2003 200sx or 125sx,???

[Jman271]

Is this bike designed primarily for the vet mx class, or a combo mx/woods bike? Also, I sat on a 03 125sx,,,,,wow! Very slim, very trick, and from what I hear very powerful. Would this make a good vet mx bike? I get beat up on the 250, so I went to a 125,(02 CR) but I get smoked on the starts. Do you guys think if I got a 200, it would be a good descision? All the dealers I called say that KTM only made 200 or soof the 200sx, and that I am 1 of 10 people on the list to get one. Or, how about a 125, w/ all the motor goodies? Would it still be competetive? I would think that the 200 would be great, but then I might get stuck w/ it @ the end of the year cuz it seems like it is catered to a select audience, ya know? Please post back.

 

[motomickey]

go for the 200. It'll do much better on the starts. The 125 is a rocket, but on a long start, it will get pulled by a 250 or 520. Atleast with the 200, you are closer to the 250.

 

[dstktmusa]

I rode the 200SX at the KTM dealer meeting and it is awsome!!!!! It's like a 125 hyped up on Red Bull and Ephedra!!! It will smoke the 200E/MXC without breaking a sweat. The problem may be waiting for one to get here.

 

[mkuriawa]

dstktmusa,
Could you give us a few more details about the 200SX that you rode? How was the power in general? Any bottom end at all? How about the suspension, seem stiff enough out of the box for serious MX or did it seem soft to you?

Just wondering because I am really intereted in the 200 as my next bike, the SX in particular.

Thanks in advance,
Mike.

 

[Combat767]

I'm curious as to what you find out. I switched from a 99 KX250 to a 2002 YZ125 this year. The 250 was fast, but when I got tired I had to slow way down or risk breaking some bones. I am faster on my YZ125 than I have ever been on a 250 or other bikes. I race the +30B class and I usually get beat on the holeshot by the 4-strokes and 250's, but I can usually work my way to mid pack in the first lap, and pick off those tiring riders till the end. I'm guessing either the KTM125 or 200 would be good choices. My guess is the 200 would be equal to a built 125. I've never ridden a KTM, but they've really stepped up to the plate these past couple of years. A gripe I would have is that the 200SX is listed as only a $100 - $200 cheaper than a 250. I'd like to have seen it half way between the 125 and 250 as far as cost. I'm waiting for a ride report from someone on the 200. I think that If the 2003 125SX is what they say it will be, you might be just as happy with a stock or slightly modified 125SX. Sorry I don't have any answers for you, but we're all in anticipation of testing in the coming months. :aj:

 

[Jman271]

The problem is going to be that pretty much all the 200 are already gone. So, I am left w/ some choices other than the 200. I can get a 250 and be done w/ it, but every time I get a 250 I always say, "why did I get a 250". Don't get me wrong, I ride both well, but I get better starts on the 250 which as you know is a big part of the race. I do tire quicker on a 250 as well. The 125 I can get decent starts and outride everybody, but it takes a lot of work, maitenance, etc,,,SO, I kinda feel like it is time for a change, but just don't know what direction to go. I am really leaning towards a 125 SX, I've sat on them,(very slim and light), and bottom line, it has THE motor in the 125 division. I would think that if I did ALL of the motor mods to a KTM125 that I did to my CR, I wouldn't be having this conversation. Imagine, a big-bore 144cc kit, V-Force, FMF p/s, good gas, maybe even go nuts and get a Wolf ignition, this will pump out 38 HP! I am going to a dealer this weekend to check out the CR's and KTMs. Let me know what you think-

 

[flyinfinn]

btw you can see review on new cr 125 on motorcycledaily.com!!

 

[vntgmx]

Just picked up an '03 125SX & I can tell you unless your a highly competitive Am(top 3) or expert that the 125 is plenty fast enough for the age classes...starts are no doubt important but also being able to ride a strong pace for 5 laps is equally as important...at my size 150lbs it's much less tiring & safer to go hard on the 125 with it's lighter weight & less explosive engine....a modern 250 engine can be very overwhelming for a less skilled or out of shape pilot...personally I just feel much more comfortable & confident on the tiddler & find that this in fact equates to better finishes....
the little Katoom engine is amazingly fast & quick....the 200 is gonna be much more 250ish then the 125....I had an MXC200 that I motoed & it was more like a mini 250 then a 125...but this might be what you want...that's a decision each individual has to make for themselves...
& if your wondering I'm a 40+ Am rider who finishes top 10 in 40+ & about midpack in the 30+B class..

 

[MdkSniper]

vntgmx, where did you pick your KTM up and how much did it cost including taxes, etc? I'm from NJ too and I haven't got a clue where to find one at.

 

[Jman271]

I race the Vet A 30/25+ in NE, and we race at some pretty fast tracks, Southwick, Jolly Rogers, etc,,,don't get me wrong, I like the 125, I do really well on it but,,,,,I have to go sit on some of them,(KTM's) again, I go back and forth w/ this all day 125/250/125/250,,,,The lowest price I got was $200 off retail, $4,798 + .05% tax= $5,038,,,,sorry, I don't care how fast it is, I'm not paying over 5k for 125. I bought my 02 CR125 in Sept 01 for $4,400 + tax. I will pay $4,400 + tax 4 a KTM, but that's it. Maybe it's a bit unrealistic to a lot of KTM riders, but that seems like a lot of $ for a bike that isn't really that popular at the races. I know that bone stock it has better bars, chain, motor, etc,,,but that doesn't total up to aother $600. Don't bash me on this though, explain to me why it is so expensive for one and I'll listen. BTW how much more expensive are their parts??? Cylinders, brake pads, top-ends, gaskets??? My sone rode a 65sx that we couldn't get a clutch gasket for a month, that sucked.

 

[geir54]

Thats funny. I just talked to my local KTM dealer and asked why anyone would want a 200 instead of a 250 and he said they are really good for vets like himself.