VOL. 52 ISSUE 25 JUNE 23, 2015 P87
the throttle wide open all
the way around the track?
The 125 SX loves to be
screamed and when you do,
you're rewarded with high-
revving power that keeps
you grinning from ear to ear.
Putting all that power to the
ground efficiently, however,
can be a bit of a challenge
on a hard-packed and slick
track compared to a 250F,
as you are constantly trying
to find that fine line between
full traction and sudden
wheel spin, but with the
KTM, it's made easier since
it has such a broad and use-
ful powerband—for a 125. It
also has decent bottom end
so if it does fall off the pipe a
bit, you can quickly clutch-it
back up to the sweet spot
again.
Having a bit more power
and noticeably more torque
than the 125 SX, the 150
SX's motor is easier to man-
age and control from bottom
to mid. It too is very fast on
top, so the very best way to
ride the 150 (as well as the
125 for that matter) is to just
keep it pinned as much as
you can.
Both the 125 and 150
SX have similar handling
characteristics (which is
excellent), and they both
feel ridiculously light, which
is their greatest attributes,
of course. At a claimed 196
pounds (without fuel), you
can really flick these bikes
around both on the ground
and in the air.
We plan on spending a
lot more time on these bikes
down the road, but our first
taste of the new 2016 KTM
125 and 150 SXs left us
wanting more. CN
(Right) The 125 and
150 SXs have the
same frame and
chassis as the rest
of the SX-F line.
(Left) The 125/150
SX motor is smaller
in physical size and
4.4 pounds lighter
than the previous
motor.
