Who's ridden a KTM200?
- Thread starter firffighter
- Start date
noobi
New member
I don't have a problem with people riding KTMs or saying they are the best bike for them, but when someone tells me im wrong for having the opinion I do, that is pretty annoying. I rode heaps of bikes before I settled on the gasgas and I own an 09 KTM. I still think, for me, the suspension leaves something to be desired, but thats JMO.
firffighter
New member
It is so true that each bike has it's trade-offs. I've owned 'em all and for me it boils down to which bike will I have the most fun on!
I guess with a EC200 and EC250 in the garage, it is hard to complain, I just thought it would add to the "fun" factor to have another KTM200.
There is a very nice '06 local. Tempting.
I guess with a EC200 and EC250 in the garage, it is hard to complain, I just thought it would add to the "fun" factor to have another KTM200.
There is a very nice '06 local. Tempting.
BluegassXCR
New member
what I notice is we are not comparing apples to apples...
yes they are both 200s but totally different...
a GG 200 is just a "slow" 250...built on a 250 chassis...
a KTM 200 is a 125 with tons of power....
lighter bike is going to deflect more just the way it goes...it needs a revalve then its a totally different bike...I had a 07 200xc with $1600 revalve kit by Cycle Shed....it tracked great and didnt deflect at all...but the power sucked...extremely pipey...
I rode back to back with the GG 200, KTM200, Husky 144 and KTM 125...
This is what i thought...I did 2 laps of 5-6 miles on each bike...
Fastest to slowest
husky 144 ...best torque, handled fast stuff the best, more comfortable for taller guys, not great in super tight stuff
KTM 125(rekluse)...super easy to ride, really light, not enough power to be scary, and the rekluse saved me a few times...
GG200...felt slow but times not much off the 125..super stable, but still felt like I was too big on it....
KTM200(personal bike)...I was slowest on it...bummed me out...like the handling and not the power...
So I traded for the 125sx since I couldnt find a Husky 144....
Just for reference...I am big guy on a small bike...
I am 6 ft 220lbs...40+ a rider...
yes they are both 200s but totally different...
a GG 200 is just a "slow" 250...built on a 250 chassis...
a KTM 200 is a 125 with tons of power....
lighter bike is going to deflect more just the way it goes...it needs a revalve then its a totally different bike...I had a 07 200xc with $1600 revalve kit by Cycle Shed....it tracked great and didnt deflect at all...but the power sucked...extremely pipey...
I rode back to back with the GG 200, KTM200, Husky 144 and KTM 125...
This is what i thought...I did 2 laps of 5-6 miles on each bike...
Fastest to slowest
husky 144 ...best torque, handled fast stuff the best, more comfortable for taller guys, not great in super tight stuff
KTM 125(rekluse)...super easy to ride, really light, not enough power to be scary, and the rekluse saved me a few times...
GG200...felt slow but times not much off the 125..super stable, but still felt like I was too big on it....
KTM200(personal bike)...I was slowest on it...bummed me out...like the handling and not the power...
So I traded for the 125sx since I couldnt find a Husky 144....
Just for reference...I am big guy on a small bike...
I am 6 ft 220lbs...40+ a rider...
thumperrider1
New member
I think they downsized the carb in 07. My 09 was an awesome tight east coast trails bike.
What I am really looking forward to is the 2012 Gasser with the new frame and forks! It's nice to have something different in a sea of pumpkins at the races. Plus, my dealer rocks.
What I am really looking forward to is the 2012 Gasser with the new frame and forks! It's nice to have something different in a sea of pumpkins at the races. Plus, my dealer rocks.
The 09 KTM 200 is my wifes bike. They went to the smaller carb in 07 and it made the power more mellow. It is very easy to ride and has less vibes than any 2t I have ever ridden.
My GG 300 vibes worse than any other 2t I have ever ridden. I have tried everything to make it better but I guess next on the list is to split the cases and have the crank balanced. I love my Gasser but the vibes are the only thing I am really not happy with.
My GG 300 vibes worse than any other 2t I have ever ridden. I have tried everything to make it better but I guess next on the list is to split the cases and have the crank balanced. I love my Gasser but the vibes are the only thing I am really not happy with.
I've suspected what you said about the Husky 144 to be true but never heard it from someone that rode both bikes and was a big guy. My 03 EC200 is a great bike with LTR Ohlins front and back, the PO never rode it so even though it's an 03 it seems like a 2 year old bike. I had a look at the clutch basket and it has barely started to polish the steel contact points. It's got all the bolt ons yet I never ride it because I like my 1 year old Husky 09 WR250 better. I see the potential of the GasGas but I'm 6'6" and the gasser is too small. I basically gave my 200 to my son who is now taller than me but hasn't started to complain mainly because he is a beginner rider and doesn't know any better. When he figures it out I'll be looking to trade it for a WR or CR 144 or another 250 if he's ready for the extra power. The 2012 GasGas are supposed to be taller so maybe I'll go that way
firffighter
New member
What about one of these?
Pretty rare. I bet it would be a blast in the woods!
Only 4-5 hrs from my home
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2826866108.html
Pretty rare. I bet it would be a blast in the woods!
