Two-stroke tech: Set-up secrets of a Yamaha YZ125

Take a stock 2020 YZ125 and make it even better. That's the mission of MotoHead's Dave Willet, a former British 125 champion with more experience of the YZ125 than just about anyone else on the planet.
From jetting to squish, pipes to clutches and more, he talks through the initial set-up of the smokin' YZ!
It's like one man's personal love letter to his favourite bike!

[joeshawley]

Loved the 125 when i was much younger! Been through all different bike sizes and brands, and now at 50 im back on a yz125x and a kid again!

[MotoBroo]

just got a 2 stoke yz 125! Loving it so far!

[robertnevinson]

Binned my 450 and bought one of these, age 49 best move I’ve ever done in Mx. Flying now ✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻✊🏻

[motox]

Best mx bike ever. It's the legend from the first days of MX what else do you expect? It's Yamaha the greatest company on the planet!

[georgecarmel]

Spot on!!! Riding 125's bring back the perfection in a rider. You can see who is better when on 125's.
It's what I called the "Momentum Theory" keep it in motion, especially in sand. Plus tweaking the bike is fun. Blew up my 350 sxf and got a 150 sx. Done with 4 strokes.

[Scottstunts]

125’s make great riders. It makes you focus on momentum and technique. I’ve ridden dirt bikes in Southern California for 20 year and nothing makes me smile more than a 125.

[peterclark]

Rode 125s as a youngster, got my son an 08 yz 125 and have a play on it, man this thing is like an instrument, so precise. I check in at 60 years old.

[unadillamoto]

Am a 53 year old Kid and Love 125s.Nice zone to Ride. ✌🏻

[seanhaberman]

I just got an 06 and it's so much fun. Ive been on the 450 for years and went straight to the 250f as a kid so I never really rode 125s but this thing is a blast.

[johnparker]

I am the same as many other riders. I was on 450's and 250 four strokes for years then tried a friends YZ125, the next week I went out and bought a brand new one, in one seas so I put over 70+ hours on it, amazing bike. It is hands down the most fun and best handling bike I have ever ridden. Thumbs up Yamaha!

[Dollartwentyfive]

Absolutely love this video man. You put it all into words so well, I recently picked a 2001 yz125 after a 10 year break from a very short lived riding career. Swamped the bike and seized the big sized con rod bearing I’m assuming from superheating the water that was in the crankcase to steam as ambient temperatures were 30+ c. Bein that I’ve always loved wrenchin i figured it could be enjoyable but, what I didn’t expect was just how much fun it would ve thoroughly believe the YZ125 is the greatest bike ever. Hats off for the info (Ps I just replaced all the suspension and linkage bearings that were seized completely solid and might have been lucky to see grease twice… ! Talk about satisfying.)

[premix]

ive been riding 450s and 250 2 strokes for awhile now but plan on getting a 125 again for the track when prices drop alot after covid, such a different style riding than kids raised on 4 strokes, 125s really teachyou how to ride the clutch and maintain speed through corners and charge alot harder, so much fun, plus the sound and smell!!!

[kdcustoms]

I wanted a 125 as my first bike but a guy called with a clean 04 250 for $1200... No way I could turn it down...love it.. Had it about 6 years now.

[andreasstefanou]

YZ125 Legend
The definition of fun bike

[goldmx]

Im 48 My main bike is a YZ 125 2019 I always bring a 2nd or 3rd to home in Open class, Guy take 1st is on a Ktm 150 and obviously more skilled rider than me, My days were from 1988 to 2000 i did a come back in 2012 and tried 4 strokes but prefer 2 strokes for ever.

[MrTeeskee]

Vidoe made me pull my 2003 out of boxes in the garage and put it back together..runs like a champ still..all stock except for a 296 spark arrester..new exhaust, reeds, and fresh top end is coming very soon..

[RACING]

I’m 6’4” 235lbs and I ride a 125 better than any other bike in the woods. Just ride the pipe the whole time

[ian.thompson]

Yz125 is the best bike ever made for sure!

[SSRacing]

I bought my first one in 1977, and I bought my 4th one in 2018, awesome little ripper. ...and on a good day, I can still dust some of my buddies riding the thumpers.😃

[Indistinct]

after watching this video, went out and picked up a used 2017 yz125, and helped me setup my 2007 rm125 also!