2003 KTM 200MXC first ride

[Bossman150]

Ok, I got the bike this afternoon. I changed the oil, cleaned the filter and checked to make sure everything was tight, and was. The guy who owned it is a mechanic, and everything was fresh like he said it was.

My first impression - Holy #&*(!! I was not expecting the kind of power this thing packs. Keep in mind I have not changed the springs yet, so my fat rear really moves the rear end down, so anytime I tried to get on it mildly, the front end would come up, even in 3rd!!

So a couple of questions. First, I am honestly scared of the bike, it has that much power. I barely move the throttle and it just lurches like mad. Is there aftermarket throttles out there that I can change it so I have to move the throttle more before it opens so wide, and do you think that's stock? Also, I have not ridden a dirt bike in 13 years, and it was a late 80's YZ125. This thing just scares me lol.

Second, do you think the heavier springs in the back will significantly improve the issue of the front wheel wanting to come up? My dad rode it, and was very surprised at the power as well, but he was able to manage it. He is about 160lbs though and much more experienced. Though he also seemed a little hesitant to open it up and thought it was very touchy.

I only laid the bike over once, the brush guards were on the bike and my throttle hand got stuck because my hands are too big. Luckily I was able to let the rear slide and get out from under it with just a minor puncture wound and no damage to the bike. I took the brush guards off though lol.

Another issue is that were I ride, there are very little longs straights, so while learning to ride again there is no real wide open spots. If I mess up too much, I will eat a tree.

I even thought about buying a 125 and putting heavy duty springs on it and getting use to riding again on it (my dad would love this idea lol, 3rd bike for him). Do you think I am just over reacting because I have not ridden in so long, and the springs are too soft for me? I certainly don't regret buying the bike, what an insane deal that was! I just wish I could get back the the level I was back in 11th grade, I got pretty darn good on that crappy little 125.

[tirebiter]

Replace the front sprocket with one a tooth larger, cheap, and that'll mellow the inital hit.

[cowboyona426]

Sorry to hear you're so disappointed in the bike. If I were closer I'd take it off your hands for you

I know there are aftermarket throttles available for 4 strokes that change how much the carb is opened per throttle turn, but I think given some time you'll get used to it. The KTM 200 is a very strong bike for its size, and the fact that you are squatting the rear pretty hard is probably not helping with the front end coming up. Once you get the rear resprung you should be in way better shape.
If you can, find someone with an open field to ride around in so that you can get used to the power without having to worry about splatting a tree. When I first bought my 00 YZ 426F I was coming off an 85 Yamaha IT 200 and I was glad that my first ride was out in the great wide open BIG change!
Oh and just so you know, if you don't post some pics of that fine little scoot we're gonna have to ban you

[Big Red]

.....Heck yeah....ban'em anyway just because he's gotta bike and I don't!!

[KKXR400R]

Like mentioned before you can add tooth to the front and should mild it out a little for ya. On my CR the low end was pretty gnarly so I eventually went 1 tooth up in the front and took 3 off the rear sprocket. the bike is mild on the low end but has easily seen the 75-80'sh range on the top end. You can also get a flywheel weight to calm down the hit. Hope this helps....

-Kevin-

[OLDMXRACER 393]

You can alter the hit on KTM 2 smokes with the powervalve springs. 3 different ones I think. Just head over and do some snooping on KTMTalk. Those guys have em sorted out to a gnat's arse over there.

[45 ACP]

You will get used to the power. I am in the same boat as you are. Used to race a 1998 KX 125, didnt ride offroad for 8 yrs and then just got a CRF 450 and on my first ride I was very intimidated as well. But, I am getting more and more comfortable on the bike with every ride. It will come back to ya.

Good luck and be safe. Oh and nice bike you got there.

[Bossman150]

Ok, here are some pics:

[cowboyona426]

Good lookin' scooter!

[Bossman150]

A little more info. I checked the sprockets on the bike and I am currently running 14/45. According to the KTM dealer I am already running much higher then stock, and really can't go much higher. I don't think there is room for a 15 on the front, the 14 is almost touching already.

