2016 Ktm 125 or 2016 Yz 125

Hunter_Boutwell
Edited Date/Time 10/23/2015 3:15pm
Hey guys I'm moving up from my Yz 105 supermini this year and would like some pointers on whether I should go with the Yz or Ktm 125z. I'm definitely getting the newest year model. I've read a lot of reviews but I need fellow Moto junkies to help me on this one. I really can't decide which one
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zehn
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zehn 9/29/2015 1:07am
9/29/2015 1:07am
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than it is to improve the KTM's suspension etc.
Hunter_Boutwell 9/29/2015 1:14am
9/29/2015 1:14am
Well you can always put money in the motor to make the yami scream. My supermini is a beast. But I wasn't sure about the suspension setups between the two bikes
shanes
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shanes 9/29/2015 1:20am
9/29/2015 1:20am
there is no comparison the KTM hands down , so much better in every way
zehn
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zehn 9/29/2015 1:22am
9/29/2015 1:22am
Hunter_Boutwell wrote:
Well you can always put money in the motor to make the yami scream. My supermini is a beast. But I wasn't sure about the suspension...
Well you can always put money in the motor to make the yami scream. My supermini is a beast. But I wasn't sure about the suspension setups between the two bikes
You aren't going find better stock suspension than the SSS rig. You could spend thousands on a CV setup, or you could spend hundreds on the top end of the Yamaha.

The Shop

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zehn
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zehn 9/29/2015 1:24am
9/29/2015 1:24am
shanes wrote:
there is no comparison the KTM hands down , so much better in every way
*this poster rides a KTM*
Kawasaki572
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Kawasaki572 9/29/2015 1:29am
9/29/2015 1:29am
zehn wrote:
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than...
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than it is to improve the KTM's suspension etc.
"the Yamaha is a better overall package". Huh? Have you ridden both?
zehn
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zehn 9/29/2015 1:32am
9/29/2015 1:32am
zehn wrote:
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than...
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than it is to improve the KTM's suspension etc.
Kawasaki572 wrote:
"the Yamaha is a better overall package". Huh? Have you ridden both?
I happen to prefer great suspension. Just my opinion.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 9/29/2015 1:35am
9/29/2015 1:35am Edited Date/Time 9/29/2015 1:36am
I can't understand why anyone would buy the Yamahas instead of the 2016 KTMs and Husqvarnas. Go for the KTM or Husky!

If you want a Yamaha, go buy an 06-10 that is in a good shape for 2-3k.
shanes
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shanes 9/29/2015 1:47am
9/29/2015 1:47am
yes i ride KTM here were i work , were i live in Europe i own 3 TM's the only reason i don't have a TM here is you cant get them :-}}

i have ridden the 15 KTM's and 15 yamaha's and believe me there is no comparison between the 2

if you want to be different buy a TM :-}} if not KTM or Husky all the way
Fresh
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Fresh 9/29/2015 3:21am
9/29/2015 3:21am
i don't think you can beat the YZ's overall package. Like it's been said, get the yz, some reeds, a head and a pipe and you'll be on par with the KTM but with better suspension
HenryA
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HenryA 9/29/2015 3:25am
9/29/2015 3:25am
The new 2016 KTM 125SX is sweet and really fast!
Motofinne
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Motofinne 9/29/2015 4:28am
9/29/2015 4:28am
You can get the SX 150 for about the same price as the SX 125 aswell.
smezmx
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smezmx 9/29/2015 5:05am
9/29/2015 5:05am
All the 125's are sweet.having A good local dealer would usually be pretty usefull to you imo. Smile



GeorgiePorgie 9/29/2015 6:13am
9/29/2015 6:13am
Hunter_Boutwell wrote:
Well you can always put money in the motor to make the yami scream. My supermini is a beast. But I wasn't sure about the suspension...
Well you can always put money in the motor to make the yami scream. My supermini is a beast. But I wasn't sure about the suspension setups between the two bikes
I raced yz 105s. Now I find myself back on a yz 125 with a 144 kit. Not much has changed since In them in 10 years yet they're still competitive machines. The bike feels right at home. And I think you'll make a great transition to the yz.

Yz
-Can't beat the suspension.
-Motors are strong, and reliable. Even when punched out.
Handle like a dream
-stock brakes suck. (Easily fixed with steel lines and oversize rotor)

Ktm
-new Ktm puts out 40 HP. (The 144)
-suspension...meh
-looks cool
-brakes are AWESOME.


Get yourself a sub to motocross action. Pick up this months. They do a great test on the 150. I know you're mostly interested in the 125s but they're always writing great, useful articles about the small bore pingers.

I bet if you wrote them your question posted here they would give you a great response in the mag....worth a try.

