YZ125 or 150sx

9/23/2017 7:19pm Edited Date/Time 9/24/2017 9:02pm
Looking to pick up a 2017 2 smoker but can't decide which one to get. Which bike will last me longer in the long run? I've heard the YZ is bullet proof, and the 150sx is super sick. I'll honestly get whatever bike will be more reliable.
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tobz
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9/23/2017 7:21pm
Any other factors like price or dealer locations that might sway your decisions? Both great bikes, you won't go wrong with either of em (probably more fair to compare a yz250 with a 150 kit, to a ktm 150
9/23/2017 7:22pm
tobz wrote:
Any other factors like price or dealer locations that might sway your decisions? Both great bikes, you won't go wrong with either of em (probably more...
Any other factors like price or dealer locations that might sway your decisions? Both great bikes, you won't go wrong with either of em (probably more fair to compare a yz250 with a 150 kit, to a ktm 150
Both are listed for 5k. So price is not an issue.
aeffertz
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9/23/2017 7:24pm Edited Date/Time 9/23/2017 7:25pm
Don't have experience with the KTMs but have read some suspect things online about the new smokers. We have a YZ and it's been great over the years (assuming the 2017 is the same) The suspension alone was why we chose that 125 over a KTM or Husky for my brother.

Someone with a KTM will hopefully weigh in. But if it's 125 vs 150, I'd go with the 150.
loftyair
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9/23/2017 7:27pm
Same price makes Austria the winner.

The Shop

9/23/2017 7:27pm
aeffertz wrote:
Don't have experience with the KTMs but have read some suspect things online about the new smokers. We have a YZ and it's been great over...
Don't have experience with the KTMs but have read some suspect things online about the new smokers. We have a YZ and it's been great over the years (assuming the 2017 is the same) The suspension alone was why we chose that 125 over a KTM or Husky for my brother.

Someone with a KTM will hopefully weigh in. But if it's 125 vs 150, I'd go with the 150.
My first choice was the YZ but then a friend said the KTM 150 was listed for the same price so now I got options haha
crc245
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9/23/2017 7:31pm
Both are listed for 5k. So price is not an issue.
What year 150SX? 2016+ or the last generation...
mxjon454
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9/23/2017 7:38pm
Both are listed for 5k. So price is not an issue.
crc245 wrote:
What year 150SX? 2016+ or the last generation...
2017 for both
The yamaha will be more reliable and will be cheaper to maintain IMO. The KTM is a awesome machine, but theyre not built like the Japanese machines. Im sure someone will think otherwise, but thats my opinion. And you could always make the yamaha a 134cc or a 144cc. I think motocross action did a yamaha 134 and a 144 build in their most recent magazine and compared the two. That might help sway your decision too.
9/23/2017 7:40pm
The 17' KTM has the AER fork. I have a YZ144 and a buddy has the 150sx. His is way faster but the trouble with both is we can't race with the 125's.
9/23/2017 7:41pm
mxjon454 wrote:
The yamaha will be more reliable and will be cheaper to maintain IMO. The KTM is a awesome machine, but theyre not built like the Japanese...
The yamaha will be more reliable and will be cheaper to maintain IMO. The KTM is a awesome machine, but theyre not built like the Japanese machines. Im sure someone will think otherwise, but thats my opinion. And you could always make the yamaha a 134cc or a 144cc. I think motocross action did a yamaha 134 and a 144 build in their most recent magazine and compared the two. That might help sway your decision too.
I might go with the YZ, I have heard the same thing about reliability.
9/23/2017 7:41pm
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even make a lap around the track on the KTM because it's factory jetting is piss poor to say the least. The bike has 6 hours on it and it runs like absolute crap. Way too rich. Will not idle and bogs so bad. Only ran good if the throttle was wide open. I spent some time on the YZ125 today. I love how these bikes are. I'm sure if you spend some time jetting the 150sx it would be a good bike
BobPA
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9/23/2017 7:47pm
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even...
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even make a lap around the track on the KTM because it's factory jetting is piss poor to say the least. The bike has 6 hours on it and it runs like absolute crap. Way too rich. Will not idle and bogs so bad. Only ran good if the throttle was wide open. I spent some time on the YZ125 today. I love how these bikes are. I'm sure if you spend some time jetting the 150sx it would be a good bike
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong.

