KTM 150 XC-W Review | Who this bike IS for and who it's NOT for
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I had a good time owning, riding, and reviewing the 2017 KTM 150 XC-W. Here are some of the main things that I cover in the video:
The Good
Electric Start
Top end on motor
Rewards you for pushing it hard
18 inch rear
Brakes
Clutch
Forks compression and rebound on top. No tools needed to adjust them.
Fuel tank large enough for longer rides
Header Pipe more tucked up and away than it’s big brothers
Kickstart. Good for those cold mornings.
Can do the Gnarly stuff too
Feels light, and is light - 226 lbs
Not too much power to get you into trouble
Good to practice rocks and logs
Great for pivot turns
1st gear good for really technical
Trip computer
PDS suspension in the rear leaves nothing to hook on logs
ODI grips easy to change
Headlight
Good battery
The Bad
Low end torque - Not much of it - helped with RK Tek Head
Have to shift a lot as compared to a 250 or 300 two stroke
Can get tiring trying to push the bike hard all the time
Harder to get the front tire over obstacles at speed
No skid plate stock
1st and 2nd gears too low for my liking. Makes shift to 3rd interesting since there is a large gap
Isn’t as forgiving in the gnarly stuff as a bigger bore bike
Who is it for?
Riders transitioning from smaller bikes
Riders transitioning from something like CRF 250X
Riders wanting a “play bike” to work on riding skills
Riders that want to ride “on the pipe” more often than not
Singletrack lovers
Who is this bike NOT for?
Someone who wants to be lazy and stay in one gear
Someone who wants to lug around
Desert Racers
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Even if you're an old guy, 125's and 150's can be a lot of fun. I'm 71 and love my 2001 yz125. Unlike the KTM, the tranny is a close ratio six speed so there are no power gaps. I put a 35mm keihin PWK on it and advanced the timing (really improves the low-to-midrange) and it will pull up the front end easily at low speeds, even at lower rpm's - but you do need to unweight the front like a trials bike. Bikes like this are great for older guys who still like to ride aggressively, but can't handle the heavier bike's stresses on their aging bodies.
For a 125 lb rider in the woods, it is the BOMB!
Dropping the 200 from the lineup is the silliest thing they have ever done. That's the best two stroke motor I've ever ridden with
They might improve the 150 and 250s motors for the next year
KZhead User . They could leave just put a 200 engine again and be done with it. That was an amazing engine
actually they dropped it and picked up the husky te150. The 150 is actually better, the 200 does have a tad bit more power but they really improved the 150 so its almost not noticeable. Plus the weight difference is the big game changer. Tons of people started putting the 200 engines on a ktm 150 frame because they were saving like 13lbs or something like that, check it out.
There will be a Beta RR 200 in some time. I am pumped for it! :)
64maxpower have you ever ridden a 150? Trust me I have one it outdoes and 200 in the world bud
Excellent review! This guy started these reviews a while back without a lot of knowledge about dirt bikes but he has been riding a lot, he is intelligent and has learned quickly. He is honest and very thorough, and has reached the point where experienced riders like myself who are interested in a particular bike, like I am in the 150xcw, can get a very good idea of what the bike is like. We cannot typically test new dirt bikes very well before we buy them so reviews like this are very important and valuable. After learning from his experience here I decided to stay with my 300xcw for now. He may have helped me avoid an expensive mistake. Well done sir, carry on.
I am 57 and love this bike is so much lighter than my old 450.
Loving mine always raced 125 motocross. Not ridden for 15 plus years got into enduro bought one these!! Amazing in the technical wood areas! Like he says just got to be ready on the clutch! But hey it’s a small cc two stroke! What’s new!!! Trust it’s plenty fast enough once there’s an open section!!
