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The suspension either I'm not good enough to notice or people have rose tinted glasses on. The 21 ktm's are a lot more plush than they used to be. The yz's suspension is good but so is the new ktm stuff especially on the 21's. The yz used to have a clear advantage not so much anymore.
Engine wise it's ktm once you fix the overly rich slide n needle. Otherwise it's a burbling mess down low stock. Ergo's the yz is definitely early 2000's still really good. But after riding newer bikes you begin to notice.
Can't go wrong with either one.
It makes it so much better when you do this on the 144/150. You can rev each gear out higher and your not short shifting it as much. It also makes it easier to ride. Even mxa recommended this way back on the 2016 150sx test. It's still online so you can read what they say about the gearing.
This pic attached is the jetting that will make your ktm run better. Basically the slide and needle are too rich. Stock slide is a #4 which is the richest slide available for the mikuni tmx. The needle recommended is 3 sizes leaner than stock. It's the same needle as the 05+ yz125 that's recommended. Ironically the new 125 xc comes with this needle stock and an s7 nozzle. But even those are still to rich on the slide. The xc still coming with a #4 slide.
Anyone with a 150. Look into notching the slide. It cleans up that small gargle off throttle crack without having to lean the pilot or needle out.
This is pretty aggressive. I went for about a third of that amount.
Also, I think people way over play the whole "it's not a modern chassis" thing. It's a 2stroke and a 125 at that. Can you not hit the inside line on it? Because you should be able to hop onto either of these bikes and toss it around like a mountain bike. The YZ was never a cornering monster and in the 2stroke world, that isn't a big deal because they are all very easy to turn/flick (compared to a 4stroke.) Also, the old RM125 and CR125 chassis handles great and those frame are older than the current YZ. But I don't ever hear anyone talk about them being based on "old designs." It's all preference but I think that topic is way overplayed. The KTM's main strength is it's peak hp is absolutely amazing. I don't find the chassis to be an advantage as much as a preference thing (especially when suspension is factored in.)
The YZ125 was the best 125 money could buy for a long time, but the newer KTM Suspension (air forks) and their latest engine are the reasons these bikes are the faster ones!
For the YZ: Reliablitiy- just have a look at lokal tracks/races and see how many old YZ125 are still around and have a look for any older KTM 125s...
These YZs are nearly bulletproof, great engine characteristics, suspension is great, handling is great- but its a at least 15year old bike, geometry its based on the older steel frame bikes which are mid/end 90s bikes...
It took KTM a long long time to get their 125 on this level- but now they are ahead.
Lets just see and wait for the development on the new fantic 125s based on the YZ platform
Post a reply to: KTM 125/150 vs Yamaha YZ 125 handling question