Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 19 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: brussels
Posts: 74
long distance on a Yamaha WR 125 R ?

Hello, I am still wondering whats the best choice...

What about traveling with this bike ? Yamaha WR 125 R

Tank, seat, luggage rack and

My first question: anybody experience on reliability, how many Km can these bikes live ?
and what about off road ability (what is this pipe doing in front of the engine???, this makes the bike vulnarable?
anybody travel (off road )experience on this bike ?
Thnx
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Feb 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
Its as reliable as any bike out there past or present.

You can ride around the world on a postie bike if you wanted to & some have.

If your in no hurry & you run the engine as it was designed to run they will go round this planet many times, seriously.

If you try to run your bike like a bigger engine bike (600cc+) it will shit itself almost right away, ride it a 60k and it will last for decades, run it at 100k+ all day & you will be picking up the engine off the road in weeks.

I could go round the world with a lawnmower with ease.

"Sydney to London on Lawnmowers" far more entertaining than "Round the world on Beemer`s" but serious (back to topic) if you gave Ted Simons the choice between a WR125 & his Triumph Tiger back in 1973 he would have snapped your arm off.

Mezo (offers of a challenge welcomed)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 22 Feb 2012
stuxtttr's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Lutterworth,Midlands, UK
Posts: 576
I would happily take a small light bike around the world.

My Yamaha TT250R is smaller lighter and more simple than MY XTZ660

I have been looking at getting a 125 for some time.

Lots of people seem to be going smaller and lighter and not looking back.

you are less likely to get pulled over for speeding (mostly because its harder to speed).

there may be more availablilty of spare parts, tyres etc as locals tend to use similar small capacity machines

your fuel costs may be considerably lower 100mpg plus is acheivable on many 125 4 stroke bikes

if you have to pick the bike up it will be much easier and if everything fails it will require less people power to lift onto the back of a truck etc.

you will probably not notice a huge difference in average speeds and the bike will be easier to handle over rough terrain.

the only way a small bike will be comprimised is if you try to overload it. so keep everything simple and light and enjoy the freedom and take lots of photos so we can join in your enjoyment
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 22 Feb 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 82
If its anywhere near as reliable as my WR250R you should do fine! 31k miles and never missed a beat.
__________________
2008 Yamaha WR250R
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Mar 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 9
Well, I just rode 10.000 km from Shanghai to Koh Panghan in Thailand and way back to China last year with my Yamaha YBR 125 G, and will ride again from Shanghai to Cape Town starting next April on the same bike (est. 28.000 km more).

I had absolutely no problems at all on my way, I know this machines have 2 main advantages: they are sturdy as hell (when rode at appropriate RPM) and easy to repair anywhere by anyone. Literally.

I know most people decide to ride extremely expensive KTM or BMW's for long rides. I have no doubt how much easy it is to ride on those, the comfort of 100 HP engines, big seats and all the electronics and stuff.

But seriously, when you are lost somewhere in the middle of mountainous regions in Laos or Yunnan, and your super fancy BMW electronic decides to break, you'll find yourself in a not pleasant situation waiting for expensive parts to be shipped where you are before you can continue on the road.

THAT will be the moment when I catch up on my small, 90km/h top speed, almost-bicycle-looking YBR.

That is, not to mention yet the 500+ km that I can ride with barely 11 litres of gas on the tank...

Oh, did I mention that my bike was just 10.000 RMB (~1250 euro) completely new from the official Yamaha shop in Shanghai?

But I give you one thing: Riding the perfectly flat and perfectly straight and perfectly long highways in Thailand at 90km/h it is just depressingly boring.

In the end it's always just a matter of choices, and usually budget.

-kali-
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 2 Mar 2012
R.I.P. 25 November 2021
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 688
And the bonus of being able to carry most spares with you


a spare piston would fit in your pocket.

I would however go with an air cooled bike not liquid.

Mezo.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: brussels
Posts: 74
Yes I know, I would prefer air cooled too...
The new genereration of trails, cross (any bike) come liquid cooled...
XT 125 R is not that off road able than this WR 125 R ,that is what I read on the net
Riding XT 600 off road I did regret the heavy weight of it...so I am looking for more off road orientated bike and I like it very light
WR 125 is much (?) closer to a real off road bike ?
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Mar 2012
PocketHead's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 535
You should be able to sit on 80 km/h but it's not a cheap bike is it? If you have one already then go for it but I wouldn't choose it as the best choice, you would be better off with an old XR250 perhaps?

That said I've never ridden one but I love my WR250R more than any other bike I've ever owned......
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
long distance on a yam WR 125 R ???? Polly Which Bike? 18 17 Jan 2021 09:21
long distance on a Yam WR 250 R enduro inconveniences ? Polly Which Bike? 11 23 Oct 2017 12:53
WANTED: Yamaha XT600E Header Pipes Guest121 TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 2 2 Feb 2012 22:25
Yamaha XTZ750 Super Tenere - RTW & Long Trips ? kamilltee After the big trip 4 14 Dec 2011 14:06
Advice please, Riding from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay uk_vette West and South Asia 2 1 Dec 2011 00:35

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:21.