Great and spot on review Kyle. After a 15 year break from riding i was on the fence going straight into a 250 XCW, so I got this bike the week it shipped, and quickly earned the nickname Twitch among to all my 250/300 buddies because off all the gear switching and throttling. But for a rider at 5’10” and 155 lbs who likes to push it i couldn’t ask for a more playful and nimble full size ride ... I will say that even though you point out its more work to ride, after a 80-100 mile ride the bikes low weight makes up for the energy loss of the extra work. FYI: For Low end i went to a 53 rear sprocket, and jetted the carb with the largest possible, but going to take your advice and go for the RK-Tech Insert next. Tx for the detailed review. RideOn!
One thing about the 2017 KTM150 XC-W is putting a set of Supermoto wheels on it and taking it too the go kart track. Absolute blast!
Thanks for the honest review(s).
i got one after watching the reviews and your right (xc model not xc-w but close to the same), takes a lot of clutch control and lots of gear changing, and ripping on the pipe. absolute blast, learning very quick i feel like, and the drama when your always trying to keep it up in the top end is tons of fun. never had more fun then on this baby
Re watching this as I’m considering one at the moment. Some of your best work Kyle 👍
I ride a 150sx in the woods, absolute blast to ride and definitely teaches you proper throttle and clutch control. Also getting the front wheel up is super easy, getting the wheel up is more in the suspension then in the motor alone.
Great Review! I have owned a Husqvarna TE150 for one season I race hare scrambles around New England and trail ride with buddies. I have had many different bikes over the years XR600, TE510, KDX200, KLX650, KTM 250 XC-W and so on. I am around 5'7 155lbs and it fits me really well. If I tip over I can pick it up quick and get on my way with so much less of a struggle it feels light and it leaves me with more energy. You can't be afraid to get on the pipe and work the clutch, when you start to kicks it ass the bike really starts to come into it's own but you have to work it. I had a 2015 250 KTM XC-W, I was faster on it for sure but I also got into a lot more trouble because I would get lazy with my technique. This bike doesn't fatigue you with horsepower, to whiskey throttle or loop out means you are really on it. All in all it is a blast to ride and 150 can compete against a 300 depending on the type of terrain (obviously not in a flat out drag race). This bike out of the box does about 60-65mph a TE300 does right around 90. If you plan on tractoring around you won't have the grunt with this bike but if you're smooth pick good lines and keep up your momentum and balance it is easy to navigate through the most technical trails. I totally agree with Ernie who commented below about his KTM150 XC-W.
Great review as always! I think it would be cool if you did a used budget bike build for us who can't afford a shiny new dirt bike. Review it before hand, set it up for trail riding and then do an after build review.
I'm a 53 vet A rider and that bike is for me!
Good review! Thank you for taking the time to review a smaller bore bike.
Finaly a bike I am really interested in trying out. I already bought an EXC300SD 2016, so thanks to your EXC300 videos.
He left out the older-riders who do not want a bigger, heavier, bike any more, might want this bike. The e-start fits right into this realm of rider also. Plus, it is a 150, what do you expect on the power side? If shifting gears is too much for you, you might wanna check-yourself. Maybe even change your pastime to something less demanding?
I disagree.. Old guys like to lug bikes and grab throttle when they get in trouble.. Which is why many get the 300 and just throw the green spring in it to mellow it out.. Newer 450s are also getting insanely light so that bottom end grunt is really nice for being lazy.. That two stroke powerband is rough for out of shape riders
The weight diference to the 300 is not really a issue and the 300 is better suited for slow riding specially with the green spring at the exhaust valve.
Im an old guy and love my plated 450 xc AND my 125 sx. Was expert dez rider last decsde.two differnt tools for differnt rides. The 150 is most likely next bike. Have had 200xcs in past. These are great lifting over obstacles ect....throw ego away and go have fun
For sure. I hate the mentality of smaller bikes being for kids.. im 32, been riding for 17 years and ride a 250 on the road. I like shifting and don’t really care much about speed. Low power bikes also teach you a lot about navigating around in traffic.. I've spent a lot of time on sub-100 cc bikes
Idk my 500excf is about mayyybe 20 pounds heavier
reviewing some old bikes by you is great idea
Another great comprehensive review. I'm more of that lazy rider. Where I just put my FE501 in 2nd and that torque will get you through almost anything. I ended up putting a rekluse auto on it(I know blasphemy) just because they stall so easy. Looking forward to getting the te300i when it comes out. Silky smooth hp/tq and no need for an auto clutch!
