These were my era of active racing machines. As a tall rider (almost 6'2) the Rm had the best chassis and an engine that could be squeezed to compete with the Honda. I gave up my Cr for a Suzuki as well for comfort. The Honda still sounds the best. Great shootout Max !
Thanks for watching mate, glad you enjoyed it! I have to say i thought the RM sounded best, but it's a very close race all round between Yellow and Red for me
I know what you mean. I had a 92 rm250 in high school and still do all these years later that is def more roomy for me at 6’4” but I have a special spot in my heart for Hondas.. one thing about the Suzukis of that era is I cannot stand the built in subframe. Still love the bike tho lol
Awesome shootout!! I’m 53 and still have most of my old shootout Magazines at home. This brings back so many memories. I want another one now! A 250 shootout would be Awesome! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
I still have all of the Shootouts from the late 70's up until the early 90's.From 80cc Bikes up to the 500cc big Bikes.I had the shootout Winner in 1979 a Suzuki RM 125N and the1982 shootout Winner the Suzuki RM 250.I raced the 250 and won 4 races that year,came in 2nd twice and 3rd twice,came in 2nd place in the Season Championship.
I had an 87' YZ125 in 88' & loved the power even though I was rubbish ! Standing at 5ft2 and weighing 8st the suspension was too soft even for me 😂 More of these vintage shootouts please Max 🙏👍
Paul who owns this YZ was very much the same i think, he said he got goosebumps seeing Sean ride it like that! The plan is to do more of these as soon as we can :D Thanks for watching as always mate
Fantastic video..I did race the Suzuki back then. I did put on a Öhlins on the rear and that was day and night for the bike . That bike had smoked the CR (-: Keep the videos coming..this shows you don't need to spend a fortune to have fun with a dirt bike and with the right setup they are still competitive
This was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I grew up in the 2 stroke era before the TH-cam days and this was even far better than reading one of the magazines back in the 80's. I currently own a '89 Cr 125, so of course I was showing a little favoritism. Go big red, lol!! Keep up the awesome videos bro!! ✌🏾
Love the shootout!! Thanks.. I wanted a CR125R (I have a CR250R).. I randomly bought the 1st 125 I could get my hands on. Didn't care if it was aluminum frame, steel frame, whatever I could get my hands on.. I drove 5 1/2 hours to pick it up (around here, they sell within an hour of listing,,,, every time). I got down there to buy, and BAM! 1989... Same EXACT story with my 250, except I found it a year earlier,,,, I drove 6 hours to get it, and BAM! 2001. Now I think I should buy a lottery ticket before my luck runs out 😂
Awesome as always Max! I absolutely love my Dad's 87 CR 125, it may not have the power of my modern 150 sx, but it's still more fun! (and that's saying something, because the 150 is an absolute blast)! Keep up the good work dude.
25 more cc is a huge difference.. and new ktm uses more higher end parts on bikes nowadays. If you’d trick out that 87 it would just depend on the better rider in a match
This is exactly the kind of content that makes your channel unique, because it involves older bikes from a golden era of motocross instead of promoting new release models
As soon as I saw this I sat down and had my lunch and started watching!!!! Amazing to get 4 period correct 125’s in good nick. You’ve built the most interesting motorcycle channel on the tube!!!!!!👍🏼 Brrrrraappppppp brrrrrrrappppp!!!!
Max, your a legend, absolutely loved your video from start to finish, you come up with the best ideas and put them on to video for us all to enjoy, don't known what you will do next , except now it will be pure class. well done and thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it mate! It was a really fun one to make, we've got some cool stuff in the bank and in the pipeline. We like to keep you guys on your toes ;-)
How about a 99 ' KX100? That was my first bike and I swear it needed a new lower end. Maybe the KX was just like that, I dunno. Any info would be appreciated. I wanna get back into riding again but I'd prob stay away from KX. I loved my friends YZ 125 so I'd look for an older YZ or CR.
Great to see and with the enthusiasm! I started with a '86 CR 125 in '88 (just because Sherwood Honda was local to me) for my 1st season AMCA - Through the Junior class, then a new '88 which timed well for 1st (maybe my 2nd?!) Intermediate race; Then I used that through Intermediate's & into the Expert class (both '86 & '88 were great IMO) until end of '88 season. Had a new CR 125 in '89 ready for that season, qualifier's - Unfortunately came off at my own clubs track (25/6/89) 1 week after 2nd round of '89 Championship (Crick, Rugby) which 'literally' stopped me racing 😞... but it ('89 CR 125) was a great all-rounder and reliable; I might be wrong, but 'think' I remember hearing back then of the Yam' / Suz' having the odd gearbox problems? STILL love to watch / see ALL the 2 stroke related 'bikes and races etc... keep your great posts coming, appreciated by 'many'! 🙂
Love the classic bikes(two strokes), the time to put these bikes through a test and nearing them scream is just fantastic!!! Thank you so much for this😊👍
Brilliant idea, I understand how difficult it must be to get the same age bikes, but the evo cut off is 1989, and super evo 1992, and they are different classes in the national twinshock series. Maybe it's my Yamaha bias, but it would have been good to see how the 89 yz would stack up? Keep up the good work, love seeing the older stuff
Have to agree. I raced 125 YZ factory bikes in Australia. ( I was not a pro rider, but had access to factory bikes as the rides moved to the next model) the 89 with the new suspension was fantastic. That said I only raced YZs and the CR was clearly a beast back in the day.
