For this installment of our classic shootout rundown, I thought we would take a look back at the 125 class of 1988.
For this installment of our classic shootout rundown, I thought we would take a look back at the 125 class of 1988.
In the 1980’s, the 125 class was by far the most hotly contested class in all of motocross. The tiddlers had taken off in popularity during the 1970’s, and by the turn of the decade, were dwarfing the sales of the more prestigious Open class machines. Once thought of as beginner machines, unworthy of the latest in technology and development, the little high-rpm buzz bombs were quickly becoming the most important machines in the Big Four’s lineups.
One-two-five motocrossers were fast, fun, light and inexpensive; a perfect recipe for massive sales. This would lead all the manufacturers to pour major R&D dollars into creating the ultimate 125 racer. Constant change was a fact of life in the cutthroat world of eighties 125 racing and often bikes were completely redesigned after only a single year on the market. At the start of the decade, all the 125’s featured simple air-cooled motors, spindly damper-rod forks and drum brakes front and rear. By the middle part of the decade, those same 125’s would feature high-tech, liquid-cooled, power-valved motors, beefy 43mm works-style cartridge forks and disc brakes at both ends. In the 125 class, technology moved at warp speed and if you paused, you quickly got left behind.
This leads us to the 125 competitors of 1988, which were made up of one rookie (KX125), one returning all-star (CR125R), one scrappy underdog (YZ125), one sexy Italian (WMX125) and one over the hill veteran looking for one last shot at the big-time (RM125). Could the new kid on the block unseat the two-time defending champ? Could the old dog, teach the new kids one last trick before riding off into the sunset? Could the Cagiva’s seat cut diamonds? For the answer, I give you the motocross magazine ratings of 1988.
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Even though Dirt Rider was a more broadly focused magazine than MXA and Super Motocross, their test were some of the most thorough of the era. Most included a dyno run for comparison sake and a very in-depth rundown of each bike’s technical specifications. |
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The grand dame of the MX magazine business was on its game in 1988. Dirt Bike’s shootout was the most informative of all the publications and even threw in the slightly oddball Cagiva in for a little Italian flavor.
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MXA’s shootout in 1988 was the only one to come to a different conclusion when rating the top 125 of ’88. For a magazine often referred to as Hondacross Action, this was a major upset at the time.
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The fourth magazine in our 1988 shootout rundown is the dearly departed Super Motocross. This more SX/MX focused offshoot of Dirt Rider glowed bright for a while in the late eighties, then flamed out before the turn of the decade. On the bright side, it did miss the outbreak of purplitis that decimated the industry in the early 1990’s. |
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1988 Honda CR125R Shootout Ranking – |
Overview: Even though the 1988 CR125R won the shootout in all of the magazines except MXA, it was by far the most controversial bike of the year. In 1987, the CR125R had wiped the floor with the competition, but suffered a string of high profile seizures that gave Honda a bit of a black eye. For ’88, the reliability conscious manufacturer was determined not to suffer the same issues and took steps to ensure the longevity of their pocket rocket.
A new cylinder, piston and head raised the reliability, but also lowered the “wow” factor of their 124cc mill. The new motor took the 1987’s hard hit and metered it out over a long and drawn out delivery. This gave the new motor the widest spread, but also the least punch of any 125 of ’88.
Consistent performance also seemed to be an issue in 1988, as some CR’s tested by the magazines seemed to run well, while others offered lackluster performance. When questioned by Dirt Bike about the differing performance of their two CR125R’s, Honda’s Roger DeCoster noted that production machines could vary as much as two horsepower due to manufacturing imperfections. This was no small amount of performance in a machine that only pumped out around 26 horsepower and could explain why some magazines liked the CR’s power plant more than others.
In the end, MXA found the Honda’s “lap-time” motor a deal breaker, while others liked its wide powerband and smooth delivery. For MXA, the punchy delivery of the new KX125 was superior to the red machine’s slow burn. For the other magazines, the CR’s stellar chassis, wide powerband and passible suspension won out over its lack of hit.
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1988 Kawasaki KX125 Shootout Ranking – |
Overview: In 1988, the Kawasaki was the only all-new machine in the 125 class. Its all-new case-reed mill offered a strong low-end and punchy mid-range, but little in the way of top-end power. While its motor was snappy and relatively fast, erratic jetting frustrated some testers and made the bike a pain to tune. Suspension performance was good overall, but not in the same league as the silky smooth Suzuki. Handling was middle-of-the-road, with decent cornering and stability, but a long and big feel. Most testers panned the new bike’s porky ergos and preferred the slimmer ’87 layout. Quality was also an issue, with broken clutches, frames and various plastic parts common.
