Kawasaki KMX 125 comments

[mikee5]

Dear Riders,
I want to ride a dirtbike some are suggesting KMX 125 and they have good reviews about it. Can you pls give your comments aboooout this bike and any suggested brand of 125cc dirtbike. Thanks!!!!

[rls]

The KMX 125 is the most powerful watercooled 125cc 2-stroke available and the lightest in it's class. Still the most fun bike in my garage. :)

[English]

kmx 125 is a very capable off road bike aswell as good road bike. i ride off-road in san metao with a lot of kmx riders, they all recomend them as #1 choice for spares, servicing and FUN.
available for about 90k brand new....... unbeatable in many peoples opinion!
another option for similar price is honda xr200 4 stroke, not as light or as nimble but worth a look.
the choice is yours!
regards.
phil.

[stampedeblue]

you also might want to try yamaha dt 125. not as good in looks as the KMX or Honda but in the long run you'll see the difference. subok sa tibay!!!

[Johvic]

hi KMX'ers,

I need some info on KMX forks, namely, total length of fork and fork diameter coz I'm planning to do a conversion for my bike para disc brakes na ang harap.

Any info will be appreciated.

[Ogie]

its a very good bike for a serious off roader guy or just for a plain d/p bike...it will suites you in any ride you want....dt, also a good bike...but suspension wise....its like comparing a diesel jeep to a honda civic....nothing personal bro.....

[Diyords]

Mine is for sale! pm me if anyone is interested.

its a 2000 KMX 125!

ride safe!
Stroll2

[Hercules]

mikee5>>

the KMX is a great all around bike. I enjoyed it since the time i had it. for a topspeed of 130kph at stock is amazing.

[jagkdx]

Hello Guys,

I owned a DT125 for quite some time and then bought a KMX125... what a difference! Water cooled, disk brakes front and rear, lots of power (relative to DT), better handling and suspension. While the DT is a reliable bike, the KMX is much better in every area and it's very reliable, too.

The easiest mod to make for more low grunt is replacing the stock 14 front sprocket with a 13. Top speed comes down some, but it's better suited for off roading. I recently put in a set of Boyesen reeds (#607) and a one step leaner main and pilot jet... for a mild mannered 125 this things screams now. No stock DT or XLR has got a chance against it.

Don't give in to the DT guys, the KMX is the way to go...

JAGKDX

[Diyords]

abah.... eh parang ayaw ko na ibenta ang KMX ko.... :D

[Diyords]

Pardon my ignorance pero meron palang KMX 200cc? can we upgrade our 125's to 200? Block and piston assembly lang ba iyon?

Please enlighten us.

Thanks,
Diyords

[Rob]

Hello Mikee5 ! Thanks for asking. I am a DT owner. I have never ridden a KMX. (I owned a KDX 250 Enduro bike for a long time but that is WAY different)

I can tell you that my DT so far is bullet proof. It is the most reliable bike I have owned - and I've owned many. Parts are everywhere and resale value seems to be higher than KMX. Unfortunately, the price of a new DT is 10-15,000 pesos more than a KMX. (That may also be a good thing depending on your perspective) The DT is easily upgraded to a 175 cc. which would make it a quick little street bike. I find the DT 125 a little slow - but I am fairly big.

You wont go far wrong with any of the 3 bikes mentioned here. All a little different, all with their own virtues. I'd encourage any rider to think in practical everyday terms. What is your personality ; what is your size ; what kind of riding do you expect to do.

Consider your height and weight. The Yamaha DT is the lowest bike and can inspire confidence in a newbie or novice rider. For me the quality of its standard parts is better than either a KMX or a Honda XLR. The DT is noisier than the other 2 in stock form.

The KMX is taller than a DT. Make sure it fits you. The KMX has a radiator. If you are the attentive type make sure it is filled with 50/50 water/coolant. The DT has no radiator, so nothing to fiddle with or "forget" to maintain. The KMX has a lovely quiet sound in stock form.

I note with interest the comment made about DT vs. KMX suspension. I agree that the DT is very softly sprung. Problem if you are 190 lbs. like me. No problem if you weigh 125 AND you just want to buzz around town on it. Disc brakes are good. No 2 ways about that.

If you are heavy and fairly tall the Honda XLR is taller and a little more powerful (not necessarily "faster") It seems reliable and is air cooled. Like any 4 stroke its power delivery is smoother. Personally I like the 2 stroke power delivery. Much "snappier". For me a 200 cc. 4 stroke is just plain sluggish. The XLR is quiet and has an electric start. Good for girls. I can "kick" start my DT with my hand.

