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When I was 12 years old I got my first dirt bike which just happened to be a TTR 125. That was 12 years ago and I still have and use it to this day. In this post, I’ll be answering the question of: is a Yamaha TTR 125 a good starter bike?
When I was 13 years old I got a brand new Yamaha TTR 125 to ride in the backwoods behind our cabin. The size of it was perfect for me (I got the big wheel version) and the power was plenty for someone who didn’t have a whole lot of experience. It’s a 4 stroke dirt bike so it’s extremely easy to ride and I still have it to this day and it’s working great. All in all, the TTR 125 would make a perfect beginner bike for someone looking to trail ride.
If you’re going to be racing on the track in the future the TTR 125 probably isn’t the best but it’s a great bike for gaining experience. Yamaha does make a YZ 125 (which is a 2 stroke) but in my opinion, that would be too much bike for someone just getting started.
What about other dirt bike companies? When I got my TTR all of my friends rode Honda or Kawasaki. Both are great machines but I wouldn’t switch bikes if I had the choice. I’ve had very few problems with my Yamaha and it always does what I need it to do.
How Much Is A Yamaha TTR 125?
When I got my new TTR 125 back in 2007 it was somewhere around $2300. Prices seem to have gone up since then because looking at the Yamaha website it looks like a new one is somewhere around $3300.
Not to worry, you can always pick one up used for much less. Looking around it seems like you can grab a used TTR 125 for anywhere from $1000-$2000 (some places are even cheaper). If it’s your first bike I’d probably recommend this option. Plus, if it’s for a kid they’ll quickly outgrow the bike and you probably don’t want to take that depreciation hit.
What Is The Size Of A Yamaha TTR 125?
Here are the dimensions from my TTR 125L (which is the big wheel version). They do have a standard size which I believe has a slightly smaller front wheel but I’d recommend the bigger wheel.
- TTR 125 Length: 74 inches.
- TTR 125 Width: 31 inches.
- How tall is a TTR 125: 42 inches.
- TTR 125 Seat Height: 31 inches.
- Wheelbase: 50 inches.
- Ground clearance: 11 inches.
- TTR 125 weight: 198 lbs (with a full tank).
What Size Rider Is Best For A TTR 125?
Back when I got my TTR I was somewhere around 5’8″ and the bike was the perfect size for me. I could touch the ground but couldn’t put my feet flat on the ground.
That being said, I’m 6′ today and still riding it and it’s great. I guess it all depends on what you’re going to be using it for. If you’ll use it in the trails it’ll work fine for anything under 6 feet. You won’t be as hard on it as if you were racing on a track. If you plan on using it on the track to race, the size and weight would matter more.
But as a general rule, this bike would be the perfect size for a younger teenager whose height and weight is normal.
What Is The Weight Limit On A TTR 125?
There really isn’t a concrete number for the max weight the bike will hold. I’m around 175 lbs myself and it carries me no problem. I won’t be winning any races anytime soon but that’s not what I use it for. I use it for when I’m hunting because it’s small, lightweight, quiet, and easy to get through the bush (I also have a Husqvarna FX 350).
I’ve also had another person on the back of it (around another 100 lbs) and it’s been able to keep up fine. You obviously won’t be able to get the max performance out of it as you increase the weight but it will still get up and go with a decent amount on the back.
But to get good performance out of it I’d probably say under 200 lbs would be fine.
How To Make A TTR 125 Taller?
There are a number of different things you can do to make a TTR 125 taller. There are different kits you can buy that’ll add an inch or two and you can even swap forks with something like a YZ85.
That’s just a short terms fix though and it’ll probably be best to get a new bike. The TTR 125 hold their value pretty well (better if you buy used) and you could just sell it and roll that into a new bike.
I’m 6′ tall and weigh 175 lbs and still use mine with no problems. I know taller and heavier people that also still use the TTR 125. Again, it all depends on what it’ll be used for.
Like I was saying before, I’ve had my TTR 125 for 12 years now and have had very few issues with it. It was the perfect trail bike for me back in the day and it’s the perfect hunting bike for me now.
It’s definitely not the fastest bike out there but it’s super easy to ride, always works, and they do hold their value really well (I could sell mine where I am now for around $1600-1800).
Let me know your thoughts and any questions you have. Like this article? Feel free to give it a share!
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