Honda CRF150R

[Danger]

I wouldn't recommend a 125 for the trails for you even with a fly wheel weight they are hard work to keep in the rev zone and I think it will take some of the fun away. Just my 2c.


Ktm do have a 105cc and a 150cc but they are new?

Theres that Rick guy giving out Reckless advice again.

Do not lump the KTM125EXC in with any 125MX bikes you have ridden, they are not MX bikes with only top end power delivery and a MX gear box. They are made for trails with the power and wide ratio box to suit.
Take the fun away? A 125EXC will add heaps to the fun after lugging that diesel pig around for the past year, you should know that Reckless.

The 105cc and 150cc bikes have been around awhile (the 150 was previously called a SX144 which it still is, just renamed and a wicked bike which I would like next) but these are MX bikes, not wide ratio and I would not recommend these. Big difference and I did not recommend a MX bike.

Just try one if you can before you judge, Caryn's is lowered, I lowered the suspension and the seat has been shaved, she has short legs, she is a novice rider, she used to have a KTM200EXC, the 125EXC suits her better and she rides all over the North Island, not many rides she is not at.

[Midget200]

Thanks for all the information. I've printed it all out. Yeah I've seen Caryn out there on a Wednesday. Mind you she looks about 5'6" at least, maybe taller! I'm only 5 foot and half an inch! I've had the big beast severely lowered! I went for the electric start, which is great, but man picking it up all the time is a mission. Yeah misprint, bad typing, thought I'd written it's 115 kilos!

[Danger]

Yeah I know you are shorter, she is 5'6" but she has short legs, but you can only try it I guess. And I'm sure you told me you were 5'1", you getting shorter with age?
It is tricky being a Midget. While not recommended one could be made even lower, hers is optimum and the max I like to go without good cause to go lower, but it could be done, revalving would need to be looked at due to the secondary piston kicking into soon on the shock but at least you won't be pulling a michellin out of your booty anytime!

[crfchick]

It's a tricky one isnt it? I find my bike a heavy beast at times (well most of the time!!), especially when I get tired and then crash off on a hill and have to get it upright and going again, sometimes I just cant even move it!
I'm really interested in what you guys have to suggest for us! Are you keen on 2 strokes though midget? They scare me!!

[Danger]

A lot of people are scared and intimidated by the two stroke power (see the popular rise in $ strokes and the glut of new riders in recent years) the trick is to get a bike and tune it so that you control the power. Not all two strokes are the same. A mellow $ stroke is a good start for most but the step up to two stroke is not that great once you've been lugging a heavy diesel around for awhile.

[honda_power]

once you get used to the 2 stroke power hit you forget about it, it just becomes normal. No reason to be scared of them. You quickly learn to use the 2 stroke power to your advantage as well.

People make out that 'powerband' is really crazy and extreme. Thats total crap. Its not going to flip you like people make out.

10 y-o kids hold on to 85s. Im sure you would be fine. Hell, im sure you would be sweet on a lowered, seat cut 125. I was on one at 14, and i was a weedy little shit.

[L Rider]

Everyone has difference preferences for bikes. At end of the day best option would be to try a few then see which you feel more comfortable on.
My bike (CR80) is the 1st bike i've ever ridden. So totally learnt on it. I never had a problem with the power. i do know when we were looking we got mixed opinions on a 2t for a learner. Learn throttle control & life is alot easier.
Main reason i went for a 2t was for the weight. I didn't want some heavy bike that i struggled to pick up.

[L Rider]

once you get used to the 2 stroke power hit you forget about it, it just becomes normal. No reason to be scared of them. You quickly learn to use the 2 stroke power to your advantage as well.

People make out that 'powerband' is really crazy and extreme. Thats total crap. Its not going to flip you like people make out.

10 y-o kids hold on to 85s. Im sure you would be fine. Hell, im sure you would be sweet on a lowered, seat cut 125. I was on one at 14, and i was a weedy little shit.

totally agree with ya - although i don't know how weedy you were lol
I figured if kids could ride a 85 2t then so could i. I actually brought my off a 15yr old.

