[Closed] 125cc enduro bikes, bad idea?

mx track on 125r would be. um. interesting.

No idea what the wr125 is like but a ktm125 will be more than competitive in an enduro, competitive on an mx track and capable* of taking you to work. The ktm200 is [i]the[/i] bike to have for enduros though. Get that.

*Race bikes are horrible on the road.

wr125r is NOTHING like a ktm 125sx or ktm 125exc (IMO)

wr125r is NOTHING like a ktm 125sx or ktm 125exc (IMO)

have you ridden one?

same engine as the yzf-r125 so shouldn't be too limp wristed?

ohh, and not interested in 2strokes, my experience of them is;
-noisy
-blow up

yzf-r125? think that cant be right... you dont want a 4 stroke 125 buddy!

besides its road spec innit?

expect crappy road yres, completely different suspension and monstrously tall gearing at least.

cant imagine it would be much fun on an mx track...

have you ridden one?

same engine as the yzf-r125 so shouldn't be too limp wristed?

Assuming you really want to race enduro and use MX tracks. If you really just want to pootle to work, the WR is fine.

hang on... so the wr125r IS a 125 four stroke?

will be poor offroad. like proper poor.

YOu ant a bike to do two totally different things A commuter 125 will not be any good as an enduro bike ( assuming you mean proper enduro racing). A proper offroad racer will be a lousy commuter bike. Even a proper offroad trail bike will be a lousy commuter, The tyres needed are too different as are the brakes and power output.

IIRC the WR125r is a learner legal off road styled bike - OK for the commute so long as there are no dual carriageways but their are far better commuter bikes out there.

So - want a commuter - buy one. want a real offroad bike - buy one. Trying to have one bike to do both will be a horrible compromise.

hang on... so the wr125r IS a 125 four stroke?

will be poor offroad. like proper poor.

Probably why the sales guy pointed you that direction. Race bikes on the road are no fun. If you don't mind top end strips every 50 hours then it's possible, but they're still horrible to ride 'normally'.

wr125 is an enduro 'styled' bike no? The YZF-R125 is defintely no Aprilia RS125...
WR250 & 450 are actual race bikes with some (limited) on-road ability.

The 450 still sounds the best compromise for your plans. I can only guess you visited a dealer with little off-road experience?
(and I agree about the KTM200 - great m/c)

Every review seems to be at least complimentary, or are motorbike reviews like MBR with everything scoreing 9/10?

hmmmmmmm..........
I'll see how my test goes and then decide, sat on the 250 at the weekend and felt a very long way up and intimidated! Maybe I'm just out of practice!

i rode a ktm 250exc-f in full on road guise, which should be similar to the wrf.

was pretty good actually, fairly smooth etc. so i should imagine ok for road use. will be windy as hell mind, and proper tiring over some miles.

also in stock guise the gearing would have been appalling for enduro use...

i honestly think 2 bikes would be easier for you.

If you are dead set on a trail bike how about a TW 200. Decent commuter, low seat, decent for gentle trail riding.

[img] [/img]

A proper enduro bike will be a nightmare on the road. thin hard high seat, knobbly tyres that are not very grippy on wet tarmac.

The 125 gets good reviews because it is a good leaner legal 125 trail styled bike - so it is good in its class but it is not an enduro bike.

Every review seems to be at least complimentary, or are motorbike reviews like MBR with everything scoreing 9/10?

The problem is you say you want a race bike for enduro and mx AND a commuter.

The review of the commuter you're looking at is reviewing it as a learner-legal 125 commuter, which I'm sure it's very good at. It would get 1/10 as a race bike (if they were being generous).

If your "getting to work" is offroad, fine, otherwise a commuter and an enduro and an MX are never going to all work in one bike. By a scooter for getting to work, then buy a proper bike for playing about offroad on. Oh, and make sure you have a large garage first, they breed you know 😉

[img] [/img]

wrf125r

[img] [/img]

ktm125exc

just not the same. ktm is an awesome enduro machine, but probably not good on road. vice versa for tother i'd guess (never ridden a wr125r)

If you do look at the WR250 have a look at the service schedule (
[url= http://www.thumpertalk.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-410263.html ]this might be interesting[/url]).

top end @ 1600Km (32hrs)
bottom end inc top end ie whole motor @ 4000km (80hrs)
and a service every 800km (16hrs)

1hr=50km

Do you really want to be tearing down engines every 1000 miles?

