KTM 125SX Opinions

mnoble0902
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mnoble0902
What is the opinion of people regarding the KTM 125SX? I did a lot of reading about it last night, and it sounds like it's a really good bike. Comparing it to the YZ125, it sounds like the KTM is just as good if not better. I'm in the process of finding a 125 and I was set on the YZ, but now I'm a little torn between the KTM and YZ. It sounds like if I want the KTM, I should get either a 2016 or 2017. Am I correct here?

Thank you!
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Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/18/2017 4:10am
3/18/2017 4:10am
Since you are in US, get the 2017. The 2016 has the 4cs fork and the 2017 has the far superior AER air fork.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 3/18/2017 4:35am
3/18/2017 4:35am
Motofinne wrote:
Since you are in US, get the 2017. The 2016 has the 4cs fork and the 2017 has the far superior AER air fork.
Like he said, the only difference in those 2 years is suspension. If you're going to upgrade the suspension either way, just get the least expensive option.
braaap707
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braaap707 3/18/2017 8:13am
3/18/2017 8:13am
Get a 2016 or 2017 KTM 125SX. Nothing like a almost 40 hp stock 125. It has legitimate roll on power that none of my other 125's have ever had. The 17 has the AER forks which are for sure better then the 16 4cs forks but if there's a sizeable price difference between the 2 the 16 is fine. Once you setup the 4cs to your riding ability and weight the bike is great. Pipe/silencer , jet it accordingly and play with powervalve adjustment to get the power right where you want it . Thats really all they need to be woken up. I have the 16 husky and bike works great for me. My friend had an 05 yz125 and was going to buy a new yz125 until he rode my TC. He bought a left over 16 125sx the next week.

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brocsdad
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brocsdad 3/18/2017 10:39am
3/18/2017 10:39am
I'm selling my sons 2016 with 10hrs and national level EBR motor.$5500


Skerby
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Skerby 3/18/2017 12:48pm
3/18/2017 12:48pm
Ask stank dog how he likes the new ktm 125.
305FC250
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305FC250 3/18/2017 6:08pm
3/18/2017 6:08pm
zdog636 makes a good point about the long track record and parts availability of the YZ. However personally I have a '17 TC125 and no issues to speak of (knock on wood) and it blows away the yz in terms of power. The thing is a rocket when it gets into the power band. It weighs less and the new suspension is absolutely killer. Very plush, very forgiving, soaks up everything nicely. Bike is light and nimble. I had the same dilemma and picked the Husky because I already own a Husky 250f and love it so I was feeling a little brand loyalty and also because of the gap in power between the tc125 and the yz125. I have no regrets. However I don't think you can go wrong with either bike. However if you pick the KTM I'd definitely go for the 2017 with the new suspension.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/19/2017 7:23am
3/19/2017 7:23am
Thank you everyone for your comments. The point a couple people made about getting parts for the KTM being harder, I think I'll stick with a YZ. I'm trying to get back into the sport and I'll stick with what's readily available right now.
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bodean123 3/19/2017 8:15am
3/19/2017 8:15am
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/19/2017 12:40pm
3/19/2017 12:40pm
Kx125rider wrote:
I'd buy a new ktm over a yamaha any day of the week.
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha hasn't really changed the 125 much since 2005. Sorry, but when I was in the sport back in the mid-90s, KTM was just there; I don't recall seeing KTM on the leader board that frequently, if it at all. KTM had just come out with the KTM 65, which I owned when they were first introduced. There's no denying KTM has become a dominating bike on the track since the mid-90s.
Kx125rider 3/20/2017 4:39pm
3/20/2017 4:39pm
Kx125rider wrote:
I'd buy a new ktm over a yamaha any day of the week.
mnoble0902 wrote:
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha...
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha hasn't really changed the 125 much since 2005. Sorry, but when I was in the sport back in the mid-90s, KTM was just there; I don't recall seeing KTM on the leader board that frequently, if it at all. KTM had just come out with the KTM 65, which I owned when they were first introduced. There's no denying KTM has become a dominating bike on the track since the mid-90s.
You can't go wrong with either, but for me personally it would be hard to justify paying for a new yz when I could just buy an 06 and fix it up.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/20/2017 4:58pm
3/20/2017 4:58pm
Kx125rider wrote:
I'd buy a new ktm over a yamaha any day of the week.
mnoble0902 wrote:
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha...
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha hasn't really changed the 125 much since 2005. Sorry, but when I was in the sport back in the mid-90s, KTM was just there; I don't recall seeing KTM on the leader board that frequently, if it at all. KTM had just come out with the KTM 65, which I owned when they were first introduced. There's no denying KTM has become a dominating bike on the track since the mid-90s.
Kx125rider wrote:
You can't go wrong with either, but for me personally it would be hard to justify paying for a new yz when I could just buy...
You can't go wrong with either, but for me personally it would be hard to justify paying for a new yz when I could just buy an 06 and fix it up.
I see what you're saying. I agree with that. I probably wouldn't buy a new YZ either, but I would buy a newer one for resale or trade in when I'm ready for a 250. I want a 125 to get comfortable on a bike again before getting a 250.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/20/2017 5:03pm
3/20/2017 5:03pm
mnoble0902 wrote:
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha...
What is it about KTM that you like so much over a Yamaha? I know Yamaha doesn't make a bad bike, but I also know Yamaha hasn't really changed the 125 much since 2005. Sorry, but when I was in the sport back in the mid-90s, KTM was just there; I don't recall seeing KTM on the leader board that frequently, if it at all. KTM had just come out with the KTM 65, which I owned when they were first introduced. There's no denying KTM has become a dominating bike on the track since the mid-90s.
Kx125rider wrote:
You can't go wrong with either, but for me personally it would be hard to justify paying for a new yz when I could just buy...
You can't go wrong with either, but for me personally it would be hard to justify paying for a new yz when I could just buy an 06 and fix it up.
mnoble0902 wrote:
I see what you're saying. I agree with that. I probably wouldn't buy a new YZ either, but I would buy a newer one for resale...
I see what you're saying. I agree with that. I probably wouldn't buy a new YZ either, but I would buy a newer one for resale or trade in when I'm ready for a 250. I want a 125 to get comfortable on a bike again before getting a 250.
I did find a 2016 YZ 125 for about 3900. Former racing bike with an Athena 144cc Big Bore Kit. I honestly don't know what that is, but I think it's a good thing?? Would this be considered a good deal?
KDXGarage
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KDXGarage 3/21/2017 12:29am
3/21/2017 12:29am
brocsdad wrote:
I'm selling my sons 2016 with 10hrs and national level EBR motor.$5500 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/18/182179/s1200_IMG_0104.jpg[/img]
I'm selling my sons 2016 with 10hrs and national level EBR motor.$5500


