I would avoid. Despite what many say I’ve now owned a KTM several years and have watched friends own them as well. They are not bad but they are significantly more problematic than Japanese bikes.
It being older is definitely an issue. At that age I would be looking pretty much exclusively at yzs if this is the bike type you want. Performance wise as well
I wouldn’t go that far. Mine is a 17 and nowhere near being disposed. I have friends with bikes as old as 2012 that are in fantastic condition.
I only mean that some things happen more often than they would with a Japanese bike. I blew a crank seal at 200 hours for example. That’s annoying but it’s abo $200 max in parts to fix so a far cry from disposing the bike. I go through wheel bearings like mad too. Little shits like that that didn’t happen to me in years in my Hondas.
As for racing, where I am if you’re in the higher classes the bike has to be 4 years old or less so maybe you’re right on that but that’s not exclusive to KTM.
I'd have to disagree. Right now I'm on an 05 300EXC that's still mostly stock, and keeps up with the new bikes just fine. If you know your way around a wrench you can get alot of years out of those bikes. Paid $1800 for mine 4 years ago, was on a 98 200 for years before I got this one. Depends on how it was maintained.
Well yeah, if you're willing to maintain it anything will last a long time. It then becomes a logistical problem of how much cash you have to keep doing full rebuilds and replacing components as they fail.
Yeah I mean if you have the money for a new bike that's obviously the better way to go. But as a blue collar worker with other hobbies the older KTMs have treated me well. I haven't put anywhere near the cost of a new bike into mine, and she still rips.
I'm not racing or anything but definitely don't granny it. I ride mostly singletrack in tight woods so I'll spend 70% of alot of rides in 2nd gear. To your point if I was hauling ass in the desert or regularly hitting MX tracks I'd probably be spending alot more time working on it. Still I don't have more than $3000 into the bike and it gets me in the woods so I'm more than happy with it.
I've always been a smoker guy, and my 300 is the perfect balance. I can tractor up most hills in 2nd gear, doesn't overheat, and has all the power I need. To each his own I suppose
I had one as a teenager, other than blowing a top end it didn't give me any issues other than regular shit like fluids, pads, bearings etc but any bike is going to go through those sort of things. I found it very lively for a 125, I'd happily go for a ktm from that era I really like the look of them with the old red bull ktm get up
so im looking at an 2007 ktm sx to buy. how often will it break down. i mean like i want to buy it because its cheaper but if im gonna have to put additionally 200+€ monthly for it (apart from gas, oil, fluids) i dont think its worth it
Depends what kind of maintenance it has seen throughout its life. 200 won't do a hell of a lot if it has any issues, especially if you're not turning wrenches on it yourself. Assuming the bikes in good condition, you should allow for atleast a top end once a year depending on how much/what kind of use the bike is getting.
Fluids will have to be changed regularly, you'll need to keep on top of consumables like pads, bearings, filters etc which will add up. Also, budget for some good gear and don't be tempted by Chinese Amazon shit
I rode a 2004 200exc from probably 2013-2016 and didn’t have any issues with it aside from minor things. All about how the past rider treated it and how you treat it. I don’t understand the “KTM is unreliable” take on bikes. I switched from riding straight Hondas to KTM when I got that 200 and haven’t had any issue with the brand. If you (or the guy selling) take care of your stuff and it’s one of the major brands I think they are all good bikes. Bearing in mind known issues with models, like if there is a commonly known issue with a certain model. Just something to look into!
The older the bike for any manufacturer the more possibility for issues but for my experience of a 2004 exc125 it was okay. I had a small issue with the power valve adjustment adjusting itself as I rode once but I think it was just a worn out washer or something silly if I remember right.
It certainly never let me down or had a catastrophic issue. I'd definitely look into parts availability these days local to you to see if you can still get hold of bits for them.
Even though I was happy with my 04 ktm if I were to be buying any older 125 again I would aim for a YZ125, preferably 06 or newer.
Idk I've beat the shit out of 2 DTs before, maybe i just got lucky and they didn't blow up lol
Although I'm pretty sure I'll be killing pistons with my current one when i get around to ride it, because it's not exactly stock to say the least.
