2023 Ktm 125SX

Ryan598
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124
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12/30/2010
Location
Marion, OH US
7/27/2023 5:29am

There are tuners out there who have figured out how to remap the ecu’s on these things.  I had my 23 125sx remapped and it runs great now.  In stock form, not so much.  I used Tpituning.com for mine.

7/27/2023 5:51am
cappelmans wrote:

Crap I wanted to trade in my 18 sx 125 this year for a 23. Seems like I should wait for the 24

Get a YZ125

9235681F-13BE-4552-8A31-AE03491DF85D.jpeg?VersionId= W7Or buy my 05 cr125 with new crank, piston, monster coil, 2,800 in extra new parts. For 4,900. My crisp running 04 pulls new yz,s & 22 Ktm,s out of corners.  Get the old reliable Honda and alive Happy ever after. 

 

2
12
MxAddic
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Location
NY US
7/27/2023 7:21am
      My 21 150sx 18 hrs first top end from brand new elko cylinder. Porous spot on bottom edge of the intake skirt. Left...

Screenshot 20230531 072854 Gallery 0

 Screenshot 20230726 123553 Gallery.jpg?VersionId=dJFX

 Screenshot 20230726 123615 Gallery

 

My 21 150sx 18 hrs first top end from brand new elko cylinder. Porous spot on bottom edge of the intake skirt. Left a nice spot on the piston when it flaked off. Also a lil crap Porous spot in the oring groove.  The kymco cylinder on my 21 250sx at 50 hrs was much better. 

Had none of that porous crap, the elko is like rougher texture too. Like grainy almost. 

Casting issue aside that is the most uneven wear I have seen on a piston in 50 years.

cappelmans
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459
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Location
Eindhoven NL
7/27/2023 7:53am
cappelmans wrote:

Crap I wanted to trade in my 18 sx 125 this year for a 23. Seems like I should wait for the 24

Get a YZ125

Or buy my 05 cr125 with new crank, piston, monster coil, 2,800 in extra new parts. For 4,900. My crisp running 04 pulls new yz,s &...

9235681F-13BE-4552-8A31-AE03491DF85D.jpeg?VersionId= W7Or buy my 05 cr125 with new crank, piston, monster coil, 2,800 in extra new parts. For 4,900. My crisp running 04 pulls new yz,s & 22 Ktm,s out of corners.  Get the old reliable Honda and alive Happy ever after. 

 

Too bad I live in europe, tempting 

1

The Shop

sandman768
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Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
7/27/2023 9:59am
The 300's run great, at least the two I know of. Mine has 51 hours and has been flawless. Just got word my vortex top end...

The 300's run great, at least the two I know of. Mine has 51 hours and has been flawless. Just got word my vortex top end showed up so I'll be doing a piston next week. My buddy has around 20 hours on his and not a single issue either. I rode another member on here's 22 yz250 last Saturday, good running bike but I cannot believe how much those things vibrate, it blew my mind. My 300 was also way faster and way easier to go fast on for me. Sucks that they shit the bed so hard on the 125's, I've been eyeing getting a 125 again and it'll either be a gas gas or YZ there for sure. I wouldn't hesitate to get a 300's.

Did you get a stock piston kit or order direct from Vortex? Updated piston? I have 60hrs on my 300sx, pretty much all hard time in the sand, I”m wanting to do a top end but not sure what piston to get. Sucks about the 125 issues…penalty for taking the lead I guess. My 300 has been great, but right from the start I thought I heard/felt some detonation in deep sand, so I started using C12 50/50 with pump gas. I also have John Ross remapped ECU that really smooths out the big mid range hit and allows more top end over rev. The swingarm buffer & rear chain guide have been on back order for months, I found some new oem take off”s on eBay … 

urbanlift707
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Location
Humboldt, CA US
7/27/2023 5:29pm
sandman768 wrote:
Did you get a stock piston kit or order direct from Vortex? Updated piston? I have 60hrs on my 300sx, pretty much all hard time in...

Did you get a stock piston kit or order direct from Vortex? Updated piston? I have 60hrs on my 300sx, pretty much all hard time in the sand, I”m wanting to do a top end but not sure what piston to get. Sucks about the 125 issues…penalty for taking the lead I guess. My 300 has been great, but right from the start I thought I heard/felt some detonation in deep sand, so I started using C12 50/50 with pump gas. I also have John Ross remapped ECU that really smooths out the big mid range hit and allows more top end over rev. The swingarm buffer & rear chain guide have been on back order for months, I found some new oem take off”s on eBay … 

Based off this forum I had my dealer order the updated vertex with the slightly shorter skirt. 

