My New To Me Honda CR125 Beater Dirt Bike

Well I guess I'm glad to say that I found another bike to race with.... It's not exactly what I wanted, but I picked it up for a price that was hard to pass on, even though I wanted a YZ125 (or 2002+ CR125). This '01 Honda CR125R is perfect for a beater race bike. It doesn't look like much, but it seems to run well, and just needs some TLC. I think it's been sitting awhile, and from what I can tell, it needs: carburetor cleaned, oil changed (done), chain tightened (done), fork seals, rear tire, and a good wash.

It's a little rough around the edges, but it doesn't look like it has a million hours on it. It has a state trail sticker on it, so that's a bonus if I want to go trail riding! The plastic isn't the prettiest, but I honestly don't care what it looks like as long as everything is clean and working, especially if I'm racing with it. I'll just have to replace cosmetics when I decide to sell it anyway, so why spend more now when I can wait 'til later?

When I pulled it off the truck and rode it for the first time here, I knew it needed some work. I warmed it up and scooted down our long gravel driveway..... I had known Honda 125's were not on the top of the class in the motor department, but I was still expecting some of that good ol' 2-stroke snap. Well, to my discontent, I finally opened her up to see what she had, but it was like climbing a mountain with a treasure at the summit, only to find out that someone else had taken it. Yup, it had no top-end power....

First thing I figured was the clutch since it would rev fine without getting out of its own way, but when I came to a stop where my friend was standing (he went with to oversee the purchase) I let the clutch out to stall it, and it didn't seem to slip. It could be the top-end, or the power-valve, but lets look at the simpler (and cheaper) things. Hmm, lets check the clutch cable, being that it seemed a little out of whack..... Well, there's the culprit, doh! I don't know how the previous owner rode it like that, or if he rode it at all if it's been sitting. Turn the adjuster a few times, start the bike up, click it into gear, and down the driveway again I go....

Ta-da! It has a power-band now!! (Laughs) Ok, so it's not quite as powerful as my EG KX144, but it's a little better than I expected for probably the worst year of Honda's 125 2-stroke. From the outside it appears completely stock, other than the Pro Circuit Silencer (sounds pretty nasty). I asked the PO if anything had been done to the engine, but he replied with "I don't know, the guy I got it from kept up on the maintenance".... Go figure. Oh well, that's why I bought a 2-stroke, as top-ends are fairly cheap to replace.

It needs a little bit of tuning, as the idle isn't perfect, and it occasionally hiccups when WOT. Probably just needs a good carb cleaning, so that will be done asap. I would have liked to get a 2002 or newer CR125 with the updated frame, as I loved the handling on my previous one (Review for '02 cr125 here), but this will have to do for now. Besides, I'm no Pro, so I don't think it will make that much difference (knock on wood).

Stay tuned for more updates on this beater bike. Now I just need an HD Helmet Cam and get out to the track to get some footage!

-KellEy