before, but the Husqvarna airbox/side-panel layout is
atrocious. It must have been concocted by a committee
rather than an engineer. Why? Airflow can barely get
to the airbox because of a left-side panel that is more of
a brick wall than a window screen. As a result, throttle
response and midrange power are stymied.
( 3) Yamaha YZ125. Old faithful gives up power to the
KTM and Husqvarna, particularly at high rpm. The YZ125
has a predominantly low-to-midrange powerband and cannot keep up with the Austrian bikes at full tilt; however,
that doesn’t mean that the Yamaha engine is a dud.
WHICH BIKE HAS THE BEST POWERBAND?
(1) Yamaha YZ125. Impossible! Think again. Raw
power is one thing, but being able to use the power at
hand is quite another. The YZ125 has a remarkably
easy-to-ride powerband that is well-liked by every MXA
test rider. The close-ratio six-speed gearbox deserves
some of the credit, because we were able to keep the
engine humming with relative ease. Although the KTM
and Husqvarna powerplants delivered more promise on
high-speed tracks, the YZ125 was more usable
everywhere else.
( 2) KTM 125SX. Just as the Yamaha YZ450F didn’t
win the “2015 MXA 450 Four-Stroke Shootout” simply
because it made the most horsepower, the KTM 125SX
doesn’t have the best powerband despite its horsepower
advantage. The KTM engine is finicky and hard to keep
in the meat of the powerband. Finding success with the
