TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: WE RIDE THE LAST FACTORY 125

We test Brett Metcalfe’s 2005 Yamaha of Troy YZ125 when it was the only smoker left on the track

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE BBR’S YAMAHA TT-R150L

This works-like BBR play bike is a perfect example of the ideas, craftsmanship and work ethic that powered the minicycle world eight years ago

MXA VIDEO: 2024 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE TESTED

One of the most popular 125cc two-strokes is still around after 50 years, although serious development on this particular model started in 2005—that is 19 years with of expericene

2024 YAMAHA YZ125X VS. YZ250X: WHICH OFF-ROAD YZ-X TWO-STROKE IS BEST FOR YOU?

Yamaha offers two four-stroke cross-country models & two two-stroke models. MXA breaks down the differences between the 2024 YZ250X and YZ125X

IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR! THE WRECKING CREW’S FAVORITE YAMAHA TWO-STROKE PROJECT BIKES

There is no time limit on the love between a man and his first two-stroke—and when a two-stroke has been in production since 1974, like the YZ125/YZ250, it has a devoted congregation hoping to pay homage to the past with their own Yamaha project bikes

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST PRO CIRCUIT’S 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

This 2023 Yamaha YZ125 is the new version of Pro Circuit’s “Race Spec” engine and suspension for this bike, and we were the lucky ones who were able to sling a leg over it

WE RIDE PRO CIRCUIT’S 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 RACE BIKE

MXA has traditionally carbon-dated the start of the YZ125 era to 2006 because that’s when the class-leading Kayaba SSS forks were installed.

2023 MXA 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: HUSQVARNA TC, GASGAS MC, YAMAHA YZ & KTM SX GO TO WAR

Take your pick! Two are fuel injected and two are carbureted—and one is by far the best in the 2023 125 class. Everything you need to know

TEST UPDATE: 2023 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

Being trustworthy, timeless & true to its purpose make the 2023 Yamaha YZ125 the Boy Scout of the 125 class.

MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2023 TWO-STROKE BUYER’S GUIDE

Thinking about switching to a smoker? The market for two-strokes is flush with race bikes built for riders as young as 4 years old all the way up to senior citizens

BUDGET BIKE SHOOTOUT: 2023 SUZUKI RM-Z250 FOUR-STROKE “VERSUS” YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

You may not think they are comparable, but the AMA rulebook says they are. Which one is better?

MXA’S 2023 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

Yamaha’s pride and joy versus KTM and Husky’s new electronic fuel-injection technology versus the tried-and-true carbureted GasGas 125

TWO VERSUS TWO: 2022-23 YZ125 VERSUS OLDER 2021 YZ125

This is a completely RAW video for our viewers to check out. No talking. No music. Just pure two stroke bliss

IN THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR! THE WRECKING CREW’S FAVORITE 2022 RACE BIKES

Even though they know the best bike when they ride it, that doesn’t mean that they choose the winner when it’s time to race

MXA’S 125 HOT-ROD PROJECT BIKE SHOOTOUT: THE THREE BEST TUNERS KICK OUT THE JAMS

Jamie Ellis, Dean Dickenson & Mitch Payton put our KTM, Husky & Yamaha 125s on remedial speed therapy — with video and something called “words”

“MY $1000 CRAIGSLIST WONDER BIKE” BY JOHN PERRY

“I chose the Yamaha YZ125 because it had been basically the same since 2005. I know lots of people criticize Yamaha for not making a new YZ125 and YZ250 every couple of years, but the fact that they don’t change is why I wanted one.”

