2023 Yamaha YZ125X vs 2023 KTM 125XC first impressions

Logan and Sam head out to the desert to do some riding on the brand-new 2023 Yamaha YZ125x and the brand-new 2023 KTM125XC.

We kept these bikes stock right off the showroom floor. Stay tuned for more side-by-side comparisons and bike builds.

Quick Links

0:00 Intro
0:39 Our plan
1:31 Not in this video
2:07 1# Goal
4:50 Specs
5:24 Startup
8:03 First impressions and winner

#dirtbike #yamaha #ktm

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[dirtbikesam]

Which one would you choose? Comment below!

[tndeere]

Never owned a KTM but I can say the 3 Yamahas I have owned have been nothing but great. YZ85, YZ250f & YZ125 all great bikes that gave zero trouble.

[michaelfila]

Nice comparison, I went from riding a 450exc to a yz125 and absolutely love it. Handles like no other.

[jimwil]

Carburetor and kick starter. Easy decision take the Yamaha every time

[wadewilson-xizs]

I rode cr 250’s my whole life… I’m 42. I stopped ridding about 8 or 9 years ago, about the time my son was born & he’s 9 now, I just bought my son a brand new ktm 65 & I bought myself a brand new ktm 125 xc the exact bike you guys just reviewed & like I said I’ve rode cr 250’s from 17 to about 30 & my Ktm 125 xc is as great or maybe even better than any bike I’ve rode.

[nickacelvn]

I'm on a crf 450 rx its an absolute beast and wayyy beyond my ability to push it. I can't help but wonder if a smaller lighter bike wouldn't work better for me. Bikes have come a long way....

[JoshuaCussins]

Put a lectron, or smart carb on the yz and a pc pipe. Never look back. Pick the standard YZ125 no x if you want more power. Ad a reserve petcock for safety sake. Someday we'll all be looking back at the kick starters and thinking how cool they are. The 125 starts so easy its hard to justify the need for e-start. 125 two strokes are so fun.

[rodan]

Turning 34 this year, and in great physical shape. All of my bikes have been kickstart only or both, even the Harleys. That being gimme that "Electric leg" 😂

[goon.]

i’m going to be picking up a yz125x for my play bike and practice bike to help me get better at everything so i can start getting faster and faster on my kx250f track bike

[ipid]

Decider would be which one has the widest gearing?? What one will cruise the best?

[EvanSmith-zoug]

I just got my 23 125 XC and I love it. It’s such a step up from my old crf250f

[ironthumb]

Dealer in my area has both bikes listed for same price $6999.

[jamesjobe]

Im liking this comparison and will be following the series. Was this done with Yamaha’s suggested 15:1 ratio break-in mix? You can probably figure which one I already own, but it was a highly debated decision!

[wsl]

If I was competing I'd buy the KTM. I'd buy the Yamaha if I just wanted to get out and ride, only. I would miss the button and EFI, on the Yamaha, but no big deal since I started riding when dirt bikes were kick start and carburetor, only.

[Slater-rhqr]

The yz sounds so much cleaner and crisper

[motozz]

Ready to Race lol straight to repair shop

[bradsimmons]

Correctly jetting the YZ for the temp/elev/hum has to be a part of even a bone stock comparison. The bike is not going to run right with stock jetting especially at 6000 ft.

[themerc]

If you to use one of these as a road bike which would yous pick

[tandccreations]

For my 125x it'll start first kick but it likes 10 pumps of throttle then 10 compression kick it'll start for kick

[OlafThorbjorn]

I can’t ride all the time and therefore I have an issue with the KTM relying on a battery for weeks and sometimes months 😒
Plus I can already see the dealer poking my eyes out on a regular service $$$$, that I won’t be able to do myself 🤷🏻‍♂️