No more 144

[istupid98]

the ktm 144 as of this year is the last year that they are making them but instead they are going to make a ktm 150sx 2 stroke

from what my dealer told me

[KTM229]

Yea, its still a 144 though but they are just calling it a 150. You can read about it here.
ktm-parts.com: 2009 150 SX (https://www.ktm-parts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=K&Product_Code=09150SX&Category_Code=)

[IGASAURUS]

Yea, its still a 144 though but they are just calling it a 150. You can read about it here.
ktm-parts.com: 2009 150 SX (https://www.ktm-parts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=K&Product_Code=09150SX&Category_Code=)

So if it's still a 144, what's the point of calling it a 150? :confused:

[tobz173]

So if it's still a 144, what's the point of calling it a 150?


Sounds better. Why don't the big 4 called their bikes 249's?




KTM are still using their pds rear shock for 09?, eeeeew.

[IGASAURUS]

Sounds better. Why don't the big 4 called their bikes 249's?



Kinda figured, but it's still odd. It's not like the other brands started with 249 and then changed it to 250...

[tobz173]

who knows what ktm were thinking, they dont even use linkage.

[Patrick]

They should probably give that linkage thing a second chance. They had linkages on their bikes all the way up to 1997.

[Erick]

Well, there are zero problems with linkage, of course it's a personal thing. But over here there are a lot of people who prefer KTM's over Japanese bikes. And not only amateur riders. You just have to get used to it I guess.

But ofcourse I am kinda biased (is that the right word?) because WP Suspension is a Dutch company :-D. Anyway I think its a pretty smart system, having the progressive system integrated in your rear shock saves a lot of weight and requiers less maintainance.

[Crash11]

I've never had a problem with the no linkage thing. Some people think they are better riders than they really are.

[Sheriff]

The linkage is not the problem. The WP shock is. I recently found a review from 1991 and the bike behaved the same as today.

As for the name change, it's a question of marketing. Like the 520, which changed to 525, while it has always been a 510 in reality.

[DC323]

A friend of mine has a KTM144sx and it is the biggest POS I have ever seen. Maybe it's just the owner, or maybe the bike is a lemon... but they have blown the damn thing up atleast 5 or 6 times... till finally they figure out it's a faulty cylinder... so it hasn't given them much problems since but it sounds like ****.. vibrates and rattles.. sounds like it is gonna blow.

Plus it is probably the most sensitive engine to temperature change I have ever seen... they are constantly jetting the thing.

His KTM125sx has no problems whatsoever though.

[Erick]

The KTM SX144 of 2007 indeed was a big pile of ****. I have heard the 2008 is better. I beleive they put it on the market a bit too fast.

[Sheriff]

I've ridden both (07 and 08) back to back a few weeks ago. They felt different, kind of like 2 completely different bikes. Apart from not having any bottom end whatsoever, the 08 is a really good bike. I still prefer my YZ125 though.

[Patrick]

I wanted to get a 144SX for a while. I like my YZ125, though. I can't believe how solid it is even though it's almost 6 years old now.

[istupid98]

one of my buds that use to work for ktm told me not to buy the 144 when it first hit the market but the 08's are solid bikes and as far as the dude that had to 144 with all the problems it might of just been a lemon i mean my bros honda 450 was a really really big lemon but i have rode ktm's for ever and i love them i think they are just a all around good bike

[USMC-171]

So if it's still a 144, what's the point of calling it a 150? :confused:

KTM did this with their "525" a couple years ago, it had the same displacement as the 520, and then this past year they did it again by making the 530, because 525 no longer sounded manly, but for whatever reason they are just weird. They have like 8 different models per cc, i just can't keep up with them anymore i'll stick to my nip machines...

[O'Brien#12]

My Bro has an RM144.....it's had a big bore kit on it and has had some tuning done and it is soooo much more fun than a 4 stroke, i also think it is just as competitive it just takes more skill! I think i will deffs go 2 stroke while at uni!

He did look at the KTM 144 however we have heard loads of horror stories about gearboxes grenading and the piston punching holes in various parts. Don't really want to take that risk. I know the Bored RM isn't exactly factory reliable but for some reason i trust it more?!
BRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

[Motoxracer24]

My Bro has an RM144.....it's had a big bore kit on it and has had some tuning done and it is soooo much more fun than a 4 stroke, i also think it is just as competitive it just takes more skill! I think i will deffs go 2 stroke while at uni!

He did look at the KTM 144 however we have heard loads of horror stories about gearboxes grenading and the piston punching holes in various parts. Don't really want to take that risk. I know the Bored RM isn't exactly factory reliable but for some reason i trust it more?!
BRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

I wouldn't. I knew a kid who raced an RM144 and couldnt keep cranks in the bike, would snap them all day long. Don't get me wrong it hauled when it was running but he couldn't keep it together for more than a few rides. Personally I'd rather have a bike built from the factory for that displacement but then again I ride KTM's and am biased.

