Well I took a sip of the orange cool-aid. Now I'm hooked. I bought a 2013 KTM 150 xc. It is unbelievable. I rode the Wing Mountain trail system just outside of Flagstaff and that bike it like cheating. It is so light and nimble and what I can't believe is how much torque that little engine makes. There are some fairly rutted out steep climbs and right now it is dry and loose out there. That little 150 pulled my 230 lbs up all of it with no problem. Simply amazing! KTM really did their homework on this one. I haven't ridden a two stroke in a while but it all came back to me in no time. I have to admit it felt a little slippery at first but once I remembered how to ride one, what a blast. I love my little KLX but it's going to be resigned to dirt road touring from here on out.

 

Thanks for the warning!
Note to self: don't take that first sip.

 

I hear they lace ktm motors with cocaine so you stay on top of maintenance....

 

Must admit, if there was loads of technical off-road riding round here I would be struggling to choose between 150XC and 250R.
As it is, with such limited off-road, I may as well stick with the lovable slug.

 

I've fallen for the orange cool aid myself, mine is a tall glass of EXC350. I blame it all on a mate from Sydney, suckered me in and left me wanting more. Thanks Arctra for the experience, it won't be forgotten brother.

 

Me too an 08 xcfw 250. I still love the klx, but 50# lighter and 10+ more hp. It was love at first sip

 

Very nice bike.

 

A KTM150 compared to a KLX...a 2-stroke race bike compared to a 20 year old dual sport...hmmmm. I think I'll wait for a "hoped for" KTM390 enduro dual sport that "might" be coming before I make any KTM-to-KLX comparison.

The KTM150 is an awesome bike. A couple of our enduro club folks have that bike, and it is killer. I'd like to have one for riding at our riding area. It wouldn't be my choice for those long rides out west where 150-200 miles a day isn't unusual.

 

I wasn't making a comparison to the KLX. I was just stating that I'm amazed at how well this 150 xc works and the surprising amount of torque it makes for a small displacement two stroke. The KLX is a great little bike I'm not putting it down. But I won't be doing much single track riding on it anymore. For dual sporting it will still get the nod however. I live in the West and I'm pretty sure for most desert areas other then say the Yuma or Glamis dunes this thing will do just fine.