger!!

[@Davido50]

Never too old to ride.

[@morley3810]

So for a guy like me, closer to 50 than 40, track rider for fun and general conditioning, the YZ 125 is still the best. Kind of like the YZ 250. The blue 2 strokes are still the bike that is truly best for MOST riders. They lose out on the really pointy end of the scale, but if people are really honest about how they ride most of the time, the Yamaha's are likely the best choice. It takes a bit of humility to acknowledge that for most guys lol.

[@danielnewman3441]

Great point. I'm 55 and have largely switched to hill climbs but still practice mx. I have a YZ125 and it's so much fun to ride. I'm at 225lbs so I had it bored to 144cc with an Athena. I'm a classic B rider and this bike is so much fun!

[@brandonmitchell8846]

Yz 125 beat te gas gas last year how can the same two bikes finish totally different lol. I agree Yz 125 is great I couldn’t imagine a better riding bike. I love my 22’

[@jth_printed_designs]

I had a 2005 yz125 and switched to a 2019 KTM 125sx and greatly preferred the feel of the KTM. Even though I'm 5'10", the lower seat height on the KTM feels better, not to mention the weight savings. The power was much smoother as well, though it did feel a little less punchy on the bottom than the yz.

[@morley3810]

@@brandonmitchell8846 not in the MXA shootout. The Yamaha finished last in 2022 as well. Maybe you're thinking of another channel?

[@completelylucid7596]

Lol so because something is inherently slower, less powerful, and more outdated that makes it “best” for most riders? Yeah you’re really reaching here.

[@Acura1NSX]

NOTHING like a sweet-sweet sounding 125cc 2-stroke!!

[@dougfalstad5227]

Old school is and always will be better. Carburetors forever!😊

[@robertbradley1133]

I assumed correct the late arrival of the KTM at the dealerships in the UK only 4 weeks ago was do to mapping issues. Apparently they aren’t flying out the sales floor either. At the last minute we decided to hang on till for a 2024 hopefully they will have them sorted by then. I don’t think we will have the detonation problems as we have 99 octane super unleaded over here

[@Briank-ef5iq]

Old school Carbed bike for the win !!!!!!

[@rg807]

The transition from Jody to Josh has been great. Nice job, Josh!

[@mxengineer1]

Small bore fun! Friend bought a new '23 Husky TC125 last week and there was an updated map installed by the dealer and his bike ran fine in both white and green maps (no issues). Please keep us updated on the latest maps (including map numbers) you are running in the KTM/Husky 125 TBI bikes.

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

I have a 2023 KTM 125sx that I am doing a video series on my channel and discussing the TBI, ECU, mods, etc. Please follow me, I follow you and love your real world tests. J

[@yamahakid450f]

These aren't TPI, they're EFI... The woods bikes are TPI.

[@mxengineer1]

@@yamahakid450f Correct the XCW/TE models run Transfer Port fuel Injection (TPI) with an oil injection pump too while the '23 SX/XC 2-strokes are using Throttle Body fuel Injection (TBI) and premix fuel (no oil pump).

[@andrewpereira1117]

Tbi

[@bradthackston5217]

I wish they would do a professional 125-250 two stroke indoor series and for the price of a YZ you still have money and can make the bike just as fast as the others for about the same price. YZ is the way to go to me.

[@HorsepowerHouse]

Never happen

[@brianraymer5542]

​@HorsepowerHouse pipe Port job...some jetting work Should get you 2 to 3 extra horses

[@64maxpower]

​@@brianraymer5542factory engineers are morons. Year after year someone with a torch and sheet metal in a garage in California can make exhausts better than factory engineers . They shouldn't even come with their junk exhaust. Everyone is going to buy a Pro Curuit pipe anyway

[@Duppavich]

That's exactly how Motorcross is supposed to sound! Tha Gas Gas looks sweet 🤘

[@chetmanley7209]

So a Yamaha vs 3 ktms? Sweet

[@skydivekid01]

1 KTM and 2 KTM wanna be’s

[@seccles09]

How cool does the first minute or so sound, 4 125s pinned

[@mkkiloma3991]

Surprisingly, they found a lot of drivability differences when changing different colored plastics! This is science!!

[@tylerjamesgillismusic4782]

You can keep the new fuel injection lol I love my 22 husky tc 125. Total carb for the win!

[@shopcomfycove]

finally been waiting weeks for this video

[@ryanxmx31]

Figured the gas gas would win ktm has some work to do with the tbi yet! Thanks mxa for the shootout

[@tyjbreezy7603]

Nothing is more fun than whipping a 125 2 stroke around a track👌

[@chazzgonzalez1356]

I like the cheaper bike that comes with better suspension and less problems

[@kirbylee57]

The YZ 125?

