How Are The Euro Bikes To The American Bikes?

[BADASSKX666]

Ive Herd Alot Of Good Things About Ktm That They Are Incredible Bike To Ride But Ive Sem To Always Stuck To The Basic Four Companies. How Are The Other Options? Any Suggestions?

 

[SpeedyManiac]

If I was looking at a motocross bike, I'd probably still go with a Japanese (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are Japanese, not American) bike, most likely a Honda as I still think the Japanese bikes are better motocrossers.

Offroad I think Euro bikes are way better than any equivalent Japanese bikes. Euro bikes also come a lot closer to race ready from the manufacturer than an Asian bike. Add barkbusters, rad guards, skid plate and a pipe guard and you're set to race anywhere. A motocrosser needs significant work to make a good woods bike. I will also say right now I am not a fan of linkless rear suspension. Easier maintenance? Yes, but as far as ride quality I think shock linkage provides a better ride. For me, that pretty much vetos any chance of a KTM bike being in my garage. That's why I ride a GasGas. Euro bikes come with way better parts stock (My GasGas has Excel rims, hydraulic clutch, Ohlins shock, Hebo fatbars (though I now have Pro-Tapers), quality pipe and silencer (US models have FMF stuff), and more). The Japanese manufacturers are slowly closing the gap, but Euro bikes still have more goodies from the dealer. Also, probably the biggest reason I ride a Euro bike is that the Japanese have lost interest in two-strokes and don't make a competitive offroad bike for my size (200 two-stroke).

 

[Rhein]

If I was looking at a motocross bike, I'd probably still go with a Japanese (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki and Suzuki are Japanese, not American) bike, most likely a Honda as I still think the Japanese bikes are better motocrossers.

Offroad I think Euro bikes are way better than any equivalent Japanese bikes. Euro bikes also come a lot closer to race ready from the manufacturer than an Asian bike. Add barkbusters, rad guards, skid plate and a pipe guard and you're set to race anywhere. A motocrosser needs significant work to make a good woods bike. I will also say right now I am not a fan of linkless rear suspension. Easier maintenance? Yes, but as far as ride quality I think shock linkage provides a better ride. For me, that pretty much vetos any chance of a KTM bike being in my garage. That's why I ride a GasGas. Euro bikes come with way better parts stock (My GasGas has Excel rims, hydraulic clutch, Ohlins shock, Hebo fatbars (though I now have Pro-Tapers), quality pipe and silencer (US models have FMF stuff), and more). The Japanese manufacturers are slowly closing the gap, but Euro bikes still have more goodies from the dealer. Also, probably the biggest reason I ride a Euro bike is that the Japanese have lost interest in two-strokes and don't make a competitive offroad bike for my size (200 two-stroke).

I respectfully disagree.

In terms of KTM they are superior US and Euro style motocrossers and all around superior just off road bikes like back country style stuff.

Japanese bikes are superior US supercross bikes it seems.

It is all in terms of where they come from. KTM comes from Austria obviously and Europes dirt bike racing events/styles are its specialty. They have had tons of years to perfect their bike for their home's style of track/racing. Japan has little land, they are good with the tight manueverability/handling and they are perfect US style supercross which is similar to what they come from.

:cool:

 

[Oldman125]

I owned two Kawasakis. They lasted a year under Amature racing conditions. The frames were flexy and the stock components were cheap. They were great bikes and the 125 lasted 9 years worth of my abuse...however alot of serious maintainence was required.
I took a chance in buying my current ride, 125SX, but so far I love it. Better stock equipment, better handling, easier to service and more power. The suspension isnt as nice as the KX had but that is my only complaint.
Jap bikes are quite common, and very easy to modify and get parts for. The Euro bikes are more of an "exotic machine".

 

[Zerotact]

Euro bikes are great!!
But as far as buying a bike.. No matter what brand, you need good support. This means friends with similar bikes, and a dealer that knows what they are doing..
In some regons, there isn't even a euro dealer. In some there is a dealer but the euro bikes just sit in the showroom, and no one at the dealership has any realworld knowledge. And in sadly small cases the dealer actually uses and knows about what they sell.

This makes or breaks an owners experience.

I wasn't even planning on owning a ktm, but all my friends had them, so the knowledgebase, and parts circle was better than any other bike. And we have a local dealer ( Letko Cyles ) that has employees that really knonw ktm's.
I just happened to attend a demo ride, and really liked one of the bikes. in less than a year, I replaced my 2 stoke, and my 4 stroke with ktm's.

 

[levert]

For enduro riding I prefer the Euro bikes, especially two strokes as the big four don't offer them any more.
I just purchased a 2006 Husky WR125, all the componants are top notch and the only thing I had to add was handguards.For me ease of maintenace and light weight is important, and let me tell you this little gem hauls my 200lbs around fine.
Its all been a bit of an adjustment coming off a KTM300EXC, I just learn to shift a bit more often.

 

[MrLuckey]

and not to do hills of any size lol

 

[levert]

The only hills that pose a problem are deep sand.
I have put over 500km on the bike last week and rode some difficult options that have large hills.If you keep it spinning no problem.My last two bikes are a CR500 and a KTM 300 so I know about good hill climbers, quite frankly I'm impressed with this 125.I passed quite a few big KTM four strokes stuck on rock hills on an organized ride.Now if I can loose 20 lbs that will be as good as 4 more HP :)

Try one if you get a chance!

 

[COMBEN]

Muscle car analogy

AMC Javelin 390 ci with 4 barrel, twin grip, rally pack, Dealer Fit Cam HI PO,<AIR IN> (or 401ci with arches) v Mustang v Firebird V Charger v Challenger...quirky but wow, what a ride and you don't see two on a day out........ and hey you don't wanna be up against one on the strip...do they know something you don't!

 

[levert]

We had a javelin with I believe a 343.
Still great looking cars!

 

[COMBEN]

:worship:

We had a javelin with I believe a 343.
Still great looking cars!

...that must be a early MK1 without the Group 6 (?) arches, hmmmmmmmm

 

[catatonic]

i have the same bike as Oldman125 and i love it, starts first time around most of the time, never had any problems with it and it has enough power for me.

 

[catatonic]

and not to do hills of any size lol

i just rode my 125 up about a 30 degree hill and it held up in 4th fine

 

[levert]

I just rode a trail event yesterday with some good sized hills, where various large bore four strokes were stuck.Like I mentioned I'm from larger bikes and bought this 125 because of weight.As long as you have the motor spinning I got up hills where many people were stuck.Funny thing is this Husky just hooks up, if you have to make a mid hill correction because of its light weight you can just heave it over.Yes it will not plonk along at idle up a hill but it is amazing what they have done with 125 power bands as of late. I have no regrets selling my KTM and for my riding in the woods its perfect.
BTW , you can start it with your hand, no joke.