Great review Kyle! Thank you I had the same bike I feel the same way I also run a RK head and Lectron carb
I completely agree that it’s a mistake to get rid of the kickstart. Back when I had my 2009 crf230, I was in the muddiest swamplike place ever and I stalled the bike. It turned out my battery died during the ride. I had to physically move it through deep ass mud and bump start it. A kickstarter would have been a life saver
I have been riding for 40 years. At close to 60 I just needed a competent woods bike that was flickable with decent suspension and power. The 150 covers things off well for me. I have had a few years on a husky 125 , this 150 is very easy to keep in the powerband. Surprisingly it hauls my 200lbs up hills that I used to have problems with, the electric start is golden! I just completed a two day trail ride in northern Ontario, the bike was excellent . It is a 150 so its not going to excel at sandy uphills, but I was surprised at the steep rocky hills this thing slithers up. For me, it has enough power to keep me smiling and not get hurt.
mark levert that's good to know 🤘
Mark, appreciate your comment, I’m your age and wanting to get back into the woods
@@davidhanson5514 David, I have two shoulder replacements and two knee replacements. All I did with the bike is heavier springs and flex bars. I did put on a steering damper which was a waste. The motor is excellent, the bike handles well and I have zero issue with the suspension. most of the guys I ride with are on 300s or 450fs, I am rarely 15 seconds behind.
I moved up from a KX100 to a KTM 250 XC-F and I love it.
I used to race enduro on an Husqvarna 125 and it was all or nothing, but by the time you were high up in the mountains the power was gone. I like these, they make you work for it, very satisfying
That's how you learn how to actually ride and control a dirt bike.
I'm a 2012 200 XC owner who rides New England woods. This review sounded exactly like he was reviewing my bike. FWIW this is my first real "dirt bike". I'm a street rider who was new to the woods. The 200 catapulted my skill-set. Everyone I ride with has said so. Learning to ride the 200 in the woods has done wonders for my street, road-race and super-moto riding as well. I was really interested to hear Kyle praise the hydro clutch. I adore the hydro clutch (with MME lever) especially on this machine as it makes the clutch so effortless and predictable. My '12 has no battery and is kick-only. I just spent a week in West Virginia riding the Hatfield system. Normally I say these bikes kick so easily e-start isn't required. But when you made a mistake and flamed out at the bottom of a 2' deep rut.. well, I get it. I wasted a lot of my own energy kicking that lever. Energy the rest of my group didn't.
Great, honest review Kyle!
Fabulous review! Concise and to the point. Thank you.
Finally you reviewed a bike that I didn't want to go run out and buy, after watching the vid :)
Thanks for the review trying to find a good second bike coming from a klx 140l so I think that this bike is one for me plus I do a lot of the riding that you do because I live in Utah also.
This has been the perfect bike for me. I’m 5’2” woman who is 120 pounds. I wanted a full size bike that was light!!! I love this bike!
Is this bike too tall for you? I'm 5'2 and wondering if 37inches is too tall for me.
I'm 5'2" thinking and getting a 250 ☺️
I found that the Odi V2 Rogue grips work well. They are thick enough, have good grip, but also have the simplicity of being lock-on grips.
Can't wait for your husky TE 250i Review ! This 150 is a nice little bike
To get more low end, change to better reeds, sx insert for head and splitter in carb on engine side. Also slide needs cut to 5.75mm so can run a bit bigger pilot jet for more low end.
