ktm 23/24 125 vs carb bike

There’s quite a few threads on this but imo a 23/24 is like playing the lottery. You might win, but might not. They’ll get the bugs worked out. We’re back on a carb though so you can guess if we won or not. 

You had to be on a carb to compete in the 125/schoolboy classes at LL this past year. Top guys were all on ‘22’s is my understanding. 

I traded my 23 GASGAS MC 125 for a 24 KTM 125 XC.

I got the XC since I ride woods only. Same engine and transmission as the SX.

I would have kept the GASGAS, but I couldn't get the carb dialed in for riding tight trails...ran perfect when on the gas, but it would foul plugs at low RPMs. I've never jetted a carb before, so I didn't know what to do.

Once I added the Slavens Racing tuned GET ECU, the KTM runs better than the carb GASGAS.

The stock KTM ECU ran great, but the GET ECU even better.

GET ECU improvements over stock ECU...Quicker acceleration, no spooge, no loading up at low RPMs and no bog when going from low RPM to wide open.

I made my decision after speaking with Ray at Slavens Racing. He also has the 23 GASGAS and 24 KTM.

Ray told me for cold start to not touch the cold start knob or throttle till radiators warm, and don't let the bike idle past warm up or may foul plug. I had the dealer install the iridium plug. Got 10 hours so far, and no problems. I wanted to get the 23 KTM when I got the GASGAS but didn't due to the stock ECU problems. I called Ray to help me jet the GASGAS, and when he mentioned the 24 KTM with the GET ECU runs better that the GASGAS...I called my dealer and they had one KTM in stock.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4sISWyPNHk

There is literally no excuse why GET can put out a better ECU tune than KTM, that is incredibly disappointing.

Props to GET of course, good on them for sorting it, but very disappointed in KTM.

Stock mapping will always be on the safe side for fuel and conditions. Factor in that a two stroke relies on pipe temperature/scavenging and that explains the mapping. One guy riding pinned on a sand track vs a guy lugging through the woods will need different maps just like a carb needing different jetting. 4 stroke doesn’t scavenge and isn’t affected by exhaust temp, so the mapping is more consistent.

Sounds like they should have just stayed carb then.

lost power and gained weight and were supposed to call it better.

Maybe? I like carbs. The TBI bikes are not bad though. Just early in development like when EFI first came on 4 strokes. At this time I would pick a carbed one- cheaper and known what is proven. The TBI can’t clear fault codes without dealer or aftermarket tuner and that is a turnoff. Unsure long term reliability -nobody I know has high hours on a TBI. If I got a good deal on a TBI as a second bike for fun-wouldn’t be concerned.

Still not an excuse to be fair, but I appreciate what you're saying.

A buddy of mine has a '23 Husqvarna TC125.  He fouls plugs occasionally, even though he had the dealer update the maps.
It runs great at some tracks and temperatures and elevations and it just runs OK in other conditions.

I rode it... it has a super harsh front end feel and it has the power curve of a chainsaw or other power equipment.  It also weighs about five pounds more than the older bikes or a YZ125.

I've ridden the other years too and they are better in every way except the hype of new features and technology. 
KTM should offer a Legacy Edition 125 and 150 that comes with a carburetor and the old frame, or sell it as the GasGas model.   I would consider buying a new GasGas MC150 if it was the 2022 KTM... It would go great with my MC350F.

I have no doubt that the aftermarket can make a new fuel injected 125 run awesome for around $1100 to $1300.
I have no doubt that $3000 in titanium and other bits can make a new EFI 125 as light as their older bike.

If KTM offered a system like Yamaha's ECU / CCU and tuning application, these bikes could be really good.

Someday, I think the EFI can be good enough to beat a carburetor.  Give it a few new models for R&D to get things perfected.

My 22 carb version runs like a scalded doggie!

When you talk about carbed 125s, these bikes are at the peak of their development, since they have had refinements and improvements year after year over decades of development.

The ECU/direct injection bikes are at their first year.