I’ve been dirt biking forever. I own a 2015 TE125. I love it. It’s pretty much like you describe this one to be. It’s like a different sport really, compared to bigger bikes (I’ve owned 300s), definitely closer to mountain biking that bigger bikes. You can’t rely on the throttle like you do on bigger bikes, you have to use the clutch, shift, move around. Wanna lift the front tire on your 300? You use the throttle. Not here, you have to use the clutch, use the suspension. You have to use technique. This bike is totally fine for more experienced riders. It is a bike that will reward you if you use good technique. It forces you to actually ride the bike, like you ride a downhill MTB. It’s a real bike, just a different kind of bike, different sport kind of.
My wife has been on a '22 150 XCW for two seasons now, we both seem to have mixed feelings about it. She can lug it anywhere but its quite a reach for her in techy stuff and the snap when the PV opens up wears her out quickly. She doesn't necessarily love it or hate it. She enjoyed my '08 200 XCW more because you could build RPMs off the bottom instead of clutching on the 150 to build speed. If KTM made a "low boy" version of the 150 I think it'd be better suited for vertically challenged rider. I'd argue the 150 isn't a really great beginner bike because of the height and snap. But if you want to become faster, the 150 certainly makes you a better rider if you have that base skill to build off. Great videos, like your input on thumpertalk too.
Nice Review! I really enjoyed it! I have been toying around with my next bike (which will be a ways down the road) going with a 150. I haven't had the opportunity to test ride one yet. It was awesome to hear you and Phil's opinion on it and gives me some things to think about.
On the roots and nasty slick shit in the East my KTM 150xc was magic. Other than the terrible forks. My old 200 was the perfect Eastern woods bike. Now that I'm 60 and struggling with sciatica I could see this 150 being a really nice addition to the stable. Still plugging away on my 350 however and don't see it going away anytime soon.
The Te 150 is a momentum bike uphill you cannot be lazy on it vs a 300 where you can stop and go on almost any trail. The 150 if you stop going uphill or gnarly terrain you have to use clutch rev and body to get going again. I think the best analogy is it is a mtb on steroid. At medium speed this thing is a trail weapon.
Thanks for the reply. I have a 23 125x that I am building for a trip to Moab next month. I worry about the height. I have used my xr650r the last 4 years out there and had issues with footing in tough sections. The yz is 8 inches taller than the big XR when sitting side by side. Should be interesting. The yz sure is zippy. Nothing like the raw speed and power of the xr, but it is no slouch in the power department.
The Beta 200 is great, but I think for his situation the 150 is a little better for her. It's amazing how much more power the Beta has compared to this bike.
@@Dashriprock4 I have a 150tpi and 200rr. I rode a Rieju 200 Ranger, it was very old school, and heavy, the kyb suspension was terrible, to get the low seat height the travel was reduced considerably. was about 2-3yrs ago, not sure if its changed since.