So glad you did this one mx , it was always a season on a 500 or a 125 for me depending how much overtime was available any particular yr to afford Tyres, chains & sprockets outta me wages!- expensive year on any 480/90/500, save a fortune doin` a 125 yr and real fun to boot. Great work here, your properly on that Evo decade and nailing the differences and how all Mxr`s got closer towards the end of it, great to watch. And it felt a luxury to ride a screamer after a 250 or a 500 year in that decade , this vid really made me lean towards that `Suzuki which had way better forks than my `89 which all year seemed have a sea of red around it. That pretty Rm just missed a bit of top end -enough to make you work That BIT harder against a decent Honda rider . All the 125s handled pretty good by decade end. But interesting was the `87 Yam, because a lot of fast riders seemed to win on them in the Seniors and experts and in the ACU events that year,despite people said about them (disconnect the BASS system first) and the Yammie certainly looked good after getting rid Red rad shrouds for Years. One thing i did notice A big difference in that decade was the power shifting from the screaming top end to `actual` power on the bottom end and more mid range. That standard Pipe cracked in mid `89 which made it feel gutless on the bottom so despite all those various valves they came out with a decent pipe still made a big difference on a 125. A lot of the earlier 125s seemed to be hit and miss on the power- and that`s everything a 125 is about, prob cos the standard of built were not as quality consistent as they are today? - its such an underestimated class of bike and so much fun Tanking the F... out of them! Tap dance you still have to do on the gearbox compared to bigger bikes is there and that `Intense` way you have to Really ride a 125 especially if you go against bigger bikes in A.C.U. races for example, back then many times, but you can Can Win on a 125 against bigger bikes is what ive always liked about them - Just ask Thorpey to tell you about Jonny O Mara beating him on a 125 CR in the des Nations, -Thorpey was on his RC500 He told me he told me that story last summer (wincing a tad) - i couldn`t believe it when i read in in TMX- 1986- i think! Correct me if im wrong - or Phil will. Roger Harvey was a British champ on a Yammie at I think he was 32!! with a big German porn moustache!- ever seen pics His W.F.O. 125 style- its like 125s encourage a great ride in a rider. Good to see you have a Mathia dNA in this video, i can still remember remember P.Mat sitting on my tail riding a Blue 1986 Maico 500 like it were yesterday- the last year i rode without metal plates under my skin! Lol😐- Def rode a 125 the year after but chose one of the F..n worst 125s of the decade the `87 KTM - that could be a feature on its own-they must have been the worst year of that decade and there were some sh1t ones too, plenty of riders knew `Cos the KTM`83,`84 & `85s were ace, i would rather have chucked my `87 down a mineshaft- lets go Honda! Cr250R, Jason rennies `87 one. My favorite was my `83 RM125- X, i think they called were an X?... great power and back end full floater- if you kept all those joints lubed,- big difference to My `79 YZ125G air cooler with a `kick you up the arse Monoshock when its hot.-Unbelievable top end revs tho`- i think Kaplan had one on recently- he raves about them too. Air cooler 125 shoot out🤔? all revvs, no bottom end torque and drum brakes- great style of berm ride!- shame they are few and far between nowadays- air cooled 125 Mxr`s that is- they were real wfo!!- or go nowhere bikes. Husky i think were still producing twin shock 125s in `84 or `85 i think. Very tough bikes if a bit dated. So im going backwards - that what your vids do to me Max, thanks for you efforts and hard work getting this vid together. Im going for a ride on my Piaggio 50!- in the morning. th-cam.com/users/sgaming/emoji/7ff574f2/emoji_u1f914.png
cheers adrian, I think you've just won the competition for the longest ever comment :) all awesome info though. You've had so many bikes over the years and have so much knowledge. hope you're well mate.
@@999lazer Sorry Max, I do go on a bit- it's your vids mate- make me remember Mx moments as if they were just the other day! Keep doing what your doing dude!👍👍👍👍👍
I own a 1992 kx 125 I find it absolutely amazing Especially the handling I have added a couple bits like pipe silencer and boysen reed valve it goes great I have read alot about the bike it got great reviews back in the day I think the guy riding it is the problem not the bike
I think Sean struggled with the bike set up, but I genuinely do think he tried his hardest on all the bikes! The KX certainly wins in the looks department though
Lol thought your background music was reminiscent of ME's SX Official videogame 5! Still love and miss my '93 RM 125 man! First dirt bike was an '86 RM 125 (Thanks Dad!) - thanks for the Nostalgia hotshot!
I raced a 1985 CR125 all the way until 1992. That thing was absolutely bulletproof and a blast to ride, and was just fine at a local level against the much newer machines of the day.
Love this test! brings back so many good memories for me as I raced in this era and often on a 125. Raced a 91 CR125, which had an even better engine than the 89 in this test (despite seizing at Weymouth beach race!) but the suspension was awful - spent more time on my arse than not. You tested the wrong KX. The 93 KX125 was a transformation, still a bit slow to turn in but the engine, suspension and brakes were world class - probably my favourite bike of my racing life. Do some more of these please...
Should have used the 88 YZ.. Different animal. Rear disc. Better suspension. I have one and it's twin 250. I'm a 56 y/o Yamahauler for life. Great vid!
I am 52 years old and grew up racing these bikes "back in the day". I raced, and long jumped, on a 1984 RM 125 and then 1987 KX 250, as I recall, in 1986 the KX was the King of the Hill for speed and low end power. I wonder if the guys riding these "vintage" two strokes have the skills required to keep these machines in the power band to make them run fast? Nothing against the four stroker guys, but nothing sounds better than a two stroke in it's power band, laying almost flat, when coming out of a corner.
Oh, I started out on a CR 80 that was fast, when the KX was the "Machine" to have but I was able to race with them; however, there is no replacement for rider skills. :)
Helllllll yyyeeaahhhh.. SO coool that you guys put this together. I love 999Lazer as much as I loved my 1990 pro circuit prepped CR125 arena cross bike. I let my 130 kilo (285 lbs) buddy ride it and he said it was as strong as any 250 he rode in the early 80's, before switching to open bikes. Speaking of... that YZ screams 1980's, sitting next to the rest. Lol. But as the stop watch shows, looks are not everything. I mean, blue ano USD forks are pretty rad, but... I'm surprised about the Kaw, because the KX250 handled superbly on similar tracks to yours. It didnt turn down inside real great, but it never got slap happy and it throttle steered like a flat tracker. It wasn't a screamer, but it pulled, everywhere. Of course, it's a lot different with a smaller power plant, I reckon. Especially if the rest of the drive train isn't very well sorted. Enter the Honda. It's legendary cohesion & range are simply unmatched. But that Suzuki sure does sing! The over-rev is insane! It hits those high notes like a young Sebastian Bach! Looks like a RockStar, too! Fine work, gents! As always!
