Review of KAYO classic 125 KRZ – features of PIT BIKE 17/14

When choosing a pit bike, many people choose Chinese models. They are practical, have good rigidity, and the driving characteristics allow you to participate in “light races” and drive through forests without any problems.

At the same time, the new unit is comparable in price to the killed Japanese scooter. But even when choosing such a technique, several parameters must be taken into account. Namely, quality and brand.

As strange as it may sound, none of the Chinese brands manufacture their own parts for the entire pit bike . And he will not be responsible for the quality of purchased parts. All components are purchased from one or two manufacturers, after which they are assembled according to their own standards.

Kayo 125

The literal translation of the name of one of the types of motorcycles, “pit bike,” means a motorcycle for the field. Maintenance of sports tracks - initially this was the only purpose of the pit bike.

Are you a beginner motorcyclist?? Then you will be interested to learn about the Yamaha Ybr 125, the technical characteristics of which will allow you to quickly get used to 2 wheels. Or look at reviews of pit bikes: Kayo K1 250 Enduro or Kayo T6.

Modern pits continue to work in technical pits and on race tracks, having received a new, wider application among the average consumer as a mini-motorcycle for stunt, enduro and motocross. KAYO equipment successfully competes in the markets of Europe and Asia with famous brands, and in Russia Kayo 125 basic has become the most purchased. Russian buyers lovingly dubbed it “coyote”.

Model Basic Kayo 125: characteristics

The inexpensive version of the Kayo 125 basic for adults is now available on the same high-quality frame, painted in black, a color characteristic of the basic, and with a new YX engine that can withstand sports loads and constant dirt. The basic version is distinguished by the usual cross-country lack of a headlight, ignition switch and standard forward flow without a flute. New motorcycles boast a new chain: 428, but models up to 16 years old are mostly equipped with a regular 420, and you shouldn’t count on its long service life.

The basic Kayo 12 pit bike is equipped with a 123 cc air-cooled engine with a power of 11 horses, equipped with a carburetor and a 4-speed manual transmission. The chassis is represented by a front telescopic fork, which is not adjustable in height, a rear monoshock absorber and disc brakes.

Pit versions may differ in wheel sizes:

• 14 – 60/100 and 12 – 80/100;
• 17 – 70/100 and 14 – 90/100.

Technical characteristics similar to most versions of Kayo 125 open up enough opportunities for improvement and tuning: replacing sprockets or pumping a somewhat weak rear shock absorber. The basic pit weighs only 70 kg, and the tank is designed to hold five and a half liters of fuel. The basis is most often used as a pure cross/enduro, rather an entry-level bike and for practicing stunt riding skills.

Kayo 125 Basic and Classic

The simplest configuration of a 125 cc bike is called Basic. The more advanced version of the Classic differs from the basic one in the presence of a headlight, a battery, and a modified front fork.

The CRF801-7L Classic model can be found with a 120 cc engine. see (Lifan), or with a more powerful 140 cc. see (YX 140cc). Another important difference is the tire sizes. The classic version is equipped with two types of wheels: 14/12 or 17/14 inches.

The Kayo model line has other modifications (Mini-A, Motard, Super Moto, Pro), but since our site is dedicated to 125cc motorcycles, we will tell you in more detail about the classic Kayo 125cc version.

The bike is equipped with a relatively high-speed 125 cc (120 cc) air-cooled engine. There are practically no complaints about his work. To facilitate the passage of air, there is a zero-resistance filter at the inlet. The gearbox is mechanical and has 4 speeds. The gear shift order is non-standard (the first position is neutral, the remaining gears are up). Of the numerous reviews from owners, it is worth noting the slightly tight operation of the gearbox, as well as the elusive neutral.

The steel frame has a birdcage shape and is painted black. At the front there is an inverted telescopic fork with golden-colored stays. At the rear there is a regular pendulum with a monoshock absorber (hardness adjustment is possible). Front and rear disc brakes are single-piston. Direct-flow type muffler. The gas tank is plastic and has a separate pressure relief valve. The wings and facings are made of soft plastic, which bends quite easily, but does not break.

There is no instrument panel, but there is an hour meter and an electronic tachometer.

Kayo 125 classic: universal pit

A more civilized, classic version - in addition to enduro rides, it can also be used on public roads after a little modification. Kayo 125 classic is initially equipped with a running light, an ignition switch without a steering lock function, but with a flute on the muffler. In addition to the headlight, the version is equipped with a tachometer, an hour meter and is prepared for the installation of additional equipment for “legal” movement: speedometer, turn signals, brake lights, mirrors and an Airbox air filter. Like the standard model, the classic is available with a zero-resistance filter at the inlet.

Externally, Kayo 125 is distinguished by the following characteristics: reinforced yellow chain and white frame. The classic line is equipped with a standard economical engine with a maximum power of 11 l/s. at 8000 rpm and a torque of 8 Nm at 6000 rpm. Maximum speed: 80 km/h, and fuel consumption in normal mode will be from 2 to 2.5 liters per hundred.