While the Wrecking Crew loved KX’s midrange-focused motor, the other magazines were less enamored with its finicky jetting, lack of top-end and spotty reliability. Most testers not named Wody Jiesel also felt it lacked the handling finesse to run with Honda and frowned on its 250-like feel. Not a bad bike, the KX was liked, but not loved in 1988.
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Pic #7 1988 Yamaha YZ125 Shootout Ranking – |
Overview: All new in 1986, the little Yammer was a solid contender in 1988. Its case-reed mill produced the most hit of any 125 and its new cartridge forks were light years better than the grim silverware bolted to the front of the ’87 YZ. Handling continued to be solid at speed, but slightly vague in the turns, with a light and wheelie-prone front end. Reliability was a YZ virtue and the Yamaha proved to be the most bulletproof of all the ’88 125’s.
While the motor was fast and hard-hitting, its power spread was very narrow and demanded a lot of shifts per lap. Unfortunately, shifting was not the YZ’s strong suit and catching the next gear proved to be virtually impossible under power. Braking performance was also mediocre and the suspension, while improved, was less plush than the others. Everyone loved the YZ’s slim layout and comfy seat, but hateed its hand-chewing grips and brittle levers.
Overall, the YZ was fast and fun to ride, but in need of more refinement to unseat the Honda and Kawasaki.
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1988 Suzuki RM125 Shootout Ranking – |
Overview: By 1988, the RM125 was starting to look like the moldy oldy of the 125 class. While the basic machine had been receiving steady updates, its styling and ergonomics were thoroughly stuck in 1983. This gave the RM both a cobby appearance and an undesirable riding position that forced the rider too far back in turns. In addition to its stale attire, the RM suffered from an anemic motor that demanded total commitment to achieve any sort of competitive speed. The powerband was razor thin, with very little torque and no room for error. Even worse, the motor was a ticking time bomb and more than prepared to go boom at any moment if pushed hard.
The Suzuki’s lone asset was its phenomenal suspension, which actually made it feasible to attempt the bike’s preferred riding technique of leaving it pinned to the stops at all times. Both the KYB cartridge forks and Full Floater rear were near magic and by far the best units in the class. This unfortunately, was not enough to overcome its complete lack of horsepower and non-existent reliability. Heck, it even lost to the Cagiva for God’s sake! Not many bikes can claim that dubious honor.
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1988 Cagiva WMX125 Shootout Ranking – |
Overview: While Cagiva was little more than a curiosity in America in 1988, their bikes were no push over. They had won the 125 World MX title in 1985 with Pekka Vehkonen at the controls and were considered a competitive mount across the pond. One ride on the 1988 WMX125 was enough to see why, as the bike was an absolute rocket. In fact, the Cagiva was actually the fastest 125 of 1988 in a race to the first turn. Its mid-to-top power came on in a explosive rush that left the other tiddlers sucking its castor oil. Low-end power was non-existent and the bike was difficult for novices to handle, but it rewarded rev-rangers with nearly endless pull.
Where it went wrong for the Italians, was with nearly everything else. For starters, the bike was just plain weird, with a very tall seat, low-rider bars and levers sized for Paul Bunyan. The seat itself was rock hard and more akin to a cinderblock than a Barcalounger.
Both the shifting (notchy), clutch (grabby) and brakes (weak) needed work compared to the best from Japan. While the component quality was actually very good (Acerbis plastic, Domino levers, White Power suspension, Renthal bars, Twin-Air filter) the set up and selection of said components was often curious.
Suspension performance was particularly egregious; with oddball settings that nearly rendered the bike unraceable. Both the spring rates and damping were too light and the bike liked to pogo around the track whacking the rider in the tail with its medieval torture device of a seat.
In Dirt Bike’s shootout, they went as far as saying the WMX could have been second to the Honda, if only its suspension had not been so completely out of whack. Once again, it was a case of European setup not translating across the pond to American taste. Well, at least it was good at drag racing.
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While the Wrecking Crew was quite smitin with the new KX125, the majority of the testing industry preferred to ride red in ’88. I think history has shown that the Honda was probably the better choice overall. |