I sold my ktm sxf factory and got a cr250 2001 it is an absolutely beast unreal love the bike. This was the best vid iv seen in a long time keep them coming bro 🚀
Had an 88 CR125 an 89 CR250, 93 KX500, 95 CR250 and a 2000 CR 250. Loved them all especially the CR250’s and most of all the KX 500. Why did I ever sell the 500. Great video 👍
This is absolutely brilliant I’m a vintage two-stroke Evo nut 😊 Love your content you have quickly become my favorite youTuber 🤙🏻 keep bringing the past to life brother❤
Awesome "test" 😎 Realy fun to watch 👌 On the slowed down shoot, you really can see how the suspension works, or doesn't 😁 Keep up the revs on the good work 😎
finally!! i waited for this so long! didnt watch it yet, but i cant wait! since i can only afford older bikes this is perfect! maybe a 95-05 shootout next?
Nice video as I own both Kawasaki KX 125 1992 and Suzuki RM 125 1992. I agree that Suzuki turns much better but Kawasaki is much more stable and better for faster tracks with less tight turns. I have in my KX 125 Messico Moto pipe and newer Keihin PWK 36S AG carburetor with a self made adapter as this carburetor is shorter than the stock one. RM 125 has Arrow pipe and silencer, ported cylinder, VHM cylinderhead, Boyesen Rad valve and Keihin PWK 36S AG carburetor. My RM 125 signs so high that there definitely is a lot of top end power. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed for the results in lap time comparison as KX 125 lap was very slow. So many turns where the speed almost stopped so the result can be seen. With the mods I have made to my own KX 125 it has broad good powerband but doesn´t rev as high as my RM 125.
Don't be sad about the Kx125 I had many years on a 1991 dropped the forks up the clamps 25mm ,shortened and taller bars , smaller rear tyre and geared it 13. 49 and ported the barrel with a fmf pipe . These mods gave it more crack of the bottom and rev out up top the kips(power valve)also has slight adjustment. Great video as always.
Awesome content Max… thankful for your great work. I have a mint 1990 yz125 that has much better suspension than the 87yz you featured. I can help be think that I would have given the others a run for there money. Bradshaw era 45 bike.
Hi Ben thanks for watching and taking the time to comment dude. I would tend to agree with you there, on our test track the YZ motor was strong and very useable, it's only the suspension and brakes holding it back. We are going to try and do some more of these shootouts in the future with various years and capacities...maybe the YZ can redeem itself then ;-D Thanks again dude
love the rm always been a Suzuki fan but I just started restoring a 92 kx125 can't wait to see how it handles great video as always keep up the awesome content
I rode/raced a few bikes from this era...Hands down one sticks out as the best bike. The 1992 Rm125...it won every shootout for a reason. It was the best handling/ best motor, best suspension, and it absolutely crushed a corner.
Well done finding bike of that age in, all in absolute mint condition! The Kawasaki definitely handled different back in those days.. you had to steer them from the rear, like Vilipoto is / was so famous for... Those helmet cam scenes on the KX, where he missed the turn and overshoots is pretty much exactly what I experience when I get on my '94 KX after riding my modern bike (a Honda)... Until my brain changes into "forklift mode" and I remember to steer from the rear... A bit more time on the bike, and you guys would have re-calibrated... (not saying it turns okay, just different).
Thanks for watching Nath! We were so happy to get all 4 bikes in the same place of the same time, we were all like excited little school children! haha That's interesting, with so many bikes to ride we really didn't have too much time to adapt to each model so it would be very interesting to see how Sean liked the KX with a bit more saddle time
Great test! When I raced in the 80s I thought my little KX was the best bike. Also loved my RMs but never got a chance to ride the Hondas. Always hated the Yamahoppers!
Great video! Very interesting. I grew up in Schnaitheim, Germany (maybe some know the MX racetrack) and I love motocross since I can think. IIRC, the KX was very popular in the 80's and early 90's, while Yamaha YZ were rather seldom. And yes, many have said that the Honda CR are the best dirt bikes out of the box, at this time.
Honda was a force to mess with in the 80’s and 90’s. I’m not sure if it’s true or not but it also seemed they paid the most for the better riders. Either way a very cool video and such an awesome time to be alive to enjoy these great machines!
the content you are making is worth diamonds my friend! great great content, it explains a lot why certain brands were good at some years and other brands in other years, hondas are beast!
Yeahhhhhhhh baby!!!!! I knew the Honda 125 was gonna win 🏆 I had one - I had a rm125 I loved that one too But right from the start of the video cr125 was taking home the bacon 🥓
I *HAVE* a 1998 Yamaha YZ125 which I purchased in 1998. It’s got Factory Connection Suspension, a Wiseco High-Compression Piston, I have the 3 major Pipes _(Stock, Pro Circuit Works & FMF with the matching Silencer for each of the 3)_ custom head work, Pro Taper Handlebars, Pro Circuit Aluminum Throttle tube, Dunlop tires, Takasago (Excel) Wheels, oversized custom sharpened foot pegs, Boyesen Rad Valve, Boyesen Reeds, Hinson Billet Proof Clutch Basket, Hinson Inner Hub & Pressure Plate, Barnett Clutch Plates, Twin Air Filter, custom Machined Titanium 35T Rear Sprocket, Custom Machined Titanium 23T Front sprocket, ASV Levers, Tusk Aluminum Shift lever, Tusk Aluminum Rear Brake Pedal, it made 48 Horsepower on a Dynamometer when tested last summer…
I was 7 years old in 93 and my older brother bought a 91 RM 125. That yellow 🟡 bubble gum pink 🩷 and ocean blue 🔵 lettering. 😍. It was the first dirt bike I had ever seen in real life. He used to pick me up and let me sit on it. I would stay out back for hours and hours pretending to ride it. I can still remember it as clear as day. It was like the first time pair of boobs.
