Although the 125 class has faded from AMA Pro Racing competition, once upon a time the 125cc two-stroke was where full-size motocross competition began. The timeless retro style of this 1988 Honda CR125R recently sold on eBay conjures up that era. Its screaming red hue was the unmistakable signature color of Honda during the golden age of AMA Supercross.
The 125 class spanned from the golden era of motocross in the 1970s to the early 2000s when 250cc four-strokes began to infiltrate the “Lites” division. In their heyday, lightweight 125cc dirt bikes were the gateway to the pro ranks. While the modern motocross landscape is now dominated by high-compression four-strokes, the two-stroke models are still revered, particularly among core enthusiasts.
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Maxing out on speed from the high-revving 125cc two-stroke motorcycle is an art form. Motocross racers consider it the ultimate learning tool on the track. Without big torque to speed from corner to corner, the 125 needs high rpm to maintain peak power delivery. That means riders must carry corner speed, make precise line choices, and use momentum to keep a 125 singing. The 125cc two-stroke class requires more skill than brute force.
Eighties Evolution of MX
The 1980s saw several technological innovations in motocross dirt bikes:
- Twin-shocks replaced mono-shocks (and eventually link-mounted with piggyback reservoirs)
- Drum brakes became disc brakes
- Air-cooled engines displaced liquid-cooled motors
In 1986, AMA Supercross and MX Nationals started to require that bikes be homologated—meaning a certain number of the machines must be made available for purchase. This new rule spurred a rapid technological evolution. It closed the gap between exotic professional race bikes and what consumers saw on dealership floors.
As a result, Honda’s 1988 CR125R became a championship-level weapon in the fast-growing AMA Motocross Nationals and Supercross - opens in new window or tab. series. Champ racer Guy Cooper rode the Honda CR125R to the podium in the last 10 rounds of the 1988 AMA 125 National MX Series, earning four wins. If Cooper hadn’t missed the first two rounds due to injury, he could have been the champion that year.
The 1988 model year saw some refinements but wasn’t a major change in the platform like there was with the groundbreaking 1986 model. The 1988 Honda CR125R featured these upgrades:
- A new cylinder with porting changes
- Revised intake tract
- Recalibrated ATAC power valve - opens in new window or tab.
The steel frame was beefed up with stiffer suspension settings. The mishmash setup runs a Showa 43mm standard cartridge-style fork up front and a link-mounted Kayaba single shock - opens in new window or tab. in the rear.
Front Suspension
The late 1980s were the tail end of the conventional fork before the upside-down fork became commonplace. At the time, Honda riders were reluctant to switch to the new fork tube orientation because the stock Showa fork - opens in new window or tab. on the ’88 Honda CR125 is what Cooper called “the plushest on the planet.”
While Big Red’s CR two-stroke model line might be relegated to the MX history books, its legacy lives on in beautifully maintained treasures like this 1988 Honda CR125R offer on eBay.
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