Which 125 would you get?

Dynamometer wrote:

06-21 YZ1252017-22 KTM 125SX/150SX (not including MY 2016 due to trans issue, hopefully that was fixed for '17?)This will be a play bike and race bike...

06-21 YZ125

2017-22 KTM 125SX/150SX (not including MY 2016 due to trans issue, hopefully that was fixed for '17?)

This will be a play bike and race bike to bust out here and there. 

I know the 23+ KTM's are supposed to be better all around, and I believe the 22+ YZ's have updated/better ergonomics...But those are out of the budget. (sigh) 

Which is the better choice for a Vet B racer 175lbs 5'10?(street clothes) Priorities are cornering and agility in the air, or perceived "lightness". 

Soil conditions will almost always be hardpack or sand. Loamy heaven dirt isn't a thing where I reside.

(I suppose I could take some input on the '23+ KTM, too, in the unlikely event I see a screamin deal.. is it much better than the predecessor?) 

For reference, current bike is a bone stock 2024 suz RMZ-250.

inthebadboycorner wrote:

So with the 150 you are generally shifting more often to keep it in a narrower powerband ?

Rickyisms wrote:

Yes, I find myself shifting much more on the 150 vs the 125. Once you’re in 3rd gear, the 125 will just keep pulling and pulling...

Yes, I find myself shifting much more on the 150 vs the 125. Once you’re in 3rd gear, the 125 will just keep pulling and pulling, in stock form they’re impressive. I had PC build my 125 motor and it is a missile but so easy to ride, sometimes it seems impossible for the power to fall off in 3rd, 4th and 5th. 

The 150 is great in certain conditions. We had a smaller track around here that was like a tamed down SX/AX track. Very four stroke friendly with big jumps right out of corners. The 150 was light years better and easier to ride if I didn’t want to case everything in site. When I went to my dad’s in WV and rode the Hatfield and McCoy trails, the 150’s torque was a huge advantage compared to the 125. Down here in FL for woods and Harescrambles I take the 125 everyday. Much better choice for the deep sand and long open fields we usually have on our tracks. 

NSP139 wrote:

You should really look into having your 150 motor built by PC or twisted! I found my 150 even with good jetting had a very narrow...

You should really look into having your 150 motor built by PC or twisted! I found my 150 even with good jetting had a very narrow Power Band mostly midrange it it was a lot of work to ride. Had Jamie do the full motor on it and it's insane how fast it is great bottom in very linear into the mid that just pulls and the top end that never stops it literally never stops pulling which is strange for a 150 the overrev is crazy it's absolutely so fun to ride now it's hard to keep my son off it LOL

Rickyisms wrote:

Yes, I find myself shifting much more on the 150 vs the 125. Once you’re in 3rd gear, the 125 will just keep pulling and pulling...

Yes, I find myself shifting much more on the 150 vs the 125. Once you’re in 3rd gear, the 125 will just keep pulling and pulling, in stock form they’re impressive. I had PC build my 125 motor and it is a missile but so easy to ride, sometimes it seems impossible for the power to fall off in 3rd, 4th and 5th. 

The 150 is great in certain conditions. We had a smaller track around here that was like a tamed down SX/AX track. Very four stroke friendly with big jumps right out of corners. The 150 was light years better and easier to ride if I didn’t want to case everything in site. When I went to my dad’s in WV and rode the Hatfield and McCoy trails, the 150’s torque was a huge advantage compared to the 125. Down here in FL for woods and Harescrambles I take the 125 everyday. Much better choice for the deep sand and long open fields we usually have on our tracks. 

NSP139 wrote:

You should really look into having your 150 motor built by PC or twisted! I found my 150 even with good jetting had a very narrow...

You should really look into having your 150 motor built by PC or twisted! I found my 150 even with good jetting had a very narrow Power Band mostly midrange it it was a lot of work to ride. Had Jamie do the full motor on it and it's insane how fast it is great bottom in very linear into the mid that just pulls and the top end that never stops it literally never stops pulling which is strange for a 150 the overrev is crazy it's absolutely so fun to ride now it's hard to keep my son off it LOL

Rickyisms wrote:

I had Head Work and porting done by Lynk’s on the 150. It made the power a little more spread out, but it still doesn’t pull...

