Pint-Sized Racer: 2006 Yamaha TZ125 for Sale

Unlike the roadgoing, but still-sporty TZR series, Yamaha’s TZ bikes were track-only motorcycles with performance far exceeding what road riders might expect from their diminutive displacements and dimensions: technically, the Yamaha TZ125 isn’t even pint-sized as this post title implies, since Google reliably informs me that a pint is actually 473cc, and even a cup is 236cc, which is an interesting coincidence for bikes like the Aprilia RS250 Cup… The TZ125 featured a liquid-cooled two stroke with slightly oversquare 56mm x 50.7mm bore and stroke that produced an impressive 44hp from those 124cc, helped by Yamaha’s YPVS power-valve. Pushing just 160lbs “semi-dry,” the featherweight sportbike could see speeds north of 125mph, depending on tuning, gearing, and what the rider had for breakfast.

A cassette-style six-speed gearbox allows for quick trackside repairs and changes, and there’s no starter of any kind, so rollers or bump-starting are the order of the day. Keep in mind that this is a true MotoGP machine in miniature, so you should be prepared to spend plenty of time between race or track weekends tweaking and maintaining this highly-strung little beast. But even just sitting still, this is such a cool machine: the details and welds on the frame, that huge intake snorkel, the dry clutch jutting from the side of the bike, and the airbox nestled between the frame spars.

These probably work better for younger or smaller riders, owing to the fact that even last night’s heavy meal could make a difference in top-speed and acceleration. Those 20 pounds of ballast you’ve put on since college? Yeah, that’s more than 10% of the bike’s total weight. But several commenters in the past have claimed that taller folks can actually ride them, something I hope to put to the test at one point or another.

From the original eBay listing: 2006 Yamaha TZ125 for Sale

Yamaha TZ125 Roadracer 2006 year model, all must go! Same owner since bought new in Nov 2005, original crankcases as new, KLS shifter, Ohlins rear shock, Marchesini wheels, Galfer brakes, PVL programmable ignition, MCE Racing/airtech airbox and fairing, thumb Choke, Storz steering damper, MCE Racing ported and flowed Cylinder, MCE Racing crankshaft, MCE Racing tuned engine. Additional spare parts, new crank cases, 2 new cylinders, 3 new cylinder heads, new front forks, 2 new windscreens, front and rear stands, tools with toolbox, crankshaft fixtures, foldable steel worktable, misc new gaskets, leathers, gloves, helmet, Accumix jug. Dent in top of fuel tank from something falling while in storage, can be removed by dent specialist.

The listing is pretty simple, but includes plenty of information about performance modification and spares included. The bike has a starting bid of $6,995 with no takers yet, which seems fair for a pure racing machine that includes some trick updates and a bunch of parts to keep the bike running for a long time to come.

-tad