Post by: anton w on July 22, 2012, 04:20:18 PM
So this time im going for a 144. I found a YZ 144 -05 for 3000 $ who has only runned 15H since rebuild with:v-force 3 intake
Hgs/bud exhaust system.
Race tech suspension
Bigger radioators
And some bling bling stuff.
or i buy a used ktm 150 stock (2009 or up)
my budget is 4000 Euro so the yamaha sounds best wallet wise.
I like how both bikes handle so the big question is how reliable is a big bored yz 125 compared to a ktm 150 ? does the ktm 150 produce more power stock than a modded 144 ?
Appreciate all tips and answers from all of your die hard two stroke ppl here!
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on July 22, 2012, 05:19:47 PM
I am considering a Rekluse or a weighted flywheel but now that I am MXing, I am concered about the jumps. I'm older now and don't heal near as fast!
My 2 cents.
Post by: xandyx on July 22, 2012, 05:44:10 PM
for your budget, you still save 1k euros for other stuff to improve your bike along the season!
just my opinion..
Post by: motoman356 on July 23, 2012, 05:47:13 PM
also you can look up in dirtrider.com the did a test YZ125, YZ144, ktm 125 and ktm144 a few years ago. the yz motor is balanced and has good bottom and the bike is light. the 144 was the same just pulling that much better. the ktm was more "old school" focusing on the mid top (where you have to ride on any 125 even a yz) but cranked out way more power. stock yz 34hp<ktm 37 and 144's were 36< ktm 39.
the ktm would need help with susp unless it works for you. but these bikes cost more at least initially. but the yz is cheap now but could pay more for it later
Post by: anton w on July 23, 2012, 08:03:24 PM
I think i will go for the SX 150 and fix the suspension for my weight (165lbs). hope i dont do a big misstake instead of buying the yz
Post by: nom de guerre on July 23, 2012, 08:10:20 PM
Post by: beaner on July 23, 2012, 08:25:45 PM
Post by: eprovenzano on July 23, 2012, 11:50:43 PM
If it were me, I'd go orange. The suspension on either bike would need something done to make it work for you. I agree with motoman356, the YZ is easier on the wallet now, but I agree I think the stress would end up costing more in the long run.
Post by: Mofo on July 24, 2012, 01:35:56 AM
I have a 2010 YZ 125 with a 144. It`s now my Wife?s bike. I brought a 2012 KTM 150 SX a few months back. The YZ has a touch more bottom end than the KTM. But the KTM from mid to top has is awesome. The YZ cant compete in that department. The YZ has a Pro circuit Power pipe & muffler. I put a FMF Fatty Gold & muffler on the KTM & it dose help the bottom end a little. But not as much as the YZ.
KTM if you can afford it mate. This is just my personal opinion from having both.
Post by: twosmoke595 on July 24, 2012, 04:38:42 AM
Hey Bro,
I have a 2010 YZ 125 with a 144. It`s now my Wife?s bike. I brought a 2012 KTM 150 SX a few months back. The YZ has a touch more bottom end than the KTM. But the KTM from mid to top has is awesome. The YZ cant compete in that department. The YZ has a Pro circuit Power pipe & muffler. I put a FMF Fatty Gold & muffler on the KTM & it dose help the bottom end a little. But not as much as the YZ.
KTM if you can afford it mate. This is just my personal opinion from having both.
could you specify what 144 kit you have on the yz?
Post by: motoman356 on July 24, 2012, 06:01:46 AM
Post by: Stusmoke on July 24, 2012, 07:58:08 AM
At the end of the day, I think it all comes down to this. Budget v. Competitiveness
Whatever way you slice it, I'd choose the KTM. Straight up. Why? Because when it comes to the crunch, you're going up against bikes that not only have a fair wad of a horsepower advantage, but are a mile easier to ride. You need all the power you can possibly get. Yes the Katoom has been plauged with suspension woes, this is plain truth and the YZ has beautiful suspension. But save for a few months and you'll have the money to get it dialed in right and as good as the YZ if not better. But now the KTM has a horsepower advantage over the YZ and its suspension is on equal grounds (roughly). I'd spend the extra money and get the katoom honestly.
The YZ costs 3000 euros, so that gives you 1000 advantage over the Katoom in the money department which most definitely gives you some wiggle room. I'm not too familiar with the status of the euros but thats about 10 top ends I'd guess.
Don't get me wrong the YZ is a fantastic bike, but you'll need a major skill or terrain advantage (the latter being extremely rare these days) over your competition if you wanna hang with the 250Fs. Thats my experience anyway. Bone stock KTM will still have a HP advantage over a modded 144 I think, don't quote me here I'm just gauging roughly. Or they'll be about even. Either way, set money aside for 6 months and you've got another 2 horsies over the YZ. It just seems to make more sense to go with the KTM in the long run. If you can pick up an 09 that would be hot those babies are ROCKETS!
