YZ125 (MY2022)

The YZ125 is the purest route into full-size motocross that still wears a showroom tag. The recipe is short: a liquid-cooled, carbureted 125 cc two-stroke single making 35 hp, a six-speed gearbox, and fully adjustable suspension with 11.8 in (300 mm) of travel up front and 12.4 in (315 mm) at the rear. There's no ABS, no traction control and no ride modes. At 212 lb (96 kg) wet it's about as light as a full-size motocrosser gets, and for front-end feel and predictability it's still the bike I judge this class by.

It lives on momentum. The power sits high in the revs, so you work the clutch and pick gears constantly, and if you let it bog in deep loam, the drive is gone. That sounds harsh, but it's the best teacher in motocross. It forces you to carry corner speed and choose the right gear, habits a four-stroke lets you skip. Maintenance is simple and the aftermarket is huge, so it stays sharp for years. The honest caveat: stock carb jetting is finicky, and the 38.6 in (980 mm) seat is tall for shorter riders.