Older Vet guys...and their 125's.

Mx451 wrote:

Awesome, thanks for that. Have you ever tried a 150?

HighPlainsSquid wrote:

We have two of them. 15 Husky TC 125 '18 KTM 150 XC-W '19 KTM 150 SX In addition, I had my '05 KX 125 converted...

We have two of them.

15 Husky TC 125
'18 KTM 150 XC-W
'19 KTM 150 SX

In addition, I had my '05 KX 125 converted to a 144 by Jesse Williams many years ago.
And I just sold my '02 RM 134 and '04 KX 125 last year.

They're all a little different. The Husky has absolutely no low end power- less than the KX and much less than the RM 134 (which I _almost_ turned into an off-road bike instead of selling it). But it revs so fast and clean and easy that it's easy to get it in the revs and I ride it faster than any other 125 I've owned as a result of having to KEEP it revving. I saw this with the RM vs KX when I owned them both. The RM was easier to ride, but I rode the KX faster because I HAD to.

On the 150's, the XC-W is a terrific off-road bike. With an RK Tech insert and Lectron carb it revs hard and clean. The mid-range spanks and it'll rev forever with the Lectron. It's totally controllable.. The SX has a meaner hit and feels "harder", kind of like the XC-W powerband is made of carbon fiber while the SX is made of knife steel. A lot of people say the 150 SX signs off early compared to a 125 and it may but the mid-range is SO powerful and fierce that we rarely see the need to rev the crap out of it. My son races it in enduros, hare scrambles, and occasional MX and it does it all (it has a '19 250 XC tank on it). He'll pull me out of corners, thanks to his gearing... I'm shifting and he's pulling.

The KX 144 was a little disappointing and I preferred it as a 125. The powerband was too smooth and lacked hit. It might've benefited from a little more compression. I rode it and had fun all the same, but it was no KTM.

HighPlainsSquid wrote:

We have two of them. 15 Husky TC 125 '18 KTM 150 XC-W '19 KTM 150 SX In addition, I had my '05 KX 125 converted...

We have two of them.

15 Husky TC 125
'18 KTM 150 XC-W
'19 KTM 150 SX

In addition, I had my '05 KX 125 converted to a 144 by Jesse Williams many years ago.
And I just sold my '02 RM 134 and '04 KX 125 last year.

They're all a little different. The Husky has absolutely no low end power- less than the KX and much less than the RM 134 (which I _almost_ turned into an off-road bike instead of selling it). But it revs so fast and clean and easy that it's easy to get it in the revs and I ride it faster than any other 125 I've owned as a result of having to KEEP it revving. I saw this with the RM vs KX when I owned them both. The RM was easier to ride, but I rode the KX faster because I HAD to.

On the 150's, the XC-W is a terrific off-road bike. With an RK Tech insert and Lectron carb it revs hard and clean. The mid-range spanks and it'll rev forever with the Lectron. It's totally controllable.. The SX has a meaner hit and feels "harder", kind of like the XC-W powerband is made of carbon fiber while the SX is made of knife steel. A lot of people say the 150 SX signs off early compared to a 125 and it may but the mid-range is SO powerful and fierce that we rarely see the need to rev the crap out of it. My son races it in enduros, hare scrambles, and occasional MX and it does it all (it has a '19 250 XC tank on it). He'll pull me out of corners, thanks to his gearing... I'm shifting and he's pulling.

The KX 144 was a little disappointing and I preferred it as a 125. The powerband was too smooth and lacked hit. It might've benefited from a little more compression. I rode it and had fun all the same, but it was no KTM.

Mx451 wrote:

I am considering the 150sx as well so I appreciate your thoughts on it. Was just thinking a little more mid might help my 185lbs in...

I am considering the 150sx as well so I appreciate your thoughts on it. Was just thinking a little more mid might help my 185lbs in starts and jumps out of corners.

MxKing809 wrote:

I recently (last month) pickup a left over ‘19 KTM 150..... and my ‘18 CRF450 is for sale. 31 years old, Vet A. 6’0 and 193...

I recently (last month) pickup a left over ‘19 KTM 150..... and my ‘18 CRF450 is for sale.

31 years old, Vet A.

6’0 and 193 lbs..... the exact same as the bike.

profeshenal125 wrote:

Same weight as your bike, that,s cool. You Look fast, Great pics too.

SwapperMX wrote:

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with...

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with injury and surgeries.

