I'm 5'11 180lb and want 2 know if a yamaha yz125 is a good first bike? Never ridden

[Jlbball48]

I'm lookin for a first dirt bike and wanted to know if a yamaha yz 125 is a good first bike? I have never drove a dirt bike before. I have never used a clutch on anything. The closest thing to ridding was my friends atv that's semi auto. Need help is a 2 stroke to powerful or should I get yz85 or crf150r? Please help!!!!

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Honest question. Can you afford to have a broken leg or ankle or something to that effect and still get your day job done? If not stay away from dirt biking.

 

[chimaxi83]

5'11" 180? Do you even lift bro? D:

 

[Markbnj]

I haven't ridden in years, and my last bike was a 400cc road bike. But I rode a Yamaha 250cc dirt bike when I was about 12, so a 125 sounds maybe a little small for you.

 

[JulesMaximus]

 

[*kjm]

May want to look into a WR250R then you could take it on the road also.... great bike.

 

[GagHalfrunt]

No, a YZ125 is a terrible choice for a beginner. Dedicated motocross bikes are kind of twitchy, they don't make much power in a certain part of the band and then *BAM* it all comes on at once. You want something that's more docile, I'd suggest a 4-stroke off-road/enduro bike in the 250cc range rather than a peaky motocross model. Even with the larger motor a 4-stroke 250 will be more predictable and forgiving than a YZ125.

And yeah, get something with a clutch. If you're going to learn to ride then learn to ride right.

 

[DrPizza]

How about a 250F? 4 stroke instead of 2 stroke. (a bit quieter too)

Both of my kids rode (ride) 250F's; seems to be about right for your size. And, what they said - you can deal with a broken leg, arm, etc.? ABSOLUTELY get the right safety equipment. Good riding boots, chest protector, neck brace, etc.

The YZ250F is about 1k more for brand new, thought I'd recommend getting a used bike to learn on.

 

[zCypher]

^^ agree. smooth, linear and predictable is what you want to learn with. not twitchy, surprising and potentially overwhelming.

otherwise, see how you feel on it. everyone is a little different. go check a few out and see how they feel to you.

 

[Mai72]

Don't get a motorbike. They are sooo dangerous.

Take up neffing on ATOT instead.

 

[schmuckley]

The Honda

 

[Renob]

Honest question. Can you afford to have a broken leg or ankle or something to that effect and still get your day job done? If not stay away from dirt biking.

so gay lol I've had over 25 dirt bikes and loved everyone, the 125 will be a good firt for ya go for it and wear the right gear woot

 

[Majcric]

I'd take a dirt bike any day over an atv. And anyone hill climbing knows a dirt bike is Safer. Safer in general if Rodin' properly.

 

[z1ggy]

Turbo 'Busa. Only way to go.

 

[alkemyst]

5'11" 180? Do you even lift bro? D:

5'11 and 180lbs is not a bad weight.

OP, like someone said; dirt biking can leave you laid up. However a 125 is always a good bike to start with and can be resold pretty easy if you get bored of it.

 

[alkemyst]

so gay lol I've had over 25 dirt bikes and loved everyone, the 125 will be a good firt for ya go for it and wear the right gear woot

If you never been hurt on one, then you weren't dirt biking.

Most of us with real jobs have to consider there is a big risk having to tell our bosses: "I can't work for the next two weeks because I went dirt biking!".

 

[edro]

You'd be fine on it, but I agree with others.
It's a 2 stroke racing bike. The power band is made for racing.

Get a 4 stroke version for general riding.

 

[SAWYER]

Get a 4 stroke, 2 strokes are not a good choice for a beginner

 

[Brian Stirling]

Yeah, a 2-stroke racing bike will not be the best choice for a beginner though they can be great fun when you do have experience. As other have said a 4-stroke dual purpose bike would have more usable power and not be any where near as peaky so would be a better choice for a novice.

One more thing to consider about the YZ ... it's likely to be fairly old and as it is a racing bike may well be pretty played out. You could easily wind up having to bore the cylinder, replace the piston and rings, and need other work as well and even then you'd still have a peaky 2-stroke that's pretty loud.


Brian

 

[JoLLyRoGer]

Meh, don't be a pussy. Get a KX500!

Dishes = DONE BITCH!

 

[CPA]

Timely thread. I discussed this same issue with my wife a few days ago. 44 years old and I'm yearning for the days when I was a kid and rode dirtbikes almost every day. Thing is, that was 30 years ago, so I'm essentially a beginner again.