Only 4-5 hrs from my home
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2826866108.html
twowheels
New member
Timely discussion as I have a 2009 KTM 200 in the shop for a full suspension re-hab right now - still deflects like crazy on logs and roots, even after having been massaged by a well-known pumpkin shop.
I get to ride lots of different bikes in the course of demo'ing the Gassers and invariably I get stuck on the KTM200s trying to chase down the owner to get my bike back. The most telling comment from a KTM 200 owner when I was finally able to make the switch back "I guess it's time to get back to work".
I get to ride lots of different bikes in the course of demo'ing the Gassers and invariably I get stuck on the KTM200s trying to chase down the owner to get my bike back. The most telling comment from a KTM 200 owner when I was finally able to make the switch back "I guess it's time to get back to work".
Simmo737
Gold Level Site Supporter
Ktms are great bikes until you get into axel deep or greater whoops, 5 yr old braking bumps or angled logs. Scary to watch. That swap can get big. It feels better being on them somehow than watching them from behind, and guys seem to get used to it. Tough, well built bikes otherwise.
Watching some vids of the 2012 Ktm launch by motology, and the following shots seem like the bikes are not so bad now.
Watching some vids of the 2012 Ktm launch by motology, and the following shots seem like the bikes are not so bad now.
cascade_crawler
New member
What about one of these?
Pretty rare. I bet it would be a blast in the woods!
Only 4-5 hrs from my home
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/mcy/2826866108.html
Probably would be pretty fun in the low land stuff. I have never liked the way the older KTMs handled. Owned a 99 300, recent rode an 01 200, neither tracked very well. There is a HUGE KTM 200 thread on thumpertalk with lotsa info.
I've never owned a KTM200, but have ridden some later model ones; an 07 XCW, an 08XC and an 09 XCW. I really liked them all, especially when they are set up for more manageable power delivery (I believe it called the Langston setting).
Set up that way, they have good lowend, mid, lots of top end and no hidden 'light switch'. Fun bikes in the single track IMO.
Also ridden several Gassers- 250's and 300's - a 2012 250ES is headed my way this spring
Set up that way, they have good lowend, mid, lots of top end and no hidden 'light switch'. Fun bikes in the single track IMO.
Also ridden several Gassers- 250's and 300's - a 2012 250ES is headed my way this spring
What 200 would make a better woods bike for my wife (5-8", 160lbs beginner) I am worried about power delivery, cost assoaited with lowering seath height to around 35".
ktm 06-07 seat height 36.5 weight 220lbs
ktm 09-12 37.7 208lbs
gas gas 06-12 37 210-222lbs ?
Is the pampera a better option given the inferior suspension and frame issues.
ktm 06-07 seat height 36.5 weight 220lbs
ktm 09-12 37.7 208lbs
gas gas 06-12 37 210-222lbs ?
Is the pampera a better option given the inferior suspension and frame issues.
My 03 200 IMO is the perfect beginner bike once the beginner is past the raw beginner stage of riding bikes like the electric start Honda 230 4ts and the like.
My 03 EC200DE with the rider on it has a seat height of 35 1/4".
I put a 10oz FWW and 13:52 gearing which makes it more like a tractor and less likely to stall when not ridden on the pipe, this forgives the beginner's mistakes and prevent them from kick starting the bike 100 times a ride. It also makes logs and similar obstacles easier without killing the momentum of the engine.
I have heard others on this forum say that the older models are better for shorter riders and the 12s are the tallest yet but I don't know this first hand maybe others could measure and post.
LAWMAN
Platinum Level Site Supporter
I had an early '98 KTM 200 that I bought slightly used in '98. it had the old 'right-side up" forks, they were so flexy that it made the handling vague & unsettling. Nice motor though.
I bought a 2000 model & rode the stink out of it in enduros & HS races. I ended up having it ported & some other engine work done it, it ran like about a 230. I had the suspension revalved at least twice (not cheap), but never could get it right. I can't complain about it too much, I did well on it.
I'd consider another if it had the linkage + I would swap out the lower gears for the XC 1s, the gappy W gearbox gets tiresome. other than those 2 things, it's a great bike.
I rode a GG 200, don't remember the year, but compared to the KTM, it felt heavy & sluggish. the KTM 200 will GO.
I bought a 2000 model & rode the stink out of it in enduros & HS races. I ended up having it ported & some other engine work done it, it ran like about a 230. I had the suspension revalved at least twice (not cheap), but never could get it right. I can't complain about it too much, I did well on it.
I'd consider another if it had the linkage + I would swap out the lower gears for the XC 1s, the gappy W gearbox gets tiresome. other than those 2 things, it's a great bike.
I rode a GG 200, don't remember the year, but compared to the KTM, it felt heavy & sluggish. the KTM 200 will GO.
firffighter
New member
I would be interested in how many of you would consider yourself a B or A rider?
The reason I ask is that it seems like many of the guys on the KTM sight are A/B riders who are on the KTM200 and like them a lot.
This probably does make a bit of difference considering the KTM likes to be pushed and is not the best "plonking" bike.
The reason I ask is that it seems like many of the guys on the KTM sight are A/B riders who are on the KTM200 and like them a lot.
This probably does make a bit of difference considering the KTM likes to be pushed and is not the best "plonking" bike.
