Blow up a 2-stroke? A couple hundred bucks and a few hours and it's good as new...or better. Blow up a thumper? Well, let's just say there's no incentive for the manufacturers to promote 2-strokes.

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2 stroke- the sweet sound of controlled aggression
4 stroke- a sound sort of like Rosanne Barr after the double nachos at Chili’s.

Moreover, finally, RacerX is getting real about the sport, not just the cost but the transition issue for kids.

Nice job Ping.

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decided last year that since im not racing anymore i'm going back to 2-strokes full time. i was leanging toward a new ktm 150 but saving a ton of cash and rebuilding a used yz15 might be fun too

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I have a 125sx that I love, but my bike never did anything like that with my fat butt crushing the life out of my shock. Something to be said for skill perhaps? Maybe I need to lose some weight, take a motocross class, get focused...

...or maybe I could just pretend that was me and eat some Doritos as a reward for my apparently bodacious skills.

mmmm - Love that tangy goodness.

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after blowing up and spending way too much on the 4 strokes i'm switching back to a 2 stroke, honestly 4 strokes are great, but they are handicapping the sport.

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My friend wanted to start riding and got a 98CR125 for $800. Flat front tire, back tire smoked, headgasket leaking so bad that it would pump the radiator dry, etc... He's got $1300 in it now and it runs pretty decent. Drag raced a 2009 KTM250SX and held him off through the first 3 gears. Not too bad for a dinosaur.

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You guys did such a good job with that video, exposing the 2-stroke for what it is. The most fun, affordable way to ride.

The more exposure the 125 and 250 2-strokes get, the more things will change in amateur racing to the amateurs benefit.

Thanks.

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I could almost smell the Klotz as you were making your passes Dave.
I always owned 250, 2 strokes, but I sure did enjoy jumping on a 125 now and then to make you actually feel like you could really ride...
Brings a tear, to my one good eye! Whaaa

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Thanks for the article Ping. You are right, if anybody out there wants to get in this sport for the first time or is tired of bustin your wallet on the 4t this is the way to go. Wether you ride practice days or do the occasional race, you can be very competitive and have a blast while you are at it. My 2009 YZ250 has never given me any problems keep the filter clean, preventitive maintenance and keep the bike clean,has given me nothin but fun. I do not understand the "not so big four" killing the 2t. Thank you KTM for continuing 2t development. My next bike will be a Katoom.

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Long live smokers!

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the bike shure looks good. The house and track look even better. Boy i wish i
could have a track in my back yard. Does anyone know where that track is and is it for sale??????The pool is sick

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Damn, Ping rips on the 125 -- good stuff.

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I have a 2006 YZ 125 that has all the good parts listed plus a 144 Athena big bore kit. This bike is the most fun you can have in the dirt! I haven't been able to think of one good reason to replace this bike. Thanks for spreading the word PIng!

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41 years old, grew up on 2 strokes, have been riding honda 250f's since 05 currently have 2010 crf awesome bike, but i just bought 07 cr125 sent it to Forward Motion, Eric built me a mid to top 144 and wow!! this thing rips, I smile so big when I ride it I don't know why my helmet shell does not break, Less than 3k in everything, bike, big bore, new bottom end parts, chain, sprockets,w/c perch and 2 new dunlops and other stuff im sure I forgot, bottom line not a bucks and a huge bang, fresh air cleaners some yamalube R = hours of excitement, looks like the 4spanker is gonna collect some dust for a while.

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that was awesome! i want a 125 again...thanks ping and racerx!

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Would be nice if you guys could test a Husqvarna CR125 2-stroke as well. Very curious about what ping thinks of it. Cheers!

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ill take the 4 stroke.

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all day every day

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Can't see any video posted.

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oldmoto - this might help

http://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Moto-Related,20/RacerX-Films-not-Available,1239128

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Bought a 125SX this year, and still own it, yes it is fun. But my 350 makes me feel safer. Maybe after riding a 4 stroke for the last 10 years my style has changed. I just don't feel comfortable jumping the 125, but love holding it wide open in turns.

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AMA Pro Racing should be 3 classes like back in the day. It could easily be 125/250/450 125 and 250 classes would obviously be dominated by two strokes based on their natural superiority. 125 class (two stroke only) 250 class could allow 350 four strokes and the 450 class would be four stroke only so the manufacturers don't lose out on the development dollars they've spent over the last decade. Lose the Women's class at the nates and add a 125 class. Could be a low budget support class and a good step between 85s and the overpriced 250 four stroke class.

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The sound of a 125 is the best. I have always liked the blue of Yamahas but god do I hate that plastic. The 250F and 450F plastic looks ok but the 2 strokes could use a bit of a revamp!

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I was a two stroke freak! Fell for the four strokes with an '85 xr350r, moved up to an '03 CRF450r,and moved even further up by switching BACK to an '95 CR250r,yes I said "further up",as this CR250 has made me realize that the cost of maintaining,or the dreaded rebuild after a grenade goes off in the engine is WAY more than what it should cost to try and compete in today's racing. Is it the latest and greatest?,no,but it was good enough for Henry and McGrath,so it does just fine for me! Unfortunately I recently crashed into a tree on it,the bike is fine,but the way my spine ended up means I will never swing a leg over a dirt bike again,I still love to sit in my shop and stare at it though!

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