[O'Brien#12]

Thats fair enough mate....luckily i'm not that fast a rider. so if a crank goes so does the bike!!!

Cheers for the heads up though bud!!

[146]

I think the 150sx option is more appealing to the ears. but true, how can we trust a manufactor that dont even in-corporate linkage into a motocross bike? i dont know. . .:lol:

[ktmmcc82]

I haven't had any problems with my 144.... and I got one from the first shipment to the states. I abuse my bikes, and our motor is fine, it still has plenty of compression with the stock piston. My dad's a mechanic so we know how to keep the bikes in check, but mainly we just do the oil and other preventative maintenance stuff.

[Erick]

I think the 150sx option is more appealing to the ears. but true, how can we trust a manufactor that dont even in-corporate linkage into a motocross bike? i dont know. . .:lol:

Can you describe to me the technical advantages of a linkage system? And what parts of the PDS system are technically bad according to your opinion?

[Aus_Rider_22]

Can you describe to me the technical advantages of a linkage system? And what parts of the PDS system are technically bad according to your opinion?

Probably can't.

It's just want everyone else thinks so everyone repeats. Pretty pathetic I reckon.

Why don't people whine about Honda's dual exhaust on the 250f? It's a disadvantage having the dual on and unless you buy aftermarket duals then the single setup from an older CRF is better. :8/

[istupid98]

well firday i went and picked up my new 08 144 adn got to ride it for about 45 mins before i loaded it in the trailer and headed to the the track and let me tell you something that bike and pull jsut a hard as the 250F's do and out of the corners it pulls so nice and smooth i was amazed how nice it was so i deff love that bike



http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/istupid98/144BACONBURRITO001.jpg



http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/istupid98/144BACONBURRITO002.jpg


http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/istupid98/144BACONBURRITO003.jpg

will post some riding pics up soon

[Erick]

Probably can't.

It's just want everyone else thinks so everyone repeats. Pretty pathetic I reckon.

Why don't people whine about Honda's dual exhaust on the 250f? It's a disadvantage having the dual on and unless you buy aftermarket duals then the single setup from an older CRF is better. :8/

He probably can, if you dare to make such a sharp comment. Lets hear it :-D

I agree, an aftermarket exhaust even is cheaper than an original Honda exhaust. I remember reading a full original exhaust over here costs about 2000 euro's. An Akrapovic exhaust, which has a better building quality (carbon and titanium), has better looks and better performance and costs about 650 euro's. Still a lot of money but if you compare it it's just plain pathetic. If I would be importing bikes I would order them without the exhaust :thumbsup:

Sometimes I have a hard time understanding the Japanese way of marketing.

[Erick]

Nice bike istupid98! Ever thought about putting KTM handguards on them? :-D

[istupid98]

Nice bike istupid98! Ever thought about putting KTM handguards on them? :-D

On my 125 i did have a set but they went with the bike when i sold it but i am going to get some nice handguards for it here soon after i get some new stickers

[O'Brien#12]

I love the look of the KTM's

That is a shexy Bike.

[757]

that bike looks sweet, i just wish the plates were bigger.

[istupid98]

well until i get some pre-prints i will be running with no numbers but the pre-prints look sweet as heck on them with the air box as the number plate

[tobz173]

I would love one of these for next year, but australia dont import them because there is no class for them yet.

http://www.tmracing.it/images/moto/2008/big/mx_125-144.jpg

[LWeasel]

I haven't ridden any of the newer 125/144 bikes but my 02 125SX was great...I'm actually in the process of trying to get it back from my buddy that bought it off me 6 years ago...he rode it 2 times since then and the bike is still mint from when I sold it to him...

If I can get it back I thought about boring it out...but the morw I think about it, maybe just a little port work etc. and I'll keep it a good ole' 125 :) I really miss those days!

I need to go call him again and see if he will trade for the graphics work...man I haven't been this excited since I bought the thing new in 02...well ok I gues I was this way when I bought my 03 200EXC...:thumbsup:

Weas...

[O'Brien#12]

Those TM's Go like **** off a shovel................so fast!!!!
I really want one but they cost nearly 800 more than the KTM's!!!! Major Bucks

[Tenacious K]

How do you think TM's compare to the Japanese bikes?

[O'Brien#12]

I personally loved mine!

Build quality is awesome, speed is unequalled....i have never rode a 125 as fast as mine and that was back in 2001 that i had it!

Some people are put off because it's made from parts from other bikes....so the clutch plates are honda, the lever is brembo and the caliper Nissan.....but that is what the factory decided worked the best so what is the problem?? Because it isn't mainstream when ever something goes wrong it's always because its a TM. They don't break down any more than any other make!!

If you can ride one and you will see what i mean