Does size matter?

[alixsidecarbmw]

Have a chance to pick up TL125 four stoke. I am 6'2" 220lbs. Strictly a play bike for a has been intermediate trials rider. Is it too small?

[roadholder]

The TL125 might be a bit small for a largish rider in competition, but for a playbike you should have no problem.
They are fun, versatile and reliable bike which should give you great service if everything is in good repair.

[K1W1]

In the 1970's there were kits available to take them out to about 180cc but I guess they would be like the proverbial rocking horse excrement now.

Regardless of size or skill I'd buy a TL125 anytime if I could get my hands on a good one at the right price they were just one of those bikes that were a great fun package and indestructible as well.

[2whlrcr]

I had one. I'm 180lbs and rode mine in the class just above novice. The bike was competitive up until that level. They are fun little bikes and perfect for playing around on. But you will never mistake them for a modern bike.

[buls4evr]

YES. You are too large for it.

[lamotovita]

This guy is at least 6'4 " on a Cota 123, which is smaller than a TL125. He won the novice class!

[roadholder]

Originally Posted by lamotovita

This guy is at least 6'4 "

better give him this bike then!

[Lobo50]

How big is that AJS? That engine looks to weigh more than an entire modern trials bike.

[buls4evr]

600cc single, Amal 932 concentric carb, stroke like a Cummins. motor maybe heavier than a modern Gas Gas. Great bikes in their day especially with Gordon Farley riding one. These guys that rode these were usually huge men. You need some lead in your butt to start one and knowledge of TDC and spark advances. Great shot Roadholder ....a beautiful bike.

[Thumpermeister]

Originally Posted by Lobo50

How big is that AJS? That engine looks to weigh more than an entire modern trials bike.

Just about!
Overall they could have weighed more then double a modern trials bike, although a few well known examples were whittled down to 200 lbs or so.
As they weren't generally ridden by Sasquatch's it does lend support to the argument that size is a relative thing.

Of course the sections have changed as much as the bikes!

[Sting32]

Originally Posted by lamotovita

This guy is at least 6'4 " on a Cota 123, which is smaller than a TL125. He won the novice class!

Having riddin since the early 70's myself and having owned the bike in question (the TL125), we let mom ride it, it was semi easy to start but not much to compete on. It was a heavy brute, so mom ended up with a really really nice Cota123...

Again this info is from back when the TL was new, I say buy the 125 for the joy of owning one, not for any hopes of competition/gratification on furthering a trials career, I mean you wont have bought the bike most likely to propel your trials career but they are fun bikes to own. Sure even in the heydays of these bikes there were people who will state success. But much like the Ilk of the GOAT (Carmichael) he could have ridden anything, and he'd admit some are easier than others!

Even back in the day, the honda's tl125 were twice the heft, half the torque/horsepower of that 123. I got a TL 125 again, as well as a couple tl250's. the 250's are snappy, but I cant imagine working that hard riding that big old pig in competition especially back in the day, let alone today. Bultaco and Montessa's were the bike to own and win on for a reason, lighter and better! In fact I know by too many sites explaining the modifications the factory riders and some "in the know" (like nickelson) did to these Honda bikes, just to make them competitive, include chpping the frames, and many other things us mortals didnt do.

Also note: I rode the 123's as a kid, by age 15, I was about 180 lbs as a early teen, and the montessa 123 (as pictured in your post) was pretty anemic. Fortunately my bad experience with one particular 123 that refused to run right, forced dad to hunt for me a better bike. We found a Cota 172, and that bike saved my entire trials career. FWIW, The 172 has full size aluminum wheels, and a dang good motor. Them 123's had 17" rear and 19" fronts if I recall, steel rims (heavy). The 172's are, well, scarce I only ever saw mine, nobody else I knew ever seen one or anything.

More on the honda's> Remember, back and almost until present day, 2 strokes had to give double displacement just to make it "fair" on race bikes, hell any bike or even lawn-mowers. So realisticly, that 125 honda is a at best equal to an 80cc 2stroke. Hell my moped has 50cc, i wouldnt trials ride on that. IMHO This is why they came out with those nice light little 20cc weed trimmers way back when, they produced good power to weight/displacement. nowdays the 50cc 4strokes are "almost" as good but have you hauled a 4stroke chainsaw around yet? They have to save weight by skimping on everything else on the dang things.

that is my 2 cents.