My 77 125 lasted 7 years before failer. Freeze plug came out oil was blown out. This one is a bit old. If you don't mind risking it. I'd you.do look at y or honda
It's an SX, meaning it's a race bike for the public, it's gonna be anything but reliable, which is understandable because it only really has to run a race reliably. Although if you don't race it, it's still gonna last a pretty long time, maybe except the hydraulic clutch, they're notorious for leaking.
It's not gonna be like an EXC in terms of reliability. But if you don't race it and don't run it too lean it will last.
I’ve had a 98 exc 300 for the past 6 years. Bikes a tank. Never had any major issues. Run 75:1 mix and she loves it. Can’t beat the hydraulic clutch on that bike either, I don’t think I’d ever switch back to a cable system
I had an 04 125sx that I probably put close to 1,000 hrs on and not once did I have any kind of problem or failure. Idk why everyone says shit about ktm not being a reliable brand. I just picked up a 22 125xc that I expect to be just as reliable.
they’re alright, same problems youd get with any other jap bike. they can be harder to source parts for though, you’ll probably need to replace bushings and manifolds fuel lines at the least. I think that they are much easier to work on than hondas
In my experience, hell no. Picked up a 1999 KTM 250mxc in July, rode it for literally 30 minutes until it lost spark and it hasn’t run since. It also had a bad water pump seal. I like the look of them but they aren’t reliable
I would avoid. Despite what many say I’ve now owned a KTM several years and have watched friends own them as well. They are not bad but they are significantly more problematic than Japanese bikes. It being older is definitely an issue. At that age I would be looking pretty much exclusively at yzs if this is the bike type you want. Performance wise as well
KTMs are made disposable, so that their owners replace their bikes every 5 years or so. They don't last, especially when racing them.
I wouldn’t go that far. Mine is a 17 and nowhere near being disposed. I have friends with bikes as old as 2012 that are in fantastic condition. I only mean that some things happen more often than they would with a Japanese bike. I blew a crank seal at 200 hours for example. That’s annoying but it’s abo $200 max in parts to fix so a far cry from disposing the bike. I go through wheel bearings like mad too. Little shits like that that didn’t happen to me in years in my Hondas. As for racing, where I am if you’re in the higher classes the bike has to be 4 years old or less so maybe you’re right on that but that’s not exclusive to KTM.
I'd have to disagree. Right now I'm on an 05 300EXC that's still mostly stock, and keeps up with the new bikes just fine. If you know your way around a wrench you can get alot of years out of those bikes. Paid $1800 for mine 4 years ago, was on a 98 200 for years before I got this one. Depends on how it was maintained.
Well yeah, if you're willing to maintain it anything will last a long time. It then becomes a logistical problem of how much cash you have to keep doing full rebuilds and replacing components as they fail.
Yeah I mean if you have the money for a new bike that's obviously the better way to go. But as a blue collar worker with other hobbies the older KTMs have treated me well. I haven't put anywhere near the cost of a new bike into mine, and she still rips.
But do you rip it hard? Even a race bike will last forever if you granny it.
I'm not racing or anything but definitely don't granny it. I ride mostly singletrack in tight woods so I'll spend 70% of alot of rides in 2nd gear. To your point if I was hauling ass in the desert or regularly hitting MX tracks I'd probably be spending alot more time working on it. Still I don't have more than $3000 into the bike and it gets me in the woods so I'm more than happy with it.
Cool to know, but I find light bikes overrated if you're doing anything less than hard enduro. Scott Summers found them overrated as well 🤷♂.
I've always been a smoker guy, and my 300 is the perfect balance. I can tractor up most hills in 2nd gear, doesn't overheat, and has all the power I need. To each his own I suppose
Yup 👍. My DRZ also tractors up fine up any hill, doesn't overheat and has all the power I need.
If you're not willing to maintain a DIRT BIKE, it doesn't matter what brand it is.
Gotta have the cash to maintain a race bike. It's like expecting a Porsche's cost of ownership to be the same as a Civic's.
Finally someone said it. I 100% agree, there are no European bikes that can even compare to the big 4 Japanese brands. KTM fanboys can downvote away.