[Midget200]

Yeah I know you are shorter, she is 5'6" but she has short legs, but you can only try it I guess. And I'm sure you told me you were 5'1", you getting shorter with age?
It is tricky being a Midget. While not recommended one could be made even lower, hers is optimum and the max I like to go without good cause to go lower, but it could be done, revalving would need to be looked at due to the secondary piston kicking into soon on the shock but at least you won't be pulling a michellin out of your booty anytime!

Cheeky buggar Danger! Well to my disgust someone measured me and with age I have decreased 1/2 an inch, boohoo! Maybe I've lied all my life! I'm pretty keen to see Caryn and have a look at the KTM125exc. Sounds like it's got all the good points of both 2 and 4 stroke in a 2 stroke! Yeah I'm a bit scared of the 2 strokes. Have ridden an 80 and an 85 and found the power band odd! Mind you, like people say you'd get use to it!! Don't want to make another mistake! Don't like riding other people's bikes, which makes it hard!

Thanks everyone for the information, it's great!!

[SpikedPunch]

totally agree with ya - although i don't know how weedy you were lol
I figured if kids could ride a 85 2t then so could i. I actually brought my off a 15yr old.

Same here! Even the getting it off a 15 year old part I love my anorexic little bike. Something like 70kg dry, it's a fricking breeze. Gets around alright too, the shortcomings I have on it are more rider-induced than anything. Big wheels do make life a lot easier though, that's my only real complaint.
Midge, try my 100 some day, it's apparently a bit smoother than an 85. Still got a nice kick tho

[L Rider]

Same here! Even the getting it off a 15 year old part I love my anorexic little bike. Something like 70kg dry, it's a fricking breeze. Gets around alright too, the shortcomings I have on it are more rider-induced than anything. Big wheels do make life a lot easier though, that's my only real complaint.
Midge, try my 100 some day, it's apparently a bit smoother than an 85. Still got a nice kick tho

Gearing makes a huge difference too. SIL got a RM80 which had high gearer - it wasn't nice so we toned it down a bit with lower gearing.
She's now got same as me CR80 - her gearing is standard & has alot more lower end than mine. I find hers tame in comparison to mine but i love that powerband kick on mine.

[clmintie]

Don't go backwards, go forwards.
Do you know Caryn Henderson? Perhaps you should try to score a ride on her lowered KTM125 EXC. She loves it, its a ton lighter than your $ stroke and you won't be taking a step backwards power wise, light two strokes rule in the sands and twisty trails of Woodhill forest and a big wheel will roll over the terrain much more effectively than a small wheel. I can't think of a better bike for your situation. Think we might have had this conversation before though before you bought that top heavy monster?

Is this Caryn? I saw her and her family riding a while back and I was most impressed with the "ridability" of her 125, seemed to tractor really well and no shortage of get up and go. Haven't ridden one, but if MrMotorcycles sold them we might have one by now.. ( only joking, can't afford orange.....)

[Reckless]

Theres that Rick guy giving out Reckless advice again.

Don't see what was so reckless about it? I missed the 125exc you filled it in nicely so Midget has all the options now
I think I need a now LOL!!!

[Midget200]

Is this Caryn? I saw her and her family riding a while back and I was most impressed with the "ridability" of her 125, seemed to tractor really well and no shortage of get up and go. Haven't ridden one, but if MrMotorcycles sold them we might have one by now.. ( only joking, can't afford orange.....)

Oops I had the wrong Karen. There's 2 Karen's with KTM's! You're right Clmintie, now I remember seeing her at lots of the rides! Must talk to her next time. Yeah that would be good to have a ride of your bike Spiked Punch! The little wheels, people have all sorts of views on those! I found trouble with the KLX140, but then it didn't have much power either! I was told by a guy at Honda yesterday that it's my riding, not the wheels!!!!!

[takitimu]

Unfortunatly your finding a big big hole in the market like every other lady, teenager, learner, shorter bloke etc etc.

Surely someone with Chinese connections can get a decent one of these made, you'd have to think it's a ready made market, it's a pretty decent sized hole in existing lineups.

I've never ridden a CR150F, but been passed by one before today, those little things are not slugs, our local MX track has some decent sized whoops, not to mention saw dust pit & the CR150's seem to handle it ok.