If you buy a YZ buy one from 2010 for half the price. No reason to drop $5k on a 10 year old bike.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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9/23/2017 9:38pm
Disclaimer* I've ridden KTMs the last 4 years. But recently I've ridden a 09 YZ 125 and 16 KTM125. I'd take the KTM all day. The KTM chassis feels more modern, the YZ might have better stock suspension. The YZ felt really small like a kids bike. KTM feels like a normal 250/450 chassis with 125 engine.
pdub187
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9/23/2017 9:51pm
I'm completely in love with my 2012 Yz125. The chassis is super predictable and the stock suspension is brilliant. I've got a PC pipe and silencer and vforce 4r on it and it rips. Just hold it wide open and get that clutch hand twitching. Parts are cheaper than their KTM cousins as well.
NHtoWA421
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9/23/2017 10:04pm
I don't really think that you could go wrong with either. You will get used to either one. And being comfortable and confident on what you have is key.
9/23/2017 10:38pm
Bruce372 wrote:
Get a 4 stroke
I’ve owned nothing but 4 strokes. Currently own 16 CRF450R. I love 4 strokes but wanna switch it up a little Smile
chump6784
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9/23/2017 11:49pm
mxjon454 wrote:
The yamaha will be more reliable and will be cheaper to maintain IMO. The KTM is a awesome machine, but theyre not built like the Japanese...
The yamaha will be more reliable and will be cheaper to maintain IMO. The KTM is a awesome machine, but theyre not built like the Japanese machines. Im sure someone will think otherwise, but thats my opinion. And you could always make the yamaha a 134cc or a 144cc. I think motocross action did a yamaha 134 and a 144 build in their most recent magazine and compared the two. That might help sway your decision too.
I second this. KTM to me is typically European in that they come with all of the trick parts and higher performance but lack in the Japanese build quality. Over the years I've owned kawi's, suzuki's, ktm's and yamaha's. The yamaha's feel the most solidly built hands down.
The yz250 is known for third gear problems and breaking pistons if left too long but the yz125's are just bulletproof
9/23/2017 11:57pm
If we are talking 2017 brand new bikes than definitely get the 125/150sx.
Motofinne
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9/24/2017 12:55am Edited Date/Time 9/24/2017 12:59am
The KTM is the obvious choice. If you for some reason want the YZ, find a older bike that you can pick up for 2500-3500 bucks.

I haven't rode the 150 but i had the chance to ride the 2018 125 and it is a better bike than the Yamaha in every way.

The SX 125 has a way better engine, it turns way better, has way better brakes and it has a way better clutch.

The suspension on the YZ is slightly better.

And it's not 2005, KTMs are not ticking time bombs.
Pirate421
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9/24/2017 3:18am
I don't really understand when people say either bike is more reliable over a long period of time. Especially on a 125. Change the top end every 20 hrs and ride the thing. I know for sure that between my yz and ktm's the ktm's clutches and fork seals will last 100x longer, the yz will be easier to jet. I like the 2017 Aer suspensionbut the sss is great too. Other than that I don't see anything that makes one more reliable than the other. Both are great bikes and I would ride each and buy the one you feel comfortable on. I think the reliability deal would come in more for a 4 stroke but a 125 is a 125 to me anyway.
HenryA
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9/24/2017 3:34am
Stock 150SX is so much fast than a stock YZ125. If they are the same price then for the love of god get the KTM!
Crush
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9/24/2017 3:43am
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even...
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even make a lap around the track on the KTM because it's factory jetting is piss poor to say the least. The bike has 6 hours on it and it runs like absolute crap. Way too rich. Will not idle and bogs so bad. Only ran good if the throttle was wide open. I spent some time on the YZ125 today. I love how these bikes are. I'm sure if you spend some time jetting the 150sx it would be a good bike
BobPA wrote:
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong. If you...
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong.

