Might get a new(er) bike tomorrow

[KDXrider1989]

'97 CR 125 or '94 EXC 125, the CR runs and looks pretty nice for $800, the EXC doesn't run do to sitting for over a year and has the stock graphics on it, kinda yellowish. Which would y'all pick if you had $800, just for general purposes

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/2536872693.html

http://houston.craigslist.org/mcy/2534805308.html

[KDXrider1989]

I guess parts availability is a major concern for the KTM, since i can't find much for it on ebay

[SS109]

Me? I would go with the KTM as I like them a lot more than Honda. You, that might not mean so much!

The KTM will be a little harder to find parts for but not that bad. It looks like factory parts are still available and there are still quite a few aftermarket parts available through Rocky Mountain, Motorcycle Superstore, Bike Bandit, etc. You might ask over at KTMtalk about how hard parts are to get.

[dfeckel]

$500 for that KTM looks like a good deal, as long as it doesn't need too much work to get straight, i.e., fork seals, bearings, all that stuff. I'm thinking a carb cleaning and fresh gas will get it going again.

[Duke]

I would vote for the KTM as well. While obscure, they are purpose built woods bikes and feature the qualities that are absent from many MX bikes, espeically a 125 MX'er. Parts wouldnt be an issue as you can find parts for even more off brand models-Cagiva, et al. The repair for the bike shouldnt be much, most likley a carb that needs disaasembly and cleaning, and a fresh plug. Hey it s 2 stroke not a thumper.

[rbates9]

I would lean toward the KTM also. The only thing I would look into is parts availability. I have no clue how much you can get for it but from the previous post's the rest seem to be confident that the parts can be had.

[KDXrider1989]

Is there anything I should be looking out for on the older KTM's?

[Julien D]

Pretty much everything? IMO the older KTM's were royal pieces of crap, and are nearly impossible to get parts for. Just rebuilt a 91, wish we hadn't done it. I'm convinced it's the biggest POS bike ever built. The CR would at least make a decent canditate for a hybrid once you get tired of the 125cc powerplant.

[KDXrider1989]

I got the KTM today, needs some work. I'm thinking of cleaning it up a bit and changing out the fluids and then sell it for a higher price and get a MXer. I was thinking about it on the way home, I don't need another trail bike and I was looking for that typical 125cc 2-stroke power. I think I made a mistake in buying this bike, but well see just how bad or good it is when I take it apart and hopefully it won't require too much. Otherwise I'll end up keeping it if it turns out to be pretty good

[KarlP]

Wasn't the '97 CR the first generation aluminum frame? Pretty good for MX but it would be tricky to make happy in the woods.

[Julien D]

98 was the first year for the aluminum framed 125.

[gregp]

I would have chosen the Honda. That '97 was one of the last steel frame/6 speed models. They hold up very well, and have a killer motor. I had two of them (1985, 1994). The KTM's were not very good at anything in particular, by comparison.

[Julien D]

Agreed. Any KTM older than about 1998 should be properly disposed of :).

[KDXrider1989]

well I'm still working on it but from the looks of it it seems to be a pretty decent bike once cleaned up. Compression checked in at a whopping 50 psi, so I'll have to change out the rings. This sounds like a dumb question, but can it still be able to start with such low compression? It has spark, carb looks pretty clean, reeds are in good shape, I figured it should start

[rbates9]

It might if you pull start it but I doubt it will kick start.

[KDXrider1989]

It says in my owner's manual that the same year 125 SX weighs 198 lbs. dry and the 125 EXC (what I have) weighs 247 lbs. dry, WTH?? That's almost 50 pounds heavier, surely this has to be a typo...

[KDXrider1989]

disassembled the top end today, turns out that it is in very good shape! The bore and piston are still nice and smooth and appear to have minimal wear on them, even the gaskets are in good shape. I couldn't feel any imperfections in the bore with my fingernail and the piston is in very good shape, the ring is pretty worn though and will need replacement. I am very happy that it is only the ring that is bad and not the entire top end, I'll go to the dealer tomorrow and hopefully they'll have the correct size on hand

[SS109]

Keep us posted and post up some pics!

[KDXrider1989]

Will do :)

[Julien D]

for seriously, put a piston in that thing!