Teach me about TZ and RS 125s

[JettaJayGLS]

So.

I've missed racing this season. A lot. I've had a lot of fun and good times racing bicycles this year, but I miss the excitement of a race weekend. I don't have the crazy anticipation and excitement that I got racing motorcycles. I only got to race motorcycles 7 times a year which meant every time was a huge deal to me. I race bikes pretty much every weekend. This is why I decided to do it, because I get to race every weekend and train as much as I want, but that makes each race a little less special.

I plan to race bicycles again next year, but I don't see why I cannot race motorcycles as well.

That being said, I still have my motard, I can always make a come back on that. Sadly, racing bicycles means I don't have is ANY free time. I literally spend every available minute on my bicycle. Year to date I've ridden my bicycle 290 hours and over 5k miles...this does not allow me the time to maintain a motard. I also work a TON.

I don't really have any ambition to race an SV. I know this makes the most sense but I just don't want to. Racing bicycles isn't exactly cheap (surprisingly) so I don't want to run a 600 either due to the costs of crashing/expendables.

Part of me wants to explore a gp bike. I'm a relatively smaller dude (5' 7ish" 155lbs) and very agile, so I think I can make one move pretty quickly. I know finding one isn't the easiest, but they are out there for sure, typically with a ton of spares. This also means my resale would be exactly the same as what I bought it for. A quick ebay search shows a slew of parts still for sale and i know there is an awesome group of dudes that can help me out with these things. My biggest question surrounds the maintenance and how prone these things are to blowing up. The problem with the motards is that these things are not made to do 100 miles an hour. Holding the throttle wide open the entire time just beats the crap out of them. Turning that massive gearing is a huge strain they were not designed for. I think the 125s are purpose built for this which would mean they should withstand the abuse of Road Racing better than a machine built for Motocross.

Two strokes are easy to work on and maintain. I know these bikes are designed to be easy to work on whereas on the 450s its almost easier to remove the motor before doing any work on it as its just crammed in there. Every weekend, assuming nothing went wrong, I had a minimum of 2 hours of maintenance on the motard to check and adjust valves and change all the fluids. I'm hoping with a 125 I can simply check compression, change the case oil a couple times a season and be done with it.

So let me know guys...maybe this is a dumb idea and I should just get an SV. I hope to be back next year on something cool, lets see what I can do.

I don't really need the specifics about different makes and models quite yet. At least not until this proves to be a viable option for me.

[tsorfas]

There is a very well set up one for either $3500 or $2800 at the track. I can't remember.
Jake Vader and Dove should know more. It has lucky strike theme paint job.

[Rada]

I LOVE the idea of you back at the track!!!!!

You could rock a 125.. Get in touch with Jake or Roland

[Kurlon]

The one bit of advise I was given in the past is to avoid the TZ and stick with an RS. The logic is simple, there are hardly any TZ125s running around, I can't think of any at LRRS which makes part and setup info much harder to come by. If you go the RS route you instantly slot into a group of people who can answer questions and help as needed.

Adam's right, talk to either the elder or junior Vaders or Roland, they'll have all the answers.

[JettaJayGLS]

I coulda sworn Jake runs like an 07 TZ...

[Kurlon]

Nope, the Vader clan has 3 RS125s. Dunno the years.

[OreoGaborio]

this does not allow me the time to maintain a motard.

Interested to see what the 125 guys say about this.... My impression was that a 125 was just as much work as a tard. Sometimes more, sometimes less. If you want a gas & go race bike, the 125 doesn't sound like an option that makes much sense.

[JettaJayGLS]

Interested to see what the 125 guys say about this....

That is my BIG question too. Like, its really my only point of making this thread. I would think it would be less than the motard since the two strokes are a much simpler engine and these bikes were designed for road racing.

If all I have to do is rebuild a top end every season I think this can work. I'm thinking the same maintenance as my 2 stroke dirtbikes took would be a decent estimate.

