When James Stewart raced a 125cc against a field of 250cc

James Stewart racing a 125 two-stroke against a field of 250 four-strokes. Hangtown 2004.
Is James Stewart the best 125 cc rider of all time?
The season started with Hangtown, and even a terrible start in the first moto didn’t deter Stewart. He was able to win the first moto with ease. Stewart was also able to beat Kawasaki KX250F rider Stephane Roncada in the second moto, edging him out in the last few laps. Stewart would go 1-1 at the season opener. Of the 40 riders at Hangtown that year, only nine were atop a 125 two-stroke. Three races later and Stewart had won every single moto.

[@levisalvini4110]

And this is why he became a LEGEND!!!! JS7 FOREVER❤️

[@maverick2242]

What people also forget was that the AMA had banned race fuel for 2 strokes' only at this stage also, so not only did they have a twice the CC capacity deficit the cheating AMA had taken away any chance for 2 strokes to be competitive, shows how good Bubba was on a 125.

[@peaceprayer595]

Excellent point made.

[@sammylacks4937]

Worth every penny , the price of admission.

[@iceKOId]

KX125 was amazing

[@ralphreynolds4803]

Personally, I feel the AMA is a WASTE. If it were not for the mandatory rule to pay them money so I could race, they would not have gotten a PENNY from me.

[@pauliewalnuts240]

Stewart was fined in 04 or 05 for running fuel that was out of compliance so I think he still had the good shit lol. This was undoubtedly the peak of factory 2 stroke development. Plus, 250fs were making 4-5hp less at this time. Not to take anything away from James Stewart, he's the most legendary rider.

[@LP92LEO]

Pretty sure James had that kx125 wide open the whole time around that track, he was just that good. Definitely one of the greatest to ever put a leg over a motocross bike.

[@spd1316]

Absolutely

[@pay2000]

May not be have the most titles in history but to the hard core fan quit possibly the greatest rider to ever walk the earth. The sheer display of riding skills took peoples breath away and etched memories for a life time.

[@michaelknabusch6011]

By far the most physically talented rider I have ever seen

[@Rivighi]

Jeremy McGrath comes to mind

[@japslapr]

​@@RivighiMcGrath is prescrub. James would literally lap him on a sx track.

[@peaceprayer595]

James wouldn't lap McGrath in a million years. He didn't get the nickname crash for no reason. Jeremy was the most consistent rider to ever grace a SX track. @@japslapr

[@japslapr]

@peaceprayer595 yeah, how many perfect seasons does that consistent McGrath have? Cause "crash" has 1 and was only a mechanical away from 2 perfect seasons. Again... McGrath can't scrub... he couldn't compete with today's riders, period. JS7 is also one of the fastest ever in the whoops where McGrath sucked. I stand by my statement.. McGrath gets lapped.

[@motomayhem64]

Not only was James a beast but those kawis were beasts too. The power they got out of those 125s was insane.

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

I can promise you it was nowhere near the horsepower of those 4 strokes. He was just that good!

[@heathkill4821]

@@user-zx1ir7jt4c indeed plus a 125 can be easier to control at full shred than a 250 on bends hes probably using all 6 gears too

[@bunnyman6321]

@@user-zx1ir7jt4c Facts

[@kerontucker4488]

If I’m not mistaken he was the only one on the two stroke. The pro circuit team was on four strokes.

[@mittiejackson3427]

I know I rode Kawasaki.

[@user-zx1ir7jt4c]

I think he did this for an entire season... but this was the BEST James Stewart! This version when he was racing the kx125 he was an absolute phenom... just an amazing talent!

[@mittiejackson3427]

👍 Before James Stewart turned pro when he raced he would lap riders up to 22nd place.

[@DerekMantei]

@@mittiejackson3427 Tomac and Sexton routinely did that this year.

[@mittiejackson3427]

@@DerekMantei probably but they aren't and never will be the fastest man alive on a dirt bike. Carmichael raced lots of riders but he said he never ran across a rider fast as James Stewart.

[@JacobShepherd]

@@mittiejackson3427Stewart lapped up to 2nd or 3rd place at High Point on a 125 one year. I saw it with my own eyes as a kid haha.

