Quick Ride

Quick Ride

YAMAHA YZ125

The low-carb plan

DOES THE NEW, ALUMInum-framed 2005 Yamaha YZ125 live up to its hype? That depends on whether you were sucked in by the Four-Stroke Revolution or prefer the agility and response of the "dying" twostroke. With its new engine, frame and suspension, this latest YZ has been completely redesigned to take on the 250cc four-strokes that have come into prominence in the 125cc class.

The liquid-cooled, 124cc, reed-valve-inducted twostroke is said to be 4 pounds lighter and a quarter of an inch shorter from crank cen ter to swingarm-pivot center, with the cylinder canted 7.5 degrees farther forward for a straighter exhaust port and lower center of gravity. Helping to give the bike a more even power spread is the return to a six-speed transmission.

The change from a steel frame to aluminum is drama tic. Saving weight was the main goal, and the new frame is said to be 4 pounds lighter than the old one, helping the bike tip the scales 10 pounds below last year's model. Per sonally, however, my favorite aspect of the new frame is

how well it cleans up. One ride on the old bike and you'd have major frame scratches, the paint rubbing off and leaving it looking old and ugly. The new unpainted frame always looks fresh.

Playing a big part in handling is the new suspen sion. As on the `05 YZ250, the 125's fork has been upgraded using an Air/Oil Separate System with a Transfer Control Valve for stable damping and improved midto full-stroke perfor mance. Along with that, a new shock features a full-rebound oil-lock circuit for a smoother ride in the rough stuff.

All of these changes sound good on paper, but do they work? Absolutely. Hopping onto the YZ 125 was a joy after riding the latest twostroke 250s from Yamaha and Suzuki, plus the fourstroke Honda CRF250 and 450. Compared to last year’s model, the ’05 YZ pulls harder up hills, out of turns and over hard-to-make jumps.

Yamaha did a good job of making the aluminum frame stiff yet not too rigid, so the bike still feels like it has a steel frame. In rough chop, it goes straight without any funny stuff, like swapping or headshake. And the suspension just soaks up bigger hits such as jump landings and square-edged holes.

With its strong power, incredible handling and lightweight feel, the new YZ125 makes you believe you’re 16 again! Whether you’re a four-stroke guy or a two-stroke guy, an old fat guy or someone on his way to being old and fat, this is one fun machine. It’s set to shake up the current class landscape and set a new standard for two-stroke performance. With an MSRP of $5299, it’s even priced light! -Ryan Dudek