125cc too small?

[Rabidsnipe]

So I'm pretty much hooked on this whole dirt bike business.  But there is a slight hitch.  With other things going on this year (vacation, other bike upgrades, etc.), it looks like I really wouldn't be able to get into one of the new dual sports (XT225, KLX250) until maybe next year.  I've seen a lot of 125cc bikes on Craigslist for what would be totally doable this year.  But one question, is a 125cc going to be too small for me?  I'm 5'10" 165 lbs.  I'm sure I could have just as much fun on a 125 and I figure I'd rather buy something now and have it for a year to learn as opposed to spending all year waiting until I've got the money for something a little bigger.

[bluepoof]

There's no such thing as too small.  I just bought a CRF80F and it's probably the most fun bike I've ever owned.

[chimera]

Just about any 125 MX bike will destroy a dual sport in the dirt.  There are no road going compromises. The combination of stiffer suspension, lower weight, knobby tires, lower gearing, and two-stroke punch makes for some wicked fun.

Have very fond memories of a re-jetted YZ125.  That Yamaha was so peaky it was like having an on/off switch.  It was a blast.  I am 5-9 and was about 160 at the time.

You are fairly new to the dirt, correct? You going to the track or trail?  

[R.Markus]

125cc should be fine, out of curiosity what is it? If it's a teo stroke it will be plenty big anf more powerful than you think. If it's a four stroke it will be mild mannered, yet very fun to ride in the dirt.

Off road is one of those places where having too much power can be a bad thing, while being underpowered will be only slightly annoying on occasion.
 

[Rabidsnipe]

You are fairly new to the dirt, correct? You going to the track or trail?  

Yes.  Brand new.  I've been on a dirt bike once but I think that pretty much settled it for me.  I'm really just trying to find something in my price range **cheap**.  I imagine my riding would be more trail type riding as opposed to track time.

[chimera]

Yes.  Brand new.  I've been on a dirt bike once but I think that pretty much settled it for me.  I'm really just trying to find something in my price range **cheap**.  I imagine my riding would be more trail type riding as opposed to track time.

In my experience the KX's and CR's have more bottom end/less top end thwack making them a little better trail bikes.  All the 2 stroke 125 MX bikes are going to take a bit of clutching versus a bigger thumper on the trails.

[twotrackhero]

Yes.  Brand new.  I've been on a dirt bike once but I think that pretty much settled it for me.  I'm really just trying to find something in my price range **cheap**.  I imagine my riding would be more trail type riding as opposed to track time.

one thing to think about for trail riding on a two smoke is hauling oil along for the ride and estimating mix ratios when fueling up I have ridden both two strokes and newer four strokes and one thing I don't miss is mixing gas on a ride, when you prepare for it it is no big deal, but just pulling up to a pump fueling up and moving on is pretty convienient.

with all that being said any bike is better than no bike, so go for it and have fun

[hig4s]

So I'm pretty much hooked on this whole dirt bike business.  But there is a slight hitch.  With other things going on this year (vacation, other bike upgrades, etc.), it looks like I really wouldn't be able to get into one of the new dual sports (XT225, KLX250) until maybe next year.  I've seen a lot of 125cc bikes on Craigslist for what would be totally doable this year.  But one question, is a 125cc going to be too small for me?  I'm 5'10" 165 lbs.  I'm sure I could have just as much fun on a 125 and I figure I'd rather buy something now and have it for a year to learn as opposed to spending all year waiting until I've got the money for something a little bigger.

In 2000 I picked up a used 99 Husqvarna CR125, I'm 5'9" 200lbs,, It had more than enough power to pull me as fast as I wanted to go, rarely ever got to 6th gear. I even managed to clear a 50' table top at the local MX track on it. Scared myself silly, but made it and didn't crash.

Although a motocross bike for someone that doesn't have a fair amount of experience can be a hand full.  If you can find a used KTM 200 EXC it would be much better.  About the same size and top end power of a 125 but much more low end torque, much easier to ride.  You should be able to find them from 1998 to 2002 for between $1000 and $2000.