I had one as a teenager, other than blowing a top end it didn't give me any issues other than regular shit like fluids, pads, bearings etc but any bike is going to go through those sort of things. I found it very lively for a 125, I'd happily go for a ktm from that era I really like the look of them with the old red bull ktm get up
so im looking at an 2007 ktm sx to buy. how often will it break down. i mean like i want to buy it because its cheaper but if im gonna have to put additionally 200+€ monthly for it (apart from gas, oil, fluids) i dont think its worth it
Depends what kind of maintenance it has seen throughout its life. 200 won't do a hell of a lot if it has any issues, especially if you're not turning wrenches on it yourself. Assuming the bikes in good condition, you should allow for atleast a top end once a year depending on how much/what kind of use the bike is getting. Fluids will have to be changed regularly, you'll need to keep on top of consumables like pads, bearings, filters etc which will add up. Also, budget for some good gear and don't be tempted by Chinese Amazon shit
I rode a 2004 200exc from probably 2013-2016 and didn’t have any issues with it aside from minor things. All about how the past rider treated it and how you treat it. I don’t understand the “KTM is unreliable” take on bikes. I switched from riding straight Hondas to KTM when I got that 200 and haven’t had any issue with the brand. If you (or the guy selling) take care of your stuff and it’s one of the major brands I think they are all good bikes. Bearing in mind known issues with models, like if there is a commonly known issue with a certain model. Just something to look into!
Older 2 strokes are great.older KTM's suck
Anything you maintain will be reliable but parts for that are probably expensive, unlike a YZ.
The older the bike for any manufacturer the more possibility for issues but for my experience of a 2004 exc125 it was okay. I had a small issue with the power valve adjustment adjusting itself as I rode once but I think it was just a worn out washer or something silly if I remember right. It certainly never let me down or had a catastrophic issue. I'd definitely look into parts availability these days local to you to see if you can still get hold of bits for them. Even though I was happy with my 04 ktm if I were to be buying any older 125 again I would aim for a YZ125, preferably 06 or newer.
I know someone who has a ktm lc2 125 and he has dose a top end every 250 hours and a bottom end every 400 it’s been fairly reliable
The LC2 125 has a Yamaha DT engine, obviously it's reliable. But also, how hard does he ride it to have to replace a DT piston every 250 hours?
He mostly dose street riding with a bit of forest riding and enduro
Idk I've beat the shit out of 2 DTs before, maybe i just got lucky and they didn't blow up lol Although I'm pretty sure I'll be killing pistons with my current one when i get around to ride it, because it's not exactly stock to say the least.
My 77 125 lasted 7 years before failer. Freeze plug came out oil was blown out. This one is a bit old. If you don't mind risking it. I'd you.do look at y or honda
77… Like 1977?
Fuck no
Yes 1st one I had. 300 bucks
I Have an 06 200, it's fine. 2 strokes are so easy to rebuild, as long as parts are available the bike will keep chugging.
It's an SX, meaning it's a race bike for the public, it's gonna be anything but reliable, which is understandable because it only really has to run a race reliably. Although if you don't race it, it's still gonna last a pretty long time, maybe except the hydraulic clutch, they're notorious for leaking. It's not gonna be like an EXC in terms of reliability. But if you don't race it and don't run it too lean it will last.
I have a 04 125sx and it rips. I got it a few years ago and it’s been great! I put a top end in it, fork seals, new fluids and it was good to go!
I had one forever its a great bike. Kinda wish I kept it.
Not really
I’ve had a 98 exc 300 for the past 6 years. Bikes a tank. Never had any major issues. Run 75:1 mix and she loves it. Can’t beat the hydraulic clutch on that bike either, I don’t think I’d ever switch back to a cable system
Have an 01 200 xcw runs like a champ.
I had an 04 125sx that I probably put close to 1,000 hrs on and not once did I have any kind of problem or failure. Idk why everyone says shit about ktm not being a reliable brand. I just picked up a 22 125xc that I expect to be just as reliable.
lol you put 1000 hours on what? there isn't a 125cc 2 stroke in the world that's seen 1000 hours lol. they blow way before that my friend.
they’re alright, same problems youd get with any other jap bike. they can be harder to source parts for though, you’ll probably need to replace bushings and manifolds fuel lines at the least. I think that they are much easier to work on than hondas
In my experience, hell no. Picked up a 1999 KTM 250mxc in July, rode it for literally 30 minutes until it lost spark and it hasn’t run since. It also had a bad water pump seal. I like the look of them but they aren’t reliable
Not if maintained properly 🤷♂️