Different strokes
By TMX Archives on 16th Sep 04
Yamaha launch their '05 MXers at Matchams with a choice of two tasty alu-framed strokers and a pair of feisty four-bangers YAMAHA HAVE now joined the race to produce the lightest, best handling aluminium-framed motocross bike. Which is great - it means we can now eat more pies and put on the weight they've taken off! I've got to say straight from the off the new Yamaha two-stroke range looks awesome. I've said on several occasions that I like the colour and now with the new frames they look even meaner and moodier than before. But looking good is one thing, performing is another - take Anna Kournikova for example. Anyway, back to the matter in hand... The YZ125 has been given a bit of a nip and tuck and the personnel in Japan have done better than Michael Jackson's surgeons, that's for sure. The new frame alone has shaved off 1800gm and there's more weight off the new engine. All told the '05 YZ125 is nearly 4kg lighter than the '04 model and this new bike handles better than ever before because of it. It really is slimline, flat, nimble and easy to throw around - traits that would get most people's pecker up, so to speak. The riding position on the bike feels high and flat, which came as a surprise because looking at the bike, the seat looks to be low in the middle. Shifting bodyweight is easy and the geometry of the bike makes you sit central and not too far forward. The new forks have a better feel to them which is progressively smoother in the middle to bottom end of the stroke, giving the rider a little more confidence on jumps. Although I thought the rebound was a little too quick, the stiffness is good for a stock machine and about where it should be for the average rider. The rear shock is great and tracks exceptionally well on or off the gas. The top end of the stroke almost flattens small sharp edged bumps which just adds to the confidence of the rider into corners. I wouldn't change that but I would stiffen the shock at the bottom end. If this handling performance isn't good enough for Joe Average then I'll run half naked through the streets of Milford proclaiming to be a friend of Dale Winton's. I've done it once I'll do it again. Of course, the motor helps make the handling of this bike feel good and it's had some intensive work. Yamaha have changed the angle of the cylinder by leaning it further forward, added a new piston and cylinderhead as well as altering the port shape and timing. The result is a strong, yet smooth, power curve. The bottom and mid are easy to use - the bike doesn't explode into life but it pulls strong through the gears in a controllable manner. Top of middle the bike kicks in and takes off with loads of over-rev, giving the rider plenty of opportunity to use the new sixth gear. Although this isn't the fastest 125 the handling makes it a leading contender for the best 125 on the market. Jeff Perrett For our full test of the '05 Yamahas don't miss the October issue of dbr, on sale September 17