The 125 class is a red-hot crucible of research and development, and one look at the record book is a pretty accurate thermometer of whose fire is stoked: Chalk up another three magazine shootout wins for the YZ125: Transworld Motocross, Dirt Bike and Cycle World.

That was then, this is now. The 2004 YZ125 benefits from the addition of 48mm fork for even sharper handling. Titanium footpegs and a new Gripper-style seat cover give even greater control feedback.

Cradled inside that high-tensile steel tube frame is our favorite screaming 124cc broad-band baby, updated with revised port timing, six-petal composite reed valves, YPVS and carburetor settings for greater low-end and midrange as well as more over-rev up top, close-ratio five-speed transmission and heavy-duty clutch.

Kayaba rear shock allows independent fine-tuning of high- and low-speed compression damping so you can soak up the big landings and the little stutter bumps.