Good luck, I look forward to seeing your purchase
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on July 24, 2012, 11:12:16 AM
1. The YZ has to be stroked to get 144. Bolt on is 139.
2. All KTM parts are priced significantly higher than the YZ, even after you modify it.
3. The KTM has no suspension woes. You just have to know how to tune WP and PDS and it is different.
4. The YZ has a better clutch but the KTM has hydralic. You'll abuse them both. Easy pull or longer lasting.
5. KTM levers suck (thanks to the hydralics).
6. You will spend the difference on cost (of a new bike) preparing the YZ but replacement parts will not be as bad.
Finally, neither bike will make you fast. At most riders level, the bike is a very small percentage of the equation. It is all up to you. Choose your favorite color and move on.
Post by: Stusmoke on July 24, 2012, 11:53:30 AM
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on July 24, 2012, 05:36:51 PM
I know that probably wasn't what you wanted to hear but if you want a bike that has a great chassis, smooth revvy motor then that's the bike I`d go for that.
Iv ridden rm125`s, cr125`s, yz125`s and a 2011 KTM sx150 and the RM is by far the best of the bunch. The 06 cr I rode was just gutless, the 06 yz de was all bottom end power no top, the 150 was all top no bottom and felt an odd bike to ride but the 07 rm I rode seemed to have plenty of bottom and never really needed much clutchwork followed by a smooth long pull to the over rev, it was also one of the best bikes iv ever known for laying almost all the way down in corners.
I ride a KTM 200 exc as I mainly race H&H but if raced mx I know what I'd be riding instead.
Post by: beaner on July 24, 2012, 05:55:46 PM
Just to point out a few things to keep in mind.
1. The YZ has to be stroked to get 144. Bolt on is 139.
No it doesn't.
Post by: chump6784 on July 24, 2012, 08:10:32 PM
Just to point out a few things to keep in mind.
1. The YZ has to be stroked to get 144. Bolt on is 139.
2. All KTM parts are priced significantly higher than the YZ, even after you modify it.
3. The KTM has no suspension woes. You just have to know how to tune WP and PDS and it is different.
4. The YZ has a better clutch but the KTM has hydralic. You'll abuse them both. Easy pull or longer lasting.
5. KTM levers suck (thanks to the hydralics).
6. You will spend the difference on cost (of a new bike) preparing the YZ but replacement parts will not be as bad.
Finally, neither bike will make you fast. At most riders level, the bike is a very small percentage of the equation. It is all up to you. Choose your favorite color and move on.
1) No it doesn't. The cases have to be ground for clearance but no stroking required.
2) KTM parts are quite comparable, maybe OEM parts are more expensive but so are Suzuki. Aftermarket everything is pretty much the same.
3) Agree there. There are some good suspension guys around that know KTM suspension, get onto them.
The rest of your points i agree with or don't know any different
Post by: TMKIWI on July 25, 2012, 08:39:24 AM
Buy an 04 onwards RM 125 and get eric gorr to make it a 144
X2
Post by: Stusmoke on July 25, 2012, 09:16:35 AM
Choose your favorite color and move on.
Kinda like crocodile whats your favourite color...Buy an 04 onwards RM 125 and get eric gorr to make it a 144
X2
x3. It would certainly be interesting to see. Has anyone done it?
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on July 25, 2012, 09:49:43 AM
I stand corrected.
The problem with KTM parts is that most of the parts ARE aftermarket and those parts are more expensive (i.e. pistons, rods, bearings, plastic...everything I have had to buy for my KTM (admittedly very little) has cost half again as much as what I pay for product from Japan.
I'm not trying to talk him out of the KTM, but these are things you should know going in. The guy I got mine from wasn't prepared for it and now rides a 250 4$.
PDS got a real bad rap from riders and tuners. KTM was adament that it was better but they just couldn't convice the public. When they grudgingly went back to linkage, they only admitted failure in marketing, not product. I like it. I am still trying to get my arms around it, but I think I have much more issues right now with the front end than in the rear.
Post by: gpnewhouse7 on July 28, 2012, 10:12:25 PM
Post by: Stusmoke on July 29, 2012, 12:15:28 AM
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on July 29, 2012, 10:12:11 AM
You need a different local shop.
Post by: cnrcpla on July 30, 2012, 02:03:39 AM
Quote
A genuine yamaha crank for my 01 YZ250 costs about $700 at my local shop.Just for the crank???
Post by: motoxr377 on July 30, 2012, 04:21:54 AM
Are you sure it wasn't for a fooper Stu? That's ludicrous.QuoteA genuine yamaha crank for my 01 YZ250 costs about $700 at my local shop.Just for the crank???
Post by: Stusmoke on July 30, 2012, 08:48:13 AM
A genuine yamaha fuel tank was gonna cost $590 for my YZ too. That was when I put my knee through it.
Post by: ford832 on July 31, 2012, 12:53:06 AM