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Elizabethtown, PA
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Edited Date/Time
6/8/2024 9:59am
Was wondering if it's worth picking up a 24 KTM 125sx? Local dealer has one heavily discounted. Heard about all the teething issues with the 23. Doesn't seem like the mapping was changed in 24 and no mention for the 25. I'm looking at a 24 YZ125 also. Torn between the two, yz is the old reliable with good suspension. However, they took away bottom end power over older model. KTM got all the fancy new tech and a smoother engine no messing around with jetting. Never rode air forks just a novice rider doubt I would be able to feel difference between spring.
I've heard of some people with no issues on their TBI bikes and other people got stuck with lemons. There's a bunch of 23s traded in at dealers in my area.
What are the prices? Seems like there isn't much bad with the 24 models compared to 23. The YZ has many jetting threads, but at least there is help.
Ktm is right about 6,800. Not sure on the YZ price if its discounted they just got a 24 in so no tag on it. Either way it's kind of splitting hairs price going to be roughly the same.
The wealth of knowledge may be the ticket to sway you towards the YZ
Was leaning this way. Just new bars and messing around with jetting for the YZ. Suspension should be adequate for my weight.
That ktm bleeding edge tech has me drooling.
The Shop
Yeah, totally get the tech thing. I am super hot for the Tomasin T500. But simplicity has its virtue
2022+ YZ125, all the way. Slap your favorite bars/grips on it, re-jet, and be happy. Austrian bikes have been hit or miss, and I’m not willing to be a guinea pig till’ they figure it out. Plus, 25’ sees a new frame/updates and that is only going to further decrease 23/24’ pricing (in my opinion).
"no messing around with jetting" - this sentiment right here is what created the absolute garbage that is the TBI bikes.
Get on the Facebook TBI forums and read the endless horror stories. If you still think TBI is "bleeding edge tech" after that, by all means, buy one. More likely you'll be heading to the Yamaha dealer, as would I.
YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY WITH IT I PROMISE YOU, buddy of mine recently bought the 24 125, it would bog over faces and cutout like no other, he tried a new top end, HGS pipe and silencer, still had the same symptoms. He got fed up with it and sold it and picked up a 23 yz125 just a couple weeks ago. The new yz’s are awesome.
Have another buddy with a 23 husky 125 TBI, that’s been doing the same thing for over a year now, even new mapping, Scalvini pipe and silencer, different octane fuels.. it’s getting a carb conversion done to it right now. Oh and if you do get a tbi 125 plan on doing a crank every 50 hours and top end every 10 hours.
I just picked up and EC 300 and its fucking awesome. Thing just pulls and pulls. No bog at all. Mine even has the oil tank as well. no premix. still a tbi and not tpi.
What all entails converting a TBI to carb?
KTM got heavier, has rev limiter to save the crank and they are down on power from previous carb years!
There are too many of the KTM'S sitting around in garages, unused.
Being a noob, the KYB stuff will be noticeable in the slower rough sections. The Keihin carbs are very consistent in changing weather conditions. Nothing like the Mikuni that ppl claim they have dialed. A buddy did notice his low to mid power was noticeably better with a Keihin.
You mentioned the TBI is down on Power compared to the previous Carbed Model.
There are a lot of rumors here in Austria KTM bring back a Big Bore 2 Stroke in the Range of 350-380 to compensate the heavier and slower TBI Bikes
Of course my comments are 125SX related.
When it comes to the 300SX, I received mine with a PC Works pipe and WMR re-flash. I'm not sure why KTM couldn't create these improvements, rather than move to increased displacement. I'd think current case volume limitations could be an issue for more than a 15cc increase. New cases, cylinder, head, radiators and crank would not seem to fit the cost cutting trend of KTM. The possibility for a bigger bore seems remote, but hey, who would complain if it happens. It's not like we'd be losing a racing class to call home.
IMO they were released this design a year early with bugs that had yet to be completely worked out. It took roughly 6 months for aftermarket to crack the ECU system and make huge improvements that KTM could not seem to figure out. That helped KTM to make huge improvements flash updating the ECU.