This is normal for all enduro bikes, 2 stroke or 4 these days.

i'd consider stripping and inspecting rings on a 125 2T every twenty hours. loss of compression sucks the life out of them like you wouldnt beleive.

ride it for an hour a day for commuting and that a strip down every month!

Yeah, I always raced two-strokes because they're low maintenance. 25 hours on the 125 (my lads) and 50 on the 300 (mine). Similar intervals as the four-strokes but take less than half the time to do.

have owned a Husky wr125, fast, geat for enduros, not so good on mx tracks and GL's

owned a KTM200 exc (2002) great bike, gest of both worlds, great enduro great GL'er and not too bad on the mx traxk

owned several big 4 banger's : not so good for enduros, to heavy, over powered, good GL'er depending on how technical / rocky or muddy your lanes are.

Dont get the WE125, it is a dressed up moped, the older dt125r's would be a better bet. the 250 is a totally different bike, but the 450 is a great bike, depends on where you are going to ride it.

As a race bike, the 125 / 200 is your best bet. the 250 would be great but you have to be on it to get the best out of it, but it would make a better GL'er

200 wins for me - best of eveything. (or the wr250)

true stroy.

i vote for a service honda 500 2T. that'll give the boy racers something to think about.

There's always [url= http://www.tbec.co.uk/ ]TBEC[/url].

They have classes for trail bikes. That way you could get a DR400 which is ideal for commuting and green laning and race competitively (without having to deal with a race bike on the road).

5th elefant - you race the TBEC's ?

I havent raced them since i moved to devon, but they are a good set of races. A group of mates still do them.

Rendlesham is a great track.

Nope, I raced Mid West, Reading MCC and (a very long time ago) MEC. I stopped racing 3(?) years ago.

TBEC used to race at Ashdown and so did Reading MCC so I was aware of them and knew guys who raced both.

have a look at thumpertalk, you'll get some sensible advice.

The 125 yam is a trail bike and an expensive one. Want to race a 125 in H&H then its a KTM or GasGas or Husky unless you want odd then go TM. Nice and light and easy to ride in H&H. Try a 200 by the first 2 for easier still. 250 4strokes rev like buggery and are dead popular for H&H. 450's are for those with small willies. Hard to ride and no easier on servicing if racing. Neither are sensible second hand buys as they will be shagged and pricey to refurbish to new. If you want to trail ride only then you don't need an enduro bike as they are ALL less sociable and give us a bad name.Get a CRF230. A nice quiet 250 4t eg a WR would be good if you wanted to do H&H and trail riding. Real enduros need much the same as H&H but fuel consumption needs considering maybe.
Whatever 450's are becoming less popular as they are too fast for 75% of riders who race and no one should be riding that fast on the green lanes. Where are you? Go to a club meeting. Finally try the TBM forum for the m/c version of this place. Lots of good advice plus the usual crap. Just like here.
I've just been banned 😆

ohh, and not interested in 2strokes, my experience of them is;
-noisy
-blow up

Do you not mean 4T? as that describes them better. Although I have a 250F with a 290 head on it.

Do not buy a 125 4 stroke. You will hate it before a week. Even my race tuned 125 wr Husky is horrible to ride on the road and just has enough power for a decent off road session.

I have ridden 125 4 strokes and you'd go faster and have more fun on your bike. If you something fast and fun get a Husky, if you want it to work all the time buy a Yamaha or Honda but it won't be half as fun when it's working.

I seriously recommend a 250 2 stroke, the are cheap and easy to fix and so much fun off road.

I have a lovely old RM250 with a few upgrades. I would not want to ride it on the road at all - it would be scary as hell!!!

As for noisy - yes.
Blow up - not if you know what you are doing. They're fantastic.

If you want something to ride for enduro and mx tracks get a propper bike for the job, if your set on Yammaha buy a wr250f and use your car/ bicycle to commute. Or buy a second hand wr250f and a cheep bike for commuting. A 450 for your first bike might be a bit much despite the fact that the enduro versions are quite tamed down compaired to the mx versions the bigger displacement makes them feel a lot heavier than the little 250's add that to the fact that they are heavier makes them a bit of a pig to handle in the trees.