Finally, consider how fast you want to go. Any of these 3 bikes can be tweeked to be snappier. I am not sure if you can easily pop a larger top end on the Kawi or Honda like you can the DT. There is no substitute for more displacement.

If I had to do it again I would see if I could pop a bigger top end on the KMX with no problem. If I could I'd buy a KMX. If I could not I'd stick with a DT - but only in 175 cc. form. Personally, the XLR does not interest me.

[rgon]

Originally posted by jagkdx
Hello Guys,

I............Boyesen reeds (#607) and a one step leaner main and pilot jet... for a mild mannered 125 this things screams now. .....


JAGKDX

hi jagkdx, me and my friend really wanted to tinker with our bike,kmx125, can we have the number of the main and pilot jet and where to buy them? thank you.

our present set-up:
tune pipe
13/48 sprocket

[rls]

Hi Rob and the rest of my enduro rider friends,

25 years ago I had both the DT 100 and 175cc. Sans the frame and a change in suspension the weird thing is that the engine design is pretty much the same pa rin even after all these years. Though reliable naman, i feel it being a rip off for people like me (parang Toyota using the 12R engine on a Corolla, Corona and Lite/HiAce for so so many years). The engine has been the same for the past 30 years almost- no wonder there are tons of mods for the DT.
While the KMX with it's all disc brakes, Chrome bore powerful engine, water cooled and super suspension is a very high technology unit and the lightest in it's class bar none.

I have exactly the same simple mods as rgon and jagkdx (with Boyesen reeds) plus additional street biased tires and this KMX screamer kicks the a s s of even the fastest modified scooters on the twisties of Infanta with a top speed to boot. It may not take it to up to 175cc but how much power do you need if you cannot stop the thing?

My foreign friend who I influenced to get a 2 stroke (he could not imagine owning one) as he owns 2 giant trailies. Is now selling both and wants to get a second KMX!
Lower resale means a better bargain for more technology in the long run specially when I don't plan to sell this baby.



My 2 devalued, politicized centavos in this chaotic country so let's just ride. :)


P.S.
Personally, I can't stand a single 4 stroke enduro anymore regardless of the electric start. Everytime I squeeze the throttle and let go my body does a forward and backward motion which tires me. :D

[Rob]

...And cheers to you rls for your valuable reply.

My intel. tells me the same thing about the (lack of) changes in the DT. Sticking with a tried and true design is one thing, but we both know that the biggest factor for staying with one basic engine design for 25 years is likely the "ole money grab".

I know a little about bikes, a lot more about business. I think you are correct, and the Toyota example is very appropriate imo. I do not begrudge any company the profit motive, but after a while it is taking the piss out of the consumer. 95% of businesses operate on the principle of giving the customer as little as possible for his money. Let nobody forget, big business (especially) operates to enrich themselves. Consumer satisfaction is happy coincidence.

From the great things everybody tells me about the KMX, I am wondering why its resale value seems a little lower. A big stockpile of DT parts could be the reason. If true it would indicate (at least to me) that the KMX is indeed a better bike.

Your point about horsepower and braking is excellent. I forgot to mention in an earlier post that I think DT brakes are mediocre at best. If you go to a 175 top you really should do something about the mushy brakes. Maybe I am just too big for my bike, but my DT's front disc is the size of a small pancake. If they served me a pancake that size at Pancake House I'd prob'ly send it back.

Do you know the weight and hp of the KMX ? The DT is 109 kilos with 12 horse power. (Oh behave !?!)

I can smoke a tired old jeepney off the line, but thats about it. And yes, the "engine braking" of say an XLR is too much for me to tolerate.

Your 2 centavos is greatly appreciated. And yes, given our state of affairs, we should ride more than worry. Like when my asawa asks me where I go when I ride, I tell her it is not a place, it is a feeling.

Cheers, Rob

[obijuan]

Hello folks,

I just recently acquired a KMX125; it's my birthday & Christmas gift to myself rolled into one! :D

Oh how I really enjoy riding this thing...it puts tears in my eyes whenever I run it at speeds of 100km/hr and beyond (w/ helmet on & at clear roads of course!)

It's a fun bike indeed!

Cheers!!

[rls]

All the enduros available in the Philippines are great bikes and is just a matter of personal preference lang. Over-all by brand I do prefer a Yam over a Kawa except in this case. :D

On resale; the DT has plenty engine parts available while if and when the KMX engine breaks the block and piston have to be replaced because it's made of chrome and is much more expensive.

On power; IIRC a stock KMX is 15 hp. The weight I am not sure but it feels much lighter when I did a side by side comparison with the XLR and DT.

Cheerio!