I'd been on a Yz125 that I had picked up cheap and slapped on some parts, jetted it to where it was really crisp and ran really well, and rode it. Absolutely loved it but with the way bike sales have been lately i decided to sell it at a decent profit to get on to a new bike. Now I need to decide what I want. The KTM seems like the obvious choice, but how much better would it be than a modded YZ. Guys are changing carbs and forever messing with jetting, the air forks cop a lot of flak and having ridden previous gen air forks before I got hurt I have to say I wasn't a fan. Then there's the difference in build quality, with the KTM using the torx bolts on the bike, and the known issues with spokes regularly coming loose and sprocket bolts constantly needing attention. Having had a lot of Yamaha's, I've never had any issues whatsoever. My maintenance schedule probably rivals the race teams but I want my bikes to be trouble free when I'm at the track. Anyone want to try and convince me to buy a Kato?? I have all the trick bits sitting there ready to bolt on to a new YZ plus a spare set of wheels if I decided to go that way. I'm just not convinced that a new KTM is that much better than a YZ. And it very much looks like there won't be any ride days happening to get a chance to ride the new bikes.

AH387 wrote:

FWIW, I have a pipe on my YZ125 and that is it. The FC350 that is also in my garage has $1500 of suspension work, which...

FWIW, I have a pipe on my YZ125 and that is it. The FC350 that is also in my garage has $1500 of suspension work, which I probably would've done to the 125 too, had I gone KTM/Husky for a 125. If you already have parts and knowledge on the YZ, I'd just go that route. As I mentioned previously, that weighed in to my decision as well. Both bikes are good, but nothing wrong with the blue bike, in my opinion.

SmokinJoe439 wrote:

You sure you don't want one of these blatant ripoff of the ktm/husky. It all ready comes with a keihin and top rated suspension. http://www.shinebike.com/product-detail-826254.html [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/09/14/449287/s1200_s600_koshine_125.jpg[/img]

You sure you don't want one of these blatant ripoff of the ktm/husky. It all ready comes with a keihin and top rated suspension.

http://www.shinebike.com/product-detail-826254.html

SmokinJoe439 wrote:

You sure you don't want one of these blatant ripoff of the ktm/husky. It all ready comes with a keihin and top rated suspension. http://www.shinebike.com/product-detail-826254.html [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/09/14/449287/s1200_s600_koshine_125.jpg[/img]

You sure you don't want one of these blatant ripoff of the ktm/husky. It all ready comes with a keihin and top rated suspension.

http://www.shinebike.com/product-detail-826254.html

SwapperMX wrote:

Nah you're right. I definitely don't.

SwapperMX wrote:

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with...

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with injury and surgeries.

I'd been on a Yz125 that I had picked up cheap and slapped on some parts, jetted it to where it was really crisp and ran really well, and rode it. Absolutely loved it but with the way bike sales have been lately i decided to sell it at a decent profit to get on to a new bike. Now I need to decide what I want. The KTM seems like the obvious choice, but how much better would it be than a modded YZ. Guys are changing carbs and forever messing with jetting, the air forks cop a lot of flak and having ridden previous gen air forks before I got hurt I have to say I wasn't a fan. Then there's the difference in build quality, with the KTM using the torx bolts on the bike, and the known issues with spokes regularly coming loose and sprocket bolts constantly needing attention. Having had a lot of Yamaha's, I've never had any issues whatsoever. My maintenance schedule probably rivals the race teams but I want my bikes to be trouble free when I'm at the track. Anyone want to try and convince me to buy a Kato?? I have all the trick bits sitting there ready to bolt on to a new YZ plus a spare set of wheels if I decided to go that way. I'm just not convinced that a new KTM is that much better than a YZ. And it very much looks like there won't be any ride days happening to get a chance to ride the new bikes.

sandman768 wrote:

53 years old... put 12.0 hrs on my 93 CR125 this summer in between racing a 450 & then a 350. Loved every minute of it...I...

53 years old... put 12.0 hrs on my 93 CR125 this summer in between racing a 450 & then a 350. Loved every minute of it...I can only imagine what a new Ktm/Husky 125 goes like...definitely helped my 450 to 350 transition..

SwapperMX wrote:

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with...

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with injury and surgeries.

I'd been on a Yz125 that I had picked up cheap and slapped on some parts, jetted it to where it was really crisp and ran really well, and rode it. Absolutely loved it but with the way bike sales have been lately i decided to sell it at a decent profit to get on to a new bike. Now I need to decide what I want. The KTM seems like the obvious choice, but how much better would it be than a modded YZ. Guys are changing carbs and forever messing with jetting, the air forks cop a lot of flak and having ridden previous gen air forks before I got hurt I have to say I wasn't a fan. Then there's the difference in build quality, with the KTM using the torx bolts on the bike, and the known issues with spokes regularly coming loose and sprocket bolts constantly needing attention. Having had a lot of Yamaha's, I've never had any issues whatsoever. My maintenance schedule probably rivals the race teams but I want my bikes to be trouble free when I'm at the track. Anyone want to try and convince me to buy a Kato?? I have all the trick bits sitting there ready to bolt on to a new YZ plus a spare set of wheels if I decided to go that way. I'm just not convinced that a new KTM is that much better than a YZ. And it very much looks like there won't be any ride days happening to get a chance to ride the new bikes.