You also might want to think about how much time you will be spending green laning compaired to time on a track, (there aren't many places you can practice enduro so you'll probably only get to do this at races.) If you think most of your time will be spent green laning look at getting a trail bike, if you think you'll spend most of your time at an mx track look at getting a cross country bike (for example KTM do a range of bikes with an xc tag, essentially these are modified exc bikes) My reasoning for this is that enduro bikes aren't set up to be at there best on a track you tend to bottom the suspension quite a lot and the power is set to be a lot softer for woods riding and hence it will leave you longing for more of a punch out of corners if you have a go on a mates mx bike.

Have a look at Hausaberg http://www.midwestracing.co.uk/husabergs/ They have been getting a lot of good press of late and they are owned by KTM so spares can be found at your local dealer. The FX 450 is there cross country version you could get a day only MOT (the one where you don't need lights) if you want to do a bit of green laning and it would be better on an mx track than a true enduro bike but the 18inch rear wheel gives you a lot of enduro legal tyre choice.

Hope this hasn't been too boring.

Iain

250 4st sounds better. If you buy an enduro bike check full legality (front/rear brake lights, dip, horn, stamped sliencer, working indicators etc etc) for MOT time.

have you thought about xr250, or ccm 400 dual sport, as in your case two sets of wheels sounds handy.
jack of all trades, master of none.....

In another life time,I was a keen enduro/trail rider and also used the bikes for commuting.
XR 250 4stroke,great trail bike,reasonable commuter(the tyres are grippy,they just squirm a bit). It was ok in enduros...until I stalled it,a devil to start when hot. (no electric start)Apparently there's a knack,which I never had.
I then moved to KDX 200s,dead reliable,dead rideable and no noisier than a 4 stroke. I had my second one for four years,had some great results in tough Welsh Enduros. Never let me down once,no piston/piston ring change.But I did maitain well......and I sold it for £100 less than I bought it for 4 years previous. The bast bike I ever owned( and I had a few too many)
Not convinced with the integrity of KTMs all my mates switched to them,lovely to ride,but loads of random failures,including bottom end woes!!

Don't get a 450, that'll rip your arms off.

2 bikes would be the best bet- something dirt cheap for the commute and a proper off road bike if you can stomach the service intervals. Normally I hate 2 strokes but for off road, maintenance high bikes they serve a purpose. Servicing is significantly easier, too. Whatever you choose, a dedicated MX bike will be expensive and a lot of hassle. Something like the DRZ400 will do green lanes easily, as well as MX tracks and will manage the commute to work. If you're not looking to race competitively I'd stay well away from the competitive race bikes.

anyone got oppinions on the wr250r? everyone seems to have become fixated on the 250f in this post?

I had a Yamaha IT465 many years ago, scary on the road and even scarier on the dirt!

For the road buy a road-bike and for the dirt buy a dirt-bike.

From what you are saying, WR250R is perfect for you. Have a look at thumpertalk.com and search for reviews. Long service intervals and decent power, decent suspension = good bike. I would have one but bought a husky te250 as I do more racing.

Another vote for a KTM 200 here, light, quick, manageable on and off road. Easy enough to service and repair at home.

I suspect that a 450 4 stroke might be a step too far if you haven't raced before, easy enough to ride on the road but it'd get you into alot of trouble very quickly off road.

Try and get a copy of TBM if you can, worth a read.

If you are dead set on a trail bike how about a TW 200. Decent commuter, low seat, decent for gentle trail riding.

**giggle**

You havin' a laff, right? Trail riding on a TW? Yeah. Right.

likewise a drz400 will not manage on an mx track.

enduro track maybe. but mx? seriously?

1. Most Enduro bikes don't have an ignition switch with a set of keys, so you can't leave it anywhere.

2. Enduro bikes don't have a 'cush' drive in the back wheel. So riding it on tarmac a lot would not be good for the bike.

3. An Enduro bike on the road will go through tyres in no time.

4. An Enduro bike on wet tarmac would be one scary commute.

5. An Enduro bike on the road won't have much in the way of top speed.

Hang on, what about an Enduro bike with a two sets of wheels? One off road set, and one super moto set and brake adaptor? Like CCM used to do, except that CCM's wern't that good.

likewise a drz400 will not manage on an mx track.

enduro track maybe. but mx? seriously?

They work OK at old-school MX tracks like Ashdown.

But obviously they're best at commuting and trail riding, can do enduros and (for a laugh) can be taken on an MX track.