Since 2015, the classic Kayo 125 pit bike has been available with an electric starter and kick. Ideal as a first motorcycle and for non-aggressive enduro riding. The weight of a classic varies depending on the year of manufacture: from 71 to 80 kg.

Classic 125 krz design compared to Kayo CRF 801-7l Basic

The front wheel is stock.

The rear wheel is stock.

Frame.

The Classic KRZ model is one of the most popular in the line. Low cost, good quality. The absence of an electric starter is more of a bonus for a simple pit bike. On rides there is no need for unnecessary details.

Since the models are almost identical, they will be described in parallel. Where there are differences, they will be indicated.

• The frame of both models is made of steel . Thanks to this, as well as a minimum of welded joints, good strength and durability . Shows very good resistance to rust thanks to good painting and fitting of parts.
• The front fork is telescopic, of the usual type. The working stroke is 735 mm , for the KRZ model, for the CRF - 800 mm .
• The rear part is made according to the motorcycle principle - mono-shock absorber + pendulum . Distance 360 ​​mm at hole centers, mounting holes 10 mm .

The dirt protection has been removed. You can see the muffler, chain, and pendulum elements.

Pendulum.

Exterior

Front view. The headlight is off.

Side view.

The difference between the models can be seen upon first inspection. Both models have minimal body kit, but the KRZ does have a headlight. The second model does not have it.

Front end

Like an enduro, the front fender is tucked under the very front fairing. The last minimum is that there is enough space to attach a number at competitions. The KRZ has a little more space due to the headlights and several reflectors.

The square headlight of this model is not directed forward, like on motorcycles, but it illuminates a small area directly in front of the front tire.

• There are no mirrors or wind protection.
• The steering wheel is large and curved . The move is good, according to reviews it does not create problems.
• Behind the wheel there is a curve of the frame, the natural continuation of which is the fuel tank. For both models it is the same, holds 5 liters .

But low consumption will allow you to travel more than 200 km on one fill. Consumption is about 3 liters per 100 km.

Dashboard

We moved it to another place. It fell off while we were riding, so we had to secure it that way. Well, now I can’t get my hands on it.

The very concept of a pit bike does not imply a large amount of information that requires a bulky panel. But in these models the developers went even further. A small display is mounted on the handlebar stem . It displays information about the motorcycle hours, and when the pit bike is started, the engine speed is displayed.

Controls

There are almost no buttons. There is an emergency engine stop button and a lever for switching the headlights.

The grips are of poor quality, worn out in 19 hours of use.

Rear end

Even though there is dirt protection for the rear shock absorber, clay sticks to it and can break the rod.

As usual, there is no mudguard. All the dirt settles on the lower part of the subframe, fortunately, due to the extremely high seating, it is not difficult to care for it. There is a semblance of mud protection for the shock absorber , but when driving in slushy weather it is practically useless.

The saddle is sportbike style, there are no additional features. Interestingly, the KRZ model will have leather painted in the main color of the bike.

Specifications

Conventional air cooling. But there are regular places for installing an additional radiator.

take care of the user, everywhere on the picture suppressor - DO NOT TOUCH.

The user is offered a 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine with the following parameters:

• working volume - 124 cm3;
• power - 11 hp;
• maximum torque - 8.0 Nm;
• number of valves - 2;
• cooling - air;
• fuel supply - Mikuni carburetor;
• ignition - electronic;
• start - kick starter;

The muffler is assembled with a “flute”, which is installed from the factory, but can be removed at will to create a “forward flow”, which is very loud.

Pay attention to the carburetor. Mikuni VM 22 is installed here . This is a non-killable model, which is assembled with a normal “suction” . The carburetor is easy to set up and maintains the set parameters well. For example, we needed to adjust the mixture once, and we didn’t climb there again over the summer. But on RegulMOTO I had to tweak something once a week.

Some people praise it, some don't, but we like this carburetor model.

Transmission and clutch

Chain adjustment mechanism.

Unlike motorcycle transmissions, where neutral is the middle position between first and second gears, Kayo has it before first. All speeds up. Other parameters are unchanged.

• Sequential 4-speed gearbox .
  The classic scheme for pit bikes is “all speeds up”!
• Chain drive.
  Drive unit.
• Multi-disc clutch, oil bath .

Instructions for tensioning the chain.

Brakes

Front brake disc and fork protection from dirt.

Rear brake disc.

Rear brake machine.

Front brake fluid reservoir (there is an inspection window).

Both models use disc brakes.

Disc drive on both axles. The brake drive is hydraulic.

Gas tank volume

The side plastic has been removed, revealing the gas tank. Only plastic products are installed on the pit bike. Plastic allows you to lighten the weight, and it doesn’t hurt so much to kick your feet!

• Tank capacity - 5 l.

It makes no sense to use a reserve system with such a volume, so the user needs to remember about the reserve himself.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption is 2 liters per 100 km in highway driving mode.

Depending on the conditions of use, it may vary, but should not rise above the 2.5 liter mark. If, according to observations, the indicators are higher, you need to look at the carburetor settings and adjust the engine.

