Looking for advice regarding used TTR125 purchase

[travisb]

Greetings,

I am looking to buy a used TTR-125L to practice front/rear sliding and throttle control techniques. Is there anything in particular to avoid for when buying one of these bikes used? I understand that transmissions can be abused by heavy footed riders, and these repairs would be expensive. Any difference in model year, front brake disc/drum, or suspension worth considering from 2000 to present?

There are enough of these on craigslist to have a choice. I've tried to stay away from any that appeared to have had hard lives.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Ben

[csmutty]

The L models all had disk front and drum rear. The non L models all had drum front and drum rear.

[Kitt]

Not sure your size, but look to upgrade to some YZ suspension... we built one with yz front forks and rear swingarm/suspension/disc brakes for my nephew (he's selling this year, but not for beater bike price)..

Things to check for, valve noise, cam chain tension. They can be a little cold blooded, but other than that fairly bullet proof... I haven't experienced any "transmission" issues with any of the ttr's i've wrenched on, but do replace shift stars on other small bore air cooled stuff somewhat frequently (TTR 90's, klx 110's)

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Oh, McBiggity on here has a great deal on a crf150f... same idea.

[csmutty]

Also to broaden your search you should include the DRZ125L and maybe the CRF150F too.

[Kurlon]

In 2008 or 2009 Yam updated the bodywork, as a result there aren't aftermarket tall seats, longer control sets, etc available for the current gen units. Not a huge deal, but good to know up front I figure.

[Awesome]

I have a 2005 TTR125L I think. Runs fine, needs some tuning up, clutch and idle adjustments. Take it for 500.

[Kitt]

I have a 2005 TTR125L I think. Runs fine, needs some tuning up, clutch and idle adjustments. Take it for 500.

great deal.

[sdog30]

I have a TTR125, it was my sons bike, turned girlfriends bike, turned pit bike at the track. It's a 4-stroke 125 (pretty sure the L is, too) and it's pretty tame. Not sure how much sliding you'll be doing with it. It's seriously the bike I put any of my friends on to teach them how to ride. You might want a CR or something with a little more juice.

[csmutty]

I think you can learn a good bit from the ttr125. I had a drz125l and another lrrs racer and I would race each other on a course set up in the field. I learned a ton from those sessions. If it's not sliding you aren't railing hard enough. Come on...you're wmc...you should know this!

[breakdirt916]

yeah f-that!

you can do a lot with a little! check out this guy railing on a stock XR100 around VIR w' BT45's on the rims!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsm5HdbeKvk

[sdog30]

I'm not down playing little bikes, and like I said, the L might have a different motor, but I'm pretty sure it's the same. My TTR has plenty of torque, but it's delivered in a very controlled way. It's a great bike for kids or new riders because of this. You have to work real hard to break it free.

So as someone who owns one and also has a cr125 and a kdx250, I'm just saying he's better off buying something else if he's looking for something he can slide around. A cr125 with power reeds will be better for what your trying to do IMO. The TTR's are real cheap, which is why I bought mine for my son, but the power delivery is very disappointing for a 125. I think that is on purpose, though to make it easier for a newbie to ride. My understanding of the L is it just has bigger wheels (and a different front brake) but maybe they geared it differently so it isn't such a slug.

[sdog30]

yeah f-that!

you can do a lot with a little! check out this guy railing on a stock XR100 around VIR w' BT45's on the rims!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jsm5HdbeKvk

That's hillarious. I like how he has to lift his legs entering the corners. That bike reminds me of Sam Greenwoods XR100 that's all set up for pit.

[travisb]

I think you can learn a good bit from the ttr125. I had a drz125l and another lrrs racer and I would race each other on a course set up in the field. I learned a ton from those sessions. If it's not sliding you aren't railing hard enough. Come on...you're wmc...you should know this!

This is what I am looking to do. It mimics how Kenny Roberts used to train, on season and off, except he used XR-100s.

[csmutty]

This is what I am looking to do. It mimics how Kenny Roberts used to train, on season and off, except he used XR-100s.

Colin Edwards has a bootcamp where they use the ttr125. And there is another flat track school on the east coast somewhere that uses xr's.

[travisb]

I've seen Colin's web site. It looks like it would be a blast. I vaguely remember seeing the east coast school on line.

Also, Danny Walker's American Supercamp and Rich Oliver's Mystery School hold flat track and TT sessions. Danny travels the US with 10-15 dirt bikes and runs schools at fairgrounds. He gets as far east as Deleware. Rich runs his school at his ranch in Auberry. Similar approach and both use TTR125s.

[travisb]

I bought a TTR125L with 150cc BBR bore kit from craigslist seller last night. Traveled to Kevin's in Norton before the weather got too bad this morning and now have studded tires mounted. I changed the oil, cleaned the air filter, changed the brake pads, adjusted the chain, adjusted the rear brake (linings looked ok), remounted the battery and its cables, so getting closer to being ready for this Sunday's JDay in Greenfield.

Thanks for all the help and information.

[csmutty]

Nice! Damn! Pics?

[breakdirt916]

wow, you didn't waste any time! nice work!

[travisb]

Nice! Damn! Pics?

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[csmutty]

Awesome!. You mind me asking how much you paid?

[breakdirt916]

and it's street plated??

WIN

don't ever sell it...even to csmutty

[travisb]

Yes, the previous owner was using it for cheap transport. He removed his MA license plate at time of purchase and it came with a MA title.