Scott Hartwick wrote:

New to this forum and thought I'd bump this thread since I am in the exact same position. Finally got around to putting together an older...

New to this forum and thought I'd bump this thread since I am in the exact same position. Finally got around to putting together an older 01' YZ 125 that I bought for cheap and think it is the perfect bike for just getting back into the sport. Grew up racing in Upstate New York's CNYMRA (District 3) on a YZ125 and YZ250 throughout the late 90's-early 2000's before getting hurt and heading out to college shortly after. I primarily stayed on the street during and after college but decided that getting back into a bit of MX would be a good way to stay in shape and bring back some fun.

I only been able to hit up Perris' vet track three or four times and trying to just focus on proper technique and getting my confidence back on a Motocross track. I will probably be looking to get a newer bike in February and debating between picking up a YZ250 to go along with the YZ125 or simply pick up a newer YZ125 or KTM SX150 while I work to improve my skills over the next year or two. Being 35 and 200 pounds, I know that a YZ250 would make a lot of sense but also looking to keep my options open. Looking to keep it fun and and bring back some of the good memories of tearing into a 2-stroke top end before race day along with all of the happy feel good's of mixing gas.

Open to input and looking forward to getting back into the MX community here in SoCal.

moore433 wrote:

Sandman, love that cr, looks awesome!!!!

burn1986 wrote:

Only put 12 hrs on it, lol.

burn1986 wrote:

Only put 12 hrs on it, lol.

sandman768 wrote:

I have multiple bikes...this year I rode & raced a 1992 RM250, 1993 Cr125, 2018 Ktm250 Sx, 2019 Ktm450 and a 2021 Ktm 350. Looking at...

I have multiple bikes...this year I rode & raced a 1992 RM250, 1993 Cr125, 2018 Ktm250 Sx, 2019 Ktm450 and a 2021 Ktm 350. Looking at my hr meters from all them, I put around 180hrs of ride time on them all combined. That’s a good amount of riding for a 53 year old with worn out knees 😂

yz133rider wrote:

Holy crap, that’s some serious riding. I did about 60 hours this year!!

TFerrell311 wrote:

[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/11/18/460050/s1200_722C156B_512E_4283_8FB8_281C06C845F1.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/11/18/460048/s1200_8FE5B781_9DF9_4FB3_9519_46CB18F02BE3.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2020/11/18/460049/s1200_EAC1A52A_1A81_4257_8E8A_0FFA968B65B8.jpg[/img]

SwapperMX wrote:

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with...

Didn't want to start a new thread so thought bumping this would be more useful. Been back riding a few months after some years out with injury and surgeries.

I'd been on a Yz125 that I had picked up cheap and slapped on some parts, jetted it to where it was really crisp and ran really well, and rode it. Absolutely loved it but with the way bike sales have been lately i decided to sell it at a decent profit to get on to a new bike. Now I need to decide what I want. The KTM seems like the obvious choice, but how much better would it be than a modded YZ. Guys are changing carbs and forever messing with jetting, the air forks cop a lot of flak and having ridden previous gen air forks before I got hurt I have to say I wasn't a fan. Then there's the difference in build quality, with the KTM using the torx bolts on the bike, and the known issues with spokes regularly coming loose and sprocket bolts constantly needing attention. Having had a lot of Yamaha's, I've never had any issues whatsoever. My maintenance schedule probably rivals the race teams but I want my bikes to be trouble free when I'm at the track. Anyone want to try and convince me to buy a Kato?? I have all the trick bits sitting there ready to bolt on to a new YZ plus a spare set of wheels if I decided to go that way. I'm just not convinced that a new KTM is that much better than a YZ. And it very much looks like there won't be any ride days happening to get a chance to ride the new bikes.

Scott Hartwick wrote:

New to this forum and thought I'd bump this thread since I am in the exact same position. Finally got around to putting together an older...

New to this forum and thought I'd bump this thread since I am in the exact same position. Finally got around to putting together an older 01' YZ 125 that I bought for cheap and think it is the perfect bike for just getting back into the sport. Grew up racing in Upstate New York's CNYMRA (District 3) on a YZ125 and YZ250 throughout the late 90's-early 2000's before getting hurt and heading out to college shortly after. I primarily stayed on the street during and after college but decided that getting back into a bit of MX would be a good way to stay in shape and bring back some fun.

I only been able to hit up Perris' vet track three or four times and trying to just focus on proper technique and getting my confidence back on a Motocross track. I will probably be looking to get a newer bike in February and debating between picking up a YZ250 to go along with the YZ125 or simply pick up a newer YZ125 or KTM SX150 while I work to improve my skills over the next year or two. Being 35 and 200 pounds, I know that a YZ250 would make a lot of sense but also looking to keep my options open. Looking to keep it fun and and bring back some of the good memories of tearing into a 2-stroke top end before race day along with all of the happy feel good's of mixing gas.

Open to input and looking forward to getting back into the MX community here in SoCal.