couldn't find much using search, but has anyone ridden the GG 125? My son will all too soon be out-growing his 85 pumpkin. I don't really want to get him on a snappy bike but something smooth. We ride mostly in the woods. After 37 years of riding or racing I've never ridden a 125 so I need some input. Thanks.
gasser 125
- Thread starter STEVEV
- Start date
I have a 2011 125 Six Days. It has been an adventure in setting it up due to the lack of knowledge on the little bike. There haven't been that many brought into the states over the years. The GG125 lacks on the bottom end department if you compare it to a late model YZ125 but everywhere else the GG125 is faster. I have yet to ride a 125 of any color that you would call "smooth" in the power department. They all come onto the pipe pretty hard. Brett at The Race Shop in Georgia and myself have shared every trick we can on this bike (Brett owns one as well) and we are pretty close to having the bike where it needs to be. We have "unlocked" the powervalve, plugged in the ignition wire, jetted and re-jetted the carb, messed with gearing and I think he has an idea to add some preload to the powervalve thru shock shims to make it open a bit later (giving the bike more bottom end power). I am about to take the plunge into the Athena 144 kit - it should be the same cylinder and such as a 2000 YZ125.
I have really enjoyed my 125 and I know that it has made me a better rider. Let me know if you have any questions.
GMP
Active member
I'm 99% sure the YZ cylinder is different, so don't spend your $$ before looking into it in more detail. If I remember its the PV rod passage area of the casting. Many YZ parts LOOK the same, but are slightly different.
I have a GG125 cyl and head on the shelf you can have for $100 for a 144 project, all PV parts and head stay too.
I have a GG125 cyl and head on the shelf you can have for $100 for a 144 project, all PV parts and head stay too.
Clay
Banned
Steve,
Where do you live? I just got one for my daughter. I'm in TN. You are welcome to meet me somewhere to ride it.
Clay
Thanks Clay. That's a nice offer and I appreciate it. Although my son isn't quite ready yet. I bought a set of big wheels for his 85 and now he's comfortable on that. Not quite flat footed but a little more that tippie-toe. I was hoping that would get us through next year but I'm not sure now. At this point I'm just planning ahead. A 125 probably would fit him but I'd like him to gain a little more experience. I have many friends in TN (Knoxville, Oak Ridge, Nashville) so maybe when it's time I'll get in touch. I'm in Ohio.
GMP
Active member
The consideration there is the weight issue, which is also true when considering the GG200. Kids develop such that they get tall fast, but may lack the strength (particularly upper body) to handle the weight. Depends on the kid and his current stage of development. Take him to the gym and it will be evident. When my nephews were growing up, they got tall fast, but after a growth spurt, could barely do pullups. Soon after no problem. I'm just going to make sure my son can physically handle a full size bike first. I'll make him pick mine up with a full tank, lift the rear enough to drag it out of a rut, start it easily, etc. before turning him loose.
I have a EC125 Racing modified toa 144cc.
The modifications are much more than only another piston and bigger cylinder.
One dealer here in Germany is doing this and it cost on total 1000,- euro
yamaha piston
bigger machined cylinder
special CDI
VHM head
modified crank shaft
etc
etc
The modifications are much more than only another piston and bigger cylinder.
One dealer here in Germany is doing this and it cost on total 1000,- euro
yamaha piston
bigger machined cylinder
special CDI
VHM head
modified crank shaft
etc
etc
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My thoughts exactly GPM. The 250 4 stk's are not a good stepping stone for kids. I wish the manufacturers would realize this. In my son's case, he turns 12 today. He's 5'-5" @ a scrawny 120 lbs. He's one of those kids that grew too fast and it has always been a challange to find a bike that fits his size but within his abilities. Last thing i want is to get him on a bike that intimidates him. That happend once when I put him on a 65. Thus the reason looking for the smooth, tractable motor. Thanks for the replies.
No offense, but you won't find that in any 125/144 racing two stroke.
no offense taken. I think you're correct, maybe I need to lean towards a 200. They're easier to tone down while retaining the bottom end.
GMP
Active member
Steve, sounds like we have the same issue. My oldest will be 13 in March. He is 5'7' now, about 135 lbs, and size 12 feet. Keeping him in boots alone has been a challenge. He is on a woods modded KX85 now, and honestly has not ridden enough to develop the skill set for a bigger bike. Right now, if he screws up a hill, he just plants those feet and paddles. No can do on a big bike. I was thinking of making the 85 into a big wheel 100 for Super Mini class but it will only buy an inch of height. So I'm thinking just let him ride the 85 for awhile with a tall seat, tall bars, and lower pegs if I can do it. When he can manage the weight, I'll put him on my '07 with a 200 motor in the frame. By that time he will be as tall or taller than me.
We had a GG125 in the family but my brother sold it off last fall before I was ready to take it.
I rebuilt it myself and it was a good woods 125. My nephew rode it for years from the time he was 14, and did very well in a few closed course enduros.
We had a GG125 in the family but my brother sold it off last fall before I was ready to take it.
I rebuilt it myself and it was a good woods 125. My nephew rode it for years from the time he was 14, and did very well in a few closed course enduros.
twowheels
New member
We're raking over some old(er) coals, but the idea of a 200 with controls and suspension sized for people of smaller stature is a winner in my book.
You could offer it with the 45mm Zokes shortened a couple inches, a less expensive shock and with levers either adjustable or simply closer to the bar. The body work and majority of the bike is "just like dad's" so the issue of dissimilar parts is minimized, and Junior has a reason to want to ride the bike.
The only place the 125-based bike might be better is weight, and with lowered suspension that might not even be an issue. If you built if off the 200 you could e-start it too ...
I'm assuming when you say shorten you mean seat height? I personally think that would be a smart move. The 200 is such a versatile bike that can be tailored to fit such a wide variety of riders, much like a 300, in a smaller package. Some riders don't ride aggressively enough to have fun on a 125. If that makes sense.
I agree with you but I wouldn't cheapen the bike any especially with suspension.
Clay
Banned
I agree. I think riders want a shorter bike, not a cheaper biker if it means a lower level of components.
) but how many remember the PE 175?
