Yamaha YZ125 2022 — Specifications

One almost expected it not to be, and yet, here it is, sharper than ever. In a cross-country landscape dominated by four-strokes, Yamaha persists with its two-stroke YZ125, a machine that smells of castor oil and powdered lignite. For 2022, the Japanese manufacturer hasn’t done things by halves; it has completely restarted from scratch. The objective? To retain its crown as queen of the 125cc piston bikes, against the sole Austrian rival, the KTM 125 SX. And the least one can say is that the assault is head-on.

The heart of the beast is, of course, this completely new two-stroke single-cylinder engine. Yamaha promises the most powerful engine ever fitted to a production YZ, with approximately 42 horsepower released in a characteristic howl. Everything has been reworked: cylinder head, cylinder, piston, and even the famous YPVS system that manages the variable exhaust, all recalibrated for more punch. The 38.1 mm Keihin PWK carburetor, assisted by a Power Jet, aims to provide instantaneous response. The philosophy is clear: to provide exploitable power, more linear, with a better-managed over-rev to match the terrain. Compared to a KTM 125 SX, often described as more nervous and peaky, the Yamaha seems to want to play the card of efficiency and progressiveness, without sacrificing the explosive character typical of a two-stroke.

This pursuit of performance also extends to the chassis. The reworked aluminum twin-spar frame, particularly at the rear to accommodate a shortened silencer and optimize air intake, is a key feature. Yamaha speaks of a 15% reduction in intake restriction. The cockpit has been redesigned for the rider: refined tank and radiators, a flatter seat. As a result, the bike gains compactness, with nearly 36 mm less width between the knees. With an announced weight of less than 95 kg fully fueled, the promised agility is simply monstrous. The KYB suspension, already a benchmark, has its settings revised for improved low-speed behavior. A new brake caliper and a 270 mm disc promise improved stopping power at the front. Everything is done so that the rider, whether a young hopeful or an enlightened enthusiast, can push the machine to its limits.

So, who is this 2022 YZ125 for? Clearly for the competition rider or the dedicated practitioner who still believes in two-strokes. At nearly €8000, it is not a toy, but a pure race tool. It is not homologated for road use; its kingdom is the motocross circuit. It is a committed, almost militant choice, in a market where four-strokes reign. Yamaha, celebrating 70 years of existence, proves with this model that it has not turned the page on its glorious history, initiated with legendary models such as those of 1982. For enthusiasts, finding parts for an old YZ125 from 1982 or 1993 is sometimes like a treasure hunt, with values oscillating around $2700 for a model in good condition, far from the sophistication of this newcomer.

The 2022 YZ125 is available in two color schemes: the classic Icon blue and a black Monster Energy Yamaha Racing edition, which directly echoes the factory machines. A way to dream of the MXGP championships. Its price, around €7999 for the standard version, places it in direct competition with the KTM. As for what the price of the Yamaha YZ125 2024, 2025 or even 2026 will be, and whether a Monster Energy version will see the light of day in those years, only the firm with the tuning forks knows. But one thing is certain: with this machine, Yamaha sends a strong message: two-strokes still have a bright future, and for many, it remains the most performant and evocative 125cc motocross bike ever produced.