I suggest you now go ride a 150 sx. Man I have had that bike in some really Knarly stuff and it did amazing. Yes it is lacking horse power for the low end . I had a tough time being able to use second gear. But that didn’t stop me from pushing it with 1st. I loved how lite the bike is. Really nimble and easy to ride. I added a 3.0 gal tank, kick stand, skid plate, and hand guards to give it that Xc feel. It did amazing. And yes you have to ride it like you stole it. But that’s what makes the 150 fun and make you feel like a kid again. Ringing it’s neck. It was a great bike. 84 hours on the meter and just went to its new home last Saturday.
Great review man!
Great review. Just bought this exact bike for the wife and from what u say this should be a good fit for her. Now to wait the 4 to 5 months for the snow to melt here in northern Alberta lol
Great honest review!
Good video. I had a 2005 EXC 250 and it weighed 226lbs. Having a 250 is a do anything bike which would be better for the desert and still a great woods bike.
Very good review and info. 👍
Right. Sounds like a good, typical 150cc powered bike with a new fangled e-start and some cool forks. That my friends, is the evolution path followed by bike manufactures since day 1 pretty much.
Another great video. Thank you for the review.
You ride?
@@yamahapeanut44 Yes he does ride he rides a husqvarna te300i
Hey Kyle ..love your channel .. Like you said 150’s are for ages 12-16... off course your going to be revving the shit out of that bike .. I used to ride TT 175 when I was 18.. I blew the tranny trying to keep up with my friends on 250’s back in 91’😁 I have been riding a 07 CR 250 for 10 years now ..converting it into a off-road bike as of now .. putting a lectron carb on it ...3 gallon tank ..V force 3 reed valves .. 6oz flywheel and and 1 tooth up on the rear sprocket ..ordering a set of custom warp 3 rims 18” on the rear.. this summer going to take the head off and get it ported and polished .. I’ll keep you updated if your interested ? Thanks for all the great reviews 👍
Good review. I have a 2018 KTM 150 XC-W, and have put over 1000 miles on it already here in West Virginia at Campbells Creek. I've had 300s, 250s, and 200s, and wouldn't go back to any of them. This is by far the best bike I've ever ridden. I can do everything on this bike that I could on any other bike, and feel that it's better in almost every situation.Our terrain is extreme singletrack and very steep hill climbs. The elevation is only about 1000 to 1500 feet though. I'll be testing it at higher elevations in Colorado in July. I'm only about 155 lbs., but am a very experienced rider. I honestly think it's a great bike for everyone from relative beginners to people with years of experience. It's just amazingly fun.I thought the one place it might lack would be the hill climbs, but that has turned out not to be the case. If you turn the throttle enough it screams up hills. I've actually scared myself a couple times.
Virtually identical experience here in the mountains of east TN Richard! I don't think it's possible to have any more fun on a dirtbike, and I climb all the hills I did on my bigger bikes. It's even easier on the 150 in most cases. The only hills that give it fits in my experience are long steep climbs with loose debris that require wheelspin. The little motor just does't have the oomph to keep the rear spinning in third gear. Always makes the climb, just gets a little slow after shifting to second. But heck, with all the time I make up everywhere else who cares!! I'm installing the RK Tek head this week, so hoping the added torque will help it pull a gear higher in many situations.
Richard Watts I used to live in WV rode Campbell's ck east Lynn cross lanes a lot.. been looking at a 150 .. Glad you like it👍
Spot on, Rich. This is a race bike and should be used as such. An alternative to a 250f.
@Richard Watts Hey, that's my weight! :) I have a very big dilemma what bike will be good for me for the first off-road bike. I'm 5 feet 8 and I'm seriously afraid to kill all the fun with too big a bike. I had LC4 640 supermoto and it was definitely too big for me. I cannot even imagine riding it any uphills (even on enduro wheels). Can you say how tall are you and do you maybe have some advice in that matter?
listerreg im right between 155 and 160lbs and im looking into getting a te150. about your height... i dont really think height matters what bike you get, just your weight. cuz a 250 is the exact same size. you know what i mean?
