The Yamaha YZ125 is a motocrossracing motorcycle with a two-stroke 124.9 cc (7.62 cu in) displacementsingle-cylinder engine made by Yamaha since 1974. It is available to the public. For the first two years it was made with dual rear shocks, then changing to a monoshock.[3] The YZ125 has been ridden to five AMA National Motocross Championships, and multiple AMA Regional Supercross Championships.[4]
From 1973 through 2004, the YZ125 had a single backbone frame made from steel. It generally averaged from 176 to 198 lb (80 to 90 kg).[citation needed] For the 2005 year, Yamaha switched to a single backbone frame constructed from an aluminum alloy. This frame material change dropped the dry weight to 190 lb (86 kg).[citation needed] For 2008 models, the wheel assemblies and front fork suspension were redesigned, yielding additional weight savings, making wet weight, no gas sub-200 lb. Aluminum-framed YZ125s are notably "flickable" and sometimes this trait is seen as a drawback since they tend to become more difficult to control on rough surfaces.[2] The YZ125 used a conventional telescopic fork tube through 1988, then in 1989, added the first upside-down fork. A number of well known riders have chosen this as their go-to bike, such as AMA Champ Dom Barbuto and his brother Nick Barbuto, X-Games medalist Kyle Ford, and StinkBike Racing's own local Seattle legend Joey Merkin. Also, 11-time Nationals winner and rival of Eli Tomac, Richard Rich
