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Hello i'm ready to buy a 125, and i've got a nice offer for both a 2018 Husqvarna TC 125 and a 2018 KTM SX 125. I am not interested in a Yamaha or a TM due to no availability of dealers/service in my area.
Anyway, if somebody can tell me something on these bikes in terms of reliability or any known technical issues that would be greatly appreciated.
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It is a flip of the coin between those 2 bikes. You like orange or white better? What sort of service do You mean?
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roninho wrote:
Hello i'm ready to buy a 125, and i've got a nice offer for both a 2018 Husqvarna TC 125 and a 2018 KTM SX 125. I am not interested in a Yamaha or a TM due to no availability of dealers/service in my area.
Anyway, if somebody can tell me something on these bikes in terms of reliability or any known technical issues that would be greatly appreciated.
Do some research on other sites - bike tests, you tube, etc. KTM and Husky are "basically" the same bikes (same specs, etc) so you may just go with the better deal you get.
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Both bikes are awesome but I prefer the KTM. I have seen the magura clutch slave cylinder seal leak on the Husky which is a known problem. Reliability wise, both bikes are really good. Since the '19s have changed a decent amount, don't be afraid to try to get a better deal on the '18's. as for tips on the bikes, here are my suggestions:
1) follow the manual's recommended 40:1 oil/fuel mix ratio. the jetting of the '18's is far better than the 17's which were horrible. I run 40:1 with Motorex and the jetting chart is pretty darn close. I have plenty of hours on my 150sx and 125 and the ring life has been very good
2) install a V-force 4 as soon as possible. The stock reeds have huge gaps and make jetting difficult. Pay the money for a V-force and the pain goes away
3) Some have had good luck with the JD jetting kits. I got mine to run very well on the stock jets @ 40:1 with 93 pump fuel. The fuel/oil mixture does affect the jetting (not to open a can of worms) and to a certain degree, the oil brand does as well as different brand oils have different viscosities and flashpoints.
4) The FMF factory fatty and Shorty silencer has been the best combo I've found so far. The Pro Circuit pipe and silencer moved the power too far to the right and lost a decent amount of torque. The FMF did not require and rejetting.
5) The bikes come greased fairly well from the factory but I would recommend greasing the chassis with in the first 10 hrs. if you don't do it immediately. The main swing arm needle bearings didn't have a ton of grease which leads to them seizing and loosing up the swing axle and the motor mounts then come loose.
You can't go wrong with either bike and they are amazing. Buy which ever one you get the best deal on and try to haggle them down if possible as the '19's have the updated plastics and a little chassis update.
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Thanks DynoDan for the great input and advice.
As for the other comments: I'm aware that the bikes are very similar in performance, so the main thing i'm looking for is if there are no common technical issues with one of the bikes. I have no real preference so if there are no issues price will be the main decider.
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any issues would be common, but for the most part these bikes are pretty awesome and anything that comes up, there is plenty of knowledge. May want to consider F1 Racing power valve arms, although it seems like most have had no issues or were unaware.
Pix when you decide!
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DynoDan22 wrote:
Both bikes are awesome but I prefer the KTM. I have seen the magura clutch slave cylinder seal leak on the Husky which is a known problem. Reliability wise, both bikes are really good. Since the '19s have changed a decent amount, don't be afraid to try to get a better deal on the '18's. as for tips on the bikes, here are my suggestions:
1) follow the manual's recommended 40:1 oil/fuel mix ratio. the jetting of the '18's is far better than the 17's which were horrible. I run 40:1 with Motorex and the jetting chart is pretty darn close. I have plenty of hours on my 150sx and 125 and the ring life has been very good
2) install a V-force 4 as soon as possible. The stock reeds have huge gaps and make jetting difficult. Pay the money for a V-force and the pain goes away
3) Some have had good luck with the JD jetting kits. I got mine to run very well on the stock jets @ 40:1 with 93 pump fuel. The fuel/oil mixture does affect the jetting (not to open a can of worms) and to a certain degree, the oil brand does as well as different brand oils have different viscosities and flashpoints.
4) The FMF factory fatty and Shorty silencer has been the best combo I've found so far. The Pro Circuit pipe and silencer moved the power too far to the right and lost a decent amount of torque. The FMF did not require and rejetting.
