Hey fellas, so I recently bought a mint 2023 yz125,
My buddy has a 2023 KTM 125xc
figured It would be a pretty even match on the trails. I know he has fuel injection but I was bragging about how the yz is supposed to have "the better" KYB suspension.
For the record I never ride MX. I am an aggressive back woods rider. Rocky chunky trails. All hardpack. Not on a groomed track ever.
Anyways I rode with my buddy that has the2023 KTM 125xc on the trails and im getting absolutely SPANKED. I am struggling so hard to keep up. And when I do I feel like im going to meet Jesus anytime I hit a small root or rocky patch on the trails. It feels super squirly, and deflects off of sharp rocks. It feels extremely unstable and honestly pretty unsafe.
Even when Im leading us on the trails ill even try to out run him and I look back and he's right behind me. I even slightly bent my rear rim trying to outrun him. Even the treads on my tire are starting to rip/tear.
I tried adjusting the compression and rebound settings on my front and rear suspension several clicks out from factory setting. Its alot better but still dosnt come close to his bikes stability and handling on rocky trails.
Ill admit I just got back into dirtbikes this summer, I been riding sportbikes mostly the past couple years. (Last dirtbike was stolen some years back)
So maybe im just used to the smooth pavement.
BUT we switched bikes for a couple minutes and I was shocked at how planted his bike felt. It was NIGHT AND DAY different.
Granted it was a pretty smooth section of trail he let me ride his KTM on but now after that Im about to sell this YZ...
I realize the MX model is stiffer then the yz125x model but I figured since I weight 200lbs that would actually work in my favor. But I guess that was wrong.
So my question is. Do I sell this 23yz125 and buy the X model or do I just need to go KTM
I LOVE the sound of my yz with the r304 exhaust. Sound is huge for me. And I love the simplicity of the YZ which is why I bought it. His bike allways fowls plugs and I hear horror stories of maintenance from people online. But his bike wrecks mine performance wise. and I honestly hate riding with him now because of it. I csnt even enjoy it. Its just me trying to survive the ride. . Lol
Im alittle confused though. I understand he has the XC version which is more designed for this type of riding but I thought the KYB suspension was supposed to be "The best"
I test rode a 2023 yz125x around a yard from fb marketplace. Obviously wasnt enough to feel any different handling wise.
So will I be disappointed going the yz125x route? Or should I go with ktm?
The X model will handle trail conditions better for sure but you could also revalve your suspension for your weight and have something better than the X model. At 200 lbs you are over the weight range the stock suspension is set up for. You can probably play with the jetting on the YZ and get it better than stock too. 2023 jetting wasn't very good stock.
Did you set your sag?
Linkage bearings aren't stuck, chain isn't too tight, tire pressure?
So…you get smoked by the KtM, then ride the KTm and like it…..you still want a YZ? You can probably get blue plastic for the KTM if it makes you feel better….150 XC or XCW will blow you away👍
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
I second the sag comment. Sounds like you don't have the rear suspension dialed in for your weight.
Sag is like 110mm
Tire pressure is 12psi front and back.
Chain is proper slack. Very anal about the chain. Lol
Bike has like 15hrs on it new. So all bearings should be good
Sag is a little off. But for how bad this bike performs I cant see that being the main problem. Certainly could be a peice of the puzzle
Well the ktm scares me on maintenance. I hate the hydraulic clutch. I hate how hard it is to get to the spark plug. And he fowls plugs constantly with that thing. Also parts I hear are much more expensive. If the yz handled as good as the ktm I wouldn't complain.
I like the yz for simplicity and its reputation for superior reliability.
But if the performance gap is this big then I would definitely make the jump
How much does a revalve cost?
I put the digger jetting specs in my bike. Runs tit's now! So much more crispy now! 😁 this handling thing is killing me though lol
Could be too much sag?
My guess:
The springs are a little soft for your weight, so they ride a litle low in the stroke. I think Yamaha recommends 90-100mm sag, using 110 you're biasing the weight on the rear too much. This will cause your front to deflect off of everything, rear will feel harsh because of the reduced travel, and the bike will turn like a boat.
This also explains why you felt a faster rebound was a slight improvement, it kept your shock from packing.
I'd try 95mm sag, as long as your static sag is in the 30-40mm range you will be fine with the stock spring.
$1-2k depending on the company and if you need springs.
Well. Lets dive into this ...
2023 YZ125 — STOCK SUSPENSION SETTINGS
FRONT FORKS
Compression: 10 clicks out
Rebound: 10 clicks out
Fork height: Stock
REAR SHOCK
Low-speed compression: 10 clicks out
High-speed compression: 1.5 turns out
Rebound: 10 clicks out
Race sag: 100–105 mm
MY CURRENT SETTINGS
Front forks
Compression 13clicks out
Rebound (bottom screw)
Current 12clicks out
(Screw out makes things softer and looser.
Screw in to stiffen)
Rear
Hi speed 2 turns
Lo speed 13 clicks
Rebound 12 clicks
Race sag (110mm) (this could be wrong because I attempted to measure myself while sitting on the bike. Could very well be wrong lol)
So with that said, it honestly almost still FEELS like it riding high in the stroke. Like its not super soft and squishy. Its still pretty firm id say. To be honest I dont know because i haven't really been looking for it while riding. Too focused on not dying lol
How much do you weigh? A revalve only should be maybe $500+/-.
I briefly had a 2023 KTM 125XC and the suspension/handling was very good, but the power was not great. A well setup YZ125 would be easily competitive with it, though.
Im 200lbs
Only $500? It seems like other people are saying $1-2k for a proper revalve, no?
Really? You didn't like the power? I've read the ktm was king when it comes to power for its size. Are you comparing it to other 125's?
No experience with them, but I did buy some engine parts they worked over and were very well done:
KB5 Industries : High Performance Suspension & Engine Development
Your springs are probably in the ballpark if you only ride off-road, but the damping will be way off. MX bike suspension is way stiffer than off-road.
The power on the bike I had was torquey down low and had a decent midrange. It really did not pull well at higher RPM.
If the bike is not sprung for your weight, clicker settings are not going to help. It likely feels firm because you are riding in the lower part of the stroke, due to springs not being heavy enough to hold you up in the stroke.
And yes, mx fork and spring valving is going to feel overly stiff for riding off-road. So you may have both of these things working against you.
Check out the race tech website, there is a widget that estimates the fork spring and shock spring for your bike, rider weight, riding type, and riding pace. That's free information that can help you understand how far off you are from the current spring weights (assuming those are stock?)
With a revalve, consumable parts like seals, bushings, fluid, are usually not included in the price.
Good rule of thumb is to ask around your riding group and see if someone has a recommendation for a local suspension tuner that is familiar with terrain in your riding area and likely has good valving that work for what you ride. You can certainly ship it to any shop, but the consideration is they might not have a good setting for your local riding area.
I'd start with sag, the clickers are for fine tuning.
Thank you I will be sure to check it out.
And thats another thing I am a bit torn about. I love the high end on the yz125. And the violent powerband. But I also hate that it bogs out so easy on hills.
But
I love the meaty low end on the yz125X model for hillclimbs but I hate that It lacks high End for the straights lol. And its not as thrilling of a power curve.
I wish I could somehow have both lol.
Post a reply to: 2023 Yz125x vs 2023 ktm 125xc