[v22]

great suspension, watercooled, diskbrakes and a powerful engine, what more can i ask for!!!! :D

they say in stock form it can run 120kph! i wish i could own one! i like the color green! :D

[rls]

Originally posted by v22
they say in stock form it can run 120kph! :D

Ahem... 130kph :D

[Diyords]

ano ang stock sprocket settings ng KMX 125... engine and rear?

sakin kse 14 front and 42 rear...

ano ba ang magandang setting for city driving which is pede rin sa trails.

[rgon]

the stock form is 14 and 48, i'ive tried it in sn. mateo trails where the slope varies from 30 to 40 degrees. mine, for city and trail riding, i like the 13 and 48- 'gives me that quick manuever.:C
.....13 and 48 can also give you that 120kph speed :> 130 pa nga eh!

[ala-eh]

rgon,

does that mean that a fewer toothed rear sprocket will make the thing even faster???

as i can 'kwenta beho' from the ratios..seems to me that the output shaft needs more rotation on a larger rear sprocket than a smaller one..

pls enlighten me.

[Diyords]

I think the concept is similar to a mountain bike. The bigger the rear sprocket, the slower and vice verza.

With the front sprocket, the Bigger it is, the faster top speed.

[rgon]

Originally posted by ala-eh
rgon,

does that mean that a fewer toothed rear sprocket will make the thing even faster???


pls enlighten me.

:D :D :D yeah...'til the tears in your eyes dries up! do you frequent mountain trails with your kmx?

[ala-eh]

diyords,

with our kmx, i think # of teeth is not what is significant but sprocket diameter that is, their's setup has higher teeth counts (48) but is actually shorter in diameter than with our (42) sprocket, somewhere around 20 cm (48t) Vs 22 cm (42t)...

Our sprockets setup had been changed in such a way to accomodate a larger chain (530? i guess) which requires a larger circumferencial teeth train hence a larger diameter than the stock 48t size which has actually lower diameter.

yung 48t mas maraming ngipin pero mas maliliit - maliit din diameter, our 42t has larger teeth but forms a larger circle.

[English]

ala-eh,
baliktad.
more teath on your rear sprocket makes larger diameter = faster acceleration and lower top speed,
less teath makes smaller rear sprocket = slower acceleration higer potential top speed.
potential because if you have too small a rear sprocket your engine maynot have enough power to turn the back wheel very well in top gear so you cannot achive red line acceleration.
hth
phil.

[jagkdx]

Hey RGON,

Sorry for the late reply...

The stock main jet is a 102.5... I put in a 100

Stock pilot jet is a 25... I put in a 22.5

I purchased the jets from SUDCO You can see links before reply when I was back in the US.

JAGKDX

[rgon]

jagkdx, thanks for the info pre. :D will try that.

[Diyords]

So whats really the stock sprocket teeth size? and what does the ideal sprocket for road and trails without sacrificing top speed?


Off topic: why do i have too much residue of oil on my arrester/muffler? What kind of oil would that be? 2T or Engine Oil? I cant see any problem with its performance, but the oil is getting to my nerve.

Kindly give me some points on this... thanks!

[Rob]

Diyords. Re. the gunk build up on your tail pipe: I am no mechanic, but I read a lot of off road magazines. That is a very common question.

The magazine mechanics/editors almost always say your fuel mix is too rich (too oily) and/or you prob'ly spend spend a lot of time driving at low speeds, ie. in city conditions.

To blow the junk out you'll need to go for a long(ish) ride at higher revs. For my DT I cruise at 6000. It red-lines at 12,000. So, maybe half your Kawi red-line would be a good guide. I have very, very little build up. Also check your jetting.

If your tail pipe is fouled up you may also have carbon build up in your muffler, which will rob you of horsepower. Have a look. The carbon can be scraped out but your exhaust will need to be opened to do it right.

Cheers, Rob

[ala-eh]

English,

im sorry if the gist of my post appears baliktad to you, but its clearly said there, that given a different set of chain, a larger (520 or 530) chain/sprocket coupling with 42t should appear larger in diameter than a 428 chain/sprocket with 48t.

the measures, registered on my measuring tape as:

kmx stock:
428 chain, 48t -- diameter is (+-)20cm

ours:
520 chain, 42t -- "' (+-) 22 cm

[rgon]

in determining ratio, one should always consider the front and rear sprocket, may it in diameter or number of teeth.
this applies to all sizes 428, 520, etc.


hope this helps.:D

[ala-eh]

rgon,

yes it is confirmed. a kawasaki warehouse somewhere (not in caloocan) had been typhoon ransacked, some items have been "water damaged(?)" and been being offered at much lower price than the market's price.

well.. how much damaged can water cause to engine, blocks, etc, anyway.:rolleyes:

[rgon]

in determining ratio, one should always consider the front and rear sprocket, may it in diameter or number of teeth.
this applies to all sizes 428, 520, etc.


hope this helps.:D

[Rob]

Diyords. Dont know how I forgot - the gunk at the end of your tail pipe could also mean that the "packing" inside your muffler is soaked with oil. As such, it can no longer absorb enough smoke so more just goes out the back. If this is the case the old, wet stuff can be removed and the unit can be re-packed.