1
sandman768
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Location
Saratoga Springs, NY US
7/27/2023 5:38pm

Based off this forum I had my dealer order the updated vertex with the slightly shorter skirt. 

Can you take a photo of the part# when u get it? Appreciate it. 

urbanlift707
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Humboldt, CA US
7/27/2023 5:52pm
sandman768 wrote:

Can you take a photo of the part# when u get it? Appreciate it. 

IMG 5530.png?VersionId=R

 

1
K7_Leetha
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Location
CO, CO US
2/22/2024 7:03am

For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in the next few months, but am wondering if it's better to go with a carb bike or the new EFI. There's some pretty significant elevation change near me, so the carb bike is giving me pause. TIA.

FGR01
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AZ US
Fantasy
2/22/2024 8:22am
K7_Leetha wrote:
For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in...

For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in the next few months, but am wondering if it's better to go with a carb bike or the new EFI. There's some pretty significant elevation change near me, so the carb bike is giving me pause. TIA.

Well, I go back and forth from 600-1400-4500 ft regularly with my carb TC125 and carb MC250/300 and almost never touch the jetting.   It's not as horrible as people like to make it out to be once you have it set properly (per long thread in tech section).  I'd rather swap out a few pieces of $5 brass and $10 needles every now and again than deal with thousands of dollars for ECU's, remaps, trips to the dealer, etc.

4
K7_Leetha
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CO, CO US
2/22/2024 10:37am Edited Date/Time 2/22/2024 10:38am
K7_Leetha wrote:
For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in...

For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in the next few months, but am wondering if it's better to go with a carb bike or the new EFI. There's some pretty significant elevation change near me, so the carb bike is giving me pause. TIA.

FGR01 wrote:
Well, I go back and forth from 600-1400-4500 ft regularly with my carb TC125 and carb MC250/300 and almost never touch the jetting.   It's not as...

Well, I go back and forth from 600-1400-4500 ft regularly with my carb TC125 and carb MC250/300 and almost never touch the jetting.   It's not as horrible as people like to make it out to be once you have it set properly (per long thread in tech section).  I'd rather swap out a few pieces of $5 brass and $10 needles every now and again than deal with thousands of dollars for ECU's, remaps, trips to the dealer, etc.

That’s a pretty solid change in elevation. I’d be moving from 5K to 7.5K pretty regularly, so sounds like jetting shouldn’t be too fussy. 

FGR01
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Fantasy
2/22/2024 10:53am
K7_Leetha wrote:

That’s a pretty solid change in elevation. I’d be moving from 5K to 7.5K pretty regularly, so sounds like jetting shouldn’t be too fussy. 

I jetted a MC125 for a rider who moved to CO.  He rode it from Sweeny, to IMI and Thunder Valley, so 4200, 5030, and 6200ft.    He had to make very small changes between those tracks, basically 1/2 to 1 needle clip or maybe also 1 pilot and main size.   Keep in mind, this was to make the bike absolutely perfect.  It likely would have been totally rideable on the same jetting.

3
NSP139
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5/6/2021
Location
Temecula, CA US
2/22/2024 4:41pm
K7_Leetha wrote:
For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in...

For those of you who had the TSB done, has that fixed your issues with your '23 bike? I'm looking at picking up a 125SX in the next few months, but am wondering if it's better to go with a carb bike or the new EFI. There's some pretty significant elevation change near me, so the carb bike is giving me pause. TIA.

FGR01 wrote:
Well, I go back and forth from 600-1400-4500 ft regularly with my carb TC125 and carb MC250/300 and almost never touch the jetting.   It's not as...

Well, I go back and forth from 600-1400-4500 ft regularly with my carb TC125 and carb MC250/300 and almost never touch the jetting.   It's not as horrible as people like to make it out to be once you have it set properly (per long thread in tech section).  I'd rather swap out a few pieces of $5 brass and $10 needles every now and again than deal with thousands of dollars for ECU's, remaps, trips to the dealer, etc.

K7_Leetha wrote:

That’s a pretty solid change in elevation. I’d be moving from 5K to 7.5K pretty regularly, so sounds like jetting shouldn’t be too fussy. 

Good leaded race fuel makes the jetting more constant T2 VPR U4.4 T2 is VPR just premixed. 

3
Ob917
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Cardiff, CA US
2/22/2024 6:19pm

I might need to get one of these bikes

dsoll703
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Location
Canton , GA US
Fantasy
2/22/2024 8:35pm

I just picked up a 23 125XC, same bike with an 18 inch rear wheel. I’ve been doing a lot of research on the subject. 