[@mittiejackson3427]

Yelp, you got that right 👍

[@tommywallbanger]

I owned a KX 125 2 stroke and a Kawasaki KXF 250 4 stroke. Let me begin by saying I am a 2 stroke guy for life. I have been riding them since 1983. I only owned 1 4 stroke dirt bike, the 2004 KXF 250 which was Kawasaki's 1st year making it and it had it's share of problems like you would expect with a 1st attempt. The KXF handled very nicely, I will give it that. Kawasaki always made good handling bikes. But there is no question that the 4 stroke 250 has tons more power than the 125 2 stroke KX. Not even close. Of course Bubba is an amazing rider but what he did here was unbelievable. You basically cannot make 1 mistake on a 2 stroke where the 4 stroke has so much more power. In riding for 40 years I have blown up exactly one 2 stroke. My 1993 KX 125. The flapper valve cracked and hit the piston and seized it right up. Replaced the flapper valve, got a new piston and ring and bike was restored to normal...that's it. My KXF 250 that I had for like 1 year blew up twice. It required about $1500 to fix the 1st time and the 2nd time I blew it up, I didn't even bother fixing it. I sold it as is as a rolling chassis with all the engine parts. Fixer upper special. I will never buy another 4 stroke mx bike. The 4 strokes just require too much maintenance.

[@M-H433]

Thanks for that novel.

[@wannaseethevid]

I had the 93' 125KX...........that this rang to the moon! I traded it in for my 04' KX125 of which I still have to this day. 4 smokers are pretty cool, fast an' all, but boring really in comparison.

[@ELECTRICMOTOCROSSMACHINE]

He was on another level.

[@didickcheeseburger]

stewart had to work a lot harder on that 125 to fight with the 250f. its crazy he could keep up that level of fight for the whole moto

[@bethcrites9435]

Literally a ground shaking performance......got to chat with larocco at washougal in pits at his exit and he was personally loading bikes circa 99 in the pits .......what a nice,quiet,classy guy

[@2strokeFORever]

James was great on 250t and 450fs but man he was so fun on the 125s. 259 james was the best

[@jedielder7970]

Wow, what a race. This was one of my home town tracks and I don't remember seeing this one... thank you so much for sharing. 👍

[@Mgolf149]

James with out a doubt the BEST 125 two stroke rider in history. Nobody pinned it longer, I don’t know how he did not blow them up often pushing them so hard lol.

[@mxwarlord]

Under powered, kept the wheels on the ground more, better and more lines than everyone else. Signature JS7

[@jpesicka999]

Signature JS259

[@MattC-ly9lr]

James was amazing to watch!!👍👍

[@andrewdellar6212]

Johnny O Mara 96 Mx DN in Italy against 500s is probably one of the best rides on a 125

[@billybob1773]

He wasn't the only one, Jean michel Bayle and Steve Lamson did the same on 125's against 500's at des nations, and Tortelli for that matter who got a worse start than Lamson and was catching him, they finished 1-2

[@rodbrezinski8033]

It was 1986 o show beat cr 500s grand prix I believe David Bailey was 2nd on cr 500

[@michellatour150]

@@rodbrezinski8033 Bailey won the moto on his 500, O'Mara finished second on the 125 and ahead of all the other 500's

[@jedielder7970]

That was an incredible Des Nations and race!

[@rodbrezinski8033]

@@michellatour150 Thank you I remember now many years ago seems like yesterday

[@decalworx3039]

JS7 elevated the sport to a whole new level and he's still to me the most incredible and naturally talented human to throw a leg over a dirt bike . Tomac , Herlings and Sexton are the next Generation of Elevation

[@mxwarlord]

Many many riders are equal if not better now, but for that time he was on top.... Axel Hodges, Tomac, etc....

[@paulf144]

@@mxwarlord Ummmmmmm, no. These videos don't do justice to the things that James Stewart could do on a dirt bike. He is, even to this day, the most skilled racer to ever throw a leg over a dirt bike, especially when it comes to SX. Don't forget, at the END of his career he raced guys that are racing now and he made them look like amatures.

