MXA’S TWO-STROKE TUESDAY: 2001 KTM 125SX

KTM wasn’t always on the top of the motocross world. Back in the early 2000’s, the Japanese brands didn’t even have KTM on their radar. Nonetheless KTM had their stake in two-stroke racing and made sure there was somebody on the gate at the AMA Nationals and Supercrosses on an orange bike. Grant Langston was a rookie from South Africa looking to get into the premiere ranks of the sport and KTM gave him that chance. Langston’s first US career highlight was a Supercross win in Irving, Texas, in the 125 West. Langston would podium five more times times in the 2001 Supercross season. In the AMA 125 Nationals that year, Langston started the season at the top, winning the overall at both Glen Helen and Hangtown. He would garner three more wins and two additional podiums aboard his KTM. Grant would ultimately finish second overall in the 2001 AMA Outdoor National championship.

The 2001 KTM SX125 appeared to be a refresh of the 2000 model. Still a handful of tweaks made it a seemingly improved bike. The engine had been redesigned with a larger crank. While the bike was fast, the bottom to mid power was designed to be more friendly to the less experienced riders. Unfortunately, the bike still lacked certain features that had become the norm in its competitors– such as a shock linkage. All these years later, the KTM SX125 is now the dominant force in the two-stroke market.

MXA put the 2001 125SX to the test.

The classic MXA corner shot.