KTM 150SX

seth505
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10170
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SD, CA US
4/11/2014 10:34am
TeamGreen wrote:
I don't know ANYONE that's bought one of these & isn't totally stoked on it. In-fact, many of my friends are on their 2nd or 3rd...
I don't know ANYONE that's bought one of these & isn't totally stoked on it. In-fact, many of my friends are on their 2nd or 3rd model.
seth505 wrote:
It's the people that never touched one that hate them or call them a POS...haha
Socket946 wrote:
I owned one for 6 months, and I can say it definitely wasn't my favourite bike. That said, a buddy just offered me his, 6 hours...
I owned one for 6 months, and I can say it definitely wasn't my favourite bike.

That said, a buddy just offered me his, 6 hours on the 150 motor, 20 hours on the 144 frame...for 1K. He bought his when I bought mine years ago...
1k ....damn!
DrSweden
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Stockholm SE
4/11/2014 10:36am
Socket946
Posts
2019
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Location
AZ US
4/11/2014 10:40am
seth505 wrote:
1k ....damn!
I'm hesitant.

If I buy it, it'd be to flip it.

but I know I'd want to keep it.
4/11/2014 1:09pm
See I was really wanting one also after hearing most people rave about them,being so much fun etc .......I had a shot of a yz 125 one day and really liked it so this made me even more eager to swing a leg over a 150. Then not so long later I got a shot of one at my regular track,expecting it to be mega I jumped on and after a few laps gave it straight back!
I found it really hard to ride....kinda all or nothing, a lot harder to ride than the yz 125 and also like most ktms it vibrated quite bad and forks were harsh.just glad I got to ride one first!

The Shop

BRZ
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BR
4/11/2014 3:04pm
In August 2012 I bought a '13 150SX. It was my first two-stroke since a 2001 CR250, and since then I had only ridden four-strokes (mostly 250s, but with a few 450s now and then).

I kept hearing about how much fun everybody was having riding their two-strokes, and the 150SX was my way of finding out if I was missing something.

In my first ride I was surprised by the narrow the powerband. A pipe and a silencer from FMF helped tremendously in broadening the power, making the bike much easier to ride. After a few rides I was feeding the clutch almost every corner, which helped me gain back some of my speed.

Maybe I'm just not talented enough, or maybe I just got spoiled by how good the current four-strokes are, but after six months I decided to get another bike.

The new bike was '13 SXF350, and after several weeks I realized I was rarely riding the 150 anymore. On the 350 my lap times went down, the big jumps became fun again (instead of do or die on the 150), and I could ride for much longer without getting tired.

I'm sure the 150 is a great bike for many people, but if you are considering one, I recommend taking test ride before buying it.
sharkey
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2446
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7/28/2008
Location
Marysville, WA US
4/11/2014 3:42pm Edited Date/Time 4/11/2014 5:16pm
no one here will talk you out of it. those bikes are killer and if you have the extra money why not. pure fun factor. BUT I would not buy this for my primary bike to ride. I think if you do that you might be dissapointed
de883zx
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164
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12/26/2013
Location
Howell, MI US
4/11/2014 5:03pm
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched and rode a 200 sx and realized it was the best thing since sliced bread. but was only built in the states from 03 to 04. I'm a smaller vet rider so I researched and was going to build my ultimate dream bike but I found one and bought it.
4/11/2014 6:30pm
Mine leaked about every fluid known to man! Replaced gaskets and O rings constantly......I don't think you should have to do it every other ride either! And that was right after break in. On sandy tracks on drier days I could hardly make 3-4 laps and the filter was clogged, BAD!
It was one thing after another with mine and I am super anal about maintenance!

It lasted about 4 months from new and totally ate the bottom end on it. Got the work done and got rid of it!

