Words: Ryan Marmont

The 2016 KTM 125 SX turned heads globally when it was unveiled as all-new alongside the four-strokes, remaining a class favourite for emerging racers on their climb through the ranks to MX2. Being the model that I won my first Australian championship with, I was super-excited to ride it during the US launch at Ironman Raceway.

Already recognised as a bike with an impressive amount of power and strong handling capabilities, it’s nice to see KTM continue development with the latest technologies very similar to the four-stroke range released.

If you are in the market of a new bike and you’re trying to decide weather a two-stroke is a better fit for your purpose, changes made to the 2016 KTM 125 SX makes it a very capable option. The engine is more compact and powerful, with a greater mid-range power. It has a weight reduction of 2.8kg, resulting in 89.2kg in total!

Image: Simon Cudby.

The motor is impressive and, although you have to work for it to make the most of the increased power on offer, you’ll be rewarded with a usable powerband that’s got a decent amount of torque for a smaller two-stroke. It’s amazing what KTM continues to achieve with such a proven previous package.

Like the SX-F range the 125 SX features an all-new chassis design including new ergonomics and a slick, streamline feeling. KTM has focused a lot on the triangle position to the bike; the handlebars, footpegs and seat positioning.

It has a non-clogging footpeg, which is a must for a 125 when leaning over in ruts – it’s the worst when your footpegs get full of mud and point straight upwards. There’s been a lot of thought put into the design and it truly does work. Same goes with the gear lever.

We also see a different brand of handlebar for 2016, as Neken replaces Renthal, and it’s a really comfortable bend that should suit a wide range of riders. With a new rubber-mounted design added to the top triple clamp you still have room for adjustment in terms of handlebar placement and the mounts can be turned 180 degrees, just to give the rider that little bit more adjustment.

Image: Simon Cudby.

KTM have partnered up with ODI and added lock on grips for the 2016 range. It’s a clever design that I wasn’t sure of at first, but as soon as I rode I was an instant fan of the feel because they’re not too thick despite the way they attach to the bike. Any changing them out is a cinch!

When it comes to changing an air filter, it’s never a fun job, but not only that, you need to make sure it’s done correctly to ensure dirt won’t enter the motor. KTM has made it simple with a redesign of the filter and cage, enabling it to click into place without tools and with little concern.

The 125 SX features a new generation shock that has been made in conjunction with the new frame and swingarm. It has a newly-designed shock clevis contributes to 12mm shorter shock length and the linkage system has been lengthened.

The linkage provides for 10mm more travel (even with a 12mm shorter shock), which also allows the shock to have a 42Nm spring apposed to a 48Nm in the previous model. That helps to reduce forces and hydraulic lock on the shock for cooler operating temperatures, which adds to the bike’s stability.

Image: Simon Cudby.

With the combination of the WP 4CS forks, this is a great little package. It has a revised fork setting and the chassis set-up allows the 125 to also have a lighter spring rate with 4.2Nm springs instead of 4.4Nm on the previous model.

All that enables the forks to use the entire travel with a lot more feeling in the front-end. It seems to have removed any hard spot in the forks, providing a more balanced feeling in the front-end through the corners.

KTM has put a big investment in developing its ‘Factory Juniors’ in the European EMX125 series – including talented New Zealander Josiah Natzke – and all have been showing just what a current specification 125cc two-stroke is capable of. The 2016 KTM 125 SX is a bike that racers all around the world will learn a lot from.

Stay tuned to MotoOnline.com.au for further information on the range to be announced by KTM Australia, including an official release date and local pricing for the 2016 KTM models.

Image: Simon Cudby.

For an insight and initial test on the entire 2016 KTM SX-F and SX range available at the launch, follow this link on MotoOnline.

A full Gallery from the launch at Ironman Raceway featuring Simon Cudby’s photography can be found now on MotoOnline by visiting this link.

And if you’re in search for complete technical information on the range, click this link for our ‘Bike’ feature on MotoOnline from when the bikes were first unveiled.