[@chazzgonzalez1356]

@@kirbylee57 indeed

[@seanecus33]

I like my MC 125. I like the soft suspension… but I was also able to save like 1k going with gasgas lol

[@Mr.Stroke0331]

YZ all day baby 32:1 woooooooo 💨 💨 💨

[@renatovisciano1378]

2023 the year to retorne 2Strokes MX bikes 🤘🤘🤘👏👏👏✊️✊️✊️🤜🤛

[@VintageEngineRepairs]

Great video - you had mapping issues and no support from the manufacturers. This is exactly why I’ll never buy a bike full of electronics. You are a huge channel and figure in the community and you can’t get support. Imagine what it will be like for a private customer. I’ll take the yz any day over complicated and finicky electronics that when fail can’t be worked on.

[@ianmangham4570]

Fantastic motor in the yz125

[@mikie758]

I have the TC, first 2 hours on the bike and it cut out a few times in the white map. Scared the shit out of me but after those initial hours it went away. I feel like the rev limiter is abrupt and too early in the RPM’s. I’m hoping a pipe/silencer, vortex will help the power delivery. But even stock the midrange is great!

[@Bpak222]

There is a update needed

[@gerardogutierrez3840]

Yz 125 ningún problema con los mapas

[@2strokeFORever]

When you switch from the ktm clip to the gasgas it was like a switch. Can hear how much harder and further the gas gas pulls on top

[@taylorlatch2635]

Mmm 2 stroke. Simple and sweet with some new electronic goodies (fuel injection, powervalve, starter). I’ve been waiting for the efi bikes to come out like 15 years ago lol but better late than never

[@Sn00pdog2011]

Pure music in my Ears, love that sh.. 😆 😎 ❤️

[@dREaDneck_Moto]

Great shootout. I agree with the winning choice.

[@stephangiannoulidis509]

You guys absolutely fucking nailed that intro!

[@matteosss]

For next year will we also be able to see the Fantic and the TM in this comparison?

[@jjwa5410]

Fantic's agreement with Yamaha is that they won't sell in the USA.

[@matteosss]

@@jjwa5410 I know, but maybe you can import one or with the new year Fantic will bring them to US.

[@PPekka]

3 different coloured KTM´s vs 2006 Yamaha with a 2022 motor 😅 Sad that this is the state of 2 strokes today. Still I would ride any of those with pleasure.

[@donnieprescott5675]

Love all the gas gas twostrokes

[@mikeb4334]

I'm having the exact same issues with my tc125 that they go into detail about at the 16:40 mark of the video. My boy came back to the pits mentioning of backfiring and slight hesitation up top. We then tried the green map and it cut out even worse and he was in a whoop section and almost ate it when it cut bad in the higher rpm. I'm glad a large platform such as this is bringing it to light and hopefully KTM can find a fix.

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

Do not run green map, run white map (dealer told me this), as I was having the same issue on mine,,dealer installed an OEM KTM NGK BR9ECMVX and it seems good on the stand. I'm not telling you what to do, just what they did and seemed to work. My channel has a 125sx overview and tech talk. Please subscribe!

[@mikeb4334]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX Thanks for the info. I've watched and subscribed to your channel already. Love following what you are finding out about the bike. So just a hotter plug seemed to help things out a bit?

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@mikeb4334 apparently so far..we will see, gotta get to the dyno, very low on hp..i can email you something if you want. [e-mail]

[@mikeb4334]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX we have already been emailing back and forth. I'm brock161

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@mikeb4334 oh lol hahah

[@federico297]

The ktm/husqy manual clearly says to use 98 octane fuel, so it should be minimum 93 octane for the us. It seems pretty clear why the ktm was detonating

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

98 ROZ is about 93/94 in the US, you are correct.

[@perc3136]

7k for a 125 is ridiculous

[@morningsalute03]

miss the sound of a sworm of bees

[@MrJimbo6]

Yz 125 will always be the greatest all-rounder

[@cotyshotyou]

So initially what we're looking at here is the Japanese vs the Austrians... Seems fair to me. Now all the needed for the Japanese to crank out two more bikes *coughs in RM & Kawi*

[@metalofthedeath]

You guys should include the 4 stroke 125s from the brands that don’t have 2 stroke 125s that way they get embarrassed n make 2strokes again

[@Scrubdesignz]

missing the TM.... I wait for a full comparison.

[@chinmoykalita5959]

The sound of 2 stroke ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamessharp9790]

Power to weight is king . Everything else can be helped . 125 pilots are fearless anyway.