I raced and still own my 1990 CR 125. WASNT CRAZY ABOUT THE INVERTED FORKS BUT AFTER A REVALVE AND LOTS OF CLEANING THEY ARE OK NOW. GUESS I BLEED RED NOT SAYIN IT CAUSE ITS MINE BUT MY 1990 CR 125 IS A ROCKET TURNS ON A DIME AND THE HPP MOTOR HAS IT ALL BOTTOM MID N REVS TO THE MOON AND BACK. Thanks for the vids keep em coming pls
@@999lazer Was racing 250 pro in 90-94 and i was racing a 1990 KX250. Those where all about motors and stiff suspension. The frame was tall and suit better the big sand track thanshort one like you rode on.
I had a cr125r when I was 15 years old and I loved it with a 53t rear sprocket. Thing was an animal after a fresh rebuild. I’m 51 now and have a 70cc minarelli Stage6 sport pro mk2 hybrid engine on a bicycle,lol. It’s capable of 70+ mph
Las maravillosas motos de 2 tiempos . Japonesas que competían por velocidad .fuerza agilidad unos iconos ni comparación con las pesadas y lentas 4 tiempos esa época de los 70tas .80 tas .90tas y parte del 2000 las mejores.saludos desde cali Colombia.!!!¡!
I had an 89 cr125 as my first bike. I raced it for 2 years before I saved up for my new 96 cr125. I miss both bikes. The 96 is my favorite looking CR of all time. Next is the purple 95 crs. My cousin had a 92 kx125. It was a sweet bike. The purple 96 kxs were my favorite then too. Been looking for a camo seat RM to restore. 125 or 250. Heck I’ll do up an 80 at this point. The white, blue n pink camo seats were so retro cool.
Those are all great vintage bikes. I had an 89 KX125, and then moved to a 93 RM125. The difference in that short of time frame was night and day. But I'd take either of them again any day. Last 2 stroke I ever owned was an 01 CR125.
Memories! That 1991 RM was my first ever proper bike. I remember my dad taking me to Armthorpe Moto-Park every Sunday on it. Rain or shine. It was a great little bike.
These were my era of active racing machines. As a tall rider (almost 6'2) the Rm had the best chassis and an engine that could be squeezed to compete with the Honda. I gave up my Cr for a Suzuki as well for comfort. The Honda still sounds the best. Great shootout Max !
Thanks Hanky
Thanks for watching mate, glad you enjoyed it! I have to say i thought the RM sounded best, but it's a very close race all round between Yellow and Red for me
I know what you mean. I had a 92 rm250 in high school and still do all these years later that is def more roomy for me at 6’4” but I have a special spot in my heart for Hondas.. one thing about the Suzukis of that era is I cannot stand the built in subframe. Still love the bike tho lol
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Great review! Love the vintage 2 stroke bikes of this era. I have a ‘91 RM250 and it’s my only bike. That’s how much I like it
Awesome shootout!! I’m 53 and still have most of my old shootout Magazines at home. This brings back so many memories. I want another one now! A 250 shootout would be Awesome! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks for watching Mark. You'll definitely see a 250 shoot out on here soon :)
🇨🇦🇨🇦
I still have all of the Shootouts from the late 70's up until the early 90's.From 80cc Bikes up to the 500cc big Bikes.I had the shootout Winner in 1979 a Suzuki RM 125N and the1982 shootout Winner the Suzuki RM 250.I raced the 250 and won 4 races that year,came in 2nd twice and 3rd twice,came in 2nd place in the Season Championship.
Remember Dirt Bike Magazines Mr Know it all?
🇨🇦❤️🍁
Couldn't wait to get home from work to watch this,
Love it.
The best era,coolest looking bikes.
More please!
thanks, glad you liked it
I had an 87' YZ125 in 88' & loved the power even though I was rubbish ! Standing at 5ft2 and weighing 8st the suspension was too soft even for me 😂 More of these vintage shootouts please Max 🙏👍
Paul who owns this YZ was very much the same i think, he said he got goosebumps seeing Sean ride it like that! The plan is to do more of these as soon as we can :D Thanks for watching as always mate
@@999lazer Please do more of this hell do a 80cc race from 1988 that would be awesome💯🙏🇺🇲
Fantastic video..I did race the Suzuki back then. I did put on a Öhlins on the rear and that was day and night for the bike . That bike had smoked the CR (-: Keep the videos coming..this shows you don't need to spend a fortune to have fun with a dirt bike and with the right setup they are still competitive
I'm color blind when it comes to dirtbikes. Love them all
I'd go with the RM everyday! But the Honda would definitely be my second choice. Great video, thanks!
literally yes
Had bother of them back in the day. Honda was better. Specially handling
This was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!! I grew up in the 2 stroke era before the TH-cam days and this was even far better than reading one of the magazines back in the 80's. I currently own a '89 Cr 125, so of course I was showing a little favoritism. Go big red, lol!! Keep up the awesome videos bro!! ✌🏾
Love this comment! Thanks so much for watching Ree, i'm glad Big Red got it done for you ;-D
Cr500 was big red
Yamaha for me all the time, every time.
Honda CR gang all day 💪🏾💨💨💨💨
Ride Red!! Forever! We all bleed red in reality! 😘
A 250cc shootout would be awesom, i love the sound of these vintage machines 👌
We've got to try and make the 250 shootout happen next. Thanks for watching Ryan
250 would be great since were in my day. What I do know is that a buddy had the CR and that sucker Screamed!
So honda first, kawi last with suzuki and yamaha fighting over the rest.
That's pretty much the whole of the 80's and 90's covered then...
IMHO!!!
