Need Some riding tips

[mbogosia]

Hey guys, I have had a blast on my new 1999 YZ 125 but need some tips. I went to a small track at a local park here and messed around last weekend. I could not really go any higher than 2nd gear. Could someone explain how to use the clutch when going into or out of turns? Basically I can't always keep it in the powerband so how do I use the clutch to keep my power?

Thanks

[The Baron]

On a 125 you basically keep the engine revving and use the clutch to put the power down. As you come into a turn pull the clutch in while keeping rpms up a little and as you are getting ready to exit, open the throttle first and feather the clutch out as you exit. If you just try to use the throttle the bike won't have enough to get past the weak bottom end power.

On a 125 the clutch is the throttle. Keep that motor hummin' and use the clutch to get the power to the ground.

[mbogosia]

Ahhh, I see. I was basically trying to ride around in 2nd gear and it really makes for slow going. LOL I am heading to a local ORV Park this weekend to try to get this down.

[The Baron]

Truthfully, on a 125 working the clutch correctly is much more important than working the throttle. Being 200lbs and riding a 125 I learned this quickly. The throttle was pinned more often than it wasn't. About the only time I would let off the throttle a little was as I came into a turn and pulled the clutch all the way in. But as I hit the apex of the turn it was throttle wide open and then slowly letting the clutch out. Letting the clutch out too fast will bog it and letting it out too slow will just fry the clutch plates. 125 riding is tricky business.

[mbogosia]

yeah, I came over from a 4 stroke Yamaha Warrior ATV so I am new to this. On top of that I am 28yrs old, and 180lbs myself. I really wanted to go for the 250 but thought I should at least learn on this first. I think I can figure the clutching out though with a little work.

[The Baron]

125's are great fun, even for us bigger guys, and a perfect bike to learn on. Once you learn to ride a 125 well, you'll be able to ride any bike well. Just remember that you can't be a slug, you have to ride aggressively to get a 125 to work. I had no problem hanging with friends on their 450's after I got the hang of it. 125's are fast, you just have to know how to ride it correctly.

[CR125Rider]

CR125's FTW baby. I will die next to my 2 stroke 125. I love it!

[mxracer18]

If you want to pull a higher gear out of corners put on a bigger rear sprocket for more accelleration

[The Baron]

Originally Posted by mxracer18

If you want to pull a higher gear out of corners put on a bigger rear sprocket for more accelleration

Or just work on carrying more corner speed.

[mbogosia]

I was starting to practice all this until my crank locked up 2 weeks ago. LOL I should be back in action this saturday though. My crank was melted in the center. Cylinder and piston were perfect though.

[schwen_108]

Be faster by next weekend

[mbogosia]

Great article! Thanks