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Joined
3/14/2015
Location
ZA
ktm_34
12/1/2018 4:51pm
12/1/2018 4:51pm
Edited Date/Time
11/24/2019 6:38pm
Hi Guys.
Thinking about getting a 150 SX before the end of December.
Just wanted to know of the Pro's Con's from any of you that owns this bike.
I'm currently busy with a 03' CR125 build that will be finished in the next couple days , will then be selling that and use the profit for a deposit on the 150sx.
Post some photos of your 150sx if you have some !
Any feedback will be appreciated
Thinking about getting a 150 SX before the end of December.
Just wanted to know of the Pro's Con's from any of you that owns this bike.
I'm currently busy with a 03' CR125 build that will be finished in the next couple days , will then be selling that and use the profit for a deposit on the 150sx.
Post some photos of your 150sx if you have some !
Any feedback will be appreciated
Pros=One of the most fun bikes to ride
Cons= are there any? Lol
I love it in the woods, nothing too gnarly and the moto track is a blast. Photo is from overestimating my balance in the woods
The Shop
I had a 2014 250 SX and those forks were horrible.
The WP/Factory Connection suspension was AMAZING...(pictured at Hangtown Finish Line jump)
I’d get it and Rip It & I expect to see pictures!
I hated the AER forks, but other than that, the bike is so fun to ride ! I have a RM250, RMZ450 and KTM EXC500, but the 150 is the finest bike I own.
Did you make any changes to the forks to improve the feel ?
Also , what changes did you notice when you installed the FMF system ?
I put the FMF pipe/ silencer on it, before I rode it. I’ve read several tests with and without Dyno runs and the FMF has the best results.
I find the AER don’t have great front end feel(traction), they have a harsh feel on slap downs and initial hit.
I also ride the FMF fatty with shorty and feels like the most low end power combination.
I’ve heard the 19’s rev right on
https://www.vitalmx.com/forums/Bike-Builds,46/Luxon-MX-2019-KTM-150SX-B…
But the 16 (with a lot of modifications) is amazing. Can't wait to get the 19 finished up!
Pit Row
I was wanting this or a 350. Went the 350 but I know in my heart I should be on the 19 150sx.
I’m going well in vets on a 33hp 125 with nothing off pipe. This with 43hp and pull off the pipe for those damned hook turns would be amazing!
Pros:
I think the AER fork works pretty damn good on the 125/150 compared to 450/250 bikes due to the lightness of the two Stokes. I have CV on mine because they came off a 450.
The 150 pulls harder but signs off earlier than the 125. My son has a 17 SX125 so I've ridden them back to back.
The 19 model year feels more compact, so that could be a plus or minus depending on your size.
The bike turns very well and is extremely light. Everyone I let ride it is amazed
Cons:
I've had problems with the carbs on the KTMs. I had to put a Lectron on the 125 to get it to run correctly. I put one on my 150 with 0 hours.
I race my 150 just fine, but I'd you absolutely must win, I feel a 250 or 450 is easier to win on. I race for fun only, so the 150 is best for me.
You must push this bike to go fast. If you are the least bit lazy, you will be slow.
The start is definitely the biggest disadvantage, but in this start (vet class, mostly 450s) I'm the 4th bike inside #65.
Pros:
- Weight: The bike is super light. Actually, amazingly light. Feels like I'm riding my Santa Cruz 5010 MTB if that makes any sense. So fun.
- Ergonomics: Incredible. I'm 5' 8" and 175 lbs and the bike just feels so tight, slim and easy to move around on and manipulate for any situation. In the air, it's the most flickable bike I've ever ridden. Compared to my '07 YZ250 and even my '05 YZ125 it feels light years ahead in this department.
- Power: It's true that if you don't ride this bike aggressively as it is meant to be ridden, it will bum you out. You have to be quick on your shifts and keep the bike in the revs or else it will eat you alive and make you feel slow. I'd go so far as to say that you better be well versed in riding a small bore 2 stroke, otherwise you will feel inept and be very frustrated. Fitness will also go a long way when riding the 150 especially if you're riding tracks or racing it because you better be ready to hang on when riding it to its full potential...when the power hits, it hits HARD. But to make the bike work to its full potential, you cannot be lazy. When riding trails, it's pissed off if you're just bogging around. It wants to scream.
- Suspension: I actually really like the AER forks and the easy adjustability. I took my time for the first few hours at the track to dial in the air pressure and settings. Do a few laps, come in for a minute and adjust, go back out and repeat until I got them where I felt comfortable and even more so, confident. The shock is feeling money to me as well once I got the sag set correctly for my weight and riding style. I ride the bike hard and aggressively so I like my setup to be stiff overall. That being said, my previous Kayaba SSS forks were incredible.
- Brakes: Nothing compares to Brembos. Holy sh*t. More than a few times I've gone way to hot into a corner and thought I was going to die but the brakes quickly gave me a lease on life. Love 'em.
- Clutch & Transmission: Abusing the clutch goes hand in hand with a small-bore when riding a 125 but the 150 not so much, as long as you are riding it hard. A simple tap of the clutch will get you into the meat of the power when needed. Grabbing gears feels effortless and sharp as well (although finding nuetral when pulling off the track has been a pain in my ass until I figured out I need to open the throttle with the clutch in ever so slightly to engage. Never had this issue with a bike ever so not sure what thats all about but I can deal with it now that I found that little trick).
- Design & finish: The bike came out of the crate looking factory to me. The quality of materials, engineering, attention to finish and machining of even stock parts makes the Japanese brands look second-rate. Austrian's. Go figure.
Cons:
- Mikuni Carb: Living in the Pacific Northwest we have seasons. I bought the bike in mid-September when the temperature was still relatively warm and living in Portland at sea-level the bike initially ran great. Even riding at elevations of 3,000 ft...no problem. As soon as the temps dropped I've been struggling. Yes, jetting the bike for temp changes is necessary along with the right premix is critical but I've experimented with both (race gas mixed with premium pump + jetting) and I'm still having a hard time getting the bike to feel like it did back when I got it. I'm still tinkering but am starting to get to the point of going all in on the Slavens Mule HV Lectron so I can stop bashing my face into the ground when I go ride and it's still not running like I want. Maybe I'm just a jetting idiot but I don't think I'm alone with the Mikuni carb frustration.
- Gearing: This is subjective like everything else, but I went from the stock 48 to a 49 rear and couldn't be happier. Going to a 49 tightening up 2nd to 3rd which I like much more, especially leading up to the face of a jump right out of a corner.
So far, that's my input for whatever it's worth. Only upgrades I've done is put on Flo levers, 49 tooth Renthal rear, and switching out the stock silencer for a FMF PowerCore 2.1 (leaving the stock pipe as is) The FMF definitely gave the bottom-end more grunt and gave the mid-range a bit more spread without noticing any sacrifice with the top-end or over-rev. But I can only make that statement based on riding tracks, both tight and more national style (Mountain View / Washougal).
Bottom line, this bike is so much fun and every time I drive home after riding it (aside from cold days where the bike runs somewhat shittier than I would hope, yet doesn't ruin my day), I have a giant smile on my face and am so f'ing pumped to be back riding again.
Pic of my bike below. All the best and cheers!
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