After getting my licence a week ago I'm craving a chance to get off my electric scooter and onto something real. Not only that, but am planning on several months on the road come July, and want to break in my ride before then, as well as make all the necessary adjustments.

After looking at the options available, I'm settled on getting either the YBR125K (off-road version), or the 250.. this is where I need help. I went down to the only Yamaha dealer in Kunming on the weekend, down near Dianchi Lake, and had a look at what was on offer. There are quite a few YBR125 models, the latest and seemingly the most suited for a long journey over (probably) some rough roads is the 125K. It's an upgraded version of the original dual-sport YBR125G, and has a few improvements; http://www.jym.com.cn/Simplified/Pro...ra=48&meterb=3, including a larger rear tyre, fairing, kick-start, engine guard, luggage rack, etc.

I took a few rather crappy shots of their brochure which I've attached below, you can see the differences between the 125G, 125K and 250.

Was unable to test-drive but liked the look of the K.

The issue is, I will be travelling with my girlfriend, probably at quite high altitudes for a while. I weigh just under 80kg, she's a little under 60, and then there'll be the luggage of course. I'm really not sure whether a 125cc is capable of this, even one as reliable as a Yamaha. What's the consensus?

The dealer didn't have any 250's in stock, and claims there are none available in all of Yunnan until start of July, when they release the new model. This is an issue, as we're looking at leaving around mid-July. I got on the phone today to a dealer in Chengdu and he said he can get a 250 in, and have it sent down to Kunming. He also said he would have the newer model some time next month. From what I've read on MCM, both the 125 and 250 are good, even great, bikes; I would prefer the power of the larger engine, but the 125K seems to have a lot going for it in terms of off-roading.

So basically I need to call on the experience here to help make a decision. Do I sort out buying a 250 from another city such as Chengdu and having it sent down (on this, any recommendations for Chengdu dealers- the gentleman today seemed quite helpful, he's located at 成都雷力, 成都市武侯区西南摩托车批发市场B区2-12), in order to get the extra power and the fuel-injection which will be a big help higher up, and will a 250 be up to handling rougher road surfaces, or do I go ahead and get the 125K locally and look into rejetting the carb for altitude?

Any thoughts are very welcome. As far as price goes, the K was 10,800, was able to knock it down to 10k with some light bargaining, probably can do a bit better. The 250 seems like it will be in the 22k-24k range, but if I get the current model just before the latest one comes out I'm sure I can knock that down a little.

The dealer in Kunming was confident any bike I bought from them could be fully registered in my name in a day or two. I insisted on this as may be taking it out of the country for a spell, so want all the papers and rego in my own name.

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When I spoke to the dealer about dealing with altitude he didn't mention anything about rejetting but said that I needed to tweak the gold-valve part (see pink arrow and circle above) to achieve the right mixture of fuel and air being fed into the engine, any confirmation on this, and what the gold-valve is called? Also, the tyres are CST, Chengshen Tyres, which seem to have mixed reviews- what is better, and would they even be up to the task with a max. load of 175kg?