5) The bikes come greased fairly well from the factory but I would recommend greasing the chassis with in the first 10 hrs. if you don't do it immediately. The main swing arm needle bearings didn't have a ton of grease which leads to them seizing and loosing up the swing axle and the motor mounts then come loose.
You can't go wrong with either bike and they are amazing. Buy which ever one you get the best deal on and try to haggle them down if possible as the '19's have the updated plastics and a little chassis update.
Good info, thanks!
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I’m kinda in the same predicament, but I really want the 150. Having not actually ridden a 150 yet, can someone explain the biggest differences between the 125 and 150?
I’ve been pricing them and I can actually get the ‘18 and ‘19 husky 125 for around the same price because Husqvarna doesn’t have any rebates on their ‘18s. I can also get the husky 125 and add the 150 kit for the around same price I was quoted for the ktm 150. The only thing holding me back on going ahead and getting husky is the blue frame. I’m not so sure that I’m that big of a fan of it and would prefer a black or white frame.
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I’ve always found it odd how aesthetics can turn people off to a brand. Just because it’s ugly or a different color doesn’t mean it doesn’t fit your riding style.
New huskys are ugly AF. compared to the 17-18. But I wouldn’t buy another brand simply because what worked for me in the past is now ugly.
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If you buy one of each you won't have to pick.
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yzkrazy219 wrote:
I’m kinda in the same predicament, but I really want the 150. Having not actually ridden a 150 yet, can someone explain the biggest differences between the 125 and 150?
I’ve been pricing them and I can actually get the ‘18 and ‘19 husky 125 for around the same price because Husqvarna doesn’t have any rebates on their ‘18s. I can also get the husky 125 and add the 150 kit for the around same price I was quoted for the ktm 150. The only thing holding me back on going ahead and getting husky is the blue frame. I’m not so sure that I’m that big of a fan of it and would prefer a black or white frame.
"...I can also get the husky 125 and add the 150 kit for the around same price I was quoted for the ktm 150." That sounds like a good plan.
In relation to the KTM, some riders prefer the 125 to the 150 for various reasons. It would pay to do some research on the 150 from 2015 to the present, since KTM made a significant change to the 150 between 2015 and 2016.
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Great choice! and congrats.
There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear.
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Take the better deal, although I must say the white bike plastics tends to look trashed quicker.
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Only thing I’d suggest is to regularly check and service your PV. The KTM/Husky PV is its Achilles heal. They stick all the time. It even causes many motor builders to pull their hair out too. Poorly designed... otherwise, they’re great bikes. depending on what kind of riding you do... the 150 cylinder isn’t worth it as it signs off a bit early, imo. So, you chose wisely to get the 125.
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What’s some prices for a 18 150 or a 19 125 I got quoted for both just want to see if I’m getting a reasonable price
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don't bother riding them before you put a v force in them, the std reeds leak from new, and are horrible,
other than that, they are awesome, i have the 18 KTM
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I gotta say.....base stock package on the Husky 125 is pretty awesome the way it sits. But you can definitely squeeze some HP out of her! I love my 125 like you wouldn't believe. So much damn fun.
And there goes Jeffro. One of God's own prototypes. A super high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
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scott_nz wrote:
don't bother riding them before you put a v force in them, the std reeds leak from new, and are horrible,
other than that, they are awesome, i have the 18 KTM
Listen to Scott! Mine were junk.
And there goes Jeffro. One of God's own prototypes. A super high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.
Pimpin' Ho's , Rollin' fatty's......drinkin' beers , beers , beers!! ~ Ja
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jeffro503 wrote:
Listen to Scott! Mine were junk.
thanks, mine was horrible std, thought about trying to jet it better, took someones advice about the v force and have not had to touch the jetting,
have put a HGS muffler on, the thing rips, i need to get a heavier rear spring for my weight (185 pounds)
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jeffro503 wrote:
I gotta say.....base stock package on the Husky 125 is pretty awesome the way it sits. But you can definitely squeeze some HP out of her! I love my 125 like you wouldn't believe. So much damn fun.
Read your topic on the bike a while ago. Did you do antyhing else on the engine department outside the scalvini pipe & stic carb?
I allready have a VHM cylinder head at home ready to install, and looking to add either a HGS pipe&silencer or a Scalvini. Love the scalvini but since HGS is from the Netherlands there are a bunch of HGS sets available for cheap.
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