125cc Is it too small for a green lane bike.

[sexysi]

Right,

I already run a 800xc Tiger green laning.

But having a look around for a green lane bike that is lighter.

Now I now everybody will go DR 350/DRZ 400 or XR400 and KTM's will be the perfect bike to have.

Now my question is there are a couple of 125cc bikes that always looked ok, to me to do some laning on.

Namely Honda xlr 125cc (My first everybike) or the DT 125.

Can you ring an extra couple of HP out of these? Or do they have enough power to get away with on my local lanes.

This bike would be purely a road legal green lane hack and as cheap as chips.

si

[Mike101]

I'd say a 125 would be perfect..as long as you have the trails on your doorstep that at is..or a van.

Mike

[Mike54]

125 is fine unless long road sections between trails. 250 four stroke better to be honest.

[Freeloadeur]

Well you know what I'm going to say

But, more seriously, it's going to be down to preferred riding style and I suppose ability. I'm a potterer who likes lots of stops and whose life flashes before his eyes at anything over about 30mph off-tarmac. Consequently I could probably be happy with a 50cc as long as I didn't have to ride on a lot of dual carriageway to get to the lanes. So for me a 125cc is just about perfect, and sort of matches me on the power:skills balance.

In fact you've seen it in action, and I'm fairly certain an even slightly more competent rider would have been able to keep up. Instead it was little old me, clinging on for dear life, and taking a lot of wrong turnings.

Only one thing to do, bite the bullet and buy one, as long as you don't trash it you could probably own it for a year and sell on for minimal loss. That's the other good thing, after initial depreciation 125's seem to plateau on price.

[sexysi]

We are talking sub £800 for one of these.

As i said my first ever bike, with electric start.

Specifications
Top speed 87 mph
1/4-mile acceleration secs
Max power 11 bhp
Max torque 18 ft-lb
Weight 119 kg
Seat height 858 mm
Fuel capacity 9 litres
Average fuel consumption 46 mpg
Tank range 128 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group 6 of 17
Engine size 124 cc
Engine specification 2v single cylinder, 5 gears
Frame Steel semi double cradle
Front suspension adjustment None
Rear suspension adjustment Preload
Front brakes 230mm disc
Rear brake 110mm drum
Front tyre size 2.75 x 21
Rear tyre size 4.10 x 18

si

[FERDINAND PICK]

Yeh it would be spot on if like you say you don't want to go quick ( I'm sure you could do 60mph on it, if you wanted). After the Tiger the lightness of the 125 will be great fun, you will glide over loose stuff.

My mate had a KMX 125 back in the day and i had a NSF 125. I all ways wished it was the other way round.

[sexysi]

This would be running full knobblies as well, so won't want to stay on tarmac for long anyway :pinch:

si

[SteveR]

I ran a derestricted KMX125 purely for trail work, around 25hp as I recall, and it was perfect mix of lightweight, comfort and enough power. I question whether a 12hp 125 would be happy off road unless the gearing was lowered.... Unless you are 8stone of course...! This would compromise road work a bit, maybe too much for a trail bike?

[micky1]

200 - 250 ish imho is better. lower revs..less noise more ooph

i had a lovely crm 250. very tractible power

[Richard Simpson]

Is a 125 cc bike too small for the trails?

No, but you might be too big for a 125 cc bike.

I went out riding with a guy on a 125 cc AJP this summer. He made everything look effortless.

But he's 18 and sponsored by his local AJP dealer. He races it and regularly beats 'proper' bikes.