[@williamlookinggoodoldguy1964]

Best sound

[@Ak47nub]

yamaha all day no questions

[@blessingslawn]

Love my yz125x!

[@HPRaceDevelopment]

it is a rev limiter and when ur hitting it you shoulda shifted long ago

[@derekgray1633]

Put my deposit on a yz125 yesterday! My 18 KTM 250sx is way more of a racer but the Yz125 is just fun

[@callmeopzz4775]

When will there be a 250 one?

[@kristofferrexvik2668]

Great production!!! 👌 Awesomely inspiring riding/video 🔥 You should make a version with just the riding, I'm sure it would get a lot of views! 👍

[@64maxpower]

There are 100s of riding videos on youtube

[@wiggie7420]

The new fuel injected bikes do sound different. More like 250 in the upper IPM.. IMO

[@mareksumguy1887]

Coil spring forks ftw!!

[@brandonbladen4691]

Gas gas will land in 3rd next year when it gets TBI. Can’t wait to see how the 250 and 300 bikes stack up.

[@kineticfix]

Is it getting TBI for sure?

[@brandonbladen4691]

@@kineticfix I imagine they will. The only reason i could see them not doing TBI is to keep the costs down to compete against yamaha... but with all the frames and engines being the same in all their bikes im guessing all gas gas bikes will be TBI next year with the exception of the last of their TPI 300 and 150 trail bike models?

[@Lucas_44435]

I have a KTM 125. Why am I even watching this?

[@ptshyu2]

How does the beta 125 stack up against these?

[@satchycollins3985]

Cheers

[@jjwa5410]

When did vortex release a KTM 2 stroke ecu? They stated publicly they weren't interested.

[@Kuhliifa]

I mean in the owners manual it does state to use “98 octane with a 2 stroke oil 1:40” so yeah the newer bikes would be at a disadvantage in this video and have some mapping issue like stated in the vid.

[@Dierk200185]

Yes thats a good point. The 2023 KTM 125 SX manual states" Super unleaded (ROZ 98 / RON 98 / PON 94) ( p. 139)" which is equvalent to ~93 US gas (R+M/2) if not even a tat higher. MXA states 2:28 they use 91 octane gas, therefore they run out of spec fuel. To conclude the KTM has detonation issues due to mapping should be revised imo @motocrossaction

[@abracing199]

thats 98 ron, not what we have in the US.

[@michael589m]

@@abracing199 U.S. 93 is equivalent to European (Ron) 98. The tbi system is not that intelligent, it doesn’t have O2 sensors and can’t make adjustments for an octane or oxygenated percentage change. It just mixes fuel and air. And then they add leaded fuel to bump the octane 🤦‍♂️ it’s just silly for them to go threw all this effort without using the proper fuel in these bikes. It’s comparable to doing a shootout without checking tire psi! It’s just silly.

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@abracing199 98 ROZ

[@motorcycleguy73]

Great video and review as usual I think I'll wait a year for the KTM

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

I wish I did

[@Davido50]

Not me I'm grabbing a new KTM 250 2-strokes now. -NY

[@matisvanasse5905]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX why

[@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX]

@@matisvanasse5905 the new 23’ 125 has had its fair share of issues right out of the box and KTM has little to offer for fixes.

[@matisvanasse5905]

@@themotocrossmodchannelWulfMX If I’m not wrong the 24 just came out? Will you get one?

[@dustinhouk776]

That yz always my go to bike

[@inbaconwetrust1739]

Same

[@SL4US]

Mapping issues on stock ecu but ktm and husky finishes ahead of the new yz. What a wash

[@markajyonson4319]

Future motocross

[@jdub976]

My favorite thing about them is the pops. Take care of the map but leave the pop. This test was great.

[@HorsepowerHouse]

Pop is not good. Never has been.

[@rafaellerner3901]

Coisa linda de ouvir

[@eightzerotwo]

Yz is first in my book for 3 reasons. The price, suspension, and carburetor. I’m not sold on efi. Call me old school, but I like having the ability to swap jets vs. hooking a laptop to my bike or being forced to dump in C-12. Tech does not always trump mechanical in my book. Until there’s an app on my phone to adjust the mixture on the fly, efi is a deal breaker for me.

[@alexfeatherstone6676]

Yeah good point but the oil being pre mixed via the throttle body is super cool and a massive attraction to fuel injection.

[@christopherevans4978]

I have a 19 150 sx and I love that it’s just simple and easy to work on

[@SoCalMisfit712]

The jetting on this bike sucks.