As far as how the bike fit me was the one thing I really loved about it! I felt right at home on it the first ride. But reliability far outweighs fit when I can take any jap bike and make some ergonomic adjustments.
Mickolobe7
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1076
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9/5/2013
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Chicago, IL US
4/11/2014 9:08pm
How is the ktm 150 compared to the crf150r other than 2 stoke and 4 stroke
Socket946
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2019
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Location
AZ US
4/11/2014 9:10pm
Mickolobe7 wrote:
How is the ktm 150 compared to the crf150r other than 2 stoke and 4 stroke
Are you serious? That's like comparing a honda civic to a corvette. The CRF150R is for children.
Mickolobe7
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Chicago, IL US
4/11/2014 9:35pm
My Bad. I thought the ktm 150 had small wheels and the crf150r I seen some bad ass hopped up ones. I just watched MM video that bike is sick.
loftyair
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2898
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7/3/2009
Location
riverside, CA US
4/11/2014 10:03pm Edited Date/Time 4/11/2014 10:05pm
KTM has the motor and the brakes. Had a YZ 125, made into a 144, big mistake! YZ 125 much funner motor as a 125 than a 144. suspension on the Yamaha top rate. Suspension on KtM not so good. KTM 150 much faster than a YZ 144. KTM more expensive than Yamaha. If you like to scream a bikes lungs out, have the best brakes in the world, and can fix the suspension, and have the money, then get the KTM. the YZ 125 is a very capable bike, it's just not as much of a race bike as the KTM.
Brent
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Party in Temecula, CA US
4/11/2014 11:29pm
Damn, after seeing Marvin on that thing, I may be getting my first KTM real soon, I was grinning just watching him ride.
4/12/2014 12:09am
Gallardo wrote:
Those bikes are total junk, you'll spend more time fixing it than riding it.
bullshit
689
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842
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AU
4/12/2014 4:09am
de883zx wrote:
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched...
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched and rode a 200 sx and realized it was the best thing since sliced bread. but was only built in the states from 03 to 04. I'm a smaller vet rider so I researched and was going to build my ultimate dream bike but I found one and bought it.
Never rode one of these but I think the 200 would be the ideal bike for me.

150 could have some more power while the 250 2 stroke I cant relax and ride, I have to pay attention constantly.
HenryA
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Stockholm SE
4/12/2014 4:45am
de883zx wrote:
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched...
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched and rode a 200 sx and realized it was the best thing since sliced bread. but was only built in the states from 03 to 04. I'm a smaller vet rider so I researched and was going to build my ultimate dream bike but I found one and bought it.
That is the perfect alu-frame for a 2-stroke build. Looks great!
FreshTopEnd
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Sacramento, CA US
4/12/2014 8:38am
de883zx wrote:
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched...
I fell in love with one at a ktm demo day at red bud. The 150 didn't have a nuff sack for me so I researched and rode a 200 sx and realized it was the best thing since sliced bread. but was only built in the states from 03 to 04. I'm a smaller vet rider so I researched and was going to build my ultimate dream bike but I found one and bought it.
689 wrote:
Never rode one of these but I think the 200 would be the ideal bike for me. 150 could have some more power while the 250...
Never rode one of these but I think the 200 would be the ideal bike for me.

150 could have some more power while the 250 2 stroke I cant relax and ride, I have to pay attention constantly.
The 200 is such a wonderful engine across the years, and there's a lot that you can do even without the 200SX engine (which , as I recall, varies in the power valve, carb and cdi.
burn1986
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bossier city, LA US
4/12/2014 9:21am
I would only buy the 150 if you got a smoking deal. To be honest 4900 seems a little high.
thorns
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NZ
9/18/2014 7:11pm
Sorry for bumping this, but figured its easier than starting new thread.

In the same boat, and just cant decide on a 150sx or not. Problem is I cant find anyone that has one to have a ride on.
Currently on a 450f, and have owned a 125 before which I did like, just a wee bit frustrating on soft track or hilly terrain.

Anyone want to convince me either way? I think ideally a 250 2t would be the best option, just being completely honest, I just don't have the skill to ride a 250 smoker, it rides me instead.

I do love my 450, but with another baby on the way, the thought of a big $$ rebuild on a 450 puts the shits up me, need something I can confidently rebuild myself.

To the original guy, did you end getting one? Thoughts on it after riding for a bit?
JMX82
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Hyllykallio FI
9/18/2014 10:48pm
I have had 2010 150SX and my current ride is 2013 150SX. I like how light the bike feels and snappy engine characteristics. I have had BUD/HGS pipe on my both bikes to broaden the power band.

I rode the 2010 model for a 120 hours and I didn't have any major engine troubles with that. Only major failure on my -10 model occurred when my chain got re-railed and broke engine cases from the mounting points. Fortunately the cases could be repaired by welding.

I have now about 40 hours on my -13 model bike and I like it very much. The -13 model engine is bit easier to ride than -10, but not as powerful. The newer frame feels more planted in the corners. I must be one of the few people who actually liked the PDS rear end of the -10 model. I think the KTM had the PDS system dialed pretty good before they dropped it. But with some rear shock re-valving and front fork oil height adjusting the -13 model suspension came out pretty good. The only engine failure with -13 model I have had is broken spark plug ground strip. Luckily it didn't made made any damage on my cylinder. I think cause of the spark plug breakage was detonation caused by too lean jetting.

