Words: Jock McLauchlan Photos: Geoff Osborne
BRIGADE
T
he saying goes that the best things come in
small packages. In the case of dirt bikes,
smaller and lighter generally means more
manageable, especially for lighter and smaller
riders – and even larger riders when it comes
to very technical terrain. Taking a look at
KTM’s 150cc enduro and motocross machines, we
reckon the saying holds true because what could be
better than a 125 with a heap more power and
torque?
So, what are the main advantages of owning a 150
over the more common 125 models? Realistically, it’s
all about torque and grunt, or guts, in the power
delivery – however you like to describe it. Just 25cc
might not sound like much but adding 25cc to any
small engine and a significant amount of extra torque
will be the primary reward because it is, after all, a 20%
increase in engine capacity. You can also expect more
horsepower too at most revs over the 125cc engine,
and this is more or less exactly what the 150 delivers.
While KTM’s 125s are seriously quick little machines,
like all 125 motors they tend to be shy on low rpm
grunt and lower mid-range guts – a great 125 rider
has to swing on the clutch and dance on the gear
lever almost continuously. However, with a 150 the
bottom end and mid-range is significantly enhanced,
improving rideability markedly while still maintaining
that singing top end. And, of course, the fantastic
light weight and general manageability of a 125 is
completely unaltered. These aspects, the light weight,
strong ridability and yet very quick engine should
appeal to riders of smaller stature, women and just
plain fast guys who prefer smaller engines.
You should also consider that there is not really a
class for a 150 NZ motocross, but there is the under
200cc class in both cross country and enduro where
this machine has been proved to be an outstanding
competitor. In fact, the 150 is the replacement for
KTM’s venerable and well-loved 200EXC that is no
longer in the model range. Also, let’s not forget that
the extra punch from the engine also makes it a more
relaxing and capable trail bike.
Two exponents of KTM’s 150cc machines are Will
Eyre and Natasha Cairns, two racers whose names
regularly feature in the results here in NZ. Between
them they compete cross-country, enduro, MX and
hard enduro, with Will on the MX version, the 150SX,
while Natasha is on the 150XCW cross-country/enduro
machine. Rather than us tell you how good the 150 is,
we thought we’d let them tell you why they’ve chosen
to run KTM’s big little bike (or maybe it’s a little big
bike...?). Anyway, there are their takes on the 150cc
two-stroke from Austria.
KIWI RIDER 53