| When I first heard about KTM's "New 144cc 2-stroke | | | | And now to the part that you've probably been |
| Motocross bike," I didn't think much of it, other than | | | | waiting for..... No, I KNOW you've been waiting for. |
| that it sounded really cool. I got my first taste of | | | | It's no secret that KTM wins this category on almost |
| one at a local race, and I wasn't even riding it! A local | | | | every bike they make, and being a big bore from the |
| A rider had been riding it and was keeping up, and | | | | factory, the KTM 144SX/150SX on the top of many |
| passing, 450 four strokes... I knew the rider was | | | | two-stroke lovers lists. |
| well-experienced, but to keep up on a tight track | | | | Let's just say that you shouldn't need to modify the |
| with a small-bore 2-stroke is hard enough. After I | | | | engine...... or anything that can give you more power. |
| saw the damage that this bike could do, I was | | | | If you think you need a faster bike then you're |
| determined to get my hands on one, even though | | | | either a pro rider, or..... well..... you like looking at |
| they often cost more than the average Japanese | | | | numbers. Now lets get to the point. Bottom-end |
| bike... | | | | power is nothing to brag about, but 125's aren't |
| Let's just say I was in love the day I bought my | | | | meant to be lugged around. You'll know when it hits |
| very own '08 KTM 144SX. It was literally a dream | | | | the mid-range, because that's when the 144SX starts |
| come true, except for the fact that it pretty much | | | | to wake up. Whack that throttle wide open and hold |
| destroyed my piggy bank. Oh well, it was worth it. If | | | | on for the ride of your life. You'll know when you get |
| you think 2-stoke motocross bikes are dead, you | | | | on the pipe because the power is unlike most 125's. |
| better wake up and ride this bike. | | | | It's not unrideable like some 2 strokes, but it has |
| Where do I start? It's not a Japanese bike, which has | | | | enough power to do what ever you want, and |
| thrown people off because they have a "distinct" | | | | plenty of it. The power-band is pretty broad, and |
| feel and layout to their bikes, while KTM has a | | | | over-rev is great if you don't want to shift into the |
| different set up. It really did not take long to adjust | | | | next gear. I was simply amazed at the pure |
| to this all-new bike, and in fact, it only took a couple | | | | horsepower it made, and how much power to the |
| rides for the 144SX to feel like home. That usually | | | | ground there. There was a dyno test with this bike |
| doesn't happen on a big bike, considering I am only | | | | and KTM 250F, and the 144SX took home the |
| 5'6'' (168cm). The ride height was a bit high for me, | | | | trophy for peak horsepower, as well as being very |
| but I could easily adjust the sag settings. Overall it | | | | close to putting out the same amount of torque. All I |
| wasn't too far off from the modern 'Jap' bikes that | | | | can say is, if you keep it on the pipe then get out of |
| I'm used to. | | | | the way because there's not much that can stop this |
| Suspension | | | | bike. |
| KTM's suspension hasn't been up to par in the past. | | | | Additional Notes... |
| After riding the 2008 144SX I can tell they put a lot | | | | Aside from having the best engine in it's class, |
| of work into this department. It was a little on the | | | | excellent handling, and great suspension, it's still not |
| stiff side for me, but I only weight 135-140lbs. I don't | | | | "THE BIKE" to get for everyone. It does have its |
| think I ever bottomed out, even on the harshest | | | | drawbacks, but then again, what bike doesn't? I |
| landings, so that's a plus! It didn't do anything I didn't | | | | knew going in that buying an Austrian bike would |
| want it to. Braking bumps were not a problem, and if | | | | cost a little more. So, when it comes to rebuilding |
| you want to go through a rut, it'll do that too | | | | these KTM's, especially a 144SX, parts aren't always |
| without making you want to stand up. The only thing | | | | as easy and cheap to find as it would be fore a |
| I really needed to do to make the suspension set-up | | | | YZ125. |
| for my racing is a few clicker adjustments and | | | | There are other things about the KTM 144/150SX |
| possibly softer springs, otherwise it worked great. | | | | that make it unique; it's really easy to work on some |
| Handling | | | | parts of the bike, but others you just ask yourself, |
| I couldn't help but notice how light-weight this 144SX | | | | "Why in the world did KTM do that?!?!" |
| is when I lifted it up. This explains why it's so easy to | | | | All in all this is an excellent race bike, and can be used |
| maneuver the bike in almost any situation. While riding | | | | by a young rider coming up from 85's that still wants |
| this bike it reminded me of the CR125 I had because | | | | a 2-stroke, an A class rider that likes a 2-stroke |
| it handled so well. If you want to go somewhere, | | | | motocross bike to whip around, or a vet rider that's |
| just point and it will do it. It can hit an inside rut, rail | | | | looking to re-live the glory days on a really fast bike |
| an outside berm, and scream down hills without | | | | and lightweight dirt bike. |
| hesitation. KTM knew what they were doing when | | | | -Tom Stark |
| they built this bike. | | | | P.S. |
| Engine | | | | |