[Kurlon]

Based on Roland's machine, there doesn't seem to be that much work. Jet it fat and you don't have to look at the carb and weather charts daily even if you don't mind not being at peak perf.

[wheelieman14]

Depending on how many races or miles you expect to ride an RS125, you typically expect to replace the top-end every 300-450 miles and replace the crank after around 3-5 top-end replacements. That might mean 2 top-ends a season with a complete rebuild every other winter. Best thing about railing around a corner is the corner speed, with a bike that only weighs about 160 pounds. Jetting is really simple and jetting charts are easy to come by and work well with Longacre Air Density gauge. Yes, you can just jet it fat (rich) but these bikes run really strong when you have the jetting pretty close to ideal.

[nhbubba]

I'm interested to hear about the costs. You worry about the costs of a dime-a-dozen 600cc MW, but are open to a specialized creature like the 125's? Seems like trading tire costs for top-end and piston costs. Although I admit I'm pretty ignorant about such things.

How is the 300 class doing? Is it an option for an expert like yourself?

[JettaJayGLS]

Well, parts for a top end are less than a set of tires...a decent pace on a 600 means at least a rear every weekend whereas a decent pace on a 125 means two sets an entire season. Also a crash on a 600 costs hundreds, if it flips over, thousands. The light weight bikes with correct sliders handle tumbles like a dream. I bent the bars on my motard once and people were shocked that something actually broke.

The 300 class seems like a decent option but only 2 races, and doesn't seem to be a lot of competition. I can competitively run the 125 in a good amount of classes with lots of other riders.

I like where this is going as far as maintenance goes. Seems like a decent option.

[nhbubba]

Cool. The 125's look like insane fun.

[Rada]

If I could fit on one I would ride a 125....

[csmutty]

I'm interested to hear about the costs. You worry about the costs of a dime-a-dozen 600cc MW, but are open to a specialized creature like the 125's? Seems like trading tire costs for top-end and piston costs. Although I admit I'm pretty ignorant about such things.

How is the 300 class doing? Is it an option for an expert like yourself?

600 is probably the most expensive bike to run...

[Paul_E_D]

I would buy that Lucky strike bike and never look back. It's not labor free. The bike requires some attention, but working on it is almost like a surreal dream. It's like shaking hands with the designer of a swiss watch.

Riding it is always entertaining.

They handle and crash better than anything out there.

[JettaJayGLS]

It's not labor free. The bike requires some attention, but working on it is almost like a surreal dream.

When you say not labor free, do you mean from a tuning aspect or general maintenance. I'm okay with the tuning as that will all happen at the track. But the maintenance between racing will be the tough part for me.

Anyone have any details on the lucky strike bike or a number/email for the owner?

[Paul_E_D]

Well, I mean maintenance, but it can all be done at the track. 30 minutes for a top end could actually be done between practice sessions! Make it your practice to have a prepared bike at the END of the weekend and you're golden,

[lrrs313]

This thread has me intrigued. I had toyed with the idea of a 125 but always thought I was too big. I'm very interested in how this works out. I'm similar build to Jay (5'9 158ish) so this could be an interesting avenue to make a return.

[TTD]

I ran a TZ250 for 4 years. As mentioned, the maintenance is easy... but don't forget you'll need a new/rebuilt crank every year or two... besides the top ends.

[Mr. Kurtz]

This thread intrigues me too...because I'd like to see you back in LRRS.

[OreoGaborio]

Jay, before you get too wrapped up in the idea of a 125, try & find an opportunity to throw a leg over one. I rode Jeff Vader's bike once (supposedly set up to fit a "larger" person) and I just couldn't get my feet up & back on the footpegs enough to shift properly. Was riding around with the arches of my feet on the pegs. Seriously uncomfortable. Couldn't even make it the whole session.

[Paul_E_D]

Hahaa. Pete, that's just part of the learning curve. You body has to adapt a little to the position. The bike will break you in.

[OreoGaborio]

"Rule #18 - Limber up!"

[Rada]