Is that picture taken at Mclarty MX?!
brocsdad
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brocsdad 3/21/2017 7:49am
3/21/2017 7:49am
brocsdad wrote:
I'm selling my sons 2016 with 10hrs and national level EBR motor.$5500 [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/03/18/182179/s1200_IMG_0104.jpg[/img]
I'm selling my sons 2016 with 10hrs and national level EBR motor.$5500


KDXGarage wrote:
Is that picture taken at Mclarty MX?!
Yes.
potatoflake
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potatoflake 3/21/2017 8:24am
3/21/2017 8:24am
Skerby wrote:
Ask stank dog how he likes the new ktm 125.
Isn't he riding them green bikes this year?
braaap707
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braaap707 3/21/2017 10:22am
3/21/2017 10:22am
bodean123 wrote:
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
Under a rock. All respect to the OP's choice for picking the YZ. But... The KTM is a better bike in every possible way. It has 4 more horspower, lighter weight, better handling ,better brakes, hydraulic clutch and the new AER forks are as good or better then the KYB sss forks now. I don't want to turn this into a yz bashing thread, its just the facts. Since we all came here to talk about how the 125sx compared to the YZ. Like Joe said, the only reason that bike had problems with stankdog was riding it at a pro level for many hours. The YZ could have done the same thing.

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BobPA
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BobPA 3/21/2017 10:30am
3/21/2017 10:30am
bodean123 wrote:
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
braaap707 wrote:
Under a rock. All respect to the OP's choice for picking the YZ. But... The KTM is a better bike in every possible way. It has...
Under a rock. All respect to the OP's choice for picking the YZ. But... The KTM is a better bike in every possible way. It has 4 more horspower, lighter weight, better handling ,better brakes, hydraulic clutch and the new AER forks are as good or better then the KYB sss forks now. I don't want to turn this into a yz bashing thread, its just the facts. Since we all came here to talk about how the 125sx compared to the YZ. Like Joe said, the only reason that bike had problems with stankdog was riding it at a pro level for many hours. The YZ could have done the same thing.
GuyB even mentioned that he was using aftermarket crank components....
KooyaKooya
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KooyaKooya 3/21/2017 10:57am
3/21/2017 10:57am
bodean123 wrote:
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
I just did a quick price comparison between engine components for the 2017 YZ 125 and the 2017 KTM 125SX at Rocky Mountain. Comparing things like OEM pistons kits, cylinders, cranks, cylinder heads, and transmission gears (things that you'll need to replace over the years if you ride the bike a lot), and on average, the KTM parts are twice as much as the YZ parts. I think this is what leads people to complain about KTM parts.