Kyle, I really enjoy watching your videos. I have a 2017 150 xc w and I am wanting to put a lectron carb on my 150, I have heard the lectron didn’t run as crisp as people had wanted on the smaller bore two strokes. I have modified my air box and put the vforce 4R reeds in it, I was wondering if your 150 ran good with the lectron and if I should the $500 on it. Thanks for all the hard work and effort that goes into your videos.
The older I get the more I appreciate the 150 and 200 full size bikes. I would race a 200 in a heart beat. It is all what works for you.
Your reviews are excellent!!..
This video helped me make the decision to buy an '18 NOS 150 XC-W. Raced it in 2 enduros (2-days each) and then sent the suspension off to Kreft, also thanks to your videos. Oh... I'm 57 years old, too. Not old, though. ;)
Thanks for this, I am 58 and have risen all my life. but having always wanted a 300 XC-W I now realize the 150 might be perfect. My last bike was a CRF250X and I suspect this bike is even more nimble?
@@thomassanio8745 Oh my.... the 150 is FAR more nimble than a 250F (which I have had). I have since sold my 150xcw and taken over my son's 150sx (with an XC tank) and also bought a Husky TX 300. When we had 2-day races, I rode one on Day 1 and the other on Day 2. I also used LitPro data on an enduro loop. I'm faster on the 150 but a little more inconsistent. The 300 is nice for technical stuff but the 150 is so much fun in tight twisty stuff. I would, however, get linkage instead of the XCW non-linkage. Much more stable and the shock, being bigger, fades less.
So kyle!! When is the 150 xcw give away??
Great review.
Wow you are up early!
i got a KTM 150 sx 2015 and i love it, best beginner bike
Great video very informative
Don't have one love the body style but they only thing I don't like is the open gas tank good review
Committed to the 2021 ktm 150xcw tpi. I’m so excited
I rented a 250 xc for my first ride on muddy trails and it did well, but I baby'd the throttle a lot. Being the first time riding any motorcycle and only having experience driving a manual roadster and riding a cross country bike on technical trails, I was learning how to work the clutch and control the throttle. That being said it wanted to take off on me just moving around the bike like I would on a mtb bike from whiskey throttle. It had way more power than I needed as a 37yo 6 ft 200lb man. We hit some 3 diamond trails were the majority of the riders got stuck on muddy singletrack hills. I had a few moments were my life flashed before a tree and a few spills, but all of my soreness is from just riding the bike or picking it back up.
Very informative. Thanks.
Awesome review. Thank you
I live in oregon on the coast and i use my kx100 in the sand dunes and it does fine
Love ur vids
first ill start with the electric start BANG!
Just got one for my wife. She’s 120 lbs and She loves it.
Hello Glen. How tall is your wife? I'm 5'8" and am wondering if the seat height will be a problem for me. It might be too tall for me.
She’s 5’3”. So I cut about 2” off the seat and lowered the suspension about 2”. If I were you just cut the seat down but first ride it and see if it fits you. I’m 6’3” and with it lowered I still love it.
@@glencampbell8242 Thanks Glen. Much appreciated.
What do y’all ride? Trails? Track?
I have the 2018 150 SX and it does it all!