Love the shootout!! Thanks.. I wanted a CR125R (I have a CR250R).. I randomly bought the 1st 125 I could get my hands on. Didn't care if it was aluminum frame, steel frame, whatever I could get my hands on.. I drove 5 1/2 hours to pick it up (around here, they sell within an hour of listing,,,, every time). I got down there to buy, and BAM! 1989... Same EXACT story with my 250, except I found it a year earlier,,,, I drove 6 hours to get it, and BAM! 2001. Now I think I should buy a lottery ticket before my luck runs out 😂
Thanks for watching John
Awesome as always Max! I absolutely love my Dad's 87 CR 125, it may not have the power of my modern 150 sx, but it's still more fun! (and that's saying something, because the 150 is an absolute blast)! Keep up the good work dude.
Thanks buddy, will do
25 more cc is a huge difference.. and new ktm uses more higher end parts on bikes nowadays. If you’d trick out that 87 it would just depend on the better rider in a match
I really enjoyed this video. This is exactly what I am all about. I really loved the 80’s and 90’s in 125cc motocross.
This is exactly the kind of content that makes your channel unique, because it involves older bikes from a golden era of motocross instead of promoting new release models
As soon as I saw this I sat down and had my lunch and started watching!!!!
Amazing to get 4 period correct 125’s in good nick. You’ve built the most interesting motorcycle channel on the tube!!!!!!👍🏼 Brrrrraappppppp brrrrrrrappppp!!!!
Thanks so much for such an awesome comment. I really appreciate it :)
Had an '88 CR 125 and it was magical!! Great video. Thanks 👏👏👏
The RM already sporting the upside down fork and sharper lines does it for me!
My '94 Rm125 is a fantastic bike! Shreds with the best of them
Max, your a legend, absolutely loved your video from start to finish, you come up with the best ideas and put them on to video for us all to enjoy, don't known what you will do next , except now it will be pure class. well done and thank you.
Thanks Kevin, I really appreciate your comment.
Glad you enjoyed it mate! It was a really fun one to make, we've got some cool stuff in the bank and in the pipeline. We like to keep you guys on your toes ;-)
The kawi needs 1 more tooth on the rear sprocket. That changes the low end tremendously. I raced a 92.
How about a 99 ' KX100? That was my first bike and I swear it needed a new lower end. Maybe the KX was just like that, I dunno. Any info would be appreciated. I wanna get back into riding again but I'd prob stay away from KX. I loved my friends YZ 125 so I'd look for an older YZ or CR.
50 or 51?
I have a 92 RM 125
And a better rider ! It would had a quicker time had the guy in the Honda rode it . He seems to have the best line out of them all .
Yep. The Kawi had a good motor, lots of top end.
Great comparison! Bringing back good memories! Thanks for the video.
Yes, i also think so
Great to see and with the enthusiasm! I started with a '86 CR 125 in '88 (just because Sherwood Honda was local to me) for my 1st season AMCA - Through the Junior class, then a new '88 which timed well for 1st (maybe my 2nd?!) Intermediate race; Then I used that through Intermediate's & into the Expert class (both '86 & '88 were great IMO) until end of '88 season. Had a new CR 125 in '89 ready for that season, qualifier's - Unfortunately came off at my own clubs track (25/6/89) 1 week after 2nd round of '89 Championship (Crick, Rugby) which 'literally' stopped me racing 😞... but it ('89 CR 125) was a great all-rounder and reliable; I might be wrong, but 'think' I remember hearing back then of the Yam' / Suz' having the odd gearbox problems? STILL love to watch / see ALL the 2 stroke related 'bikes and races etc... keep your great posts coming, appreciated by 'many'! 🙂
team green forever !!! nothing beats the KX for smiles for the miles ,, thanks for great content !!
No problem, thanks for watching
A good Honda sure does
I grew up riding the bikes of this era. I currently own a 2011 CRF450 but nothing compares to two strokes I think. Even these little screamers. 😁👍🏻
Brilliant video! I want my '90 RM back!
Thanks Phil
I love this we need more of these vintage comparisons thanks for the video
Glad you enjoyed it Luke! We've got plenty more where this came from :-)
Yes, its amazing
Love the classic bikes(two strokes), the time to put these bikes through a test and nearing them scream is just fantastic!!! Thank you so much for this😊👍
Brilliant idea, I understand how difficult it must be to get the same age bikes, but the evo cut off is 1989, and super evo 1992, and they are different classes in the national twinshock series.
Maybe it's my Yamaha bias, but it would have been good to see how the 89 yz would stack up?
Keep up the good work, love seeing the older stuff
Have to agree. I raced 125 YZ factory bikes in Australia. ( I was not a pro rider, but had access to factory bikes as the rides moved to the next model) the 89 with the new suspension was fantastic.
That said I only raced YZs and the CR was clearly a beast back in the day.
Thanks for watching Ray.
O love the look of 91-95 RMs, this pipe is so nice, even better on 250 👍
I also loved blue anodized forks on Kawi 🤟
Love this! Older 2 strokes are my weakness. Thanks for diving into this
You're so welcome!
So glad you did this one mx , it was always a season on a 500 or a 125 for me depending how much overtime was available any particular yr to afford Tyres, chains & sprockets outta me wages!- expensive year on any 480/90/500, save a fortune doin` a 125 yr and real fun to boot.
Great work here, your properly on that Evo decade and nailing the differences and how all Mxr`s got closer towards the end of it, great to watch.
And it felt a luxury to ride a screamer after a 250 or a 500 year in that decade , this vid really made me lean towards that `Suzuki which had way better forks than my `89 which all year seemed have a sea of red around it.
That pretty Rm just missed a bit of top end -enough to make you work That BIT harder against a decent Honda rider . All the 125s handled pretty good by decade end.
But interesting was the `87 Yam, because a lot of fast riders seemed to win on them in the Seniors and experts and in the ACU events that year,despite people said about them (disconnect the BASS system first) and the Yammie certainly looked good after getting rid Red rad shrouds for Years.
One thing i did notice A big difference in that decade was the power shifting from the screaming top end to `actual` power on the bottom end and more mid range.
That standard Pipe cracked in mid `89 which made it feel gutless on the bottom so despite all those various valves they came out with a decent pipe still made a big difference on a 125.
