James Stewart's Championship Kawasaki KX125 Two Stroke - Motocross Action Magazine
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- #motocross #supercross #dirtbike
In 2004 James Stewart was able to fight against a stack field of four strokes on his Factory Chevy Trucks Kawasaki KX125 two stroke to win a Supercross and Motocross Championship. Kawasaki pulled out James Stewart's Kawasaki KX125 and let Motocross Action shoot it. We sat down with former Kawasaki Team Manager Bruce Stjernstrom to go over the stories of the era, the goodies on James's bike, and what it was like to have one of the fastest men on the planet on Team Kawasaki at the time. We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane from the Kawasaki Headquarters in Southern California. James Stewart will go down in history as one of the fastest motocross riders to ever touch a 125 two stroke.
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The best years of MX.
It was SO entertaining to watch him DESTROY the entire field during this era.
Indeed!
Fact
You're legend for that comment
just go to Show when you just get in to it Racism is a stupid hang up ....... everyone loves James ,, Australia ,,
Had goose bumps watching this.
Me too.
You better believe it
Without a doubt the best iconic bike review I've seen so far. The bike, the speaker, the information he shares, the editing, the background music - everything is excellent, great job MXA. Thank you.
agreed
Agreed.. I’ve watched 3 times now and have wanted to leave another like each time lol
Fastest 125 rider I’ve ever seen. Saw him at Broome Tioga and Unadilla back then. He was unreal.
Buddy of mine saw him race at Broome and said the same thing
I remember seeing him at this one local track doing a triple triple quad on that 125. The 250 riders weren't even attempting it and he was doing it like it was nothing. Most impressive shit I've ever seen on a 125!
Be cool to see in real life
Fastest in both classes
He was the first rider I ever saw as a kid. We walked up to the Hangtown track and the first thing I hear was people cheering him on the 125
This speaks volumes for Kawasaki as a company for breeding the BEST of the BEST in the WORLD. When you really think about it RC, Bubba, RV and ET. That is a World Allstars team of motocross racers right there....
The only 125 and Rider to clear larocco's leap when the whole field of 250fs were laying up!!🤘🏼
I was outraged when they started to call it the Lucas oil jump.........dam straight!
Change it to Stewart Hill
I remember seeing one of James' original 125's at Capitol Cycle in Macon, GA when I was a little kid. Probably right after the season. It was so strange to see it there. But it was like looking at the most DANGEROUS motocross bike to exist. And to my brother and I at the time, Bubba was already the GOAT.
Best 125 rider of all time. Sick to see this bike talked about again
From 2001-2007 me and my sons went to the Washougal outdoor national to watch him race.. Nothing but impressive.. I believe it was 2003 when we were able to get pit passes, we were standing out front of the tent when James and his dad took a pair of googles, signed them and gave them to my son.. I still have those goggles to this day.. They were a first class show on wheels.
Dope story !
The 125 GOAT - I remember being at Glen Helen watching him destroy 250F's on his last lites class race. I can still picture him wheeling up Mount Glen Helen with the big American flag at the top. I wish James would have some fun a do a 125 Dream race. Imagine the HYPE - it would be amazing.
I got to see this bike live in person a couple times. #259, arguably the most talented person to ever throw their leg over a dirtbike.
Win or crash. That was JS7. He brought so many new people to the sport. Miss watching him ride....
I am just glad that i was able to live in that era, the best time of motocross. James was the fastest 125 rider in the history period. It was simply something else to see him blow by people, did not matter if it was outside or inside or him literally scrubing speed to get by. And the bikes were mint, just before every drink companies came along. Man i wish i could go back in time to relive that era again.
Definitely the best era to have seen live. I can remember being so captivated by Stews speed and his beyond comprehension bike control. JS7 changed the techniques that is mandatory for all pros to know now to be even considered competitive.
He changed the game!
When he rode, James and the bike became one and that quality cannot be beaten.
Carmichael and Stewart are my all time favourite riders
Easy
Yeah definitely
Mine too
Mx/ sx haven't been the same since
You have got to put Chad Reed in there. ,,,, The 3 guys were so good Australia
@@lostinspace699 comparing Chad Reed to bubs is silly...listen to the story that was just told on the video. Respect to Chad and he is a great rider, but compared too the other 2 he's a longshot.
The Best rider for ever💪
NOBODY danced on a motorcycle the way JS7 did. Ever. Period. Barcia, villiipota, RC, Mgrath, NOBODY!!!!! He STILL is the most exciting to watch ride. His style is unmatched.
