EC200 vs KTM200 vs Husky150

[firffighter]

My son is currently riding a KDX200. He loves the bike, but is progressing quickly and is ready for an updated package.

I would like to keep him on a smaller cc bike since he is only 135 lbs.

I have owned a couple of KTM200's and thought they were very fun bikes and he would do well on one I believe.

Anyone ride both the Gasgas200 and the KTM200?

Anyone tried the Husky 144 or 150?

 

[stainlesscycle]

i've ridden both ktm200 and gg 200.

i never could come to terms with pds.

i always felt the frame and subframe on ktm200 felt too 'toy like' but i'm a lot bigger than 135lbs.

the ktm200 felt lighter when pushing it around, but they felt the same weight when riding.

all the ktm200's i rode had a more significant hit, and were more aggreessive/violent - but both gg and ktm can be tuned to be any way you like.

the gg200 is more smooth in the power delivery, and feels bigger all over to me. the ktm felt taller. i hate ktm200's stock bars.

you can probably find a nice gg200 for less than a nice ktm200........

 

[noobi]

I'm about 140lbs and 5' 8''
I too have ridden the ktm 200 and the gg 200.
I was looking into both bikes, rode both, and got the gasgas.
I also found the ktm did have a significantly harder hit in power delivery, gets more intense the newer the model.
My 200 comes with the 2k3 stator, which is a lot of flywheel, meaning it revs up pretty slowly, putting the 2k2 or 2k1 on really makes the bike more free revving.
I also didn't like the ktm frame, it always felt really fat down at the pegs, and thin at the seat.
Suspension setting stock will depend on year, and what components the bike came with that year.

The pre 07 gg frame/subframe does feel quite a lot bigger than the 07+ bikes. Not a bad thing, just preference, my 07 felt like a mini bike straight after riding an 05.

 

[john01]

I haven't been on a KTM or GG 200 but I do have a 08 Husky 144. I really love the power on my 144 now. In stock 125 trim it had a soft bottom, big hit, and lots of top end. Now it's very smooth and will crawl around in second gear at a walking pace. Love the bike. I hear the new 150's are like that. All that being said my next bike will be a 2012 GG 200. My 2010 GG300 ergo's just feel like the bike was made for me. We have had a couple of KTM's (not 200's) and they just don't fit me. I felt like was sitting way up on top them just along for the ride. The GG bikes at least mine feels natural which makes me feel good and confident knowing what the bike is doing. BTW the GasGas bikes ain't bad on the eyes either.

 

[firffighter]

It sounds like the Gasgas has a softer hit than the KTM and that is what I would be looking for for my son. Something that is similar to the KDX motorwise. The KDX motor is fantastic, but it is dated ergos, suspension, etc.

Having owned a couple of KTM200's in the past, I agree that they can have a pretty big hit. I added a FWW on them to help and adjusted PV to calm it a bit as well.

The KTM is super light feeling and it sounds like the Gasgas is a heavier bike.

A gasgas 200 is also a rare sighting around here as well, but KTM 200's are abundant. I found an '03 Gasgas EC200 semi-local, but I am thinking I want a newer model with the new chassis (05' on up).

The Husky intrigues me. Super light, but I dont want a bike that he has to be always on the pipe. Sounds like the 144/150 might be the ticket.

 

[Mo.man]

I ride a 07 GG200, I am 5'7 180 lbs all geared up. I race harescrambles quite a bit and when there's not much traction my GG goes up hills much easier than orange because you don't have to be on the pipe to have good power. At the starting line I'm not any faster into the woods but it's right along side them.

 

[stainlesscycle]

but I am thinking I want a newer model with the new chassis (05' on up).

newer chassis is 07 and up...

 

[jeffs2200]

My wife rides an 09 KTM 200. It is the perfect bike for her. It has tons of lowend power and very little hit. The 200 got a smaller (36 mm) carb in 07 and it made the power delivery much more mellow. You can adjust the powervalve from mild to wild as well.

I would like to get her a 2012 GG200 with estart if they build it. I think on the plus side the GasGas is a smaller bike and sits lower so it would fit her well. However it would weigh a bit more than the KTM so it may be harder for her to handle in tricky spots or to pick up.

I have ridden a Husky 144 and I hated it. It had no lowend power compared to the 200 and felt much more like a 125.

