MXOldtimer, on 24 January 2012 - 07:57 AM, said:

I had the first resign on the 125sx, 1998 just like you said. I had several other friends with 125s at the time. The KTM was clearly superior in the motor dept, handling was not there at that time but I think nowadays it's as good as anything.

Go to any off road race around here and it's a sea of orange with some red, blue, yellow and green dots here and there.

In the mini world KTM is a beast, you have to spend $$$ to make any of the jap bikes on par with them

Skeld, on 24 January 2012 - 11:16 AM, said:

Do you think thats because were talking about RDs race bike. Not off road racing... we know KTM leads the pack in the offroad world by leaps and bounds. They needed to change some things with the bike to make it suitable for RD to race. Not so much that it wasnt good, just something a little more predictable and comfortable for a guy like RD who set up probably means alot to.

I think most of us MX only guys major gripe with the ktm in the past was the unbalanced fele and unstable front end which i feel was directly related to the "hyper" rear end. The linkage fixed this issue IMO. Im sure the old stuff could be made to work but for the weekend racer like myself its not worth all the hassle. Since the addition of the linkage in the rear the bike is much more predictible in high speed downhill bumpy stuff. My next bike will likely be a 2012+ SX250

When I stopped racing MX and joined all my friends that are hard core off road riders I had a hell of a time keeping up on my YZ450 so I sold that and bought a new 08 YZ250 smoker and still had issues. I broke down and bought a KTM and have never looked back

KTM makes great off road bikes. It may have took awhile for them to catch up to the jap bikes in the US market but they did it and now they have a top notch racing program here too.

Wait until Roczen and Musquin move up to the 450 class after a couple of years

Im anxious to see how Roczen and Malcolm, yes I said Malcolm, he absolutely hauls on that thing and looks a million % better than he did on the Suzuki, do on the KTM this season, not to mention RD on the 450... not so much in SX but more so outdoors. I think that is where the bikes are actually pushed (to their limits, and ran hard) and we really get to see what they can doI think we will see a whole new respect towards KTM this upcomming MX season. Im pretty pumped about it to be honest.

MXOldtimer, on 24 January 2012 - 07:57 AM, said:

It's by no means a knock against KTM, but it's amazing how "japanese-like" their new bike is.

SlowSpokes, on 24 January 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

I think that is to be expected. The Japanese have dominated American motocross since the 70's. KTM found that they couldn't get a bigger chunk of the US market with a Euro moto machine so they built what the market wanted

If KTM gobbles up some market share how long do you think it will take for the other 4 to have hydraulic clutches and bigger front rotors? Honda race bikes have had hydraulic reservoirs for years and their stock 450 clutch is junk

SlowSpokes, on 24 January 2012 - 12:28 PM, said:

Explain how the new KTM is "Japanese-like."

I'm happy to see Dungey keeping it going.
He HAS to make it happen this year, if not a title, excellent results. Decoster, KTM, and that crew are putting it all on the line this year, and if it doesn't pan out - there will be crap. I said this about 6 years ago, that KTM would make an all out assault on the 450 class.   My timing was off, but here it is.

I am no longer even surprised at the comments made about KTM bikes. 99% of those that whine have never even ridden one, so it means nothing to me.   Even if Dungey would win the title, KTM's will always be junk in the minds of the sheep.



I WANT that 2012 though, it is one mean, lean looking machine!!!!!

Guess I have to stick to my worthless, hyper, non-linked WP sprung "overpriced" (Can't figure that one out) '04 that starts first or second kick (so I'm not "KickingTooMuch", and can't turn any better than a PeterBilt....

I always owned Hondas and everytime i rode another Jap bike it just never felt right, then i got back on the Honda and it just felt...well right!
i couldnt get on with the CRF450 just didnt like the torquey power so i was in a situation where i was gonna go back to the 2stroke's but Honda dont make new ones
then i read the 350 reviews and got one and i know the 350 isnt everyones cup of tea but i suits me perfect but more to the point this KTM is the best bike ive ever rode the handling is so nice and the harder i push myself the better it feels
its given me alot of confidence
im 35 and a average racer
intermedate vet possable? not yet raced here in the US

Cactus73, on 24 January 2012 - 09:19 PM, said:

I think an easier question would be, what is not "japanese-like" on the new KTM ?
It's got linkage, it's got FI, it's got a "newer, more compact, unicam engine".
There is nothing "revolutionary" about this bike, it has simply been brought up to par with it's Japanese counterparts.

Like I said before, I am not trying to knock KTM. I'm simply saying that they didn't reinvent the wheel, they just painted the wheel orange.

SlowSpokes, on 24 January 2012 - 11:13 PM, said:

Really, those things are what makes KTM's "japanese like"??  Funny, you could have just said the KTM's are the same since they have 2 wheels that roll and would have made just as much sense lol.

BDubb106, on 24 January 2012 - 12:06 PM, said:

+1. The Lites East show should be awesome to watch with Roczen going head to head with JB and Baggett. I'm really looking forward to seeing how much Malcolm has improved from his rookie year and if he's feeling comfortable on the KTM. I hope he does well this season.

My only beef with KTM is my friends first day on his a tip over cost him 300 bones to replace that damn clutch and it seems to be a constant issue if you crash

Towelie, on 25 January 2012 - 04:37 AM, said:

Edited by topdave31, 25 January 2012 - 05:19 AM.

topdave31, on 25 January 2012 - 05:16 AM, said:

That doesnt even make, sense why would I be jealous of a friend for bringing up his misfortune?  We ride KTM minis, I am not sure whatthe hell you are talking about

Edited by Towelie, 25 January 2012 - 06:12 AM.

Towelie, on 25 January 2012 - 04:37 AM, said:

dude my friends that have them and keep in mind i ride a lot of hare scrambles and enduro's NEVER have any problems with them. i can honestly say, other than 1 friend that his shift lever keeps getting loose after riding for hours, i have never seen one of them work on their bikes.

tdoshi9, on 25 January 2012 - 07:34 AM, said:

The guys I ride with all have KTM's and they have had nothing more than the usual maintenance issues all bikes have. Including seized 2 strokes, cracked clutch hubs, one cracked 300xc cylinder at the exhaust port.All these bikes are ridden hard and everything that I have seen is expected

And for Towelie.....I have crashed my KTM on everything under the sun and have never destroyed my clutch and I have never seen any of the 5 other KTM's I ride with do it either. Not saying it doesn't happen I just don't think it's that common

Cactus73, on 24 January 2012 - 09:19 PM, said:

Well it does have 2 wheels, a motor, and a seat

How is KTM more Japanese like?  Well if you have ridden them over the years along with Jap bikes you would feel it as each year went by.  Now with the linkage that is a clone of yamaha's in regards to rising rate the back end feels very Jap like.  It no longer steps out unexpectedly like the PDS shocks (before reworked) did.
The sheep don't realize this.  You factor in the fact that the KTMs feel comfortable and familiar quick now plus the craftmanship/ great components and they are fantastic machines.