He was the greatest I’ve ever seen on a bike. To see him ride in person is simply mind blowing. He took corners faster than anyone I’ve ever seen. He is the GOAT. It broke my heart when he left KX
No, Ricky Carmichael is The GOAT. The winningest AMA rider in history
I remember watching him at Kenworthy's farm in Troy, OH. James is an unbelievable rider!! One if the best ever!
Is that track still there ???
@@russheins6458 It is still there but I am not sure if it is for local riding only. I will have to find out.
Watched ricky and James both rip up the field at Kenworthys. Wish they still had outdoor nationals there. Really miss it.
100% the best, fastest 125 rider every I’d bet that he could be in the top 10 in the 250 class today
ALL TIME RIDER WILL BE HARD TO SEE SOMEONE LIKE JAMES AGAIN ...
Yep, in terms of age tho Jet Lawrence shares similar qualities Jet was only 15 when he went pro same as James
Man I needed this! I loved this dude so much growing up close in age he really spoiled me! It's hard for me to get into watching and enjoying the sport now because he's absent. But the influence he had on everyone was tremendous, thank you!
this is probably the most famous dirt bike of all time by far and will probably stay that way for ever.
Hands down the most legendary bike ever
MXA should do the same with James 250, it being the last two stroke 250 that raced the AMA nationals and actually gave RC a good fight on occasions. That 250 was amazing in supercross.
Not biggest Stewart fan but for sure can't dismiss his talent.....no one rode a bike the way he did....on 125 he was just stupid fast, in league of his own
Cant think of another rider who had as much talent and ability as Stewart had.....was fortunate to be around thru it all......RC was sheer determination and JS was pure talent!
This was my dream bike back in the day !
The history of that bike and the records that will never be broken on another 125 are unreal.
James Stewart and Ricky Carmichael both are my favorite riders of all times. Tbh I recently brought a 2021 Kawasaki KX450XC all because I really admire those guys and got into riding MX bikes all because of the 2 legendary riders. Thank you #TeamGreen, #KawasakiRacing
Man I'd love to own that piece of history, take it for a spin every now and then. This bike represents my childhood without a doubt.
The magazines used to take a top pro rider and do lap times on a 125 250 and 500 on an empty track and the 125 would always have the best lap time's. The manufacturer's discouraged this so much that the magazines don't even mention it anymore. I love how the announcer's say you wouldn't do that triple on a 125. James would say yep you're right, I would quad it.
Kid shredded The Wick 338 on that thing. Decimated it. I wish he, and Ricky would come back, Windham too, and show these boys what’s what. I’m sure they could still hold their own. Do it on two strokes even.
Excellent video. The account of his first day testing with the team was very enlightening.
Im sitting on my deck looking at his exact same bike on my lawn, so proud. Bubbas my favourite rider of all time. What a legend.
This was such an awesome video. Smart dude talking in detail about an iconic motocross bike, great camera angles and shots, and really good editing. We need more content like this @motocrossactionmagazine!
I remember his 250 2 strokes version of this bike in an action shot back in the 1990'S. It became my work computer screen saver. Not ashamed to say it moved me a little.
Bring back the KX125!
What an awesome vid! Do more like these please!
Bubba legit reshaped every rider's style from here on out. Some form or another, all knew they needed to learn how to scrub to be competitive. Bubba was always on another level. His sheer abilities were just unmatched.
He did.....he changed way MX was ridden
He really is a living legend he was unreal on the bike he is hands down the greatest 125 rider ever
This was a great video. Loved the close up of a lot of the factory parts not always highlighted in typical "we check out _____'s factory ride". Thanks guys I hope you keep this series going for a long time.
Dam straight, I have the same model and was looking very closely indeed!
This was awesome! Nothing but positive things to say about James.
Its such a shame he got that long ban he was never the same what a great rider he was innovating the sport
Most thrilling rider i ever watched! Sick skills! JS7✊🏻
Saw James at muddy creek on the 125 in the A class, I had a practice session with him before the race I was in unlimited C/B and they combined us with the A riders for practice he carried so much speed he floated over everything it was insane, he went past me down a straight away with rollers that loamy dirt with sawdust, he went down around a turn and I thought I’d get to pass him but he was up and gone by the time i reached him. I have some video of him on a old camcorder from that day I need to try and find. The only competition he had that day was Kevin walker on a yz250f I believe he was riding and James had a 30 second lead at the end of the race
You mean Matt Walker?.....the southern kid who rode for pro circuit eventually?
@@kirkdunn1379 I know who Matt walker is, but this was Kevin walker.
