2018 ktm 125 vs yz

C_car66
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5/13/2020 10:40pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2020 4:32pm
Hey everyone I'm looking at a new bike, my previous bikes were an 03 ktm 125 and a 07 ktm 250sx both bikes were quite fun but since trading away my 250 recently I'm looking at a 2018 ktm 125 with sss suspension the motor has been done and it has a pipe he is asking 6000 on the other hand there are a few yz250 but guys are asking like 5000 for 14 and 6400+ for 17s, what I'm getting at is how are the new ktm 125s as I'm thinking that would be the best buy and you cant beat the smile a 125 puts on your face
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CarlinoJoeVideo
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5/13/2020 11:29pm
The only thing I don’t like about the KTM 125 is the stock forks. So if they are already converted it sounds like an awesome bike depending on the condition.
cody41
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5/14/2020 5:04am
Yamaha > ktm
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5/14/2020 5:40am Edited Date/Time 5/14/2020 5:44am
Depends. What are you going to do with it? And how much do you weigh?

Race it? YZ250. You can be competitive in an age class. Even so, I race a Husky TC 125 in my age class because it's fun, but I use a KX250F in 250 class. I'm also 150 lbs so I fit the Husky well.

Ride it and have fun? KTM with the SSS forks sounds great.

Trails/enduros/hare scrambles? YZ250, even though I race my KTM 150 in those things.

In spite of all this, I'd lean toward the KTM just for the fun factor. '18 is fine, esp with the forks done. Lightweight is a blast. But I wouldn't sneeze on the YZ250 either. YZ's are fun, fast, reliable, great suspension, versatile.

Tough choice. Get them both?

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T-Fish
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5/14/2020 6:08am
If I’m going to spend $5k+, I’m going to buy something modern opposed to something that’s basically 15 years old.
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Motofinne
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5/14/2020 6:19am
I've bought 3 brand new Yamahas in the last 3 years. But when it comes to newer two strokes, you're foolish if you settle for anything less than a SX or TC. Get the 18 SX125 with the SSS conversion.
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seth505
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5/14/2020 6:40am
The KTM and Husky are easily better but the YZ is still a good bike.
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fourfourone
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5/14/2020 6:57am
i'm a Yamaha guy but the KTM is a better 125.
C_car66
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5/14/2020 7:57am
Size wise I'm 190 pounds 5'11 height, I've had 125s before and didnt feel undergunned, as far as type of riding I'm not racing competition I will hit the track to have fun but also ride just about everything else such as trails
Tracktor
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5/14/2020 10:17am
Between my boys & friends we have ridden & worked on both. Can't really go wrong with either. The KTM/Husky is more adjustable and has more potential but the YZ is a good platform also even if a bit dated.....
yak651
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5/14/2020 10:33am
The KTM higher HP, the YZ greater reliability. Yes I have had both and know plenty of people with both, not just going by what I heard on the internet...
Spooner
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5/14/2020 11:00am
Isn't a brand new KTM 125 about $6k? Unless the 18 is super minty and has a good amount of other goodies I don't know if that's such a great deal.

But I concur, no way I'm spending that much on a new, 2005 dirt bike. The KTM/Husky is a much more modern bike.
C_car66
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5/14/2020 11:34am
Spooner wrote:
Isn't a brand new KTM 125 about $6k? Unless the 18 is super minty and has a good amount of other goodies I don't know if...
Isn't a brand new KTM 125 about $6k? Unless the 18 is super minty and has a good amount of other goodies I don't know if that's such a great deal.

But I concur, no way I'm spending that much on a new, 2005 dirt bike. The KTM/Husky is a much more modern bike.
I'm in canada a new 125 is around 8700 canadian
Rickyisms
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5/14/2020 1:42pm
I have a couple KTMs and my friend has a 19 YZ125 I spin a couple laps on every time he brings it out.

YZs a lot more nimble feeling, where the KTM just feels more planted, kind of a point and shoot bike where the YZ just feels like it can cross over lines and be all over the track (Not in a bad way)

YZ is 90% top end power, where the KTM is more friendly from the bottom to mid to the top.

YZ suspension is great out of the box. WP KTM needs a little tweaking but they work good.

Both will bring a smile to your face the whole time you're on it.
DynoDan22
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5/15/2020 7:59am Edited Date/Time 5/15/2020 8:01am
Rickyisms: seems like a few of the magazines say the Yami has better bottom and the KTM obviously has more Mid to top. I've ridden newer YZ125s and I didn't think they had more grunt than the KTMs.
berm surfer
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5/15/2020 9:24am
yak651 wrote:
The KTM higher HP, the YZ greater reliability. Yes I have had both and know plenty of people with both, not just going by what I...
The KTM higher HP, the YZ greater reliability. Yes I have had both and know plenty of people with both, not just going by what I heard on the internet...
The thing is bud, he's comparing a sx125 to a yz250.. so no the ktm doesn't have more hp, infact there's a 10hp difference. Petty attempt to hate on members, just saying..
Falcon
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5/15/2020 9:42am
If it were me I'd pick a YZ125, but that's because I am Yamaha guy, I've owned several, and I know how to make them work. The KTM would be a blank slate from a prep standpoint for me, but from an objective standpoint, that's the better-performing machine.

Now, if you are comparing a YZ250 to an SX125, you need to decide which bike class you're going to ride. It's apples to oranges. (OK, blueberries to oranges.)
C_car66
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5/15/2020 4:32pm
Well the ktm has the rear shock leaking, talked to my local suspension shop and i was quoted 200 and that's with bringing the shock in, how hard is it to take the rear shock out? Does anyone think I could get him down based on this?
5/15/2020 5:03pm
If you're gonna spend 6k maybe think about waiting and getting a brand new 20' with rebate once the 21's come out. Idk if you're a four stroke guy but I know the kx250's are already dirt cheap I can't imagine what they'll be when the next model comes out.
C_car66
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5/15/2020 5:10pm
If you're gonna spend 6k maybe think about waiting and getting a brand new 20' with rebate once the 21's come out. Idk if you're a...
If you're gonna spend 6k maybe think about waiting and getting a brand new 20' with rebate once the 21's come out. Idk if you're a four stroke guy but I know the kx250's are already dirt cheap I can't imagine what they'll be when the next model comes out.
The cheapest I've seen these bikes with rebate in canada is above 6 still even with rebate which is more than I'd like to spend,personally not much of a 4stroke guy myself
CarlinoJoeVideo
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5/15/2020 11:13pm Edited Date/Time 5/15/2020 11:14pm
C_car66 wrote:
Well the ktm has the rear shock leaking, talked to my local suspension shop and i was quoted 200 and that's with bringing the shock in...
Well the ktm has the rear shock leaking, talked to my local suspension shop and i was quoted 200 and that's with bringing the shock in, how hard is it to take the rear shock out? Does anyone think I could get him down based on this?
Rear shock can come off in 15 minutes.

Remove the linkage and silencer. Then top shock bolt, drop the shock down between the frame and swingarm, then as you lift the rear/swingarm you can slide it out the back.

Yes ask for a $250 discount and tell them you will have the shock fixed.
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