TWO-STROKE SHOOTOUT: PASHA RACING’S YAMAHA YZ150 VS. KTM 150SX

Pasha Afshar is solely responsible for reviving the 125 Pro class in Southern California. Instead of limiting it to 125cc (which is a nightmare for regulating), he opened up the class to a “150cc Open” specification. This way, he doesn’t have to worry about protests and cheaters; it’s a “run what you brung” class, with all bikes that started out as 125s. Pasha told us that he’s had 155cc, 167cc, and 175cc two-strokes sign up and race in his classes over the last few years, but usually, they are the ones who blow up and don’t make it to the finish line. Now, Pasha has built a 155cc Yamaha two-stroke to compete against his arsenal of KTM 150SX smokers. In this video, Josh Mosiman and Ezra Lewis put the bikes to the ultimate horsepower test at Glen Helen.

Pasha Afshar (left) works with engine builder Chris Heinrich (right) to pump out impressive horsepower from these big-bore 125s.