I am new to mini road racing, what bike should i buy? is this the right one?
Are you saying or thinking that right now?
If so then read on.
Being new to this mini world & the bikes being used will, at times seem messy. Following details will help make it easier.
First off refer to your clubs rules & allowances for what bikes can be used in what class. The information here will apply to Sandy Hook Speedway’s Mini Moto class called “Stock 100”. Other clubs around the region call it “Stock 125” but what you read here will still apply.
Here are the Sandy Hook Mini Moto classes : https://www.sandyhookspeedway.com/classes2.html
Most of the time for new riders it will be suggested to start out with a “Stock 100” class of bike. That is the most neutral class of bike you can start with. You can ride that bike in any of the adult classes really. It’s based on keeping the bikes as close to original as possible to keep the costs down, keeping the class competitive based on the rider ability & not how much money is spent.
So if you come to the track you will see the following bikes. Also the list of bikes below with details will then be the bikes you want to shop for. When shopping slow things down & really be sure what you are looking at so you don’t start off wrong. Read on...
Here is a list of bikes that are allowed in “Stock 100” class. (Stock 125 for others clubs)
1. Honda XR 100 (1985 – 2003) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / drum front & rear brake
2.Honda CRF 100 (2004-2012) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
3.Honda CRF 125 F Big Wheel (2013-current) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
-CRF 125F with 17” front & 14” rear wheels not eligible for the “Stock 100/125” class
4.Yamaha TT-R 125 L (2000-2002 Generation 1) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
5.Yamaha TTR 125 L & LE (2002-2007 Gen. 1.5) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
6.Yamaha TTR 125 LE (2008-current Gen. 2) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
-Yamaha TTR 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. Small wheel version, no suffix
-“L” means large wheel & “E” means electric start
TTR 125 – small wheel (17”f-14”r) kick start only / drum front & rear brake (not eligible)
TTR 125 E - small wheel (17”f-14”r) with electric start / drum front & rear brake (not eligible)
TTR 125 L – large wheel (19”f-16”r) kick start only / disc front & drum rear brake
TTR 125 LE –large wheel (19”f-16”r) with electric start / disc front & drum rear brake
7.Suzuki DRZ 125 L (2003-’09 & ’12-current) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ disc front & drum rear brake
-Suzuki DRZ 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. Small wheel version no suffix
8.Kawasaki KLX 125 L (2003-2006) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ disc front & drum rear brake
-Kawasaki KLX 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. The small wheel version has no
suffix.
Yamaha TTR125 details:
Now if you are looking at buying the Yamaha TTR 125 L or LE bike there are some suspension details that need to be addressed. Getting the right suspension on the bike to start will save you money & make a better bike for the track. On some TTR’s there is a standard fork & rear shock. Then there are some TTR’s that have adjustable pre-load forks & remote reservoir rear shock that has adjustable pre-load, compression & rebound. See image below. Left fork top have a rubber cap, right one has the adjustable pre-load. You want the adjustable forks. Then on picture to the right, you will see a gold canister mounted on the front frame down tube. That signifies it has the remote reservoir shock.
If so then read on.
Being new to this mini world & the bikes being used will, at times seem messy. Following details will help make it easier.
First off refer to your clubs rules & allowances for what bikes can be used in what class. The information here will apply to Sandy Hook Speedway’s Mini Moto class called “Stock 100”. Other clubs around the region call it “Stock 125” but what you read here will still apply.
Here are the Sandy Hook Mini Moto classes : https://www.sandyhookspeedway.com/classes2.html
Most of the time for new riders it will be suggested to start out with a “Stock 100” class of bike. That is the most neutral class of bike you can start with. You can ride that bike in any of the adult classes really. It’s based on keeping the bikes as close to original as possible to keep the costs down, keeping the class competitive based on the rider ability & not how much money is spent.
So if you come to the track you will see the following bikes. Also the list of bikes below with details will then be the bikes you want to shop for. When shopping slow things down & really be sure what you are looking at so you don’t start off wrong. Read on...