[@mxwarlord]

@@paulf144 Ummm YES! JS7 was good, but sorry there are MUCH better riders these days..PERIOD! FanBoi

[@mxwarlord]

@@paulf144 JS7 is not the GOAT....

[@___kayed]

@@mxwarlordclown activity

[@chrisbarker1895]

Such a shame the 125 was ruined, always delivered great racing

[@iceKOId]

I hated that transition from 125/250 to 250/450 it’s so confusing when talking history of 2 stroke racing. Then they started calling the smaller bikes LITES, did they get rid of that?

[@markme4]

Would love to watch today's top pros race each other on 125s. Skies the limit on engine mods

[@yamaha4902]

​@@markme4yea stadiums would be full again if they brought a 125 class back, but sadly we dont matter and electric trash will probably get a class before we ever see another 2 stroke class.🙂🔫

[@djjazzyjeff1232]

@@yamaha4902 Stadiums are full NOW dude, it doesn't matter what they race on people come for the racing not the machinery.

[@rushtoolman]

This was the most everyone saw of James all year. After this event he checked OUT of every Moto.

[@chippedspline]

The time I seen James was 2002 before he was a big name But everyone was starting realize he was the next great rider to make history It was at Rice Eccels Stadium in SLC Utah when the gate dropped Bubba cracked that throttle open and never let off I had never seen or heard of anything like it before I seriously thought the engine was going to blow I truly did needless to say he won every heat and gained a forever fan

[@Realhighlife]

I used to race back in day in gold cup series bubba was something else inwatched him from 50cc on up my buddy was good friends with him went to his track in Haines city many times .....James genuine dude

[@jermainephillips5179]

Yes I remember RC and other top 250 sx guys said they would watch Bubba in the 125sx practice and see what he was doing.He did stuff on a 125 the 250 sx guys wasn't doing.he was fearless...

[@DuhYaThink]

And put down faster lap times than 250’s 💥

[@SirPhilMcCrackinVonBeggington]

fearless and crashed more than any other rider on earth.

[@footnotedrummer]

Stewart is a GOAT. The guy was just a complete natural, with ingenious ways of scrubbing time.

[@tonyt8805]

🎊 🎊 🎊 🎊 🎊

[@chriszbodula1894]

This was an amazing race. And clean too, which is unusual for James. Much better race to watch when they ride cleanly and respect the other riders.

[@numbzinger350]

Incredible. Thanks for the memories!

[@tangerineunicorn793]

I was at Millville that year, and in Saturday practice James Stewart hit the holy Schmidt when it was originally built and it was way bigger than it is now. He had that KX 125 completely straight up and down in the air. Chad Reed, Ricky Carmichael, and Kevin Windham were the only guys hitting it every lap during the race

[@movingamountain]

I was there too. That jump was insane. I had this wallpaper on my desktop of Carmichael hitting it, but I lost it. I wish I could find it again. Stewart hitting it on a 125 is almost unbelievable.

[@chetmanley7209]

Could have done without the Dracula commentary.

[@jerryhill4893]

It added to the mystique. Lol.

[@chetmanley7209]

Lol.

[@gawdszn302]

lmfao facts

[@im_a_bigdog7772]

blah blah blahhh 🧛🏼‍♂️

[@mikeh.753]

The man the myth the legend and don't forget the GOAT.

[@tonyt8805]

🎊 🎊 💯 😎 💯 🎊 🎊

[@jasonbell5905]

Only Stewart can beat Stewart.

[@lindsaymcpherson4744]

I think the slightly less power of the kawi' 125 played into the hands of one of the greatest , Less power means less wheel spin

[@slayer6936]

He can ride!! It was all or nothing with James!! I still ride a 2 smoker!!

[@mikepalmer2219]

He was kind of Ricky Bobby like. If your not first your last. Lol. In all seriousness the dude was fast as hell though.

[@76vetten]

I miss James on the track. He was so fun to watch. I saw James at Elsinore years ago on the big track on a 125. He smoked everyone.

[@garryhall5347]

I really love 125 two strokes,the sound on full song,oh the smell does something to me,pumps blood.