Excellent review Kyle! I've owned this bike for over a year, and I feel like you've given a good fair assessment. For guys who are considering this bike, I would like to raise a couple points: 1) I too thought the stock suspension was quite good in slower technical terrain. But I feel like it has 2 major flaws that you didn't mention. First, the fork compression clickers were just about useless on my bike. I could go 10 clicks in either direction and felt very little change in damping. Second, at higher speeds in rough terrain the bike felt very harsh and a little unbalanced to me. Both of these issues were totally fixed by my tuner (MVR), so in the end I couldn't be happier with the suspension. Just surprised you didn't experience these issues. At 180-185 lbs I'm at the upper limit for the springs, so perhaps this was a factor. However, those same stock springs are working beautifully with the new valving. 2) You mention that it's not a great choice for guys who want to ride easy. I would imagine this is spot on advice for guys who ride at your elevation and on some of the terrain I see in your vids. However, for guys in the east I don't think this advice necessarily applies. I find it to be a wonderful choice for trail "cruising". I've been on multiple 50+ mile mountain rides alongside highly experienced A-class riders and find I can maintain a fantastic pace without riding on the pipe. Granted, when we run into serious hills you gotta wick it up and get busy, but for most of the terrain it can be ridden in a surprisingly relaxed manner. The one caveat to that is, as you say, you do have to pay close attention to gear selection. 3) The bike came with ridiculously rich jetting, and until I fixed this issue I too felt extra effort was required to loft the front. But after getting it dialed I have no problem whatsoever lofting the front wheel anywhere at any time. Again, could altitude be an influence? 4) I've swapped bikes several times with a buddy who has a 250XC. The 150 doesn't feel overwhelmingly lighter at the truck or in open terrain. But at the end of the day (or even 1 fast harescramble lap!) the 150 feels about 50lbs lighter. I think it's as much a power thing as it is outright weight, and I think it also correlates to tightness of the trails. So again, in tighter eastern terrain it's a bigger factor.
@Ernie Allen, may I ask how tall are you?
Ernie Allen would u recommend this bike to someone getting into dirtbiking at the age of 17? Im somewhere around 65 kilograms and have no idea what im doing. Also, how expensive is this bike? I didnt catch that in the vid?
I’ve had the 150 sx since new 2016. It was a great bike. And you nailed it with light weight and plenty of power. To do a 100 miles and watch your buddies struggle on those big 500 KTM’s and husky’s and you feel like you are fresh off the truck is great. That little bike is amazing. I loved it.
That’s likely because of engine mass. Same thing with the Honda 250/450. Not a huge weight difference but riding the 450 feels much heavier
Excellent review! I’m the guy who wants a play bike! My YZ450fx can be a bit of a hand full.
Chongo Rlz I finally went back to a 2 stroke after 10 years of riding and racing 450’s. My only regret is that I didn’t do it sooner. My Honda 450 collects dust while I’m having the time of my life on the new 300!
Very very useful, thank you.
I was looking at one of these today in town i got a crf250x - was looking to upgrade to something lighter- vid was helpfull mahalo
"This pipe doesn't dent as easy". Camera man zooms in on dent. :) I had a 2007 RM250 that I bought brand new off the showroom floor. I took it to the track and made about 3 laps to get the feel for it. I stopped to look over the bike for leaks or anything out of the ordinary, and the pipe already had a dent in it. I have no clue what I hit, but I didn't lay the bike down. Sometimes the pipes dent just looking at them.
You can change the silencer and exhaust out and get more low-end torque if you really needed it
Hello, I have an european version of this bike. I have an EXC 125 2013... Love it!
Hello Kyle. First off thank you! You have really made me want to get into woods riding and single track. I have played 5 years and feel I mastered riding a 1982 atc 250r. Sense I sold it to a collector I have been out of riding for a year. Took my dirtbike out today for the season. 1982 Honda xl125s I don't mind shifting and not a big bulky guy so smaller light weight bikes are better. In your opinion do you think a 150xc-w would be good as a learner bike getting into single track. I ask because you mentioned it was meant for young new riders on a full size platform. Or someone who is changing pace. But is it for someone who can learn on a bike who has not had a lot of bike experience?
Youre cool Thanks alot for all these posts
Hey I live in Utah also. I love this channel you have earned a new subscriber. 2 questions...1 I saw your single track ride with a building on top of the mountain where is that trail? I’d love to ride it! 2 you mentioned you need to shift a lot would that be the same I’d you put a recluse clutch on there? I ride a wr 450 I want to down size so I can ride more like a trail bike style. I feel my 450 is to heavy for that type of riding. I do a lot of single track up here in north Ogden. I’m considering purchasing smaller bike like this or cr150f or 125 two stroke etc.