From the fb groups people are  satisfied with them generally from what I can tell. I know people had issues with the 125, but I see a good number of people that are happy with them.

I have heard conflicting reports on which type of fuel to run. I’m going to start with the manual’s suggestion and go from there. I don’t have a lot of time on mine yet but plan on getting a couple of days riding in this week.

1
Richy
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UK GB
2/22/2024 10:28pm Edited Date/Time 2/22/2024 10:28pm

Good move following the manual with the new 125.

Changing fuel type, on an injection model with a basic ECU which has no way of monitoring AFR or fuel type, isn't the smartest without re-tuning or at least a dyno run to confirm you're making optimal power and doing it safely.

At best it may be passable, more likely it won't run as well as the correct fuel. At worst it will be rich and lame or when adding an oxygenated fuel perhaps lean enough to be dangerous.

1
dsoll703
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Canton , GA US
Fantasy
2/25/2024 1:36pm

I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues.

The second day on my fourth lap, upon landing from a small tabletop, the engine starts cutting out. I pulled over to side of the track and looked the bike over for anything obvious. When trying to restart the bike, it would not idle. I had to give it a decent amount of gas to keep it running. I was barely able to get back to the pits.

I let it cool down and tried restarting, but it still had the same issue. The bike has 9.2 hours now. It hasn’t been flashed since April at the latest so I’m hoping that will fix it, but I promise you, I’m already regretting it.

I’m already thinking about trying to flip it once I get this problem rectified.

4
burn1986
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12246
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Location
bossier city, LA US
2/25/2024 1:38pm

It’s funny how the YZ is quickly becoming a better and better deal. Pretty soon, it will be lighter and faster than the Austrians. Kind of like the ‘23 GG was (and the Husky KTM used to be).

4
2/25/2024 1:57pm

So looks like I made the right decision to wait for the 2025s..

K7_Leetha
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12
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Location
CO, CO US
2/25/2024 2:54pm
dsoll703 wrote:
I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues. The second day on my fourth lap, upon...

I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues.

The second day on my fourth lap, upon landing from a small tabletop, the engine starts cutting out. I pulled over to side of the track and looked the bike over for anything obvious. When trying to restart the bike, it would not idle. I had to give it a decent amount of gas to keep it running. I was barely able to get back to the pits.

I let it cool down and tried restarting, but it still had the same issue. The bike has 9.2 hours now. It hasn’t been flashed since April at the latest so I’m hoping that will fix it, but I promise you, I’m already regretting it.

I’m already thinking about trying to flip it once I get this problem rectified.

Bummer to hear, man. It sounds like the FI 125s just aren't quite there yet. Best of luck getting it sorted. 

 

2
K7_Leetha
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Location
CO, CO US
2/25/2024 2:56pm
burn1986 wrote:
It’s funny how the YZ is quickly becoming a better and better deal. Pretty soon, it will be lighter and faster than the Austrians. Kind of...

It’s funny how the YZ is quickly becoming a better and better deal. Pretty soon, it will be lighter and faster than the Austrians. Kind of like the ‘23 GG was (and the Husky KTM used to be).

Yeah, I think I'm gonna pick up a '22+ YZ, or find a carbed Austrian bike. The YZs around me are always so clapped, which sucks. 

soggy
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UT US
2/25/2024 4:28pm
dsoll703 wrote:
I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues. The second day on my fourth lap, upon...

I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues.

The second day on my fourth lap, upon landing from a small tabletop, the engine starts cutting out. I pulled over to side of the track and looked the bike over for anything obvious. When trying to restart the bike, it would not idle. I had to give it a decent amount of gas to keep it running. I was barely able to get back to the pits.

I let it cool down and tried restarting, but it still had the same issue. The bike has 9.2 hours now. It hasn’t been flashed since April at the latest so I’m hoping that will fix it, but I promise you, I’m already regretting it.

I’m already thinking about trying to flip it once I get this problem rectified.

This sounds like possibly a bad electrical connection/ground/kill switch. 

dsoll703
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271
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Location
Canton , GA US
Fantasy
2/25/2024 11:45pm
dsoll703 wrote:
I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues. The second day on my fourth lap, upon...

I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues.

The second day on my fourth lap, upon landing from a small tabletop, the engine starts cutting out. I pulled over to side of the track and looked the bike over for anything obvious. When trying to restart the bike, it would not idle. I had to give it a decent amount of gas to keep it running. I was barely able to get back to the pits.