Rob

[Diyords]

Thanks Rob!

I had my arrester cleaned and replaced the fiber inside it, but i didn't had the chance to clean the pipe itself... I think this pipe is already hallow and i could just pour in kerosine to clean the excess oil and dirt inside the pipe.

Kindly correct me if im wrong....

Thanks again!

[Diyords]

Rob,

I did use my bike on city driving. I usually rev 8 to 9k rpm... sometimes i reach redline on a lower gear.

Would too much high rev break my engine?

[Rob]

Diyords. I have not had an expansion chamber cleaned out. Kero may work fine. I need to check with my mechanic how Kero reacts with baffles. I'll report back to you on the proper cleaning technique.

Re. redlining: In my opinion you are definately driving your bike too hard. Your Kawi, like my DT, are not hard core bikes. If not for the 50/50 tires, the higher ground clearance, and the slightly different gearing, they are just poofy little road bikes - not really designed to be driven like motocrossers. (Even 125 'crossers that can stand they over revving still need their top ends to be redone frequently !

From what you tell me of your driving habits, the blue smoke could indicate it is time for new rings at least - perhaps even a piston / cylinder job.

I can symathize brother - I have been trying to find or build a bike with hard core construction & engine, but yet has street manners. I am still working on it.

Instead of ringing the life out of my poor little DT, I've decided just to drive it within its capabilities. I've never been over 7000 rpm and it runs like a charm. As a rule of thumb - change gears between 3000 and 5000 and drive the bike between 4000 and 5000. My only exception is 6th gear. On my bike, 6000 rpm = 80 kp/h. If you do this your bike wont bog down and it'll still be fairly snappy.

Cheers, Rob

[Diyords]

Rob,

Thanks for the advice. My KMX is a little bit modified from stock... I already had YRS expansion and Tuned pipe installed. That makes it run higher than stock.

But i don't want to add more mods to it. I like it the way it is. Like you, i don't want to have unwanted wheelies.

thanks!

[Diyords]

Is there available wheels for our KMX that look like this?

[Johvic]

aaah,

You're planning to do a Supermotard concept of the KMX?

Those rims arent available locally, I've been trying to look for one myself, and aside from the rims, tires for those rims are also hard to locate.

Try looking for Takasago Excel rims if you ever find one.

Good luck!!!

[Diyords]

oh darn....

[Diyords]

Question:

Is there a need to remove the bracket engine support on your cylinder head when doing trails or jumps?

I saw some KMX'ers without it. I did tried removing mine but i can't take the vibration it makes. More vibration on high rev!!!

Can the chassis support the engine without the head bracket?

Can you clear me up on this.

[ala-eh]

well i think thats one of the design issues of kmx, they shud have put a rubber mounted engine support instead of the steel braces for the cyl head.

just my thought.

[Diyords]

Yeah, that might work.

[rgon]

Originally posted by Diyords
Question:

Is there a need to remove the bracket engine support on your cylinder head when doing trails or jumps?

..........

once in a while i do jumps but not that high, sometimes i play infront of the market in fort boni. i believe there is no need to remove the bracket because that is a part of a stress-member that helps the frame not to flex. .... diyords! were you the one whom i saw playing nd doing some tight turns in a berm? what is your usual sked?:D

[Diyords]

I dunno if thats me... but i ride a Green KMX with headlights. I usually go there saturday and sunday morning.... like 7 to 9.

Maybe we could play together there sometime. Drop-by ka lang Rgon... and maybe you could give me tips... newbie ako d2 eh...

Kita Kits pre!

[kin_nanaketdi]

is there anyone selling his kmx 125. second hand..how much?

[rgon]

a 2002 kmx model with 13kms on it would cost you around 60-65k pesos.:) serious buyer?

[randz]

MGA PRE, CAN I ASK A FAVOR ? HOW MUCH THE COST OF BOYESEN REED VALVE, RENTHAL HANDLE BAR, RACING LEVER, FENDER FRONT AND REAR DYAN SA ATIN? WHERE CAN I BUY IT? I HAVE A KMX AND I WANT IT MODIFIED IT CAN YOU HELF ME. THANKX