

Menu

DIRT BIKES

2023 125–150cc
Two-Stroke
Motocross Bikes
To Buy
There are seven smokers and
one’s a lone ranger.
By Serena McKnight
Updated: January 24, 2023

Things are heating up in the 125–

150cc two-stroke motocross
segment this year. We’re not just
talking about those ever-present
“bold new graphics” here.
Instead, there are quite a few
significant updates and changes
shaking things up. First, big
developments for a couple of
the 125s with the introduction of
fuel injection. Then, there’s one
less player in the 144cc two-
stroke range that allows TM to
rule that roost.

Take a look at all the two-stroke

MX options from KTM,
Husqvarna, GasGas, Yamaha,
and TM below, and find out
about the updates, general
specifications, and pricing.

Related: 2023 110cc Dirt Bikes To

Buy

2023 KTM 125 SX

KTM’s 125 SX stays competitive in the two-

stroke class with its pivotal updates for
2023. KTM

The 2023 KTM 125 SX receives

significant updates to help keep
it top-of-mind for potential two-
stroke buyers. This model has a
stiffer frame, shorter WP Xact
shock, new bodywork, and 26
percent larger footpegs that are
mounted further inboard.

It’s powered by a compact,

lightweight, and torquey 125cc
two-stroke engine with TBI
(throttle body injection), an
electronic fuel-injection system
with a Keihin 39mm throttle
body, for fuel delivery. No more
carburetor! There’s also electric
start to get riders quickly into the
action and two engine maps to
play with in different riding
conditions. We were impressed
by the engine’s clean and
consistent power buildup and
TBI system when we took the
2023 model for a spin.

The Orange Brigade’s 125cc

two-stroke motocrosser uses a
new hydroformed, laser-cut,
robot-welded chromoly steel
frame that is paired with a WP
Xact 48mm air fork and WP Xact
shock. Brembo brakes with
260mm front and 220mm rear
wave-style discs slow down the
bike.

2023 KTM 125 SX Price: $7,949

Related: 2023 KTM 125 SX, 250

SX, and 300 SX First Ride Review

2023 Husqvarna
TC 125

With an abundance of updates to the standard

TC 125 and a vintage-inspired version available,
Husqvarna gives buyers a lot to consider with its
newest 125. Husqvarna

Husqvarna doesn’t sit back and

let KTM shine with all the
updates. The brand also kept up
with changes including a new
engine, suspension, frame,
swingarm, and bodywork. Some
key engine advancements for
the TC 125 is that it now has EFI,
an electronically controlled
power valve, and electric start.
This bike features two engine
maps and a redesigned six-
speed Pankl gearbox. Yes, we
rode this bike too and noted that
the 125cc two-stroke has a more
usable, broader power curve.
We don’t want to give too many
spoilers, so read about what it’s
like to ride here. In that story we
also make comparisons to the
125 SX.

In order to aid in end-of-stroke

damping, the WP Xact 48mm air
fork has new hydrostops. The
WP Xact shock has been refined
for comfort and to improve anti-
squat behavior, the TC 125 has a
new hydroformed chromoly
steel frame. A new aluminum
swingarm is claimed to help with
rigidity and minimize weight.
Other features include black-
anodized D.I.D DirtStar rims,
Dunlop Geomax MX33 tires, a
toolless quick-access airbox,
Brembo brakes, ODI grips,
ProTaper handlebar, and
redesigned footpegs.

On top of all this, there’s also a

vintage-style spinoff called the
TC 125 Heritage ($8,149) that
nicely blends the modern
machine with design cues that
reflect the brand’s racing
heritage.

2023 Husqvarna TC 125 Price:

$8,049

Related: 2023 Husqvarna TC 125

and TC 250 First Ride Review

2023 GasGas MC
125

With its 2021 introduction, the GasGas MC 125 is

the most recent addition to the 125cc motocross
class. GasGas

Since it was just introduced in

2021, the MC 125 doesn’t
experience the extensive
mechanical and chassis updates
like its Austrian cousins, rather,
this model only has new
graphics for 2023. Mechanically,
it differs from the 125 SX and TC
125 with its Mikuni-carbureted
engine and kickstarter. The bore
and stroke are the same
compact, nearly square (54mm x
54.5mm) dimensions. It has a six-
speed transmission by Pankl
with a diaphragm steel clutch
and CNC-machined clutch
basket.

It spins Maxxis MaxxCross MX-ST

tires instead of Dunlops that are
seen on the KTM and
Husqvarna, and without fuel in
the 2.0-gallon tank, the bike is
said to be 12 pounds lighter than
the claimed 204-pound weights
(with all fluids except fuel) of the
KTM and Husky. The frame is
made up of central double-
cradle chromoly steel, which is
paired with a WP Xact 48mm air
fork and WP Xact shock.