I let it cool down and tried restarting, but it still had the same issue. The bike has 9.2 hours now. It hasn’t been flashed since April at the latest so I’m hoping that will fix it, but I promise you, I’m already regretting it.

I’m already thinking about trying to flip it once I get this problem rectified.

soggy wrote:

This sounds like possibly a bad electrical connection/ground/kill switch. 

It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat.

I changed it just to see and sure enough it started right up and ran well. It is still a little rich which I can’t do much about.

I’m still pondering flipping it to get a YZ just to have something that I can work on.

1
soggy
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UT US
2/26/2024 6:35am
dsoll703 wrote:
I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues. The second day on my fourth lap, upon...

I rode mine twice this weekend at the local track. The first day was fine with no issues.

The second day on my fourth lap, upon landing from a small tabletop, the engine starts cutting out. I pulled over to side of the track and looked the bike over for anything obvious. When trying to restart the bike, it would not idle. I had to give it a decent amount of gas to keep it running. I was barely able to get back to the pits.

I let it cool down and tried restarting, but it still had the same issue. The bike has 9.2 hours now. It hasn’t been flashed since April at the latest so I’m hoping that will fix it, but I promise you, I’m already regretting it.

I’m already thinking about trying to flip it once I get this problem rectified.

soggy wrote:

This sounds like possibly a bad electrical connection/ground/kill switch. 

dsoll703 wrote:
It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat. I changed it just to see and sure...

It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat.

I changed it just to see and sure enough it started right up and ran well. It is still a little rich which I can’t do much about.

I’m still pondering flipping it to get a YZ just to have something that I can work on.

Strange. EFIbshould never foul a plug…. Maybe the newest update would help?

1
alphado
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Erie, PA US
2/26/2024 6:44am Edited Date/Time 2/26/2024 6:45am

My son has a 2023 KTM 250SX with under 10 hours.  Took it to the dealer on Saturday, it wont light up, just cranks over.  We looked at the usual things but I'm lost with all the wiring and sensors.  I think simple might be better.

8
Ob917
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1135
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9/29/2021
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Cardiff, CA US
2/26/2024 7:04am
soggy wrote:

This sounds like possibly a bad electrical connection/ground/kill switch. 

dsoll703 wrote:
It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat. I changed it just to see and sure...

It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat.

I changed it just to see and sure enough it started right up and ran well. It is still a little rich which I can’t do much about.

I’m still pondering flipping it to get a YZ just to have something that I can work on.

soggy wrote:

Strange. EFIbshould never foul a plug…. Maybe the newest update would help?

The new EFI bikes definitely foul plugs. My 300 and other people I know with the new EFI bikes have fouled plugs. First thing I’d check if you can’t get one to idle or start properly 

1
lumpy790
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11435
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Location
York, SC US
2/26/2024 7:12am

2 strokes will always coat the plug with oil and foul them. It’s just how they are. Simple fix is replace the plug 1st if there is a problem or as part of maintenance replace it before it fouls. I had a KX500 that would foul plugs so much I kept a plug wrench in the woods.

1
5
FGR01
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AZ US
Fantasy
2/26/2024 7:30am

I have not fouled a plug on a carb'd 2 stroke in over 30 years.  No exaggeration.  

Yes, fouled plugs are somewhat common on the TBI bikes.  Especially early on with the original mapping they were using.  They seem to have diminished this quite a bit with mapping updates but it still occurs due to variables from the user that the mapping cannot account for (fuel, oil, ratio, riding habits) and a plethora of other issues related to TBI (TPS adjustment, clogged CCPS, other flaky sensors and electrical issues, etc).  More complicated $h|t, more $h|t to break and try to troubleshoot.

soggy
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Location
UT US
2/26/2024 7:45am
dsoll703 wrote:
It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat. I changed it just to see and sure...

It ended up being the spark plug. I’ve never fowled one and the bike would still run somewhat.

I changed it just to see and sure enough it started right up and ran well. It is still a little rich which I can’t do much about.

I’m still pondering flipping it to get a YZ just to have something that I can work on.

soggy wrote:

Strange. EFIbshould never foul a plug…. Maybe the newest update would help?

Ob917 wrote:
The new EFI bikes definitely foul plugs. My 300 and other people I know with the new EFI bikes have fouled plugs. First thing I’d check...

The new EFI bikes definitely foul plugs. My 300 and other people I know with the new EFI bikes have fouled plugs. First thing I’d check if you can’t get one to idle or start properly 

I didn’t say they don’t. I said they shouldn’t. I haven’t fouled a plug on my 250 2 stroke since I’ve owned it. 
 

to the guy fouling plugs on there kx500 your jetting must be shit. 

1

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