I live in Utah as well and I would say 70% of the riders I see on trails are on 450s
gr8 video need to do more like it you should do one on the 250 xcf
looking into getting a 150sx found one for a good price good video i'm sold 💨
Trey Songz careful though, if you want to race that’s not the bike for you, you will be with the bigger bikes, trust me you don’t want that displacement disadvantage
no i was at a bike meet in miami and some older guy came over and we talked for a while ended up saying he had a mint 2015 ktm 150 in his garage and wanted to sell it
Before I even watch the video. I got to test ride that 150 and it was absolutely outstanding! I'd consider trading my 300 for it. It did everything so very well without exhausting me like the 300 did. I'd bet I'm faster on it because I'm not a top rider. I know my 300 is more bike than I am rider.
Right and sitting right between a 150 and 300, is a 250cc engine. It eliminates about all the 150cc lack-of-engine issues that come with a piston that is not much larger than a silver dollar. And eliminates all the too-much power and low end a 300cc bike has. And it starts as well as that small150 and much easier than a big-bore. 250cc bikes ruled in the days before the 4t era and for good reason. They are a almost perfect fit for most peoples riding.
just wrong the perfect middle is the 200 xc-w (exc) the 250 has nearly the same power as the 300 but lacks of torque on the low end the 200 is in between.more power and torque than the 150 less power and torque than the 250/300.and the 200 got the frame from the 125 and is lightweight a shame ktm stopped building the 200 (the 150 is basically the replacement for it)
You are a wise man when you realize Less is more. Open desert, deep sand or extremely long climbs in the Mtns the larger bore has it but when the gong gets tight that nimble character always wins.
@@thomassanio8745 I made that comment 5 years ago. I still feel the same way. I sold that gas gas 300 ec some time ago. I have a ktm 500 exc now. I still want that 150xc too some day. I'm realizing that road bikes are the same. I have just as much fun on a ttr125 supermoto as I do on my 500 on a track.
You should review a cr500. It would be a nice unique change of pace from all of the newer bike. And as an owner of a yz125 this review is spot-on.
Cr 500 only good on drag strip
I own a 2013 150 xc and the review on this seems a bit off I feel that at least the front end of the bike gets off the ground no matter what. It has enough low end to do stuff but not as much as a 250. Overall the bike is a fantastic and I recommend it 8/10
I don't even consider myself as a lazy rider as i like technical stuff and ripping the bike at its maximum, but hooolyy damn the 500exc goes like a tractor. I just love the torque and the fact that you can do anything you might wanna do on a bike, but still be able to cruise at 4th gear at the powerlines while laughing at your friend who is kicking the shit out of his shifter with a small bike. Goes really slow speeds with 4th but also can just pop the front up without the clutch if you please to do so and can rip faster than you can handle.
I love how you are surprised by the most essential off-road features that this bike has, even though this is the same bike that dominates the roof of Africa silver class I get that it's not for you, but it's an amazing bike Good vid, really enjoyed the insight
very nice review, it would be nice to get to know your weight and height in the video so one can make a better idea about your thoughts
I'm 48 and 150 lbs woods rider with average riding ability. I have a 2008 KTM 144 SX. Bought it new. There was no XCW at that time. The XCW was the bike I really needed. Had a 2004 125SX and loved it so I picked up the 144 / 150. The 144 was the 125 you always wanted. Out of the box the 144sx was unrideable in the woods until I had the suspension redone at Factory Connection, then it was the bomb. First thing you need to do is dial in the fork stops for tighter turning. For tight harescramble woods riding it kills it. Yes you have to change gears and rev high but it rewards you with a big smile and a head shake. Wow this thing will sing and move. Nothing is more fun than going around a 250F at rev. I'm 48 now and it still thrills me. I am at the point now where I can see a real benefit to electric start in the woods though. And maybe a bigger tank if you really stay in the gas on a harescramble although I have never run out of fuel in a harescramble (probably not pushing it hard enough) As far as hills go, first gear in the pipe will never let you down. Second gear requires more clutch and speed at the bottom. Come rolling out of a turn in second or third and use the clutch to get it in the power and it's a blast. If you can't clutch a two stroke, you may be in trouble. For me, that's where the fun is. Popping the front wheel in loose stuff and other situations takes practice. This bike will flat out run my buddies 200s up to any speed you may achieve in the woods or short straightaways. I am assuming they may get it on the top gear. From a dead stop in sand 1-4 gear, none of them can catch this bike. Granted, they have 30 lbs on me but that's their problem. HA ha. That being said if you were in the sand a lot , powering through deep sand does have its challenges with the smaller cc of this bike. I would have one of these if they weren't so damn expensive and I didn't like mine so damn much. If you are under 175 lbs and out to have fun on a bike and still have the energy to do it, the 150 is it. You may never find a good reason to go any bigger.