[@rocknrye9273]

Bro, when you get over lapped by a 125cc 2 stroke on a 250f, Maybe it's time to think of retiring 😂😂

[@johngaller9277]

Guy Cooper could hang on with this lot on a DR 250s with turn signals. Two strokes are the ultimate tool for motocross. I'm old and stuck in my ways. James Stewart is amazing, btw.

[@carlcroyl1294]

Lmfao... a dr250 let alone turn signals. I'm dying laughing but would love to see! Johngaller9277 you are the man!

[@thequadzillaking]

Yes. James Stewart , when he’s “ON” is Peerless. Only Moto people can truly understand the Incredible Strength and Skill he possesses. If I was lotto rich I would definitely try to get an audience with him.

[@HeavyK_MXB]

I remember last year jared lesher qualified for a SX main event on a 250 2 stroke, i believe it was the first time a 2 stroke was in a main event since james stewart rode the kx250 the last year

[@brandonfoley8070]

This was a little before my time but that 125 must of been fast as hell

[@TheSlymaster1]

Trust me, it was the rider haha

[@jaymontgomery3330]

James was just that good at keeping the 125 singing. ON THE PIPE!

[@brandonfoley8070]

haha music to my ears @@jaymontgomery3330

[@americanwriter2533]

🤩🇺🇸👍Saw this kid in Hardeeville S.C., around 1989...He was a very fast rider there & the talk of the race track!🤩🇺🇸👍🇯🇵🏁🏁🏁

[@kingdong311]

I remember this. What also needs to be brought up is the fact that Roncada was running on pain killers the entire season. Due to a lingering back problem, he developed an addiction for pills. I think the following year, he was also keeping up with RC a few times. Until RC would usually stuff him into the hay bales.

[@trickkzz]

Love you James s. ! You done what every ducker said you wouldn’t

[@r35gallery]

2 stroke forever ❤🏁

[@pmsg9664]

What year was this?

[@eatcommies1375]

Awesome edit👍

[@MotoTony27]

Thanks ✌

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

Nahh I think it’s more amazing that Roncada was able to mix it up with Stewart even with the more powerful bike. JS7 is a LEGEND

[@iaingoldsmith7880]

I love the smell and sound of 2 stroke never been a 4 stroke fan

[@eric6rock]

Not only on the 125 he also showed what he was capable on the 250 2 Stroke, especially on the Outdoors back in 2005 when Ricky had an Advantage as far as the 450 against James.

[@JimmyLeeDragon]

He did good for everyone else having double the cc in motor size.....same as a 50 racing a 100,...250 vs 450

[@specialksplaytime2385]

Why does the thumbnail say 2 stroke killer?

[@DisasterTheoryX]

Lets clarify this first since the title is misleading. He raced a FACTORY 125cc that produced around 35HP to the tire. The 250cc bikes on the gate at the time of this race produced around 40HP so he was not by any means hurting for power and in fact probably had an advantage in some areas of the track like tighter sections. 250cc engines now produce in the ballpark of 45HP for factory machines now. Oh and we are talking fourstroke machines not 2strokes. The 250cc 2 stroke would produce close to 50HPduring this time.

[@motoprofessor3546]

Only Stewart could of done that.

[@theread3480]

Villopoto won the motocross of nations on a 250f against 450’s

[@chrisclifford4109]

@@theread3480 that’s one race. Stew did this all season. Also a 250f is closer to a 450f than a 125 to a 250f

[@paulf144]

@@chrisclifford4109 Yep.

[@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800]

@@theread3480 big diffrence in a 250f than a 125

[@CarlosRodrigues-bq9sk]

@@mosthatedandroidtunernolim9800 wat a Diference?

[@arturcuryllo5832]

Good video, but the voiceover is better suited for a librarian, or a Russian mobster playing it cool while giving orders.

[@jeffgallant649]

James was always my favorite racer but injuries forced him to retire early he was the beast on the track

[@bunnyman6321]

Injuries didn't cause him to retire. It was the crappy Yamaha and the FIM caused his retirement.

[@mittiejackson3427]

Carmichael said James Stewart was the fastest person he's seen on a dirt bike... Go Brother.