@@kirkdunn1379 he raced a few outdoor ama motocross races and maybe some supercross
James showed people how good a 125 could be and that Kawasaki 125's were good bikes.
Had the Oakley purple poster with this bike, Mr Stewart attacking the whip....
James had the ability to where it was almost like he was taking the bike for a ride, not the other way around. Most racers seem like there’s more bike under them, like their bike could be rode faster. Watching him ride was almost like there wasn’t enough bike to keep up with HIM. It’s hard to explain. I feel 4 strokes almost got in his way with all the rotating mass, front end steering, etc.
Pretty insane to know that stew was running less horsepower than the competition and was smoking their boots like it was nothin.
Yea it's crazy the speed he carried was the key
in a lot of cases, over doing it can slow u down, can upset a smooth flow, and james was flow smooth king, look at his scrubs.
Imagine if Kawasaki started selling the 125 2-strokes again and it was called the Stewart Edition I think that would be pretty cool 😁👍
Would love to see James get on this bike and see what he says about it in today’s time! Also should fuze that #4 and #259 together since those are the goats!
Bringing back memories!
If you just so happen to watch this James.. You're a legend man 🙌🙏🙏💯💯
will see this bike in action!!
Did anyone else notice the right fork guard was cracked to hell at the mounting bolts and was missing the fork guide😔
Still a great piece of history to see and learn about after having watched it and Ricky working his magic for a few years
James would see lines and jumps that others wouldn't, and just send it 100%.
I love both riders chad reed and James Stewart
Thanks for this video. Great piece of information . Dream bike dream pilot
For me, James is right up there with Ricky Carmichael, Tony Cairoli and Stefan Everts
I was at Budds 2003. It was something to see let me tell ya!!
Great new insight on James !! Thanks
I had a replica of the same bike was the best bike I ever had
One of my biggest regrets was not going over to the USA to watch Bubba ride that 125. Best era of mx by a long way.
There was a UK magazine a few years ago that showed Bubba's 125 being prepped before race 2 and his bike was getting new V-force reeds because the corners were already breaking away after just the first race!
That History he just put out! James and Ricky were on it in those days!
i could stare at that bike for a week straight
lol me too
Minneapolis supercross he was quadding on a 125 that only one or two premiere class riders were doing.
That was FANTASTIC!! Iconic bike!!
James is one of the best ever!
I wish the 125 class was still around. Would bring so much more talent and footage. All around the most fun you can have on a bike lol.
RC, JS, RV and ET… that is A legendary list
Amazing Bike should still available!
Wow one of the few bikes I've actually seen in person
yup this one rickys green 250 and Mcgraths 96 factory cr i have seen in person. At least older bikes i see the new factory bikes every year
Love it. JS was so much fun to watch.
awesome video and interview
Awsome video thank you!
that bike is a Legend
That’s one tuff bike, tuff one to choose between that and carmichaels spitfire kx125
Awesome video! thank you!
These videos are awesome!
Great Video Thanks
He dominated on that bike back then! Lived being at the SX races back then
James Stewart was very talented rider, and he is in fact the Greatest motocross & Supercross rider ever to live... 👍
James is a very talented rider but if your combining SX and MX then Carmichael is the GOAT without a doubt!
@@thflash09msr , lm not taking anything away from RC, but most of the Pro-riders that l knew in my life time do Whine, and bitch, but James Stewart always kept his cool, and won races with style, and professionalism.
Definitely amazing, he is my favorite rider ever!!!
That really whas the best era for 2-strokes
Well done guys!
I love motorcross but I don't have a dirt bike ❤️😔 this is my one of my dream
Best years of moto.
Legend
Man is something else
All around nice bike 💯💪🏿Bubba scrub
Whoever built that motor is a beast but I heard a rumor that team green didn't show him love at the end
Sheesh that carb is as big as the cylinder!
Ohhhhh myyyyy gawddd
History was written on this bike that’s for sure.. but fun fact to know he created the bubba scrub in this kx125 awesome
No discredit to Bubba he was a phenom....however the real Fun fact is Jojo Keller was the scrub creator, way before James time
@@pooch299 I always appreciate fun facts.💪🏻
Marty Tripes "pre jump" ..... The 70's
Johnny O and Bailey also tinkered with the 'scrub' in the early 80s. James made it a mandatory pro-level technique
Nice
Great content! 🔥
Blows my mind that James actually prefered more low-mid than top end power. Most racers will tell you that on a 125, its all about maximizing peak power. Just goes to show how skilful a rider James was!
LEGEND !!!!!!!!!!!