A lot of the earlier 125s seemed to be hit and miss on the power- and that`s everything a 125 is about, prob cos the standard of built were not as quality consistent as they are today? - its such an underestimated class of bike and so much fun Tanking the F... out of them!
Tap dance you still have to do on the gearbox compared to bigger bikes is there and that `Intense` way you have to Really ride a 125 especially if you go against bigger bikes in A.C.U. races for example, back then many times, but you can Can Win on a 125 against bigger bikes is what ive always liked about them - Just ask Thorpey to tell you about Jonny O Mara beating him on a 125 CR in the des Nations, -Thorpey was on his RC500
He told me he told me that story last summer (wincing a tad) - i couldn`t believe it when i read in in TMX- 1986- i think! Correct me if im wrong - or Phil will.
Roger Harvey was a British champ on a Yammie at I think he was 32!! with a big German porn moustache!- ever seen pics His W.F.O. 125 style- its like 125s encourage a great ride in a rider.
Good to see you have a Mathia dNA in this video, i can still remember remember P.Mat sitting on my tail riding a Blue 1986 Maico 500 like it were yesterday- the last year i rode without metal plates under my skin! Lol😐-
Def rode a 125 the year after but chose one of the F..n worst 125s of the decade the `87 KTM - that could be a feature on its own-they must have been the worst year of that decade and there were some sh1t ones too, plenty of riders knew `Cos the KTM`83,`84 & `85s were ace, i would rather have chucked my `87 down a mineshaft- lets go Honda! Cr250R, Jason rennies `87 one.
My favorite was my `83 RM125- X, i think they called were an X?... great power and back end full floater- if you kept all those joints lubed,- big difference to My `79 YZ125G air cooler with a `kick you up the arse Monoshock when its hot.-Unbelievable top end revs tho`- i think Kaplan had one on recently- he raves about them too.
Air cooler 125 shoot out🤔?
all revvs, no bottom end torque and drum brakes- great style of berm ride!- shame they are few and far between nowadays- air cooled 125 Mxr`s that is- they were real wfo!!- or go nowhere bikes. Husky i think were still producing twin shock 125s in `84 or `85 i think. Very tough bikes if a bit dated. So im going backwards - that what your vids do to me Max, thanks for you efforts and hard work getting this vid together. Im going for a ride on my Piaggio 50!- in the morning.
th-cam.com/users/sgaming/emoji/7ff574f2/emoji_u1f914.png
cheers adrian, I think you've just won the competition for the longest ever comment :) all awesome info though. You've had so many bikes over the years and have so much knowledge. hope you're well mate.
@@999lazer Sorry Max, I do go on a bit- it's your vids mate- make me remember Mx moments as if they were just the other day!
Keep doing what your doing dude!👍👍👍👍👍
I own a 1992 kx 125 I find it absolutely amazing Especially the handling I have added a couple bits like pipe silencer and boysen reed valve it goes great I have read alot about the bike it got great reviews back in the day I think the guy riding it is the problem not the bike
I think Sean struggled with the bike set up, but I genuinely do think he tried his hardest on all the bikes! The KX certainly wins in the looks department though
I just put a JD jetting kit in mine much improved. I agree with you.
Lol thought your background music was reminiscent of ME's SX Official videogame 5! Still love and miss my '93 RM 125 man! First dirt bike was an '86 RM 125 (Thanks Dad!) - thanks for the Nostalgia hotshot!
125 guy for life here. Currently racing an 05 YZ 144 and vintage 79 YZ 125.
I raced a 1985 CR125 all the way until 1992. That thing was absolutely bulletproof and a blast to ride, and was just fine at a local level against the much newer machines of the day.
Totally good. That ‘91 Zook is such a good bike. The 250 was sooo good, felt like a big 125.
Love this test! brings back so many good memories for me as I raced in this era and often on a 125. Raced a 91 CR125, which had an even better engine than the 89 in this test (despite seizing at Weymouth beach race!) but the suspension was awful - spent more time on my arse than not. You tested the wrong KX. The 93 KX125 was a transformation, still a bit slow to turn in but the engine, suspension and brakes were world class - probably my favourite bike of my racing life. Do some more of these please...
Pro link has the best linkage" CR hands down! Though a 1982 YZ 125 is a well balanced 🚀rocket! Great work Max! 👏👏💪🤙✌️
Thanks for watching as always dude :-D
Should have used the 88 YZ.. Different animal. Rear disc. Better suspension. I have one and it's twin 250. I'm a 56 y/o Yamahauler for life. Great vid!
I am 52 years old and grew up racing these bikes "back in the day". I raced, and long jumped, on a 1984 RM 125 and then 1987 KX 250, as I recall, in 1986 the KX was the King of the Hill for speed and low end power. I wonder if the guys riding these "vintage" two strokes have the skills required to keep these machines in the power band to make them run fast? Nothing against the four stroker guys, but nothing sounds better than a two stroke in it's power band, laying almost flat, when coming out of a corner.
Oh, I started out on a CR 80 that was fast, when the KX was the "Machine" to have but I was able to race with them; however, there is no replacement for rider skills. :)
Helllllll yyyeeaahhhh..
SO coool that you guys put this together. I love 999Lazer as much as I loved my 1990 pro circuit prepped CR125 arena cross bike. I let my 130 kilo (285 lbs) buddy ride it and he said it was as strong as any 250 he rode in the early 80's, before switching to open bikes.
Speaking of... that YZ screams 1980's, sitting next to the rest. Lol. But as the stop watch shows, looks are not everything. I mean, blue ano USD forks are pretty rad, but...
I'm surprised about the Kaw, because the KX250 handled superbly on similar tracks to yours. It didnt turn down inside real great, but it never got slap happy and it throttle steered like a flat tracker. It wasn't a screamer, but it pulled, everywhere. Of course, it's a lot different with a smaller power plant, I reckon. Especially if the rest of the drive train isn't very well sorted.
Enter the Honda. It's legendary cohesion & range are simply unmatched. But
that Suzuki sure does sing!
The over-rev is insane!
