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Author Topic: 1977 125 Shootout  (Read 10629 times)

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Offline DCPlasticsguy

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1977 125 Shootout
« on: June 30, 2010, 12:47:52 am »
Anyone have an old bike mag test from 1977? Trying to choose between the 1977 YZ 125 and 1977 RM 125. Which is the better bike for an expert rider?
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Offline Davey Crocket

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2010, 07:02:26 am »
Go the Suzuki, waaayy lighter and theres lots of stuff you can do/get for one. 8)
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Offline JohnnyO

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2010, 08:15:43 am »
They RM125b won most of the shootouts that year. It is the best bike.
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TM BILL

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2010, 08:40:16 am »
No contest buy the RM  :)
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Offline Nathan S

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2010, 08:45:46 am »
Quote from: DCPlasticsguy on June 30, 2010, 12:47:52 am
Which is the better bike for an expert rider?

The Suzuki.
If you're tall and/or less than expert, then the Yammie comes back into the game.

In typical Yamaha fashion, lots of other parts fit onto the YZ125D, and will greatly improve the bike at minimal cost: YZ250/400D forks and triples, a lengthened rear shock, and a YZ125E pipe (and 125E barrel/head if you think you can get away with it :D), and there will be no excuses about the bike if you can't beat the Suzukis.

Edit: Just because I dug the photo out for the "What forks are these?" thread:
There were plenty of times you'd be able to overtake faster riders simply because you had more/better suspension. And the stock D motor with E pipe didn't let the team down.
Give it an after-market swingarm and some porting/a modern pipe, and I reckon it would be at least a match for a similarly modified RM.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2010, 09:20:33 am by Nathan S »
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Offline Slakewell

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #5 on: June 30, 2010, 09:52:07 am »
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Current bikes. KTM MC 250 77 Husky CR 360 77, Husky 82 420 Auto Bitsa XR 200 project. Dont need a pickle just need to ride my motorcickle

Offline bigk

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2010, 10:35:18 am »
That bike (KTM) just got sold 5 minutes ago and is on the way to Exmouth W.A. Been riding it around the yard here and I've done about 10 laps on a small track and I have to say, it seems at least on a par with an RM125 in the engine department.
Cheers,
K
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Offline Slakewell

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2010, 10:53:50 am »
They where easy to hot up a little porting and pipe and they go faster than last weeks pay. I wonder if they paid over 5k for that in the USA they sell for about 1k and there seems plenty of them.
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Current bikes. KTM MC 250 77 Husky CR 360 77, Husky 82 420 Auto Bitsa XR 200 project. Dont need a pickle just need to ride my motorcickle

Offline bigk

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2010, 12:45:27 pm »
Not quite $5K, but close. Pretty rare here and this one you could race tomorrow with a little standard race prep.
Cheers,
K
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Offline mposs

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2010, 06:09:35 pm »
Short comparison -MXA





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Offline DCPlasticsguy

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #10 on: July 01, 2010, 06:50:08 am »
Just what I was looking for. Thanks!
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Offline evo550

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #11 on: July 01, 2010, 04:58:24 pm »
Does it matter, if your and expert, you should be able to win on anything ???
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Offline Nathan S

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2010, 07:15:27 pm »
Unless there's another expert on a better bike?
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Offline DCPlasticsguy

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #13 on: July 01, 2010, 09:58:00 pm »
Just looking for the best possible bike to start with. Equal rider ability is fine until one guy has a 3 hp faster and 10 lb lighter bike with more suspension. Then things aren't so fair. I found a YZ125D locally.

Here's the ad:

Excellent condition, many extras, ready to race!
77 Yamaha YZ125 with many new parts and upgrades, including:
YZ250 forks with fresh seals, oil, and internally modded
78 swingarm (aluminum), all new/freshly greased bushings, with stock as a spare
YZ250 shock (heavier spring) freshly revalved with remote gas resevoir added
Engine totally rebuilt with fresh bearings and seals, new crank, top end has been ported and has less than 5 hours on it.
New 77 head with 78 cut head as a spare
Powdercoated frame and engine cases
All new bolts, washers, fasteners - many drilled for lightness like factory bikes of old
New fenders with spare orginals (mounted)
New graphics
Tank in excellent condition
New Excel front rim with heavy duty stainless spokes
New rear spokes
New bars and grips
New seat
New fork gaitors
New tires
New chain and sprockets
All cables are fresh
New carb / reeds / intake boot / air filter
New brake pads, freshly grooved
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Offline Nathan S

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Re: 1977 125 Shootout
« Reply #14 on: July 01, 2010, 10:17:10 pm »
Sounds like a super-sweet bike, to be honest.

The '78 swing arm is a remarkable step foward over the '77 one - stiffer (noticable even for a nuffie like me), more stable, better turning and a bit of extra suspension travel - there's not much to dislike, although it isn't really legal on a pre-78 bike...

The '78 head is also an improvement, although not a huge one. Very difficult for the non-train-spotters to pick, too.
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