Maybe I am not explaining correctly. People keep saying to just take it easy or limit the twist of the wrist. There just does not seem to be any way to do that. I am either lugging or screaming, the throttle just does not want to be in between. It's so sensitive that if I even hit a bump the movement my hand makes from that moves the throttle enough to make the bike lurch.

I wish one of you more experienced guys lived close enough to come ride it to let me know if I am just being a wuss or if something seems off.

[cowboyona426]

14/45 is pretty tall, and that might be why the throttle feels so much like a light switch. Try going down to a 13 or even 12 tooth front. This will lower your gearing and make it a little easier to get rolling, but it also gives you more power on the low end and takes away from the top end. This means easier wheelies and better tractability in low speed conditions.

[blasterdude14]

this is why i would prefer a thumb throttle

[KKXR400R]

Making the gearing lower in my opinion would make the bike even harder to ride. Try putting some more freeplay in your throttle this will probably help with that "whiskey throttle" feeling. That's an easy tip and it's costs you nothing. It could, like a few others say, be a matter of just getting used to the bike. Good luck and keep us posted.

-Kevin-

---------- Post added at 06:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------

Oh ya BTW thats a really nice bike! Extremely clean and someone took very good care of it.

-Kevin-

[Bossman150]

I did add some play in the throttle, there was a little difference but not much. I think I might try a throttle kit, I am hoping that will give me a little more control of the throttle so it does not open so wide so fast. my springs should be in tomorrow or Monday, I think those should help a ton too. Right now I am just putting too much weight on the back making the front way too light.

[cowboyona426]

Originally Posted by KKXR400R

Making the gearing lower in my opinion would make the bike even harder to ride. Try putting some more freeplay in your throttle this will probably help with that "whiskey throttle" feeling. That's an easy tip and it's costs you nothing. It could, like a few others say, be a matter of just getting used to the bike. Good luck and keep us posted.

-Kevin-

---------- Post added at 06:56 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:55 AM ----------

Oh ya BTW thats a really nice bike! Extremely clean and someone took very good care of it.

-Kevin-

I was thinking that when I typed my response, but what I was wondering is if the tall gearing is making him feel like he has to get on it hard to get it going. With lower gearing it might give just a little more bottom end so that he can kind of roll on w/o having to whiskey throttle it to get moving without killing it.
Bossman- I think a thumb throttle would make it harder to control. Have you done any searching for an adjustable throttle tube?

[Bossman150]

I just ordered [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

I hope it does't take forever to get here, I used the free shipping lol.

[VET393]

Some people loosen there throttle and rotate it back towards them on the bars a little, this way you cant get full throttle when it gets away. If you want full throttle while riding then rotate it away from you on the bars, so in the riding position it is full on. I did this on my wife bike so she couldnt go full speed.

[Bossman150]

Ok, I had a nice long ride tonight. I started using 2nd gear minimum unless I was in a rutty trail. I found a nice open field and got a chance to open it up a bit. The shifting is still a bit akward, just because its been so long for me. The last thing I rode was a 350 warrior about 10 years ago. I am starting to get use to the power, but I did lose the back end a few times because I cracked it too much too soon. I did manage to get clear of the bike this time though lol. I must be doing better getting my weight to the front, because the front end is not wanting to come up as much as before.

I will admit, I am still scared of the bike, but getting slightly more confident. I even managed to get a few jumps in, those really hurt without the heavier springs though. I was so freaked out after the first ride I almost traded the bike for a quad, SOOO glad I decided against that. Once I get some more riding in and get the heavy spring and G2 throttle cam system in, I think I will be ready to rock!

[Big Red]

Originally Posted by Bossman150

I will admit, I am still scared of the bike, but getting slightly more confident.

You're not scared....you just have a HIGH respect for the bike!! And that ain't a bad thing. It's when you lose respect for it that it'll come back to bite ya!

[cowboyona426]

Originally Posted by Big Red

You're not scared....you just have a HIGH respect for the bike!! And that ain't a bad thing. It's when you lose respect for it that it'll come back to bite ya!

Agreed!