I'm a bit of a clutch abuser and I have to replace the clutch plates quite often on a 150SX. Another thing u have to do with the bike is to check the engine mounting bolts and rear swing arm bolt torque after every ride because they do tend to get loose after time.



9/19/2014 12:01am
the 150s are bulletproof, the 144s should be avoided. If you go trough bottom and top-ends that fast the problem lies somewhere in the rebuild or...
the 150s are bulletproof, the 144s should be avoided. If you go trough bottom and top-ends that fast the problem lies somewhere in the rebuild or the jetting/oil.
problem lies in the owner , I know national level kids that get 50 or more hours from a bottom end !
burn1986
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bossier city, LA US
9/19/2014 7:32am
There's no mystery with the KTM 150. Its a 125, just considerably faster. Ping said it reminded him of some of the factory 125s he'd ridden (maybe a little faster).
nytsmaC
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5946
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Frig Off CA
9/19/2014 8:37am
I think a 125/150 is a polarizing bike, it depends on the rider's style.

Do you like to really have to work the bike, clutch, shift, push your limits in the corners and use a lot of body english to keep maximum forward drive? If yes, you need one of these now! They reward hyper aggressive riding and are extremely forgiving when you get a bit out of control as a result of riding like a spaz.

If you like to let the bike do it's thing and click off fast, smooth laps you won't appreciate what it has to offer.

For every hour I've put on my 250 this year I've put 4 on the 144. I'm not fast but I fall into category A, and being out of shape I find the 144 is more rewarding and not as hard on my body. I've only raced the 144 and I've gotten better results on it than any bike I've ever owned, you can still get a good start on it if it's nit a really long power robbing start straight as long as you get a decent jump off the gate.

Simple and easy to wrench on, super light, fast, it's a very capable bike if you ride it the way it's intended to be ridden. The only place I think it leaves something to be desired is long uphills and big do-or-die jumps right out of a corner. It makes up for it everywhere else. You can brake later, get on the gas earlier, outcorner bigger bikes, and I find that I have a lot more left for a late moto charge. On practice days I can do more motos, longer motos, and I'm not as sore the next day.
seth505
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SD, CA US
9/19/2014 10:03am
nytsmaC wrote:
I think a 125/150 is a polarizing bike, it depends on the rider's style. Do you like to really have to work the bike, clutch, shift...
I think a 125/150 is a polarizing bike, it depends on the rider's style.

Do you like to really have to work the bike, clutch, shift, push your limits in the corners and use a lot of body english to keep maximum forward drive? If yes, you need one of these now! They reward hyper aggressive riding and are extremely forgiving when you get a bit out of control as a result of riding like a spaz.

If you like to let the bike do it's thing and click off fast, smooth laps you won't appreciate what it has to offer.

For every hour I've put on my 250 this year I've put 4 on the 144. I'm not fast but I fall into category A, and being out of shape I find the 144 is more rewarding and not as hard on my body. I've only raced the 144 and I've gotten better results on it than any bike I've ever owned, you can still get a good start on it if it's nit a really long power robbing start straight as long as you get a decent jump off the gate.

Simple and easy to wrench on, super light, fast, it's a very capable bike if you ride it the way it's intended to be ridden. The only place I think it leaves something to be desired is long uphills and big do-or-die jumps right out of a corner. It makes up for it everywhere else. You can brake later, get on the gas earlier, outcorner bigger bikes, and I find that I have a lot more left for a late moto charge. On practice days I can do more motos, longer motos, and I'm not as sore the next day.
This is almost exactly how I feel. I have been riding my 125 more than my 250 and I started to piece it together for the reasons mentioned above.

burn1986
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bossier city, LA US
9/19/2014 10:53am
" . . .and big do-or-die jumps right out of a corner."

There's nothing like the feeling of finally getting that jump right on a 125, though.
nytsmaC
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Frig Off CA
9/19/2014 11:39am Edited Date/Time 9/19/2014 11:41am
burn1986 wrote:
" . . .and big do-or-die jumps right out of a corner." There's nothing like the feeling of finally getting that jump right on a 125...
" . . .and big do-or-die jumps right out of a corner."

There's nothing like the feeling of finally getting that jump right on a 125, though.
Yes, it just can take a while to convince yourself that it can be done sometimes. You never know sometimes unless there's someone else there clearing it on a tiddler that isn't 85lbs soaking wet. On the bright side you don't have to gauge your speed, you just hit it balls out.

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