Here is a list of bikes that are allowed in “Stock 100” class. (Stock 125 for others clubs)
1. Honda XR 100 (1985 – 2003) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / drum front & rear brake
2.Honda CRF 100 (2004-2012) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
3.Honda CRF 125 F Big Wheel (2013-current) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
-CRF 125F with 17” front & 14” rear wheels not eligible for the “Stock 100/125” class
4.Yamaha TT-R 125 L (2000-2002 Generation 1) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
5.Yamaha TTR 125 L & LE (2002-2007 Gen. 1.5) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
6.Yamaha TTR 125 LE (2008-current Gen. 2) 19” front & 16” rear wheel / disc front & drum rear brake
-Yamaha TTR 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. Small wheel version, no suffix
-“L” means large wheel & “E” means electric start
TTR 125 – small wheel (17”f-14”r) kick start only / drum front & rear brake (not eligible)
TTR 125 E - small wheel (17”f-14”r) with electric start / drum front & rear brake (not eligible)
TTR 125 L – large wheel (19”f-16”r) kick start only / disc front & drum rear brake
TTR 125 LE –large wheel (19”f-16”r) with electric start / disc front & drum rear brake
7.Suzuki DRZ 125 L (2003-’09 & ’12-current) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ disc front & drum rear brake
-Suzuki DRZ 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. Small wheel version no suffix
8.Kawasaki KLX 125 L (2003-2006) 19” front & 16” rear wheel/ disc front & drum rear brake
-Kawasaki KLX 125 with 17” front and 14” rear wheel/ drum front & rear brake
is not eligible to be used in the “Stock 100/125” class. The small wheel version has no
suffix.
Yamaha TTR125 details:
Now if you are looking at buying the Yamaha TTR 125 L or LE bike there are some suspension details that need to be addressed. Getting the right suspension on the bike to start will save you money & make a better bike for the track. On some TTR’s there is a standard fork & rear shock. Then there are some TTR’s that have adjustable pre-load forks & remote reservoir rear shock that has adjustable pre-load, compression & rebound. See image below. Left fork top have a rubber cap, right one has the adjustable pre-load. You want the adjustable forks. Then on picture to the right, you will see a gold canister mounted on the front frame down tube. That signifies it has the remote reservoir shock.
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You will want to look at TTR 125’s that has this suspension. But just be aware because it has the right forks, does not always mean it has the right shock. That goes the other too. Just because it has the right shock, does not mean the right forks are there.
Always check the wheel sizes as well before you buy. Even though you see a disc front brake does not always guarantee it’s a 19” wheel. Sometimes I have seen people put a 17” front wheel from a YZ80/85 on a TTR.
Make sure you have the right wheels & more desirable suspension. It just costs too much to not tget the correct options from the start. No way around it. Once you get the correct bike and it’s mechanically right. Then you can start the build for the track.
With the Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki you don’t have to be concerned about the suspension packages. Those bikes don’t have the variables like Yamaha produced.
This will help find a direction on the bikes to be looking for if you are searching. But please ask for help if you need it. Once you get a bike, I can help guide your bike prep, sell you the parts, install them, build them, etc. My goal is to get you to be having the maximum amount of fun, for the lowest possible cost in the fastest way possible. So you can get to the track with us!
The Service Pavilion is the name of my shop. You can contact me if you have questions.
[email protected]
610-950-2245
Always check the wheel sizes as well before you buy. Even though you see a disc front brake does not always guarantee it’s a 19” wheel. Sometimes I have seen people put a 17” front wheel from a YZ80/85 on a TTR.
Make sure you have the right wheels & more desirable suspension. It just costs too much to not tget the correct options from the start. No way around it. Once you get the correct bike and it’s mechanically right. Then you can start the build for the track.
With the Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki you don’t have to be concerned about the suspension packages. Those bikes don’t have the variables like Yamaha produced.
This will help find a direction on the bikes to be looking for if you are searching. But please ask for help if you need it. Once you get a bike, I can help guide your bike prep, sell you the parts, install them, build them, etc. My goal is to get you to be having the maximum amount of fun, for the lowest possible cost in the fastest way possible. So you can get to the track with us!
The Service Pavilion is the name of my shop. You can contact me if you have questions.
[email protected]
610-950-2245