It hits those high notes like a young Sebastian Bach! Looks like a RockStar, too!
Fine work, gents! As always!
Spot-on
I sold my ktm sxf factory and got a cr250 2001 it is an absolutely beast unreal love the bike. This was the best vid iv seen in a long time keep them coming bro 🚀
Had an 88 CR125 an 89 CR250, 93 KX500, 95 CR250 and a 2000 CR 250. Loved them all especially the CR250’s and most of all the KX 500. Why did I ever sell the 500. Great video 👍
This is absolutely brilliant I’m a vintage two-stroke Evo nut 😊 Love your content you have quickly become my favorite youTuber 🤙🏻 keep bringing the past to life brother❤
Thanks, really appreciate your comment :)
Yes, two-stroke rules, best
From 89 up most of those bikes are EVO. 88 back are kinda vintage, 79 back are vintage, street bikey suspension etc.👍🤠
I'd go with that rm all lads All day!
Awesome "test" 😎 Realy fun to watch 👌 On the slowed down shoot, you really can see how the suspension works, or doesn't 😁
Keep up the revs on the good work 😎
finally!! i waited for this so long! didnt watch it yet, but i cant wait! since i can only afford older bikes this is perfect! maybe a 95-05 shootout next?
Hope you enjoyed it mate! :D Working on the next shootout as we speak
@@999lazer nice!
It’s so good to see the older machines get some love
Loved this content, thanks y'all!
Nice video as I own both Kawasaki KX 125 1992 and Suzuki RM 125 1992. I agree that Suzuki turns much better but Kawasaki is much more stable and better for faster tracks with less tight turns. I have in my KX 125 Messico Moto pipe and newer Keihin PWK 36S AG carburetor with a self made adapter as this carburetor is shorter than the stock one. RM 125 has Arrow pipe and silencer, ported cylinder, VHM cylinderhead, Boyesen Rad valve and Keihin PWK 36S AG carburetor. My RM 125 signs so high that there definitely is a lot of top end power. I have to say I was a bit dissapointed for the results in lap time comparison as KX 125 lap was very slow. So many turns where the speed almost stopped so the result can be seen. With the mods I have made to my own KX 125 it has broad good powerband but doesn´t rev as high as my RM 125.
Thanks for the great info. Really cool have both bikes !
Don't be sad about the Kx125 I had many years on a 1991 dropped the forks up the clamps 25mm ,shortened and taller bars , smaller rear tyre and geared it 13. 49 and ported the barrel with a fmf pipe . These mods gave it more crack of the bottom and rev out up top the kips(power valve)also has slight adjustment. Great video as always.
Love seeing these old 125 battles. Love the older bikes but I’m taking the kx or Rm outta these
In my opinion the KX and RM are deffo the best looking out of the bunch. Thanks for watching Ty :-)
Yup, suzuki and kawasaki forever 👌
Awesome content Max… thankful for your great work.
I have a mint 1990 yz125 that has much better suspension than the 87yz you featured. I can help be think that I would have given the others a run for there money. Bradshaw era 45 bike.
Hi Ben thanks for watching and taking the time to comment dude. I would tend to agree with you there, on our test track the YZ motor was strong and very useable, it's only the suspension and brakes holding it back. We are going to try and do some more of these shootouts in the future with various years and capacities...maybe the YZ can redeem itself then ;-D Thanks again dude
Yep! The 1990 YZ125 was a Ripper! I raced that bike from New! Awesome Machine🔥
love the rm always been a Suzuki fan but I just started restoring a 92 kx125 can't wait to see how it handles great video as always keep up the awesome content
I rode/raced a few bikes from this era...Hands down one sticks out as the best bike. The 1992 Rm125...it won every shootout for a reason. It was the best handling/ best motor, best suspension, and it absolutely crushed a corner.
Nice work on this video man, just love it. I do hope you'll also make a video about MX 2 strokes from 1979. Thanks very much.
Hey fransciso, funny enough we have a video coming out soon with a very rare twnshock two stroke :)
@@999lazer Yes, can't wait to see that! Thanks a lot and keep up the fantastic job. Be safe always.
I would Love to see that since I had a 1979 Suzuki RM 125N.Motocross Action Magazine and Dirtbike Magazine voted it The Best 1979.
I had an 89 rm 125. Great video!
the hondas with blue seat and orange plastic and yamahas with florecent pink and hondas with florecent orange really hit the nostalgia button for me
This was awesome. Thank you for all your efforts, I'm subscribing now
Well done finding bike of that age in, all in absolute mint condition!
The Kawasaki definitely handled different back in those days.. you had to steer them from the rear, like Vilipoto is / was so famous for...
Those helmet cam scenes on the KX, where he missed the turn and overshoots is pretty much exactly what I experience when I get on my '94 KX after riding my modern bike (a Honda)...
Until my brain changes into "forklift mode" and I remember to steer from the rear... A bit more time on the bike, and you guys would have re-calibrated... (not saying it turns okay, just different).
Thanks for watching Nath! We were so happy to get all 4 bikes in the same place of the same time, we were all like excited little school children! haha
That's interesting, with so many bikes to ride we really didn't have too much time to adapt to each model so it would be very interesting to see how Sean liked the KX with a bit more saddle time
Great test!
When I raced in the 80s I thought my little KX was the best bike. Also loved my RMs but never got a chance to ride the Hondas. Always hated the Yamahoppers!
Great video! Very interesting. I grew up in Schnaitheim, Germany (maybe some know the MX racetrack) and I love motocross since I can think.
IIRC, the KX was very popular in the 80's and early 90's, while Yamaha YZ were rather seldom.
And yes, many have said that the Honda CR are the best dirt bikes out of the box, at this time.
Honda was a force to mess with in the 80’s and 90’s. I’m not sure if it’s true or not but it also seemed they paid the most for the better riders. Either way a very cool video and such an awesome time to be alive to enjoy these great machines!
Great idea for a shootout comparison..good job to everyone involved! 👍💯 🇺🇸
Great video as always man. It's definitely time to trade in the 250f for a 2T. Just soo much more fun for weekend warriors!!! Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦
That sound takes me back to when I first heard it back in 1976, Love it !
