Hi Gamechanger- Gotta love a good debate my brother! It's all good!
My post was a general recommendation, although I am long winded, I did not cover all options.
I do not recall debating if KTM, Husky, etc... make 2 strokes that are backcountry capable! Love them! All your options can work... as can the "Trials" bike that IdahoElk uses. Buy a Husqvarna? Make sure you can get parts/service. Their stores are a little more difficult to come across than Honda, Suzuki or Yamaha dealers/parts.
(**FYI-- for non-motorcycle folk-- "Trials Bikes" are the lightweight gymnastics kings of technical, low speed riding. Yes, spelling is correct, "Trials", not "Trails")
GameChanger, The OP clearly states he bought a 13 year old two-stroke 125 *MXer*, he did not buy a 250 or an Enduro (which you rode), nor a 4-stroker, a Trials bike or some other more favorably torque-profiled Euro-motored bike that comes with a lighting system. Since you rode Enduros, then you know that the torque curve, gearing and flywheel weight of an Enduro is far better suited to trail work than an MXer.
Now- back to my point:
A 13 year old two stroke 125MXer is pipey, loud and obnoxious. Period.
That MXer has a lightweight flywheel, higher cut porting and is optimized to run best at mid throttle or higher. It will also have a very tall seat height, which will makes it tough to "dab" a foot when needed to stabilize when moving slowly. Yes, 125 MXer's are light and great, but they are simply are not optimized for tight, slow single track trail work. Yes, a skilled rider can MAKE an MXer do this, but it will require a lot of throttle-blipping. Every time that rider blips his throttle, it will be LOUD. Do it a bunch of times to prove to others he's so skilled that he can get his MXer up a tight single track and HE will be THAT GUY to all the other hunters in that drainage who are now looking the south sides of fast moving north-bound elk.
Ok, so now throw a bunch of gear and panniers on said 125 MXer, add mud, roots and a technical/steep single track into the mix and ask him if he can take that MXer quietly up that steep, rocky single track every time. Hmmmm...?
Or, PLAN B-- A larger 4 stroker or torquey low geared well muffled 2-stroker on which he slowly cruises that section at 1/4 throttle... the lower noise difference and tractability of power and handling will be amazing.
It simply seems that if a rider cares about noise as it relates to courtesy to game and courtesy to other hunter--- not to mention ease of riding due to a correct torque curve and gearing, then I'd bet a 200cc or larger 4 stroker enduro, etc will better fill the bill for most folk.
Yes, a torquey two stroker will be lighter than a 4 stroker of equal displacement and it can absolutely climb single track, but I do question the extent to which the rider's clothes and gear will end up smelling like two-stoke fumes after while. (that may be less bothersome than pit-stink we all have after a couple days) Though I happen to love the smell of two-strokers, I am not the game being hunted. This was one reason I suggested a 4 stroker.
I leave it at this:
1) I wouldn't want to be THAT guy who cracks his MXers throttle over and over again while climbing technical trails, blowing up the elk for everyone else while doing it.
2) More torque + lower gearing = more low speed maneuverability, period.
But hey, what do I know..?? I've probably never brought a 125MXer up a tight, technical trail and probably never had a chance to ride the same trail on an 4-stroker/enduro ;-) And my mild hearing loss could not have possibly been caused in part by racing 125 MXers since they're so quiet.
It's all good!
