New Bike Setup..

[MotoMojo17]

I got a 2005 yz125 last Monday, and I need some suggestions for what to do to set it up better for me.

Ok, to start off, I'm 5'7" and 115 lbs. I have a 32" inseam, and size 10 boots if that matters in any way at all : I keep my RPM's up the majority of the time, I don't like to lug my bikes around. I have an aggressive riding style, so I like my suspension to be a little stiff for my weight.

In stock form, the suspension is pretty good, but it bounces on the choppy stuff and big flat landings kind of hurt because of the stiff suspension.

I have my bars moved up almost parallel with the ground. I'm not too big for the bike at all, I just like them like that. I guess because it feels like I'm steering the bike more directly?

Other than the suspension, I need to know about how to set up the jetting. I don't know what to look for other than too much or not enough smoke and pinging or sputtering. My bike doesn't sputter, doesn't ping, and has about the same amount of smoke as I think it should. I wouldn't know much about if there is any power loss due to jetting, because I would need to ride another 05 yz125 to know for sure. It's tons faster than my friend's 2001 CR125, if that matters. I guess I'm just worried about the jetting because it's a new bike and I don't want to be riding it too lean without knowing it and seize the top end.

Oh yeah, and what type of non-synthetic premix oil do you recommend? Right now I'm using Motul 600 2t Ester oil. It says anti-smoke and anti-pollutant or something on the back. Will this make it perform any differently?

LOL Sorry about all the questions, but I just want my bike to be running in the best shape it can be running in.

Thanks, folks!

[1989kx125]

the jetting is usually a little rich from the factory, since you keep it on the boil it should be fine.

[MotoMojo17]

Oh ok. Well, I forgot to say I'm at only a little above sea level, and I'm in northern MS if that helps with the jetting questions.

I had another question, but I forgot it. Heh, must not have been that important.

[1989kx125]

than you bike would be about right on. im in new york and the air is much thinner.

[mtk]

Originally Posted by MotoMojo17

Oh yeah, and what type of non-synthetic premix oil do you recommend?

Why would you want to use non-synthetic oil? About the only stuff that compares to synthetics is castor-based products, and they can gum up powervalves.

[MotoMojo17]

Fully synthetic oil is 3 times the cost of non-synth where I live. I don't know if it's worth all that. The top end life I would save by using synthetic is outweighed by the cost of buying it-unless non synthetic is unbelievably bad for your engine.

Oh yeah, I remember the other question now. Can you buy an hourmeter for a two stroke? Heh, I remembered

[mtk]

Is it worth it?

You bet.

You bought a YZ125. If you wanted a playbike you could neglect and fill with more pedestrian lubricants, you should have bought a TT-R. Speed costs money. It's not just a catchy saying, it's a fundamental truth of the universe.

More importantly, oil is cheap. Yeah, it's $7 a quart for synthetic. At 32:1, that $7 quart will go in eight gallons of $2.25/gallon super unleaded, bringing your fuel cost to $3.13/gallon. That's a whopping $0.87/gallon for synthetic oil. Some conventional oil, at $2/quart, means your fuel cost would be $2.50/gallon, for a grand total difference of $0.63/gallon. If you can't afford that, how are you going to afford tires, brake pads, transmission oil, and all the other stuff you'll need to feed a dirt bike?

As for hour meters, Yamaha sells one, part number ENG-HOURS-00, and it's about $30. You can also get them from SenDec, TinyTac, and there were posts on here about some at Sears that were being cleared out for $5 each, but those are probably long gone. I just put a Yamaha meter on my CR250 myself, although I did black out the Yamaha logo on it out of respect for my CR.

[MotoMojo17]

Synthetic is $16 a bottle here. The oil I use is....wait a minute I forgot they were in different bottles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The synthetic is probably still more, but not as much as I thought. If you say so, I'll switch to synthetic, then.

[mtk]

Then you're getting ripped off. Check your local auto parts stores for Mobil MX2T or the replacement, Mobil Racing 2T, and see if you can find a cheaper price. The MX2T came in pints and was about $3.50 each.

Barring that, go online and find an oil supplier. You can get the aforementioned Mobil products or Amsoil Dominator and have it shipped to you for a lot less than that.

[Vintage Dave393]

You are 115 lbs? Yeah, I bet the suspension IS a little stiff! If I were you, I'd be eating some good southern fried foods and try to fill out my pants legs. Or I would at least put the correct springs on the bike for my weight. You would be amazed at the difference. There is no way you are going to be able to tweak the clickers and get close to the correct settings at your weight.

As far as pre-mix oil, if cost is an issue for you, go grab some Yamalube 2R. It should be around 8 bucks a quart and will work just fine. Mix it at 32:1. As far as good synthetics that shouldn't be too expensive, look for Bel Ray H1R, Maxima, Silkolene, or the Mobil Racing 2T. All are good and shouldn't require you to leave collateral when you buy them.

[MotoMojo17]

Thanks-I guess if you can get it that cheap then I was getting ripped off by a lot.

I'll switch to synthetic today.

EDIT: I've always had stiff suspension. My 85 was set up as stiff as it would go and It wasn't nearly stiff enough. I bottomed on everything. The yz125 is all good now-except the fork is either bottoming or slapping down too hard on flat landings. I can probably get that fixed pretty easily.

[Aus_Rider_22]

This might seem silly question at this stage, but have you checked your static sag?

For the 05 YZ125 you should look at 105mm of sag.

[MotoMojo17]

Haven't checked the sag yet. I don't even have a stand that will hold it up-my old stand is too small.

Is it OK for the shock res. to wiggle a little bit from side to side? The spring itself doesn't spin, just the res. and only a couple inches.

[Aus_Rider_22]

Originally Posted by MotoMojo17

Haven't checked the sag yet. I don't even have a stand that will hold it up-my old stand is too small.

Is it OK for the shock res. to wiggle a little bit from side to side? The spring itself doesn't spin, just the res. and only a couple inches.

I posed the exact same question here a while ago, as I got a bit of a shock after finding movement.

But it's perfectly normal to have some play there.

[MotoMojo17]

Haha thanks-I was kind of worried about that.

Good to know I'm not the only one!