I do not own one but there is an adjustment that you need to do occasionally using a plug thats included with the bike to do readings and make adjustments periodically when these bogging issues pop up. Its the same adjustment that you would do after pulling the cylinder off to do a top end.
They have come a long way! Privateer Connection is right by me in Rock Hill SC and Chuck custom sets up the stock and aftermarket ECU while the bike is run on a Dyno so its set up individually with huge results.
The econo hack is to buy a retro air box boot and to trick the ECU by placing resistors at the fuel pump and sensor connectors. Leave delete items in place. PV and timing still on the ecu. TPS carb for the timing. Oh, and install a new fuel line fitting on the tank.
Optional is retro carb tank and bits. If no TPS carb, resistor for that and the ECU handles the PV only...I guess.
There's a short thread over on ktmtalk.
I am hearing it is a 360. I will take one!
360cc for a second go would be great. BTW, what made the 380 run better than the 360?
Pit Row
If they do a 360 or 380 it will all come down to what bore/stroke combo they select and the porting. The Electric power valve, EFI, and counter balancer have the potential to shape it into a much better bike than the older 360/380. I hope it doesn't start getting a a heavy crank, slow revving feel like the older bikes. Best thing I like about my MC300 is it still feels like a 250, light and revs like crazy.
Yes they revs like Crazy but at the end it’s youst a big bore 250 , and i miss some low end Power on the TC 300
I testet a Keihin PWK 41 Pro Carb which is planned for my upcoming KTM 540 MXC Projekt Build,that Carb Turned the 300 into a topend Rocketship
The carb to have is the 38/40 STIC Super X. Makes much more power in the low end and pulls linear into a broader stronger peak HP. The carbs cool vapor mix has a quicker delivery. I've assisted in tuning for 250 riders and they reported that they can now run with some faster 450 riders. Same happened with my 200SX. A track buddy commented that I was suddenly mixing it up with faster riders on big 4t's. Cheers
Ended up with the YZ it's an awesome bike. Suspension is the best I've ridden won't even need sent out. JD jetting kit the bike rips no issues. I'm going to order a lower bend bar since the stock is too tall for me. I don't really think the YZ needs much out of the box.
HITLIS makes a PV kit, if you ever want to dial out the instant mid hit. It also makes more power below the stock PV activation bc it will open partially as to optimize the RPM, also it does so in on/off/on throttle application. Just a heads up on what's available.
Good move, I’m over a month and over $1000 in trying to get rid of a random bog on a tbi.
Is that on a 125? Seems like the small bore had more issues than other models.
300, but it does seem the 125/150’s suffer more on all the Facebook groups. I think you may not have it as much, or it doesn’t happen it if you just lug around. It seems pushing these tbi’s aggravates the issue. I really feel it’s a fueling issue at this point. The smaller bores are more likely to stay in the upper rpm’s.
You haven't been running any VP fuel have you?
No, just 93 pump, and I tried 93 non-ethanol also.
A short in the harness could cause the injector to not fire or pump to cut out for a second, but I would expect it to get progressively worse.
Can you borrow an ecu to rule out a bad ecu?
Is the ec the xc-w version, cause the xc and sx seem to be the ones effected by the random bogs. The less power, or something of the enduro models must have something to do with it cause you rarely see those models on the facebook groups with the random bog. I also understand that most enduro models are just trail ridden which doesnt seem to bring out the bog. Quick/fast hard revving like mx seems to be what aggravates it. I have scoured the internet, especially since my bike injured me and sitting here bored wile i heal, and there is no consensus on this. My dealer is hesitant for me to have them dig into it and start a huge bill as they feel it’s probably not going to get remedied even with ktm in on it and they know what I’ll be doing with it. Reached out to another dealer and they said after all the diagnostics and parts I’ve replaced there isn’t much that can do. Bike is an incredible running machine, best i ever had, but with this ghost bog and me jumping so much its got to go.
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