2023 GasGas MC 125 Price:

$7,349

Related: 2023 GasGas Trials

Bikes First Look

2023 Yamaha
YZ125/YZ125
Monster Energy
Yamaha Racing
Edition

A special graphics package gives the YZ125

Monster Energy Yamaha Racing Edition (right) its
factory finish. It’s also $200 more than the base
YZ125. Yamaha

The YZ125 was heavily revised in

2022, so it’s only new graphics
for the bLU cRU’s 2023 two-
stroke MX bike. Like the GasGas,
the YZ125 is a carbureted
machine. Its 125cc two-stroke
uses a Keihin PWK 38S
carburetor and Moto Tassinari
VForce4R reed valve system.

Its recently updated suspension

setup includes a KYB Speed
Sensitive System (SSS) 48mm
coil-spring fork and KYB shock
that are both fully adjustable and
offer 11.8 and 12.4 inches of
travel, respectively. This dirt bike
represents a different tire brand
with its Bridgestone Battlecross
X20 tires. An aluminum semi-
double-cradle frame is paired
with an aluminum subframe
making the bike lightweight (at a
claimed 209 pounds, fully
fueled) and maneuverable on
the track.

Want the factory look? The

YZ125 is available with Monster
Energy Yamaha Racing Edition
livery.

2023 Yamaha YZ125/YZ125

Monster Energy Yamaha Racing
Edition Price: $6,999/$7,199

Related: 2023 Yamaha

Motocross Bikes First Look

2023 TM MX 125
2T

There’s a few changes in 2023 that piggyback on

the larger number of updates that were seen on
TM’s bikes last year. TM Racing

In addition to new graphics, the

TM MX 125 2T receives updated
engine maps and a new clutch
pump for MY23. Although TM
does not have the 2023 spec
sheet available, we know that
riders will kick the 125cc two-
stroke engine to life and toe
through a six-speed
transmission. Additionally, the
engine is fueled by a Keihin
carburetor, and has a 54mm
bore and 54.5mm stroke,
dimensions of which are
common for this engine size.

CNC-machined triple clamps

connect a KYB 48mm coil-spring
fork to the aluminum frame and
a TM Racing shock keeps things
under control at the back end.
TM’s fork has 12.2 inches of travel
and the shock has 11.8. There’s
also a Brembo front brake
caliper that grips a 270mm disc
and a Nissin rear brake caliper
with a 245mm disc.

2023 TM MX 125 2T Price: $9,195

Related: 2023 TM Two-Stroke

Motocross Bikes First Look

2023 TM MX 144
2T

The TM MX 144 2T is in a class of its own. TM

Racing

With the 150 SX no longer part of

KTM’s lineup, the 2023 TM MX
144 2T is the only 143cc two-
stroke motocross model
available on the market. To bring
the engine up to its 143cc
displacement, TM gave it a
56mm bore and 58.2mm stroke.
Read our first look article and
you’ll see that TM’s MX 144′s
chassis is the same as the MX
125. There’s an aluminum frame
with a KYB 48mm coil-spring
fork and TM Racing shock.
Suspension travel is the same
(12.2 inches front, 11.8 inches
rear) as is the claimed seat
height (39.0 inches) and ground
clearance (14.6 inches).

Updates? They are the same as

the MX 125 above—new
graphics, engine mapping, and
clutch pump. Rarity has a funny
way of making higher price tags
less of a concern to some
buyers, but the unique MX 144
does price in over a grand higher
than any of the other bikes in this
125–150cc two-stroke category.

2023 TM MX 144 2T Price: $9,495

Conversation (9) 2

Commenting as Guest Log in Sign up

What do you think?

Sort by Best

$ $$$
14w ago
Over priced that's what I think
Reply · 10 ·

G Guest
14w ago
I love that TM is still making a 144 but I wish
somebody would make a 200 cc MX bike.
Reply · 1 ·

G Guest
2w ago
What's the fantic motor xx125 like with its
tuned Yamaha yz engine and kyb suspension
also I've seen that the gas gas 125 moto x
engine is pushing out 38bhp that's good for a
125 2 stroke
(Edited)
Reply · ·

J Jboswell
31w ago
Tm MX 144
Reply · 3 1 ·

N nigelkimmie
48w ago
Very informative (Edited)
Reply · 3 1 ·

B Butch
15w ago
I would like to see more coverage of off-road
bikes, versus motocross bikes, thanks for the
information
Reply · ·

B Bob
4w ago
That's a lot of money for a little bike.
Reply · ·

H Hamza
10w ago
What about the Honda CRF?
Reply · ·

AS Aditya Samal
16w ago
How to buy this
Reply · ·

Terms | Privacy | Feedback

More Dirt Bikes

DIRT BIKES

A!ordable Full-Size Motocross

Bikes To Buy in 2023

DIRT BIKES

2024 KTM Enduro and Dual

Sport Motorcycles First Look

DIRT BIKES

2023 KTM 500 EXC-F Technical

Information

DIRT BIKES

2024 Husqvarna TE, FE, and FEs

Models Preview

DIRT BIKES

2024 KTM XC-W, XCF-W, and

EXC-F Models Preview

Latest

DIRT BIKES

A!ordable Full-Size Motocross

Bikes To Buy in 2023

RACING

O!-Road Racebikes—Mike
Witkowski’s 2023 Honda CRF250R