TWO-STROKE BATTLE: ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 VS. 2021 YAMAHA YZ125

What are the pros and cons of the tried-and-true YZ125 versus the all-new 2022 version? We break them down here

MIKE ALESSI’S 42-HORSEPOWER YAMAHA YZ134 TWO-STROKE

Mike Alessi not only shows how to ride a YZ125 fast, but also how to build one that leaves no stone unturned

MXA VIDEO: WE TEST THE ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

We didn’t expect it, but Yamaha went all-out on their new YZ125. How good is it? We break it all down for you right here

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE CARMICHAEL’S, HENRY’S & DOWD’S 1998 MX DES NATIONS BIKES

We lined up tests on the three 1998 Motocross des Nations works bikes. It was a great test—even though the fairy tale didn’t have a happy ending

MXA VIDEO: 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 VERSUS 2022 HUSKY TC125 TWO-STROKES

How does the new YZ125 compare to the Husky 125? We put them head-to-head and break down all the details here

WATCH THREE MXA TEST RIDERS WRING OUT A KTM 125SX, GASGAS MC125 & YAMAHA YZ125

Test riders always make their jobs seem so hard, but watch these three and you’ll see that it’s hardly like working in the salt mines

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE KEVIN WINDHAM’S 1996 FACTORY YZ125

Factory-prepped bikes evoke images of unbelievable power, superb handling, and razor-like control. Yet visually, Windham’s YZ125 looked pretty much like the stock YZ125 that the MXA gang brought along for comparison

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE THE LAST FACTORY 125cc TWO-STROKE

You didn’t ask this is significant history, but we tested Brett Metcalfe’s 2005 Yamaha of Troy YZ125 when it was the only smoker left on the track

FIRST LOOK! ALL-NEW 2022 YAMAHA YZ125 WITH AN IMPROVED ENGINE

The 2022 YZ125 gets a new cylinder, head, piston, piston pin, connecting rod, crankcase, expansion chamber, Hitachi Astemo Keihin PWK38S carburetor and 3D-map-controlled CDI

INSIDE SCOOP ON MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

Thinking about a new one-two-five? GasGas MC 125 versus Husvarna TC125 versus KTM 125SX versus TM 125MX versus Yamaha YZ125

MOTOCROSS ACTION’S 2021 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT VIDEO

We breakdown the details on each of the 2021 125 Two-Strokes and rank them from fifth to first

MXA TESTS MIKE ALESSI’S XPR-BUILT YAMAHA YZ134 TWO-STROKE

The MXA wrecking crew had a very good time on Mike’s Yamaha YZ134; we bonded with it; it encouraged our test riders, didn’t punish them for mistakes and never talked back

MXA RETRO TEST: WE RIDE THE LAST WORKS 125 TWO-STROKE

Brett Metcalfe’s Yamaha of Troy YZ125 was the last of the breed — and he was the last of the Mohicans

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2021 YAMAHA YZ125

It’s a fun bike to ride. It’s a fun bike to own. If you feel compelled to spend money on your 2021 Yamaha YZ125, spend it on the engine

MXA’S WORLD TWO-STROKE CHAMPIONSHIP PRO CIRCUIT YAMAHA YZ125RV

On MXA’s 2020 Yamaha YZ125, we wanted a no-frills race bike. We only wanted to change the stuff that needed changing, work on the items that needed help and replace the parts that we knew could be better

MXA’S RYAN VILLOPOTO YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE REPLICA VIDEO

Mitch Payton gave us Ryan Villopoto’s engine specs and his special YZ125RV works pipe which is now available to buy

THE ULTIMATE YAMAHA YZ125: SMUGGLED IN FROM AMSTERDAM BY MXA

This is the engine package that Yamaha’s sponsored riders use in European EMX 125 and the Yamaha Cup 125 races. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Sadly, it’s not sold in America

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ125X CROSS-COUNTRY

Yamaha dabbles in the off-road market with the YZ125X. It can be used for motocross or cross-country, but compromises had to be made for both

ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2005 YAMAHA YZ125

One of the best production smokers made

FIRST LOOK! 2021 YAMAHA TWO- & FOUR-STROKE MOTOCROSS MODELS

The big focus for the Yamaha engineers was updating the 2021 Yamaha YZ250F— here are the changes they made to all their motocross bikes

FIRST LOOK! 2021 YAMAHA OFF-ROAD & TRAIL MODELS

We snuck in a bunch of other 2021 Yamaha models while we were at it. Check them out!

