01 YZ125 as a starter SM

[BostonCBRrr]

Hey all, I'm planning to start going up to the Lil 99 in Stockton and putting in some time on the kart track.

I have a 01 YZ 125 I was thinking of converting to start out on. Do you think it would be a decently reliable bike for this? It just got a fresh rebuild and new clutch.

I have 10 years of street experience but pretty limited in dirt. I bought the yz125 then a month later got hit by a truck on my R1 on 101 and decided to stop riding streets and focus on track/get into dirt more.

If not the YZ125 are there any bikes you would recommend?

 

[Junkie]

I'd recommend buying a bike that's already set up rather than converting one. Wheels + suspension + brakes aren't cheap and dirt suspension isn't going to work very well on track. You can likely buy a nicely set up bike for what you'd spend on converting. I think I paid $2300 for my 426 with 17s, revalved suspension, Brembo RCS master, Braking 4pot/320, etc.

Are you planning on mostly doing Stockton? I ask because it's a smaller track, so smaller bikes make more sense there.

If I was starting out and didn't have any spares etc I'd strongly consider a 65 or 85.

 

[BostonCBRrr]

I'd recommend buying a bike that's already set up rather than converting one. Wheels + suspension + brakes aren't cheap and dirt suspension isn't going to work very well on track. You can likely buy a nicely set up bike for what you'd spend on converting. I think I paid $2300 for my 426 with 17s, revalved suspension, Brembo RCS master, Braking 4pot/320, etc.

Are you planning on mostly doing Stockton? I ask because it's a smaller track, so smaller bikes make more sense there.

If I was starting out and didn't have any spares etc I'd strongly consider a 65 or 85.

What other local tracks can you do this at? I was really attracted to the year long membership at lil 99

 

[Junkie]

Sonoma has a kart track too, significantly bigger
Dixon as well

neither are open to bikes as often though

 

[BostonCBRrr]

Sonoma has a kart track too, significantly bigger
Dixon as well

neither are open to bikes as often though

Thanks for the heads up. Any models of the 65/85 that are big enough for a 6'0 to be somewhat comfortable on? I'm skinny but long legs/arms

 

[Junkie]

not sure, haven't really looked into them

I imagine some people will have them at Stockton next weekend (Mar9/10) for the race, and would probably let you at least sit on them and likely ride them around the parking lot.

 

[Maddevill]

My friend bought a 99 KX85 set up for SM .He's around 5'8". That thing rips, but he had to do some suspension work to make it grip. Along with ditching the old tires. Apparently, 3 year old Shinko slicks don't stick too good.



Mad