2024 125cc Four-Stroke Trail Bikes To Buy
Jumping from a youth dirt bike with an automatic clutch to one with a manual is a big leap, and motorcycle manufacturers are well aware of this. To make that learning process a little easier and less intimidating, three brands have user-friendly 125cc four-stroke recreational off-road motorcycles in their respective lineups. There are four in total, which we cover in the text below.
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2024 Honda CRF125F
Honda is the only manufacturer to offer a 125cc four-stroke trail bike with electronic fuel injection (EFI). (Honda/)
The most technologically advanced 125cc four-stroke trail bikes are Honda’s CRF125F and CRF125F Big Wheel. What gives these bikes that title? They’re the only ones in this category with electronic fuel injection (EFI), alleviating the need for parents to service and tune carburetors. Both red machines’ air-cooled SOHC four-stroke 125cc single-cylinder engines are fed by 22mm throttle bodies. Gearbox on both models is a four-speed. Built around steel twin-spar frames, the CRF125F and CRF125F Big Wheel are said to hit the scales at 194 and 199 pounds, respectively. Those keeping an eye on price tags will notice the CRF125F is the most affordable in its class, just $100 less than the two others that aren’t red.
2024 Honda CRF125F Price: $3,499
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2024 Honda CRF125F Big Wheel
Honda riders who aren’t quite ready for a CRF250F have the CRF125F Big Wheel as a steppingstone. (Honda/)
The only motorcycle manufacturer to have two 125cc four-stroke trail bikes in its lineup is Big Red. The larger of the two when it comes to physical size is the CRF125F Big Wheel. It uses the same powerplant as the CRF125F, but differs in suspension travel, wheel size, and various dimensions. Fork travel is 0.8 inch more and shock travel is 1.1 inches more than the CRF125F. Also, 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels are employed on the Big Wheel instead of the 17-inch front and 14-inch rears used on the CRF125F. Seat height differs by 1.8 inches, according to Honda’s specs. The opposite of its smaller-wheeled sibling in terms of price, the CRF125F Big Wheel is the most expensive in the category.
2024 Honda CRF125F Big Wheel Price: $3,899
Related: 2022 Honda CRF250F Review
2024 Yamaha TT-R125LE
A left-side exhaust system is a unique characteristic of Yamaha’s TT-R125LE. (Yamaha/)
The bLU cRU’s entry in the 125cc four-stroke trail bike class is its TT-R125LE. The heart of this motorcycle is a carbureted air-cooled SOHC four-stroke 124cc single-cylinder engine with a five-speed transmission. For suspension, Yamaha equips the TT-R125LE with a 31mm conventional fork that’s adjustable for spring preload, and shock that’s compression and rebound damping adjustable. With 19-inch front and 16-inch rear wheels, the TT-R125LE has a claimed seat height of 31.7 inches.
2024 Yamaha TT-R125LE Price: $3,599
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2024 Suzuki DR-Z125L
Suzuki’s DR-Z125L is the only model in this segment without electric start. (Suzuki/)
One of just two models in Suzuki’s trail bike range, the DR-Z125L is the larger displacement of the duo and is ideal for kids wanting to further develop their skills on a yellow recreational off-road motorcycle with a manual clutch. Unlike Honda’s and Yamaha’s offerings, the Suzuki isn’t equipped with electric start, so kickstarting is required to bring its carbureted air-cooled SOHC four-stroke 124cc single-cylinder engine to life. Riders toe through a five-speed gearbox and operate a cable-actuated clutch, the latter of which is common in this segment. Fork and shock are nonadjustable, and a steel frame is responsible for providing predictable handling. With a claimed seat height of 32 inches, the DR-Z125L is the tallest of those gathered here.
2024 Suzuki DR-Z125L Price: $3,599
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