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racer495a
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racer495a 9/29/2015 6:35am
9/29/2015 6:35am Edited Date/Time 9/29/2015 6:37am
The 16 ktms have finally overcome the yamahas. Last years 2015 was a toss up. As yes don't bother with the 125 and get the 150. I rode them both at the ktm ride day and the 25cc makes a big difference.
Hunter_Boutwell 9/29/2015 7:16am
9/29/2015 7:16am
In my area there is a local Ktm dealer that I'm actually gonna be stopping by today to look at the Ktm 125sx possibly now I'm considering getting the 150. All though so far I've been faithful to Yamaha, having 2 85's, one now being my supermini I think I'm gonna have to convert. I really do enjoy the Yamaha suspension. Haven't rode a Ktm yet but there is a ride day event going on soon and that'll settle my decision. I heard the brakes and the hydraulic clutch on the Ktm's were badass too.
loftyair
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loftyair 9/29/2015 8:24am
9/29/2015 8:24am
I have and love yamahas. But, the ktm is so much better. You could argue the suspension thing, which is mostly true. But, you will need to change the yz suspenders at least a little, while the ktm will take more. The small bore is usually for a short time. Might be best to get 2 older yz instead.
resetjet
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resetjet 9/29/2015 8:54am
9/29/2015 8:54am
Motofinne wrote:
I can't understand why anyone would buy the Yamahas instead of the 2016 KTMs and Husqvarnas. Go for the KTM or Husky! If you want a...
I can't understand why anyone would buy the Yamahas instead of the 2016 KTMs and Husqvarnas. Go for the KTM or Husky!

If you want a Yamaha, go buy an 06-10 that is in a good shape for 2-3k.
+1
colintrax
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colintrax 9/29/2015 9:09am
9/29/2015 9:09am
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better.
Half the people responding on here haven't ridden either one, or only ridden one. Nor do they know how to ride.
Fyi the 16 KTM is even better than the 14 Steinke was racing this year.
Hunter_Boutwell 9/29/2015 9:13am
9/29/2015 9:13am
colintrax wrote:
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better. Half...
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better.
Half the people responding on here haven't ridden either one, or only ridden one. Nor do they know how to ride.
Fyi the 16 KTM is even better than the 14 Steinke was racing this year.
Alright I'll check that out, thanks
smezmx
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smezmx 9/29/2015 12:49pm
9/29/2015 12:49pm
colintrax wrote:
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better. Half...
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better.
Half the people responding on here haven't ridden either one, or only ridden one. Nor do they know how to ride.
Fyi the 16 KTM is even better than the 14 Steinke was racing this year.
my apologies to the other half of the people on here responding! Angry
Kawasaki572
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Kawasaki572 9/29/2015 1:29pm
9/29/2015 1:29pm
zehn wrote:
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than...
IMO the KTM will be faster but the Yamaha is a better overall package. It's a lot easier (and cheaper) to make the Yammy faster than it is to improve the KTM's suspension etc.
Kawasaki572 wrote:
"the Yamaha is a better overall package". Huh? Have you ridden both?
zehn wrote:
I happen to prefer great suspension. Just my opinion.
I know it's just your opinion, but guess which bike won this shootout.

http://motocrossactionmag.com/bike-tests/2015-mxa-450-shootout-honda-crf450-vs-yamaha-yz450f-vs-kawasaki-kx450f-vs-ktm-450sxf-vs-husqvarna-fc450-vs-suzuki-rm-z450

Yup, the bike with the worst suspension won the shootout. I believe this is after long term testing, not just a week or two of testing. So if you put in the time, you can get the suspension working good, not as good as the Yamaha, but good enough. Plus, the suspension is better on the 2016's than the 2015's. Everyone was complaining about how stiff the 2015's suspension was, ktm has fixed that for 2016 (Well, that's what was said when reading the test).
Markopolo400
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Markopolo400 9/29/2015 1:32pm
9/29/2015 1:32pm
YZ is better out of the box, many people are instantly comfy on it. They are ole reliable after all.

The KTM takes a little getting used too, and some dialing in, but once you find the sweet spot, they are awesome.
colintrax
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colintrax 9/29/2015 1:41pm
9/29/2015 1:41pm
colintrax wrote:
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better. Half...
Read the Q@A with Gared Steinke. He raced a yz and sx in the nationals this year, and he said the KTM is way better.
Half the people responding on here haven't ridden either one, or only ridden one. Nor do they know how to ride.
Fyi the 16 KTM is even better than the 14 Steinke was racing this year.
smezmx wrote:
my apologies to the other half of the people on here responding! Angry
Half was being nice. Not that I can talk, I haven't ridden an aluminum framed yz125 (have rode a 250 though lol) nor have I rode a 16 KTM. If you've ridden an aluminum yami and a 2016 KTM.... where do you live and will you adopt me?
Kawasaki572
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Kawasaki572 9/29/2015 1:46pm
9/29/2015 1:46pm
Markopolo400 wrote:
YZ is better out of the box, many people are instantly comfy on it. They are ole reliable after all. The KTM takes a little getting...
YZ is better out of the box, many people are instantly comfy on it. They are ole reliable after all.

The KTM takes a little getting used too, and some dialing in, but once you find the sweet spot, they are awesome.
Have you ridden both?

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