[@eightzerotwo]

@@SoCalMisfit712 Agreed. Mine was super rich from the factory. I only ran it like that through the break in period. I don’t remember exactly what it took to get it dialed for my climate and elevation but I know I’m down 3 sizes on the main and one size on the pilot and it’s still a bit fat on the hotter days here. But my point still stands, a little elbow grease and some plug readings and my bike is dialed.

[@MarshalMathew]

It's pretty sad not seeing Suzuki's, Honda's, and Kawasaki in the party 😕

[@boozt4136]

You should have used k2 injector or belray si7, in the injected bikes. They are still fuel injected and require “JASO FD” mix oil. Im not sure even k2 injector is FD rated. Could have changed the test, idk.

[@Driftuner]

YZ still the best for 90% of everyone. And honestly, if you slap a better exhaust on it and take the time to properly jet it, the yz will perform the same as the other bikes if not better. The price gap is enough for me to justify those tune ups...

[@gabrieleb5408]

Gasgas is the best value for money

[@gladegoodrich2297]

Traded my 125 for a new Kawasaki KX 450. Never went fast again😥

[@ballistic1253]

What oil ratio did you guys use in the Husky and KTM?

[@balncobra]

All I’m hearing is mapping issues and no support. So much for EFI being easier than jetting. Guess sticking to carb it is.

[@jasoncornett7948]

My son has the KTM and he says it feels like it cuts out and he doesn’t feel comfortable hitting jumps. How much c12 do I use to help with the popping? Why does it that?

[@Doc-jw4iy]

Where is the bike with number 53 ?

[@NakiwalaArithea]

Yamaha YZ125 (Where can one buy one) any store recommendations.

[@nolacross704]

Anyone have updates on the green map 2 issues

[@pozerisfun9734]

Where is tm, fantic bikes?

[@kochj0713]

Funny how nobody mentions the fact that in MXGP they have 125 series that Reese’s on the same series as the 250 and 450 class Anyone mention who won the 2022 125 MXGP series and on what bike?

[@tahandcrafted]

You guys should test the yz125 GYTR vs stock others since price is the same... Just a thought

[@georgecarmel6114]

With the added weight of 204.5 lb's, does that effect the power to weight advantage on the new platform KTM/HUSKY? and does it effect them in turns and handling over jumps?

[@tannermiller5888]

No, five pounds will be negligent

[@georgecarmel6114]

@@tannermiller5888 cool, thanks. Maybe the added weight might make the air forks feel more plusher on the initial stroke.

[@tannermiller5888]

@@georgecarmel6114 not sure about that, if that were the case then they wouldn’t still be shitty on the 450s

[@64maxpower]

A whole 5 lbs. Don't even pretend to act as if you could notice

[@ryanmcmahon6527]

Why don't KTM/Husky/GG Make a power tuner tool/app for their bikes like the Yamaha 4 strokes have standard? It doesn't make any sense to have to buy a completely different aftermarket ECU just to be able to get your bike top run properly on what fuel you have available locally, let alone tune it to suit your own preference/riding.

[@baggiea1]

Kawi where are you !???

[@mountainslapstick6170]

Soooo a shoot out of a YZ vs 3 Ktms?

[@chihuahuaverde425]

Kaplan sent me :)

[@smoke2stroke597]

yz125🤩😍🥰

[@Killereggman]

back in the KX powervalve we'd ride together 125cc

[@missbussyboy67harrison43]

Nobody can beat the goat. Yz 125 Yamaha.

[@jurdegraaf6660]

pls make one with the new tm 125cc

[@Jesse_Carreon]

Ok now let’s talk about which one blew up last 32:30 and costs to rebuild 💙

[@gianmarcobertini4054]

YZ ON TOP

[@mxr248]

This guys a joke cause he rides KTM.. I’ve rode the yz and some friends that have KTMs actually said the yz is better than their bikes. Even said the power was stronger throughout. Funny this moron said the yz stays on longer and gives you more on top then turns around and say the ktm might cut out but has more power? Wait what?😂

[@herbcanter2114]

YZ will outlast all the rest especially in reliability.

[@mxr248]

@@herbcanter2114 oh absolutely true.. there is no question about that!

[@kevroq6139]

C12 Full or what mix 50-50?

[@tomvanheeswijk5560]

I,m from the Netherlands, doesn’t sound good for the husky and the ktm to run lean here in the deep sand ….. in my opinion the yz is the best bike

[@pinnedoutmx]

They loved the yz125 in every single way, yet gets 4th place because of 2 hp less. Get it, its all about power on 125s, but a great suspension and chassis can make for better lap times

[@woodsrider117]

Too bad you couldn’t get a Sherco and BETA . Basically you just got a KTM and a Yamaha. BETA should be easy enough to call and get a bike. I figure Sherco would be wanting to share a bike too.