Ok enough nonsense, if you want a 2 stroke you can commute that can go off road and even negotiate a MX track then get a Honda CRM 250. The Active Radical would be the most exotic but a good MK3 would be my choice. They are all getting on a bit now but you will find a good one if you look. They were grey imports but Leisure Trail still have loads of spares. I have raced a Mk2 and a Mk3 and they are ace little bikes. Honda quality and all the road stuff you need.

Forget about full on comp machinery, impractical horrible to ride on road for any distance and will be shagged faster than a whore when the navy hits town. Then take into the stuff like non locking fuel fillers and every little scrote will rob it given half the chance. Riding at night will be lethal and the police will pull you constantly.

There hasn't been a bike invented that will do all three.

There hasn't been a bike invented that will do all three.

As good as the CRMs were, I'm not sure an antique is the solution.

Antique??? 🙄 The OP doesnt sound like he is going to be entering the WEC anytime soon.

shagged faster than a whore when the navy hits town

LOL 🙂

Must remember that one.

CCM's not good!!!!!!!???????????????????????? 😈
The 604 was the best SM ever!!!!And although I loved all my 604's I reckon the 404 was the best trailbike made. Even better than my current CRF230 which is for sale to buy more 604'S

I've no idea what the WEC is so not planing on entering that!

The 'commute' is just 3 miles, when I oversleep missing my lift and its too cold/miserable to want to cycle, and there's grit on the roads so the MG's tucked up indoors.

Playing at the MX track, I've no intention of raceing, just want to survive a few hours of fun.

Enduro: OK fast green laneing might have been a better description. I've friends who race and ride socialy so as long as they'r not dissapearing over the horizon it's good enough. Maybe I'll do a few beginners level races in the future.

TJ: Yamaha TW? Seriously? It's a 125 learner bike with a big rear tire! Next you'll be telling me the CG125 with some knoblies is the answer!

wr250r
+long service intervals (600 to run-in, 6000 thereafter)
+reasnoble engine (33hp, but thats with the silly airbox vacuum restrictor, exup, and probably not the gretest fuel mapping etc)
+ adjustable suspension
+identical geometry to the competition bikes
+comes in supermotard trim as well so obviously works on the road.

Get yorself to the Yama Offroad Experience. Ther have all the WR range there (F's & R's). We went a few weeks ago & a couple of lads were on 250r's all day with no probs at all. For £190, it will seriously inform your descision & probably teach you a lot about off raod riding too.

A guy at work, bought an aprillia RXV450 for exactly the same usage as you & it looks a right PITA. Yes he's got two sets of wheels, but then needed a smaller sprocket to make it viable on the road with s/m tyres, so now needs to faff about with his chain whenever he wants to change wheels. Because he's also got an 800cc firestorm & has done 60mph in the field in front of his house he thinks he's gonna own us all at Armthorpe on saturday, i can't ****ing wait!

Me, i've got a kx250f crosser that i use for mx & some h&h, for road use, i have a car, much less likely to get some spunk gargler knocking me off.

Yes, you'd be better off with a 250r. You'll be selling the 125r within 3 months.
No you won't blow it up, unless you ride like a dork & don't look after it.

As for 450's, the FIM is looking at ditching them & brining in a 350cc class for 2011/2012, which says a lot for their usefullness. Only fat vets & hero's seem to like 450's.

What ou want is the WR250r. Got a great write up in TBM.

thisisnotaspoon - what do you weigh?

*LOL's at some of the MX/Enduro wonnabes* 🙄 😉

The TW was just an idea for a bike that would do the commute and [i] gentle[/i] greenlaning. You have to compromise in one direction or another and that is the commuter with a touch of offfroadability.

Its no MXer but is an MXer a good idea for a newbie?

How about an enfield trials then 🙂

Having had a DRZ400 for a few years, I really enjoyed it. I used it for 60miles commute as well as riding with local trf group and even did the odd H&H's. If I was buying again I I'd look at the WR250R for sure. All the guys with KTM's in the TRF had no end of trouble with them.
PS All 2 strokes are cr*p 😀

If I was wanting an trail/enduro type bike to use off-road and on road I'd go buy a good old Suzuki DR350.
My old man has one fitted with a Swona 390 big bore kit and exhuast - it's an awful lot of fun.... And good enough to get a bunch of guys around the world and beyond...