I had Head Work and porting done by Lynk’s on the 150. It made the power a little more spread out, but it still doesn’t pull like the 125 does. What gearing are you running? I’ve tried just about everything, but can’t find a way to make it pull as long as the 125. Even in stock form the 125 pulled harder than the 150 does with Lynk’s work. 

Rickyisms wrote:

The engines in those early 2000s KTM 125s were rockets, they just hadn’t found suspension and designed a chassis that was good enough to keep up...

The engines in those early 2000s KTM 125s were rockets, they just hadn’t found suspension and designed a chassis that was good enough to keep up with it. The ‘03 250SX is another good example. Unreal engine, everything else around it was terrible. 

AH387 wrote:

Someone mentioned above that if you can budget for a '21, then you can get a '22. Good point. But if you can't quite find one...

Someone mentioned above that if you can budget for a '21, then you can get a '22. Good point. But if you can't quite find one in your price range, I still think that prior-gen is just as good. As mentioned, I now have a different seat that is slightly taller/flatter. My only ergo complaint is how the rad shrouds poke out at the tip. But even that is very minor. I personally don't think the '22+ is perfect either. To me it feels too tall and like you sit too much above it. Just like how ppl rave about the ergo update on the new YZF's and to me the new one has it's own flaws and goofy feel to it too. So I feel like you live with the Yamaha ergos either way, it's not a Honda in that department. 

But here is my '19. It's been great and I absolutely love these bikes.

soggy wrote:

And if you really want the new ergos it looks like the polisport kit is only about $400 so you could always do that down the...

And if you really want the new ergos it looks like the polisport kit is only about $400 so you could always do that down the road. 

soggy wrote:

And if you really want the new ergos it looks like the polisport kit is only about $400 so you could always do that down the...

And if you really want the new ergos it looks like the polisport kit is only about $400 so you could always do that down the road. 

AH387 wrote:

Oh yeah that is a good point. I forgot about that.

Dynamometer wrote:

From my understanding, I would need '22 airbox, sub frame, fuel tank, along with the seat to fully convert it. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I thought...

From my understanding, I would need '22 airbox, sub frame, fuel tank, along with the seat to fully convert it. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I thought it was more than just plastic pieces.

ridinbeast932 wrote:

Full disclosure: C rider for the last 20 years. Started riding/racing MX on Yamaha 2 strokes in my mid-teen years. A few YZ125's, a few YZ250's...

Full disclosure: C rider for the last 20 years. Started riding/racing MX on Yamaha 2 strokes in my mid-teen years. A few YZ125's, a few YZ250's. Took an MX hiatus, and figured I'd try the 4 stroke thing getting back into racing after I graduated college. On my second YZ250F and God damn they are fun bikes, could ride them all day long which was great getting back into racing. Haven't raced in about 2 years now and rode my buddies 2025 TC150, and holy shit that was fun! Thinking of putting the 250F up for sale and getting back into the 2 strokes game. 

Off topic: the I prefer the SX150 looks wise, but the 1" lower seat hear on the TC is game changer for me being 5'8". Can the suspension components be swapped without causing handling issues?

King_George_II wrote:

I’ve had all makes and models of 125s over the years as well as a few 150s. Always found the 150s to be really abrupt and...

I’ve had all makes and models of 125s over the years as well as a few 150s. Always found the 150s to be really abrupt and hard hitting compared to a 125 that revs a lot longer.

Gone full nostalgia and bought the first 125 I ever had which is a 2004 125sx.

Probably not the best choice to be honest, but they look so cool and it holds good memories.

Rickyisms wrote:

The engines in those early 2000s KTM 125s were rockets, they just hadn’t found suspension and designed a chassis that was good enough to keep up...

The engines in those early 2000s KTM 125s were rockets, they just hadn’t found suspension and designed a chassis that was good enough to keep up with it. The ‘03 250SX is another good example. Unreal engine, everything else around it was terrible. 

Ktmscout wrote:

Ktmscout wrote:

sandman768 wrote:

Thats nice…150? How it go?