In an era where 200bhp, 200mph superbikes with MotoGP electronics packages can be had for less than the cost of a Honda Civic, this little Yamaha TZ125 might seem a bit like a joke, not much more than a racy moped. A moped with a dry clutch, a six-speed gearbox, and a pair of disc brakes!
But the TZ125’s 30bhp motivates a claimed 159lbs and can push the bike to almost 130mph, with no rider aids other than your right wrist, so while power is seemingly modest, that makes this bike more of a scalpel and less of a butter knife.
The TZ125 was the liquid-cooled follow up to the air-cooled TA125, an over-the-counter privateer racebike with cutting-edge technology: check out the top mount for the rear shock right behind the steering head. This one has a metric ton of patina, as it’s basically a time-capsule racebike in miniature, complete with period safety-wiring!
From the original eBay listing: 1980 Yamaha TZ125 for Sale
1980 Yamaha TZ 125 G with the factory spares kit in it’s wooden crate. It’s being made available for sale after being displayed in a collection from the time it was purchased new at the Yamaha dealership and the Certificate of Origin will be given to the new owner. This bike has never been ridden and only started after assembly at the factory and before being shipped to the U.S. This is an absolute museum quality factory built race bike that you can actually own. A rare and unique opportunity and investment with a modest reserve price, so bid to own it, you won’t be sorry. Good luck!
So obviously, with zero miles on it and the original packing crate included, this bike will probably appeal more to collectors than lightweight speed freaks and aspiring racers. Unfortunately, bidding is pretty slow so far, with the reserve not met at $9,000. That’s not really a huge surprise: this is a race bike with no actual racing history and, while a production run in the neighborhood of 3,000 makes this relatively uncommon by roadbike standards, that’s a pretty big number for a race bike.
-tad
A 130 mph moped? No, actually a real honest to goodness GP bike with ZERO miles. Pretty much priceless, but we’ll see. Cool as hell, by the way…
The 125cc GP class was the one to watch back when it was an FIM class. Those riders would just “pin it” everywhere on the track. Several lead changes in a corner was not unusual. Luv those little screamers.
2 stroke small capacity bikes are wonderful bikes. All about maintaining momentum and cornering skills. I chuckled at the 130mph claim. Possibly true if you weigh 100lbs… more like 100mph with me sat on it these days, sadly.
“I chuckled at the 130 mph claim..”
These GP bikes had that performance and as bike racers tend to be small in stature.. the guys on these bikes really were very lightweight.. probably under 140 lbs.
And the racing WAS furious. You must have missed that day.?
WF
I’m stunned by the incredible crudeness and thickness of the safety wiring job- is that the way it was done at the factory?
Yep… That’s the way they all came back then on all our 125’s, 250’s and 750’s. They were safety wired by hand without the use of satiety wire pliers. We didn’t care much as the first thing we did was to dissemble the entire bike and reassemble (using stainless safety wire) it prior to racing. Your right though, it was goofy. Those were fun days.
Winning bid was $10,500. Congratulations to buyer and seller!
dc