If you buy a YZ buy one from 2010 for half the price. No reason to drop $5k on a 10 year old bike.
And shouldn't the jetting be against your bud's mech skills rather than the bike?
9/24/2017 5:38am
Motofinne wrote:
The KTM is the obvious choice. If you for some reason want the YZ, find a older bike that you can pick up for 2500-3500 bucks...
The KTM is the obvious choice. If you for some reason want the YZ, find a older bike that you can pick up for 2500-3500 bucks.

I haven't rode the 150 but i had the chance to ride the 2018 125 and it is a better bike than the Yamaha in every way.

The SX 125 has a way better engine, it turns way better, has way better brakes and it has a way better clutch.

The suspension on the YZ is slightly better.

And it's not 2005, KTMs are not ticking time bombs.
That's hard to argue with. So dont. Get the KTM.
9/24/2017 6:16am
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even...
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even make a lap around the track on the KTM because it's factory jetting is piss poor to say the least. The bike has 6 hours on it and it runs like absolute crap. Way too rich. Will not idle and bogs so bad. Only ran good if the throttle was wide open. I spent some time on the YZ125 today. I love how these bikes are. I'm sure if you spend some time jetting the 150sx it would be a good bike
BobPA wrote:
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong. If you...
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong.

If you buy a YZ buy one from 2010 for half the price. No reason to drop $5k on a 10 year old bike.
Explore your options lol. Not my bike so obviously I wasn't riding it like I would my own. But even just cruising to get into the track entrance is so boggy it was almost unridable
9/24/2017 6:19am
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even...
I have friends that have each. A '17 150sx & another friend has a '10 yz125. I prefer the Yamaha all day long. I didn't even make a lap around the track on the KTM because it's factory jetting is piss poor to say the least. The bike has 6 hours on it and it runs like absolute crap. Way too rich. Will not idle and bogs so bad. Only ran good if the throttle was wide open. I spent some time on the YZ125 today. I love how these bikes are. I'm sure if you spend some time jetting the 150sx it would be a good bike
BobPA wrote:
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong. If you...
Wait, you're telling me there are other throttle positions available on a 125...other than idle or wide open? I think you're doing it wrong.

If you buy a YZ buy one from 2010 for half the price. No reason to drop $5k on a 10 year old bike.
Crush wrote:
And shouldn't the jetting be against your bud's mech skills rather than the bike?
He bought the bike brand new off the dealer floor. I think it should come jetted properly and "race ready" as KTM says. I told him to play with the needle clip position and the pilot jet. He shrugged his shoulders at me and says yeah I don't know anything about that lol. I just think if you spend that much money on a brand new bike it should run correctly
9/24/2017 9:09am
Motofinne wrote:
The KTM is the obvious choice. If you for some reason want the YZ, find a older bike that you can pick up for 2500-3500 bucks...
The KTM is the obvious choice. If you for some reason want the YZ, find a older bike that you can pick up for 2500-3500 bucks.

I haven't rode the 150 but i had the chance to ride the 2018 125 and it is a better bike than the Yamaha in every way.

The SX 125 has a way better engine, it turns way better, has way better brakes and it has a way better clutch.

The suspension on the YZ is slightly better.

And it's not 2005, KTMs are not ticking time bombs.
That's hard to argue with. So dont. Get the KTM.
I’m lost man. I’m hearing good about both bikes
9/24/2017 9:12am
Pirate421 wrote:
I don't really understand when people say either bike is more reliable over a long period of time. Especially on a 125. Change the top end...
I don't really understand when people say either bike is more reliable over a long period of time. Especially on a 125. Change the top end every 20 hrs and ride the thing. I know for sure that between my yz and ktm's the ktm's clutches and fork seals will last 100x longer, the yz will be easier to jet. I like the 2017 Aer suspensionbut the sss is great too. Other than that I don't see anything that makes one more reliable than the other. Both are great bikes and I would ride each and buy the one you feel comfortable on. I think the reliability deal would come in more for a 4 stroke but a 125 is a 125 to me anyway.
Yeah I’m not a 2 stroke guy so I know nothing about them haha I put 150+ hours on my 4 strokes by doing air filter oil. My friends just told me his YZ was bullet proof, said he did pistons every 35 hours and never had to do bottom end even at 90 hours.

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