If the commute is only 3 miles then the WR250 sounds like it will be fine, if you have friends that do a simmilar sort of riding to whatv you are looking at doing why not try a few of their bikes out and see what you like. Most of the Jap marques have a fairly simmilar feeling in my experience of the MX bikes they are usually have a higher seat and bars than Hondas for example, Honda's being generally the most neutral feeling in the erganomics dept. KTM's tend to feel quite odd if you are used to the Japaniese bikes and I personally dislike the PDS suspension for motocross but it is said to work well in an enduro scenario. I would suggest if your mates have a varied range of rides have a play about see which brand you like most and buy their 250f enduro version.

he thinks he's gonna own us all at Armthorpe on saturday, i can't ****ing wait!

You never know, he may well end up owning you;)

I know thats a joke, but have you ridden an enfield trials? The wr125r probably has more power! God only knows where they get the rated power from as the thing barely revs, let alone moves!

this is not a spoon - I own a tuned enfield - must have all off 22 bhp. Stock is 18 IIRC claimed. ( it wa a joke :-))

He wouldn't be the first & certainly won't be the last.

Another vote for the KTM 200 here. Do it. Do it now. 8)

Edit: no, actually, get the TW200. LOL 😆 classic

Didn't realise it was only a 3 mile commute - walk...

Or just pick up a cheap scooter.

22hp must have been the 350? The much more manly 500 has 35hp IIRC, a proper machine, still goes nowhere fast mind 😛 How exactly do you tune something made from a mix of cast iron and wattle&dawb? 😛

I've walked it a few times, not a nice walk! Options are a)cycle, b)lift, c)car, d)motorbike, cant justify a scooter for the once in a million years it'd actualy get used!

If it's only 3 miles a MX bike with plates will do it. 😯

Just buy the one you want the most. You'll figure out where your priorities lie in a few months and you can then chop it in for something else (or not).

Obvious.
My CRF230.

matt, does that mean your's is for sale?

Is it a CCM or a CRF? (I'm trying to guess from your name?)

This is not a spoon - the enfield 500 is ( was when I got mine) 18 bhp as stock.

Lots of tuning available for them - mine has a gas flowed head and a 36 mm concentric carb. tune them any more and you need a new bigend as well.

According to the magazines a TW is capable offroad - for greenlaning - thats what it is designed for.

Its not a pseudo motocross penis extension - its a trailbike Low seat hight and soft engine characteristics Go read the reviews

the CRF230. Had a heap of CCM's , decided to try the 230 as there were a few in the club and they are great for LDT's and tough enduros. Alos I C of C our LDT, the Wyegate, so the 230 suited. 3 years on and I just fancy a change. Loved my 604's so aiming to build a rally style bike.

KX500 ?

[img] [/img]

Maico 700?
[img] [/img]

It's not in any way cool or in any way a respected machine among the dirtbike crew and so it'll get laughed out of existance like the TW200 did, but for general commuting with the occassional bit of dirt I'd look at the Rieju Tango.

Sounds like Chinese monkeymetal but they're an established Spanish manufacturer. The new Gas Gas Pampera is a badge engineered 125 Tango, and one of their crossers is made by Gas Gas.

The Tangos look good, the 125s have Yam engines, they're narrow, not super tall, and they weigh next to nowt. I'd fancy the 250cc but the engine's an unknown quantity, not being from Yam, so I'd like to hear reliablity reports before going for it.

If the main use is on tarmac with the occassional bit of dirt, and you can cope with not looking harcore like you would on the metal posted above (although I think you can spec the more traditional phallic MX fender if you wish) they look just the ticket.

[img] [/img]

Vid of someone messing around on an mx course the 250:

Maico 700 - that is a beast! didnt know they did a 700, the 490 / 500 was bad enough.

A mate had a cr500, put on the road for as a motard / GL'ing on a daytime MOT, no lights, tiny number plate facing the sky and a bike reflector.

he was quick at Mallory Park on it... nuts bike.

Now you got me thinking was after an honda XR250 but only has kick start so have now upped my plans for a CRF250X and the wr250 as well thought there would be quite a few good ones for sale this time of year but don't seem to be going to use mine for GL only with bit of road to get me there

mmmmm macio...................

Might be a bit on the mental side though!

Come on put a picture up of a Vertamati, we have had everything else 🙂

TandemJeremy - Member
this is not a spoon - I own a tuned enfield - must have all off 22 bhp...

Shame they don't do a Velocette reproduction 🙂 Funnily enough I've been eyeing off the Enfield.

To the OP, don't confuse your transport with your toys.