Acceleration dynamics

The developers are silent about the acceleration dynamics, but you can’t accelerate a pit bike to 100 km. The maximum speed on stock stars will be no more than 80 km per hour .

A pit bike is not designed for fast riding, but for a sharp start.

Pitbike Kayo Urban 125: urban adaptation

Kayo 125 urban is a city dweller, economical and reliable, like all its brothers. The factory configuration comes pre-installed with everything necessary for driving on public roads, including an electric starter and documents: the city version of the pit is equipped with a PTS. The manufacturer has not forgotten the initial purpose of the motorcycle - to participate in competitions; on models with a kick, a platform is provided for attaching the starting number. The location of the conventional kick in models with an electric starter is inconvenient - if you analyze reviews of the Kayo 125, most often in winter the motorcycle starts only in the traditional way.

Pitbike Kayo 125 characteristic features

The Chinese pragmatically provided for further development of the Kayo 125 by future owners. This was reflected in the form of additional technical holes and special platforms. The chain of pit bikes is equipped with a trap, but it also requires improvement: its width contributes to the chain being pulled off instead of being retained. But it properly protects against damage to parts.

Kayo 125 reviews largely agree on the operation of the transmission:

• unusual arrangement of speeds: neutral comes first, all others are top in order;
• difficult gear shifting;
• elusive neutral.

New Kayo 125

The late 2016 model, Kayo 125 krz classic, is distinguished by a riot of colors. Multi-colored grips and other details lift your spirits just by looking at the bike. But the main technical characteristics for the new Kayo 125 model are an increase in maximum speed to 90 km/h. This feature makes it possible for the krz to fully participate in competitions in mini-motocross, motorcycle orienteering and enduro rides.

The current model year brought Kayo 125 lite 2021 to the market. This is the most budget-friendly of all models, which has not lost its versatility. Its main difference among its 125 brothers is its height. At the saddle it is only 70 cm, which is suitable for both a short rider and a young owner. The wires are neatly collected. There is a light, frame ignition switch and electric start.

The dull old 420 chain is accompanied by a pretty good chain tensioner with flanges and an unexpectedly short slider, which immediately asks to be replaced with a longer one. The calipers are small in size and have non-standard pads - which will most likely become a problem in the future. Quite good quality for a budget model.

Brand KAYO

Pit bike brand designation on its plastic.

The difference with KAYO is that they produce most of the parts in their factories, which means that quality control is still present. Here is the answer to the question why this technique is so popular.

When the majority made a hodgepodge, KAYO made his own pit bikes. It got to such an absurdity that identical models from other manufacturers were equipped with different carburetors and shock absorbers.

By purchasing a KAYO pit bike, the user received build quality, good parts and an extended warranty period. Now the situation on the market has changed, other manufacturers have appeared that have proven themselves well: BSE, Apollo and others.

Kayo 125 reviews

Pete 125: steers, drives, gets on the wheel. It is quite enough for winter rides. Of the minuses: the electric starter was not connected - I still didn’t understand how to connect it. Started it with kick. The plastic crumbled in the cold))), the chain is terrible, the bolts require a lock. Mikhail, Kolomna.

On first impressions: the Kayo 125 pit bike is a cheap and rugged cross/enduro option! Victor, Khabarovsk.

It climbs everywhere, you go wherever you want. I changed the tires to Japanese ones - the cross-country ability increased several times. There are plenty of spare parts, easy repairs. There is enough power for now; next season I’m thinking of changing the rear sprocket to a larger size. Georgy, Novosibirsk.

Normal Chinese motak. For some it’s for stunts or racing, but for me to go fishing, to take me, and to ride through the fields and forests a little. Sergey, Moscow.

Of course, the Coyote 125 is inferior to the Japanese in terms of dynamics, but it is lucky with dignity. Positive from branches in the face, rushing through the forest or through the mud when you crawl, you yourself are all dirty - but he still goes. Alexander, Ekaterinburg

Specifications

Technical specifications Kayo 125 Classic

• type - light cross-country motorcycle (pit bike).
• country of origin - China.
• year of manufacture 2013.
• engine - 1 cylinder, four-stroke (Lifan).
• model - CRF801-7L Classic 17/14 125cc.
• maximum power - 11 hp at 8000 rpm.
• engine capacity - 120 cubic meters. cm.
• 4-speed manual transmission (N-1-2-3-4).
• fuel system - carburetor.
• ignition type - electronic CDI
• cooling system – air.
• drive - chain.
• front and rear disc brakes with reinforced hoses.
• The starting system is kickstarter only.
• wheelbase – 1225 mm.
• seat height - 885 mm.
• length - 1750 mm.
• width - 750 mm.
• height - 1130 mm.
• ground clearance - 350 mm.
• Front tire size: 70/100-17.
• Rear tire size: 90/100-14.
• dry weight – 71 kg.
• gas tank volume – 5.5 liters.
• Fuel consumption is about 2-2.5 liters. per 100 km (calm driving mode).
• maximum speed - 80 km/h.