KTM Duke 125 or Yamaha YZF 125

Grantt

Grantt

Grantt

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18 May 2012
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Glasgow
Going to book my CBT in the next few weeks, Been looking at bikes. Was going to get a Yamaha YZF 125. But then i saw something on a dealers website about free insurance on new KTM Duke's. So now the question comes up.. Anyone got any experience with them? Im more into sportsbikes i love the way the YZF looks and from some onboard videos and reviews they seem like a lot of fun to ride.. especially on the country roads up the north of here. But i must say.. the duke is a really nice looking bike im liking the naked look. What you think?
 
Both nice but both expensive and both don't really go much faster than the bikes that everyone will recommend. Cheap reliable commuters. Save some coin to do bike test and then you will have far more choice. YBR, CG, CBF are some popular names of 125's.
 
Thanks, Won't really use it for commuting as i get picked up and dropped off. Only really want something that will be fun to ride :)
 
Grantt said:
Thanks, Won't really use it for commuting as i get picked up and dropped off. Only really want something that will be fun to ride :)
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Neither on them will be as you'll be too worried about damaging it. I had a YBR and thrashed the poor thing until I bought my 650.
 
I've got the YZF, great bike, easy to ride, and easy to throw about. I want more power, but I've got the bike which counteracts the 20MPG I get with my car, so will still be staying for another good few years, had it 3 years this June.
 
One of the lads here that came to the Bike meet has a KTM Duke, Lovely look 125.
What are you going to use the bike for ? What do you want to do on it ? Off road, Cruising, going as fast as you can ?
Lots of choices depending on what you want, How long you are keeping it & what you want to get up to on it.
 
If you want something fun and powerful, get a two stroke.

Honda NSR125
Yamaha TZR125
Aprillia RS125 (not the rs4)
Yamaha DT125
Kawasaki KDX125

Will all destroy any 4 stroke and be a lot more fun. The top three in particular, you're talking 100mph+ if you derestrict and the bottom two won't be far off that.
 
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4T5 said:
One of the lads here that came to the Bike meet has a KTM Duke, Lovely look 125.
What are you going to use the bike for ? What do you want to do on it ? Off road, Cruising, going as fast as you can ?
Lots of choices depending on what you want, How long you are keeping it & what you want to get up to on it.
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Thanks for the reply's everyone.

Mostly just cruise about and take it up north on the A roads, Have some fun on the windy roads and probably go as fast as i can. Would try keep it for a good few years. Until i can sit my direct access.

Been looking at NSR's ... i really like them, and their pretty cheap too. Think i've found the bike i want! :P
 
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Good choice!

An NSR125 will **** all over an R125! :) They're one of the most reliable 2 stroke 125s too.

One thing to take into consideration though is that because it is 2 stroke it will require a little more maintenance than a 4 stroke.

Make sure if you get one that it's had a top end rebuild and it'll last you a good 5000 miles before you have to change the rings again.

Don't let the rebuilds put you off, it's an easier job than it sounds and a small price to pay for ridiculous power from a 125!
 
arctine said:
Good choice!

An NSR125 will **** all over an R125! :) They're one of the most reliable 2 stroke 125s too.

One thing to take into consideration though is that because it is 2 stroke it will require a little more maintenance than a 4 stroke.

Make sure if you get one that it's had a top end rebuild and it'll last you a good 5000 miles before you have to change the rings again.

Don't let the rebuilds put you off, it's an easier job than it sounds and a small price to pay for ridiculous power from a 125!
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Thanks, I will do:)

This is probably a really nooby question.. But don't you have to mix the petrol with 2 stroke oil? Isn't that a pain ?
 
Grantt said:
Thanks, I will do:)

This is probably a really nooby question.. But don't you have to mix the petrol with 2 stroke oil? Isn't that a pain ?
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Don't know if this applies to the NSR but my 04 Aprilia Rx 50 was 2 stroke and had its own expansion bottle that you just fill up with 2 stroke oil. It automatically mixes with fuel so you don't have to mix anything.

Hope this helps.
 
Honda NS125F
My For sale vid after I had fitted a 180cc Malloci kit.
NSR is a great choice as long as you don't mind learning along the way you'll be fine. I bought the above NS125F & learnt as I went & rebuilt it a few times whilst I had it.
As for the 2 stroke oil the NSR has an Autolube system that you just keep topped up with the Best 2 stroke oil money can buy.
Personally I did away with the autolube system & mixed it myself in the tank as I blew mine up a couple of times so the 3rd & final time I wanted to be 100% sure the oil mix was perfect.
Owt you want to know then just ask as I loved my 2 stroke & will happily pass on what I know.
 
It's a lot of cash upfront for what you want, and you'll probably be rid of it before two years is up. Don't mean to be a downer but 125s are the most crashed bikes on the market. I'm not saying you'll prang it, but personally I went for something cheaper that if I dropped it (and I did) it wouldn't cost me £200 just to fix the plastics. Just saying.

I'd go for the Duke if I had to, the YZF is all looks no go (compared to any 2 stroke 125 and anything bigger than a 125).
 
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