I love my 125sx but i have to learn to feather the clutch, i usually go to the knolls or trails riding, really fun bike if ur not lazy and use the clutch, teaching me to be a better rider than my kx250f i had and gave to my brother because whisky throttle bite me in the ass a few times to many 😂
This bike is for anyone any skill level that is no more than 150 lbs. This bike is a blast!
A small bike is a fun thing and a great learning step that most guys skip these days.
Adam Batchelder yeah, they don't want to learn
Although these KTM 150's are fun and racy, I will always wonder why KTM dropped their amazing 200 models. That 200 cc is the sweet spot in off-road 2-stroke bikes.
You helped so much
50 hour piston life. Oil pump gets replaced at same time. carbed 150 makes more power than FI. Im curious about the 2023 Throttle body 150 XCW.
Nice Vid Kyle, What bike would you recommend for the "lazy" rider who just wants to plod along with lots of torque and use the smooth bottom end/rpm power to get through the trails.
Justin Anderson I was thinking those bikes would be the one. I currently have a 2013 WR250F, which is OK but it really doesnt have much bottom end
What would you recommend for my wife? She is about 5’5 120lbs. Love your channel and the info you provide. She is experienced and loves to ride, but she now wants to get more into the trails. She learned on a Honda crf 230 and honestly it was to heavy for her. My guess would be that this 150 would be perfect. Your opinion would be great. Thank you for all the great content your channel provides.
You're watching the bike you should buy her.
Good information. Where is that cabin do you want it from someone?👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
In New Zealand CHCH Where I live, 25Degrees is freakin hot here, and we rarely get that and I have a 2015 350 and it starts right up every time around 5-10degrees
I am very new to enduro rider. Doing mostly tougher terrain with single track mixed it. Currently on a 18’ EXC-F 350 and looking to getting a bike I can manage power and weight wise. I am 5’7 130lbs (no gear). The 350 has done amazing for me I think. Just would be nice to go with a lighter bike for times I need to use my weight to maneuver or pick up the bike. Been looking into these 150s because of these reasons. But would it be worth it over the 300?
Good review! Where's that lookout? Idaho?
blancolirio I'd like to know as well
I think I’ve been there and I think it’s in Cle Elum Washington
What oil do you recommend in 150xcw and did you make any other changes to it? Great review thanks.
Jeff Hubbard motorex
You talked about not liking the gap between 2nd and 3rd gear. I’m curious why you chose the XCW model instead of the XC model? The XCW has a lower 1st and 2nd gear which would create that gap into 3rd.
Hey kyle. I'm looking at buying a 200 exc (australia). Would be great to hear your thoughts on the 200 compared to the 150 and 250. I've been out of dirt bikes for 10 years after some major injuries.
I tried to ride an 80 two stroke up a really steep hill and I know it could get up there it’s just I didn’t hold it in the power ban because I didn’t want to go to fast Incase I flipped it backwards
Hay Kyle, where I live we have narnar hill climbs. Would this bike work for a younger rider to get threw some of those bigger climbs out on the trail?
The old starting is the lithium battery. They don't work when cold and must be warmed up by trying to start and letting it sit like what is stated in the manual. They don't cold start like a lead acid battery
I think the reason they changed to 150s, is because in europe (including myself) turn the 125s into supermotos for our a1 license. Now with the 150 we can't anymore :/