Yamaha YZ125X 2020 – Power packed Woods Weapon
Yamaha YZ125X 2020 - Power packed Woods Weapon
- Julian
- June 17, 2019
- 3:12 pm
- No Comments
You’ve got to hand it to Yamaha. As the only Japanese manufacturer to keep any two-strokes in their model line up, they’ve kept faith with a large proportion of the motorcycle community. OK so the basics of the YZ250 and YZ125 haven’t altered a great deal in over a decade, but they constantly manage to find a way to repackage the bikes for the next generation. And the YZ125X is the latest addition to the team, a pint-sized woods weapon that just about every off-road rider would love to add to the collection.
Good things often come in small packages, and Man! Does this bike ever prove that! It’s as sweet as a sugar sandwich with maple syrup, and we love it!
THE MOTOR
At the heart of the little Yamaha YZ125X is a 124 cc, liquid-cooled two-stroke motor with reed valve induction and the usual power valve on the exhaust port. The basic engine is not worlds apart from the unit first used back in 2005, but has received gentle tweaks each year it’s been in production.
For 2019 and for the YZ125X model, the cylinder head has been reshaped as has the power valve which had a broader opening time compared to the stock YZ125 to give a smoother spread of power across the rev range. The CDI has also been adjusted for the particular needs of woods riding rather than all out motocross madness.
There’s a six speed gearbox, the transmission going through an O-ring chain, again a change from the conventional chain used for motocross.
The exhaust has been slimmed down too, both horizontally and vertically to give the best clearance when the going gets super-tight, and the radiators are large capacity to keep that little motor from getting too hot and bothered.
THE CHASSIS
Central to the YZ two-stoke range is the unique aluminium frame, with the instantly recognisable side elements to the frame rails. The construction gives a unique strength and flex that has kept the bike a track favourite alongside the legions of steel framed European opposition from KTM. At the rear, there is a removable aluminium box section subframe.
As to the suspension, the Yamaha YZ125X runs fully adjustable Kayaba USD forks up front with 300mm of travel, teamed with a single Kayaba shock at the rear operating through a linkage and giving a massive 315mm travel. The forks are conventional spring design, Yamaha leaving the complications of air forks well away from the reliable simplicity that the YZs have always been known for.
The wheels are 18/21 rather than the 19/21 on the MX version, this giving better options for enduro rubber. Brakes are a single 270mm petal disc up front and a 245mm disc at the back end, and the bikes come with enduro friendly Dunlop Geomax hoops as standard.
THE EXTRAS
OK so what else do you get on the X that’s specific to the cross country model? Well, there’s a gripper seat cover to keep you in place as you nip through the trees, and the handlebars have fully adjustable mounts to fine tune your ride.
On a more practical level, there’s a side stand so you can park it up, and a fuel tap with a reserve position so you know when you are going to run out rather than just stop in the middle of nowhere!
THE FIGURES
| Seat Height | 955 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1455 mm |
| Rake | 26 degrees |
| Trail | 116 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 350 mm |
| Wet Weight | 94 kg |
THE CATCH
OK so there had to be a catch, and this might well be it. As far as we can tell, the YZ125X is a model for the US market, designed to appeal to the legions of GNCC and Hare Scramble riders. Although targeted as an entry level model for younger riders, we can see this bike appealing right across the age range – the 125 is such an enjoyable bike to ride that if you love dirt bikes, you’ll love this one. And at $6699, you’ll love the price too!
Whether the Yamaha YZ125X comes to other territories remains to be seen, but if it does, you need one in your life!
Find out about the rest of the Yamaha Cross country range here