[@bunnyman6321]

@@mittiejackson3427 Yup

[@brettgerber795]

I had the ‘04 KX250F. God it sucked. We had so many valve & valve spring issues about every 5 hours on the dot according to our tiny tack we installed on it.

[@LeftThumbBreak]

Esp in the 125's, there was never a rider so talented and absolutely dedicated to speed.

[@spankeyguitars8457]

wow, nice battle for sure.

[@tonyrips27]

James rode every bike right in its best power range didn’t matter what it was!

[@cheechychongz7124]

I remember when Jonny Cambell did this in Darwin 1997 and beat the NT champion 💪

[@loganstandridge3584]

Who’s Rocanda?

[@user-ii8cz7kc1r]

My son raced a 125 against open in the desert and the arena Was fun to watch him whip ass!

[@bartbullock9742]

Mostly coby track, these guys make it look easy.

[@olivertoeknuckleiii2093]

Oh- and let’s not forget how JS7 crashed TWICE in the “lights” class and still finished second in his SX debut at Aneheim 1!

[@jamescameron7633]

I had the same KX 125 and it would blow off any 250 4 stroke anywhere any time any day or night

[@ryanbarker4422]

Two strokes always faster than a four-stroke if you can ride the two stroke

[@mareksumguy1887]

Who’s “Rocanda”??

[@andyjackson2269]

259#2 stroke 👊👊👊👌👌

[@me8604]

Skill and determination

[@petemcpeterson6205]

The best there is, was and ever will be !

[@thomaskitlica5572]

I wish they would come back with a affordable 2 stroke dual purpose bike! Miss the powerband!!

[@OppositeOfTheLeft]

I never dreamed that there would be anyone better than McGrath, and Carmichael. However, I also never thought that Carmichael would be better than McGrath. Stewart was in a league of his own.

[@matdogg28]

They needed 250 four strokes to make competition even, and he still smoked everyone. Nobody ride a two stroke that JS7. Insane!

[@merccrewlcab2385]

What ever happened to Roncada and Hepler eh, both were so dang fast!

[@HorsepowerHouse]

That is all he rode in that class except for one round at the end of his 125 career. And he said it felt like 'cheating' when he was racing with a 250F under him.

[@taylorlatch2635]

You can see on the straights where the 250f had a massive advantage. In certain technical parts of the track the 125t had a slight advantage. Of course the main advantage was Stewart lol. I'm sure if Stewart was on the 250f (and comfortable) he would have destroyed Rincada (spelling?) on a 125t. Anyone know why James rode the 125 that year? Was it more comfortable for him or something? I remember being a kid and seeing him in magazine covers whipping the kx125.

[@ready2rise]

I actually had the privilege of speaking to him in the pits during autograph signings earlier that year at the st louis Supercross and I asked him that exact question. He told me that it was the better choice for him and the fans! He's the reason I'm still hellbent on riding 2strokes lol. If it wasn't for I think 2 or 3 crashes at red bud 1st moto he would've went 24-0 that year

[@edyilky6778]

Best rider of the race. Wins on 125 vs 250s proves its all about rider ability to go fast. 125 all out he laps most of the 250 guys. Amazing rider .

[@andrealuigilaplaca1291]

GOAT lap for lap

[@Denault89]

Roncada was definitely on the pipe and the drug that day!!!

[@bobnoxious719]

I think it was Danny Magoo Chandler that won a race at the MXdN years ago against 500's

[@sambuvca22]

A James Stewart was on a the beast mode ehh

[@dapawaz8310]

JMO, but a 125 2 stroke is the most fun dirt bike there is. Plus now that I'm old, it's not nearly as tiring to throw around.

[@garygoodwin1300]

Some boy in is day 👍👍👍🤛

[@steveogee7458]

Pure talent.

[@JT-dj9hc]

Out braking in every corner. Just incredible

[@jasonkhoury4328]

Commentator: dude you sound like you've taken a thousand sleeping pills

[@tomcumby9045]

james is allso a great comentator to for moto. one of the best compared to 4

[@randysixt1479]

👍🏼 The bikes run in the same class because they have the same power output.