MXA RACE TEST: THE REAL TEST OF THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

The 2020 Yamaha YZ125 a great all-around dirt bike in spite of Yamaha’s backwards priorities

FIRST RIDE ON THE 2020 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE: A TIMELESS WORK OF ART

Could we complain? Yes, but we’re not going to

ON THE RECORD: 2004 125 TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT

The MXA wrecking crew rounded up the five prime contenders and put them through their paces. Here is what we learned about the 2004 tiddlers

MXA’S 2020 KTM 125SX VS. 2020 YAMAHA YZ125 UNSHOOTOUT

Well, actually a “real shootout,” but of two machines that don’t have an actual class to race in—yet are very popular

MXA VIDEO: TWISTED DEVELOPMENTS’ YZ125 FROM MXA’S HOPPED-UP 125 SHOOTOUT

The first of three special 125s that we built as a unique shootout that tested not only the basic machines, but the approach of different tuners

SWORDS OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS: WEAPONS OF BRADSHAW, VILLOPOTO, TEDESCO & PASTRANA

The personal two-stroke race bikes of the stars of the past — they could race anything they wanted, but they prefer two-strokes

MXA’S 2020 YAMAHA YZ125X FIRST RIDE VIDEO

We tell you what you need to know about the off-road tailored YZ125 two-stroke

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2019 SMOKERS

Looking for a smoker? You came to the right place. This is MXA’s performance guide to the 2019 two-strokes (which in most cases means the 2020 two-stroke models also)

FIRST LOOK! 2020 YAMAHA YZ250, YZ125, YZ85, YZ65 TWO-STROKE MODELS

2020 Yamaha smokers!

FIRST LOOK! 2020 YAMAHA OFF-ROAD YZ125X, YZ250X, YZ250FX, YZ450FX MODELS

Yamaha release the YZ125X two-stroke as an all-new model for their off-road lineup

MXA RACE TEST: 2019 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

The closest thing to a time machine that we can find. It takes you back to 2006 and brings you back to the present in a flick of the throttle

MXA’S 2006 YAMAHA YZ125 TEST

In 2005 the YZ125 sold 28 percent more bikes from the pervious year which allowed Yamaha to spend R&D money to make the 2006 YZ125 even better

BEST TWO-STROKE DIRT BIKES FROM 1980-2000

Did you own any of these 125cc or 250cc winners throughout the two decades?

ON THE RECORD: COMPLETE TEST OF THE 2007 YAMAHA YZ125

In 2007 the YZ125 earned the 125cc Bike of the Year award ten times in 11 years (losing only once to the KTM 125)

FIRST LOOK! 2019 YAMAHA YZ250, YZ125 & ALL-NEW YZ85

We have been waiting 17 years for a new Yamaha YZ85, and it is finally here! As for the YZ125 & YZ250, they are identical as the 2018 models, save for BNG

MXA FIRST RIDE VIDEO: 2018 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE RAW

This is the raw sound of what a 2018 Yamaha YZ125 sounds like at full tilt at Glen Helen —without any big bikes in the way

MXA MOTOCROSS RACE TEST: 2018 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

We love this bike—the problem is, we don’t love racing this bike unless it is against other YZ125s or older smokers, but not KTM 125s

MXA’S YAMAHA YZ134 vs. YZ144 BIG-BORE CHALLENGE

Bigger displacement the better, right? Wrong

HOW TO BUILD A LOW-COST BUDGET SMOKER

Renovating a 2005 YZ125

MXA RACE TEST: 2017 YAMAHA YZ125 TWO-STROKE

By proxy, the 2018 too

2005 YZ125 MAKEOVER: ALL IT TOOK WAS 16 GRAND

If money was no object

MXA TEAM TESTED: FMF YAMAHA YZ125 PIPE AND SILENCERS

Two for one, but a dollar factor

TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: KTM 125SX vs. YAMAHA YZ125

If this were a boxing match, it would end with a knockout