First Ride ALL NEW 2023 YAMAHA YZ125X 

#dirtbike #sports #yamaha #motorcycle
We rode the new Yamaha YZ125X off-road two-stroke for the first time this week. This motorcycle has massive changes for 2023. It is based on the YZ125 motocross bike which had massive changes last year, so it follows in those footsteps with a mostly new motor, and completely new bodywork. The suspension is also updated just as the YZ125 motocross bike was. The fact that this bike even exists is a big win for us. It’s hard to imagine how that even came about. There’s no big demand for 125cc off-road bikes in the U.S.-never has been. There’s certainly a very loud base of cranky two-stroke fans, but they are notorious for being more talk than action. Still, those guys are right! All 125 two-strokes are wonderful bikes. This one especially.Comparing this motor to last year’s YZ125X would show that the crank, cylinder, cases, power valve and piston are all different. Those changes came to the motocross version a year earlier. In order to make that motor suitable for off-road riding there are a handful of further changes. The combustion chamber has a 7% increase in volume and the compression ratio is different. It’s 10.21:1 when the reshaped power valve is closed, which is a 5% reduction. With the power valve open, it’s 7.81:1, which is a 1% increase. The power valve governor is also designed to open sooner. The ignition mapping is different and the jetting is a touch leaner in most zones.The suspension is very similar to the motocross version’s right down to the spring rates (which are stiffer than those of last year’s X). The valving is softer at both ends compared to that of the MX bike. Then there are the standard badges of off-road membership: an 18 inch rear wheel, a kickstand, a petcock with a reserve position, an O-ring chain and slightly lower final gearing in the rear (50 tooth versus 49). Things that are the same as the motocross bike include the fuel capacity, the gearbox, the pipe and the silencer.he best aspect of the YZ125X is that it’s preposterously easy to ride. It’s light and has outstanding suspension at both ends. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Yamaha X bikes generally have the best suspension in the off-road world. The YZ125X also has considerably more low-end power than the motocross version. That’s especially good because the MX bike lost a little low-end with the new motor last year. The X regained that and more. On top, the X might suffer a little. It’s not as fast as the MX bike, which isn’t quite as fast as the Austrian 125 two-strokes. This year represents a big shift in the 125 class as a whole, though. The KTM and Husky 125s have new motors with throttle body fuel injection. They have considerably more low-end than older KTMs and Husky 125s, but not as much on top. That gives new life to both the Yamaha 125s, which suddenly find themselves more competitive in the power game. The GasGas oddly enough, is now the top-end power king simply because it uses the older carbureted motor. We will have a full test of the 2023 Yamaha YZ125X in the August, 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike.he best aspect of the YZ125X is that it’s preposterously easy to ride. It’s light and has outstanding suspension at both ends. That shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Yamaha X bikes generally have the best suspension in the off-road world. The YZ125X also has considerably more low-end power than the motocross version. That’s especially good because the MX bike lost a little low-end with the new motor last year. The X regained that and more. On top, the X might suffer a little. It’s not as fast as the MX bike, which isn’t quite as fast as the Austrian 125 two-strokes. This year represents a big shift in the 125 class as a whole, though. The KTM and Husky 125s have new motors with throttle body fuel injection. They have considerably more low-end than older KTMs and Husky 125s, but not as much on top. That gives new life to both the Yamaha 125s, which suddenly find themselves more competitive in the power game. The GasGas oddly enough, is now the top-end power king simply because it uses the older carbureted motor. We will have a full test of the 2023 Yamaha YZ125X in the August, 2024 print edition of Dirt Bike.
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