[@dagodigs]

James on a 2 stroke is awesome

[@ZacharyGalloway]

Those first generation 250F's were dogs and new to almost everyone so I'm not really sure who had the disadvantage at this time. in 2005 RC went back from his CRF450R to the RM250 during his first SX season with Suzuki and won. At that point the 450's were a lot stronger than the 250f's compared to the 2 stroke options. Really don't think the 250f's started to get good until the 08 Honda and 09 Kawasaki's and newer. Big wide heavy tanks for the first few generations.

[@852motosports]

Your absolutely right I said that and these dudes all say I'm full of shit lol I raced back then and first gen 250f did not compare but manufactures werepushing 250f by time 250 got good James was already on his second year on a 450

[@mikebrown41182]

Thus the 250 two stroke made as much power as the 450 indoors, Ricky Asked for a certain horsepower Ian and Suzuki had to work their rear of to get him comfy. I talked to goose back in 2010 and he told me the hp were the same as his 450 the differences was the torque. So R.C jumping back to a 250 two stroke from a 450 was not powerwise as a big jump as James on the 125 and the 250f. But you’re correct the 250f were fairly new to everyone except Yamaha. Mitch did however figure it out pretty fast.

[@4touchdowns1game29]

Lol no they weren't. The 250 f has always had more of an advantage than the 450 against two strokes. First the 250f gets double displacement, 450 does not. Also many supercross obstacles you can do on a 250 2 stroke. 125 2-stroke can't do any of the obstacles a 250f can.

[@bunnyman6321]

Lies

[@jaysmooth6374]

Thank u bro, someone here has some sense. Yeah 250fs have a lot of power, bottom end but the 2 strokes got more top end amd better throttle response and they're lighter than the average 4 strokes. So power to weight ratio was also on his side . And exactly, the 4 strokes didn't hit their heyday until about 08-10. Bubba always been fast, on a 2 or 4 stroke. And these morons that say 4 strokes require more maintenance than 2 strokes...🙄🙄🙄 prolly the dumbest thing I've ever heard in the motocross community

[@cody181818]

God i had so much anxiety and clinching my teeth. What a excellent race❤❤❤❤ 2stroke❤❤❤❤❤

[@scottpeters8640]

As great as Stew was on the KX 125, he went to a whole nother level at the last round riding that KX 250F at Glen Helen.

[@illDragup]

Make 2 strokes Great Again!

[@miketee2444]

Most anyone that knows Moto X knows the 125s had lap times equal or faster than 250s on many tracks. That's for small riders which most good moto guys are.

[@poker8193]

They changed the tracks to help with the 4 strokes power curve being diffrent

[@thomaskitlica5572]

Don't understand why they did away with two stroke??? Way more power and less weight and cheaper!!!

[@TheQuadruped]

Superb motocross

[@ralphreynolds4803]

Every time James passed a competitor, I imagine him muttering, "Take THAT, mofo!"

[@oldheadneverlacking7010]

That’s camera footage and angles was sick!!

[@wraith3951]

As Great a Fest as that was, it can not be accomplished today. 250’s of that day didn’t have or create the power the same as they do now and 125’s don’t have the technology advancements that 4strokes of today have been blessed with. Rider learning evolution and track evolution have changed drastically since then. It was Great while it lasted😔

[@paulf144]

Even back then a 250f was a HUGE advantage over a 125.

[@mikebrown41182]

@@paulf144 Not as huge do. James bike were as modified it could have been at the time.

[@socks2441]

@@mikebrown41182 im sure the 250's were as modified as they could be at the time too. but i get your point.

[@paulf144]

@@mikebrown41182 And they were STILL not on par with the 250Fs of that time. Why do you think he was the only guy racing one his last year in the class?

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Imagine what a 175 CC Two stroke could do!

[@ibewillow]

This isnt anything unusual, the 125 2 strokes used to run with the 250 4 strokes and the 250 2 strokes used to run with the 450 4 strokes all the time. I remember the transition to 4 stroke, the 125 2 strokes used to run at the front of the lites field frequently, they were very evenly matched.

[@andrewmapes8205]

exactley what I said, whats so crazy about it lol