If you can find an 09 or newer KTM 200 for a decent price it would be your best bet. The suspension on the 09 and up is fantastic. I am not sure where you are but a buddy of mine just bought a 2012 KTM 250xc and will be selling his 09 200xc. He is located in San Antonio.

 

[gasser]

newer chassis is 07 and up...

There was a significant change to the frame in 05 then in 07 the sub frame was changed and in 2010 the frame was completely changed.

 

[stainlesscycle]

05-09 frame is the same? same geometry everywhere? i know the steering geometry changed in 05 - was there any other changes? 05-09 only change being subframe in 07? '10 became microfusion frame.

 

[firffighter]

I know my '05 DE300 is very different in terms of handling than my previous 03' EC250. I believe there was a change between those years, and yes, the new subframe came in '07.

I have heard the KTM is lighter than the Gasgas 200 and that does play a big role in the decision.

I had also heard the smaller carb had made a big significance in the power delivery of the KTM200.

You know Kawisaki did that with the KDX's. The 220 has a smaller carb than the 200 which really added to the smooth, low end power delivery on those bikes.

 

[skid jackson]

I'll pipe in ....
I have an 08 husky cr 125 that was bored out to 144 by eric gore. I had him set it up for more low to mid power and to run on pump gas. Its a great little bike with plenty of grunt for a motor that size. My main gripe is husky's are too damn tall. I ride in New England and that means lots of nasty technical terrain. that spends most of its time off the pipe and is easy to ride.

My buddy has an 08 ktm 200. This is a very nice bike. motor is a total pussy cat and I have no problems with the pds. Like noobi I find the frame to be fat down at the pegs. I had every intention of getting a 12 ktm 200 but Fury was fire saling his 11 250 6 days so I got that. The 144 will go down the road once I get a plate on the 250. I have noticed that the 12 ktm is taller than the 08 to 11.

I got a good test ride on an 09 gasser 200 last year. I did not really dig the bike but it wasn't set up right for the conditions. With some set up i bet it would have been a lot nicer ... that said the 08 ktm rocked right form the start. Very nice motor and power delivery on the ktm.

Personally I think you could throw a blanket over all three bikes. Riding style and taste plus what you can get the best deal on would be a safe way to go.

 

[HuskyDude]

My main gripe is husky's are too damn tall. I ride in New England and that means lots of nasty technical terrain.

When I had my 08 Husky 125 that's the first thing I noticed. Same frame as it's WR brothers. (Tall) It wasn't a bad thing but sometimes when riding the nasty stuff even being 6 ft. just wasn't enough.
That and finding it under powered down low until you hit the powerband. I just could not get use to.
My Gasser might have a smaller frame and a few more CC's but I tell ya it's the best I've riding of any bike.

 

[firffighter]

Thanks for all of the input.

Tough decision. I think I'm going to look at a few bikes with my son, let him sit on them, hopefully take them for a spin, before we make the desision.

I am leaning toward the KTM200 just because they are easy to find and seem pretty well set up to begin with.

 

[thumperrider1]

you won't regret it. I raced an 09 KTM 200 last year. Awesome forks, nice and light package. Get the squish tightened up with a head mod and drop the x-dimension down for more bottom end. The powervalve is adjustable and really makes a difference. One of my favorite bikes!

 

[shaheeb]

my humble .02

I have ridden most of the bikes you mentioned in this post except the husky.

i have owned an 01 kdx200, an 08 ktm 200, many ktm 250's, a 10'gg300 and now an 11' gg200 and an 08 yz125.

i thought the kdx was a great bike, however, old, tall and heavy, it could get the job done.

for a 135 lb kid who is strong and likely to get bigger the gg200 would be a nice bike. Heavier than the ktm, it needs to be set up properly, just like all bikes. my ktm had head and port work before I sold it and it was a great bike. now owning the gg i miss the power of the ktm and have since taken the cylinder and head off to get some work done....bring on some low end power! it is a very nice handling bike,

the yz125 is a great bike also, this is one of my all time favorite bikes period. it is going to become a 144 in short time as the cylinder was just taken off. light and nimble with tons of power. it just needs suspension tuning, gearing, guards and an 18"!!!!

ktm 150xc would be a nice bike to look at also!

enjoy the ride