They're certainly available, but they seem to have an exotic-ness overhead that Japanese bikes don't have.
Skerby
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Skerby 3/21/2017 12:08pm
3/21/2017 12:08pm
The YZ main bearings need changed around 60 hours for mx. Would probably last a lifetime riding trails.
SmokinJoe439 3/21/2017 12:50pm
3/21/2017 12:50pm
No they don't need changing at 60 hrs of mx I got over 300 hours on the stock bottom end with my 06 yz 125. Most of it's life as a 144 with high compression race gas setup, 90% of that time riding/racing mx. It's still on the original transmission with no problems. I've owned it since new summer of 2005.

Read some of the most dumbest things on here.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/21/2017 12:53pm
3/21/2017 12:53pm Edited Date/Time 3/21/2017 12:55pm
Did i just read that you would not recommend a bike because Stankdog has had technical issues with the 125 racing the nationals? Stankdog!!! I'm amazed.
endurox
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endurox 3/21/2017 12:55pm
3/21/2017 12:55pm
bodean123 wrote:
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
KooyaKooya wrote:
I just did a quick price comparison between engine components for the 2017 YZ 125 and the 2017 KTM 125SX at Rocky Mountain. Comparing things like...
I just did a quick price comparison between engine components for the 2017 YZ 125 and the 2017 KTM 125SX at Rocky Mountain. Comparing things like OEM pistons kits, cylinders, cranks, cylinder heads, and transmission gears (things that you'll need to replace over the years if you ride the bike a lot), and on average, the KTM parts are twice as much as the YZ parts. I think this is what leads people to complain about KTM parts.

They're certainly available, but they seem to have an exotic-ness overhead that Japanese bikes don't have.
100$ Vertex piston kit is every bit as good and last as long as the oem. Moose racing gasket kits for 25$.
dedi684
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dedi684 3/21/2017 1:03pm
3/21/2017 1:03pm
Bad forks and bad jetting on my ktm pushed me back to blue. I tried the ktm but just wasn't happy with the bike. I agree the ktm does most things better.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/21/2017 4:27pm
3/21/2017 4:27pm
braaap707 wrote:
Under a rock. All respect to the OP's choice for picking the YZ. But... The KTM is a better bike in every possible way. It has...
Under a rock. All respect to the OP's choice for picking the YZ. But... The KTM is a better bike in every possible way. It has 4 more horspower, lighter weight, better handling ,better brakes, hydraulic clutch and the new AER forks are as good or better then the KYB sss forks now. I don't want to turn this into a yz bashing thread, its just the facts. Since we all came here to talk about how the 125sx compared to the YZ. Like Joe said, the only reason that bike had problems with stankdog was riding it at a pro level for many hours. The YZ could have done the same thing.
I appreciate your comments. I am actually going to check out a KTM this Saturday; I finally found a dealer somewhat close by (an hour away) that has one. When I said I was leaning towards the YZ, it was because I hadn't found a dealer that has the KTM in stock and I certainly won't buy something that expensive without seeing it first and talking with the dealer. I've seen lots of YZs.

Further reading has shown me that the KTM is a better bike; I certainly don't deny that. Like I said in an earlier post, I'm excited to be getting back into the sport, so I will be happy with either a KTM or Yamaha.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/21/2017 4:29pm
3/21/2017 4:29pm
bodean123 wrote:
Where are people living that parts for KTMs are hard to find?
KooyaKooya wrote:
I just did a quick price comparison between engine components for the 2017 YZ 125 and the 2017 KTM 125SX at Rocky Mountain. Comparing things like...
I just did a quick price comparison between engine components for the 2017 YZ 125 and the 2017 KTM 125SX at Rocky Mountain. Comparing things like OEM pistons kits, cylinders, cranks, cylinder heads, and transmission gears (things that you'll need to replace over the years if you ride the bike a lot), and on average, the KTM parts are twice as much as the YZ parts. I think this is what leads people to complain about KTM parts.

They're certainly available, but they seem to have an exotic-ness overhead that Japanese bikes don't have.
Thank you for this information.
mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 3/21/2017 4:58pm
3/21/2017 4:58pm
I should've mentioned this when I first started this thread. For now, I just want to ride motocross for fun. As of right now, I don't plan on racing. I do want a bike that is tuned for racing though in case I change my mind and decide to race. I'm not sure if this changes anyone's opinion on which bike I should get, but I thought I would just put it out there.
yak651
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yak651 3/21/2017 5:05pm
3/21/2017 5:05pm
SmokinJoe439 wrote:
No they don't need changing at 60 hrs of mx I got over 300 hours on the stock bottom end with my 06 yz 125. Most...
No they don't need changing at 60 hrs of mx I got over 300 hours on the stock bottom end with my 06 yz 125. Most of it's life as a 144 with high compression race gas setup, 90% of that time riding/racing mx. It's still on the original transmission with no problems. I've owned it since new summer of 2005.

Read some of the most dumbest things on here.
300 hrs??!
gsxr6
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gsxr6 3/21/2017 5:07pm
3/21/2017 5:07pm
Fast as all hell, terrible handling and forks. We are talking about the 04 model right? Lol

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