There's nothing else like it, 2 Strokes for life! :D Thanks for watching dude
the content you are making is worth diamonds my friend! great great content, it explains a lot why certain brands were good at some years and other brands in other years, hondas are beast!
Thanks so much for the support Sadiki :-) Glad you enjoyed the video
1993 shootout, the CR of that year is my favorite bike of all time.
we'll see what we can do, thanks for watching
I owned a 1985 rm125 and absolutely loved it.
What you do with it??
All of those 80s 125s had their own distinctive level of good competition❤
Badass shootout! we want more🤘🔥
Thanks kollin
@@999lazer your welcome my moto brother
Got a 89 KX 125, thing is a blast to ride in the woods, so light and easy to man handle
Yeahhhhhhhh baby!!!!! I knew the Honda 125 was gonna win 🏆
I had one - I had a rm125 I loved that one too
But right from the start of the video cr125 was taking home the bacon 🥓
That RM is fabulous
I *HAVE* a 1998 Yamaha YZ125 which I purchased in 1998. It’s got Factory Connection Suspension, a Wiseco High-Compression Piston, I have the 3 major Pipes _(Stock, Pro Circuit Works & FMF with the matching Silencer for each of the 3)_ custom head work, Pro Taper Handlebars, Pro Circuit Aluminum Throttle tube, Dunlop tires, Takasago (Excel) Wheels, oversized custom sharpened foot pegs, Boyesen Rad Valve, Boyesen Reeds, Hinson Billet Proof Clutch Basket, Hinson Inner Hub & Pressure Plate, Barnett Clutch Plates, Twin Air Filter, custom Machined Titanium 35T Rear Sprocket, Custom Machined Titanium 23T Front sprocket, ASV Levers, Tusk Aluminum Shift lever, Tusk Aluminum Rear Brake Pedal, it made 48 Horsepower on a Dynamometer when tested last summer…
Love my 91 rm
I had the 1991 RM-125 back in '97. My love for 2strokes began.
I was 7 years old in 93 and my older brother bought a 91 RM 125. That yellow 🟡 bubble gum pink 🩷 and ocean blue 🔵 lettering. 😍. It was the first dirt bike I had ever seen in real life. He used to pick me up and let me sit on it. I would stay out back for hours and hours pretending to ride it. I can still remember it as clear as day. It was like the first time pair of boobs.
This was a fantastic idea. Thanks!
Love the older 2 strokes. Had a 88 kx.. Bad high speed head shake. Have an 01 kx now . FUN FUN FUN . Thanx max this stuff is awsome !!
I raced and still own my 1990 CR 125. WASNT CRAZY ABOUT THE INVERTED FORKS BUT AFTER A REVALVE AND LOTS OF CLEANING THEY ARE OK NOW. GUESS I BLEED RED NOT SAYIN IT CAUSE ITS MINE BUT MY 1990 CR 125 IS A ROCKET TURNS ON A DIME AND THE HPP MOTOR HAS IT ALL BOTTOM MID N REVS TO THE MOON AND BACK. Thanks for the vids keep em coming pls
Honda every time for me! Great video
Honda CR All Day ❤️💯 That’s what I rode in the 90’s I had a 88’ and a Jeremy McGrath Honda Peak 90’ (Blue n White ) Pro circuit tuned 😍
Taking the Honda everyday of the week. What a masterpiece of a bike!
Iv always love Suzukis & old school pipes & sound, way back in the late 60s & 70s,, when I grew up, sounds so cool .& Loud,!
Would absolutely love to see a 1996 shootout!!
Loved it as always ...............
Thank you so much 😀
The Kawasaki's in the early 90s looked good that was about it. Honda and Suzuki were the bikes to have.
As the shootout proved! But that Kawi does look goof though, thanks for watching Benny :-)
@@999lazer
Was racing 250 pro in 90-94 and i was racing a 1990 KX250. Those where all about motors and stiff suspension. The frame was tall and suit better the big sand track thanshort one like you rode on.
🔥💯 simply the BEST TH-cam Chanel
RM's rule and sound best too.
I had a cr125r when I was 15 years old and I loved it with a 53t rear sprocket. Thing was an animal after a fresh rebuild. I’m 51 now and have a 70cc minarelli Stage6 sport pro mk2 hybrid engine on a bicycle,lol. It’s capable of 70+ mph
Las maravillosas motos de 2 tiempos . Japonesas que competían por velocidad .fuerza agilidad unos iconos ni comparación con las pesadas y lentas 4 tiempos esa época de los 70tas .80 tas .90tas y parte del 2000 las mejores.saludos desde cali Colombia.!!!¡!
I had an 89 cr125 as my first bike. I raced it for 2 years before I saved up for my new 96 cr125. I miss both bikes. The 96 is my favorite looking CR of all time. Next is the purple 95 crs.
My cousin had a 92 kx125. It was a sweet bike. The purple 96 kxs were my favorite then too.
Been looking for a camo seat RM to restore. 125 or 250. Heck I’ll do up an 80 at this point. The white, blue n pink camo seats were so retro cool.
I’d love to see you guys do a 250 shootout
Awesome - I have a 1995 kx 125 for myself and I love this bike 🙏🙏 love your Videos, Keep it up!!!
Currently restoring a kx125 1993 after it served me in enduro and general wood fun 😂😂one of best purchases I made
Great video i've got a 91 cr125 and a 92 rm 125
Those are all great vintage bikes. I had an 89 KX125, and then moved to a 93 RM125. The difference in that short of time frame was night and day. But I'd take either of them again any day. Last 2 stroke I ever owned was an 01 CR125.
Memories! That 1991 RM was my first ever proper bike. I remember my dad taking me to Armthorpe Moto-Park every Sunday on it. Rain or shine. It was a great little bike.
Outstanding content. Keep these shootouts coming 👍
Thanks for watching dude, glad you enjoyed it :-) Working on making the next one happen as we speak