Quick Ride

YAMAHA TT-R125L

Quick Ride

Mini YZ400F

YAMAHA IS LEAVING NO stone unturned. When it sees an opening in the market, it attacks with gusto. If a competitor's bike is merely adequate, company engineers build something better. The booming playbike market is the explanation for the new TT-R125L, which is designed to fit aspiring off-roaders who are too small for a 200cc Thumper, or are in the size/experience gap between 80 and 125cc two-strokes.

And what a perfect fit the little Yammie is, what with its 31.5inch seat height, 178-pound claimed dry weight and slim, ag gressive profile. As such, it feels like a real motorcycle, not a dumbed-down cost-cutter. Equally important, a simple prod on the kickstarter brings the TT-R to life. Easy starting, for sure. Engine performance is peppy but not overly so, with surpris ing torque from the air-cooled, sohc, 124cc four-stroke. The motor pulls strongly, and boasts enOugh power to keep novices happy. it will even occupy most old hands for the better part of a day, provided there is someone else on a TT-R with whom to

mix it up. (Credit here goes to theadditional 25cc of displace ment compared to Honda's yen erable.XR1OO~) Shifting through the five-speed gearbox is child's play, aided by a streetbike-style

Heimjointe lever assembly Then, there is the suspension While the fork and shock aren t top-of~the4ine, YZ8O.~spec stuff, they do absorb bumps well. Great, in other words, for the intended rider looking to smooth out trackor trail. The suspension will bottom when pushed by more experienced riders, but the chassis still takes more of a beating than that of an

XR. Good thing, too, because even if this is your wife's bike, you'll no doubt want to ride it. Handling is another strong point. Given the TT-R's nearly full-size dimensions, riders can get the most out of the chassis. Larger 19and 16-inch wheels manage bumps and ruts better than the smaller rims fitted to the TT-R90 and standard, drum braked TT-R125. Speaking of brakes, the 125L's front disc adds extra points to the bike's performance.

So, where does the TT-R fit? Well, for everyone from a 30something backyard supercross champ to a 13-year-old whose dad declares, "You're getting one of them two-cycles over my dead XR500R," to a mid-20s female enthusiast who just wants a bike that fits her, the TTR is a winner. With a suggested retail price of $2499, the TT-R offers a lot of bang for the buck-especially for those who were prepared to spend twice that amount on an XR/CR8O frame conversion. And for anyone looking to be come the next Doug Henry, don't worry: The aftermarket will pro vide the opportunity to make the TT-R into a miniature YZ400F. Jimmy Lewis