Weights

[TMKIWI]

 When aluminum frames were first introduced, they offered weight loss. Today,  chromoly steel frames are lighter. Here are what a few of the 2012 models will weigh:

1.Yamaha YZ125?199 lbs
2.KTM 125SX?202
3.TM MX144?204 
4.KTM 150SX?204
5.KTM 250SX?217
6.Yamaha YZ250F?218
7.Yamaha YZ250?218
8.Honda CRF250?222
9.Kawasaki KX250F?224
10.Suzuki RM-Z250?224   
11.KTM 300XC?230
12.KTM 250SXF?231
13.Honda CRF450?231
14.Yamaha YZ450F?238
15.Kawasaki KX450?242
16.KTM 450SXF?243
17.Suzuki RM-Z450?244

Copied from another site.

Makes me want a TM144 even more.

[VintageBlueSmoke]

From what I've been told by the race team mechanics, it was never about weight (well it was but I'll get back to it). Aluminum frames always weighed more. It was all about stiffness and isolating movement in the suspension. With an aluminum frame, they could accomplish the stiffness desired in a small and light enough package. It still made the bikes "feel" fat and increased the weight a tad, but it was worth it for the suspension engineers. My guess is that to get the stiffness of the aluminum frames with steel, it would weigh and package significantly more.

Personally, I prefer steel frames. All "perimeter" framed bikes "feel" fat to me. I lost the argument already with someone who provided numbers that proved them to be no wider than regular frames but you can't argue with "feel". I suspect that feel is the area between the knees and thighs (since the distance between the foot pegs is apparently the same).

[fabbo]

Very surprising the why zeds weigh the same

[SachsGS]

I've been told the main reason for the switch was cost - CR steel was just getting too expensive. Production machinery developed for the aerospace industry further lowered costs.

[citabjockey]

So the ktm150 weighs more than the 125. I guess the castings are not the same (would think more "air" in the cylinder would weigh less on the 150) unless there are other differences between the bikes.

[factoryX]

I've been told the main reason for the switch was cost - CR steel was just getting too expensive. Production machinery developed for the aerospace industry further lowered costs.

That's because it was. As for weight, a 125 two stroke today should not weigh more than 200lbs, 250 two stroke 210lbs.

[Stusmoke]

You can thank the linkage for the two strokes chub factor. Adds about 5 pounds. I haven't ridden a non linkage and linkage system back to front but I fail  to see how it was worth it I really do. But then again, I think they only did it to please the public and we all know the public doesn't know whats best for them.

[shanes]

You can thank the linkage for the two strokes chub factor. Adds about 5 pounds. I haven't ridden a non linkage and linkage system back to front but I fail  to see how it was worth it I really do. But then again, I think they only did it to please the public and we all know the public doesn't know whats best for them.

yes it is a strange one i love the way my 2010 rear end feels without a linkage , i would like to ride the 2010 / 2013 back to back to see the difference . i think its more to do with what people think is better and what sells . 90 % of people will never reach the limit of either but once they have an idea in their heads that is want they want , that is where they will spend their money

[Stusmoke]

Exactly. I've never ridden one back to back either and I dont understand the principles behind linkage but from what I've heard it helps with adjustment and gives the show a little more travel. But I just don't buy into it being worth 5 pounds. I think to really feel the difference you'd need to ride dungey and roczen style with a little bit of Cairolli mixed in. But like you said, the public demanded it so ktm did it. Whether it was worth it is a matter of opinion I spose.

[cnrcpla]

The yz250 and 250f the same weight? It says on another site that the 2012 yz250f was 227 lbs 

[SwapperMX]

Exactly. I've never ridden one back to back either and I dont understand the principles behind linkage but from what I've heard it helps with adjustment and gives the show a little more travel. But I just don't buy into it being worth 5 pounds. I think to really feel the difference you'd need to ride dungey and roczen style with a little bit of Cairolli mixed in. But like you said, the public demanded it so ktm did it. Whether it was worth it is a matter of opinion I spose.

It's interesting to read up on if you are even semi interested in suspension operation. You are semi right in saying that it helps with adjustment, in that once you start going semi fast with the no link KTM, you really had to have your shock settings close (both internally and externally) or the bike just will not handle correctly. With the linkage, that window is larger. It's great that KTM continue the development of their entire range of MX bikes.

[gpnewhouse7]

I've rode the 03 KTM back to back against the 04 Honda chassis (both 125s) and found there to be a huge difference in the way they handle. However I also have rode a 2011 KTM 150 back to back against a 2011 RMZ 250 and 04 KX 250 and an 02 SX 125 and the 150 was miles better than any of them, my friend owns the 150 and used to own the CR 125 aswell and he swears by the 150. So I'd say that the linkage was needed ten years ago but now its just been put on in an attempt to sell more bikes.

[Stusmoke]

Exactly. I've never ridden one back to back either and I dont understand the principles behind linkage but from what I've heard it helps with adjustment and gives the show a little more travel. But I just don't buy into it being worth 5 pounds. I think to really feel the difference you'd need to ride dungey and roczen style with a little bit of Cairolli mixed in. But like you said, the public demanded it so ktm did it. Whether it was worth it is a matter of opinion I spose.

It's interesting to read up on if you are even semi interested in suspension operation. You are semi right in saying that it helps with adjustment, in that once you start going semi fast with the no link KTM, you really had to have your shock settings close (both internally and externally) or the bike just will not handle correctly. With the linkage, that window is larger. It's great that KTM continue the development of their entire range of MX bikes.

I've rode the 03 KTM back to back against the 04 Honda chassis (both 125s) and found there to be a huge difference in the way they handle. However I also have rode a 2011 KTM 150 back to back against a 2011 RMZ 250 and 04 KX 250 and an 02 SX 125 and the 150 was miles better than any of them, my friend owns the 150 and used to own the CR 125 aswell and he swears by the 150. So I'd say that the linkage was needed ten years ago but now its just been put on in an attempt to sell more bikes.

I asked an owner of a 2013 SX250 recently what he thought of hte handling and he said it was the most stable platform hes ever ridden on. Hes ridden freaking everything too, an older guy. Late 30s early 40s but he said it is wickedly stable at speed, doesn't hop around like alot of two strokes do under acceleration and it was almost four stroke like in the corners; just point and shoot.

[riffraff]

an older guy.... late 30's , early 40's    hahahaha

[TMKIWI]

an older guy.... late 30's , early 40's    hahahaha

Kids today. " title="Roll Eyes" class="smiley">