KX 100 or KTM 105 wifes bike?

Well I decided to go with a kx100. I found a nice 2002 on craigslist with all the mods we would eventually make anyway. Larger tank, flywheel weight, redone suspension for a larger rider, etc. The two biggest reasons I went with a kx over a KTm being my fiance sat on a kx and said "this is the one I want" granted, it was a 2014 model she sat on and I bought her a 2002. She doesn't need to know that they made some changes in between those years right? The second reason was simply price and availability. There are always several kx's for sale locally for half the price or better than the occasional KTM. I paid $800 for the kx and at the time the only KTM was asking 2600. I figure it's hard to beat an $800 first bike. If she outgrows it we can upgrade later.

You made the right choice.

Tim Troffer said it made a big difference on his Daughters KX100.

hmmmm? about the only thing wrong with this bike is that the kickstarter is worn down from use. It's not bent, but rather where the point of contact is between the kicker and the rotating mechanism is rounded off.

Huge difference on my son's, too! No brainer once you've experienced the needle metered carb! We've got 2 APTs & 2 Lectrons. I'd recommend it for sure.

hopefully I'll remember in the next day or so.

Was just reading a test last night on the new redesigned one. Tested by a kid and then rode a bunch by adults having to much fun. I used to ride mone around a buddys squirrel trail system, was a hoot.

huge difference it what sense? Can you elaborate a little. It may be something I'd upgrade to.

Little background so there is a sense of my experience with the KXs. Two sons, ten years apart, both raced KX85s, then superminis. Harescrambles & GNCC. After the revelation with the first APT, I wanted to get the same performance for my #2 son. Talked with APT and they sponsored him with a 27mm APT which had been a GASGAS test unit. The carb did the same enhancement for the 85 as the billet 36 did for my 144 (and then 165); much improved (tractable) off idle bottom end, more low end (tractable) hill climbing performance, very linear (but strong) acceleration and all the top end it was worth. Bike started and was off the line with half kicks (so it seemed, he holeshot most starts). I then contacted Kevin at Lectron and discussed machining a 30mm carb to fit the KX. That carb had the same overall characteristics as the 27mm APT unit. We used it on his practice bike and then on the big bore supermini we built. Absolutely will use these carbs on all bikes from here on out. We sent the APT back when my son went to the Husky 144. The Lectron is now on my wifes TM Racing 100. No more jetting. No more lean mixture induced 'hits' in the power band, no more air screw tweaks to keep them idling, no more worries about cold seizures, no more good starting/hard starting schizophrenics. Maybe I'm jaded, but I keep spouting off and then feel like I have to answer when asked. One of our bikes (144) has a Keihin 36mm AS spec'd for a KTM 150. It's jetted as well as I can get it and when the temps change, we've got to dial it in... Son #1 wants to stay traditional So, a 165 has a Lectron 36mm, another 165 has an APT cast 38mm, a WR360 has an APT billet 36mm and the TM 100 has a Lectron 30mm. Maybe more than you asked for, but... my wife accuses me of never doing anything 'just a little'.

I'm not qualified to compare engineering. The Lectron 36 works well, but it needed 'tuning' as has been discussed in a few threads (mine needed the P/J tube trimmed). The cast 38 APT needed the 'short' needle and feels good throughout the range. They work on the same principle but are designed differently. APT has a 'keyhole' shaped bore, Lectron has the 'power jet'. APT is tool less setup adjustment, Lectron needs carb rotated, slide removed to set up (simple and easy). Both companies are absolutely great to work with. I think it comes down to what's available when you want it or which piece of art you want hanging on your engine. With that said, and keeping in the KX100 context, the 30mm Lectron worked out of the box and is the only option.

Thanks for the reply. It does sound like an upgrade that is well worth it's price. Right now I'm still fiddling with the jetting trying to get it better for our elevation. But the temps are still swinging by 30 degrees or so from day to day here. Actually this sounds like a perfect time to get a lectron on it. But I think I'll wait until I know this is something she is gonna like long term before I throw more money at it.

Here is what she looks like. Oversize tank, bark busters, skid plate, flywheel weight, resprung boingers and brand new tires for $800.

Well the little KX blew up! I tore it apart to see what went wrong and a piece of the cylinder wall between the intake parts broke off and rattled around and locked up the bike. After measuring things it turns out a previous owner had bored and stroked it to a 112. The bottom end looked good, so I left that as is. Ordered a brand new stock cylinder from Chaplin kawi for a little over $200. New piston for $40 various gaskets and a few other goodies to get her back together. Total rebuild was under $400 easily. Man ya gotta love 2 strokes. It's back together now and screaming around again. Now it's a 103cc.

Probably the best configeration! Did one like this for my oldest son about twelve years ago, bad to the bone!