Pre 78 125's

[Slakewell]

What would be your pick and why?
I'm thinking that the little RM would be the best bang for buck in this class?
The KTM is to heavy and too rare the Monty whilst being beautiful is sadly uncompetitive ( Mostly because it is in pieces ) The Honda is expensive when you add aftermarket parts. Don't know much about the YZ D. Firko's little Pre 78 project looks interesting with Yam power. The Maico fits in with the KTM. What other choices are there?   

[Rookie#1]

You've pretty much already answered your question, YZ125D/E. although E us 78 all but swing arm are pretty much the same. Bits are plentiful and relatively low cost, you'll build a good 125d/e and keep it running for years for a hell of a lot less than maintaining and buying euro bits. Go for it, you'll love it. If you're heading to HBBB come say g'day and take mine for a spin.

Cheers, Brendan

[Big Scotty]

only ridden yamaha d model 125 which seems just as competative as the rest,i find the 125 is the hardest bike i have to ride fast but is also the most fun when you get it right,riding my 400 makes you lazy,just ride the 125 like you stole it,seems though the rms are a fairly good bit of gear,except for a problem with the swingarm lol,

[albrid-3]

My choice would be a Honda cr 125 77 model. (TOP GUN)

[Slakewell]

My choice would be a Honda cr 125 77 model. (TOP GUN)

Dave I was thinking this as my mate has one hiding in his unused stuff but when I went on ebay and saw kits going for 2.5k I stopped.

[albrid-3]

A standard 77 model Honda CR 125 would still eat a yz yamaha, These bikes would also eat up a 80 model bikes, you done need to put kits on them, they become to unreliable. stick to standard, the Jap`s did there homework on them.

[jimg1au]

i like riding my yz125x its a fun bike to ride
jim

[Montynut]

A standard 77 model Honda CR 125 would still eat a yz yamaha, These bikes would also eat up a 80 model bikes, you done need to put kits on them, they become to unreliable. stick to standard, the Jap`s did there homework on them.

Dave the RM125B & YZ125D are far better than the Honda for MX maybe in dirt track the Honda may have a faster engine but the chassis and suspension just is not in the same race as the YZ/RMs. Back in 77 the start lines where white and yellow not much red

[JohnnyO]

The RM125b was the best stock 125 in '77 followed by the YZ but the Honda was popular in the US with the Pro's. Once you bolted all the aftermarket goodies to the CR and did a little cylinder grinding they were rocket ships.
The Husky is also a good bike but maybe a bit underpowered. They can all be made into decent bikes with the technology we have today.

[JohnnyO]

A standard 77 model Honda CR 125 would still eat a yz yamaha, These bikes would also eat up a 80 model bikes, you done need to put kits on them, they become to unreliable. stick to standard, the Jap`s did there homework on them.

Dave the Honda was the least developed of all the 125's, it received minimal changes from '74-'78 and was left behind

[Montynut]

The VB125 Montesa had no power, what was there was in a power band narrower than a bees dick and a hand grenade instead of bigend bearing don't even bother.

[motomaniac]

A standard 77 model Honda CR 125 would still eat a yz yamaha, These bikes would also eat up a 80 model bikes, you done need to put kits on them, they become to unreliable. stick to standard, the Jap`s did there homework on them.

Dave the Honda was the least developed of all the 125's, it received minimal changes from '74-'78 and was left behind

true but more power was easy to get , 34mm mik alone made a big diff, head and porting and maybe a pipe and they flew .AB won the OZ title on one in 76  with close to stock suspenders. But for sure the RM was best off the floor in 77 .

[JohnnyO]

true but more power was easy to get , 34mm mik alone made a big diff, head and porting and maybe a pipe and they flew .AB won the OZ title on one in 76  with close to stock suspenders. But for sure the RM was best off the floor in 77 .

AB was second in the '76 125 title to Steve Cramer but Darryl Willoughby did win the '77 Oz title on a CR.

[09.0]

What would be your pick and why?
I'm thinking that the little RM would be the best bang for buck in this class?
The KTM is to heavy and too rare the Monty whilst being beautiful is sadly uncompetitive ( Mostly because it is in pieces ) The Honda is expensive when you add aftermarket parts. Don't know much about the YZ D. Firko's little Pre 78 project looks interesting with Yam power. The Maico fits in with the KTM. What other choices are there?   

Maico 125 is very competitive. With the tracks we run today most are competitive anyway. I would be just as happy with a cr125. The Smith brothers take turns at winning the pre78 nat's on a cr125.

[motomaniac]

true but more power was easy to get , 34mm mik alone made a big diff, head and porting and maybe a pipe and they flew .AB won the OZ title on one in 76  with close to stock suspenders. But for sure the RM was best off the floor in 77 .

AB was second in the '76 125 title to Steve Cramer but Darryl Willoughby did win the '77 Oz title on a CR.

Jeez you're good . Anyway they were competitive in the day with some work and a good 125 pilot.At that level its all about max power , a reed valve  have less significance .