Most of KTM’s dirt bike fans have started on this bike or at least heard that it’s the best thing – built by the Austrian manufacturer – to start on if planning to hit the motocross tracks and even compete in a few races after gaining enough experience. Not to be compared with any of the 125 cc four-strokes is the 2009 KTM 105 SX, a machine that is light, maneuverable and which benefits of the all-important two-stroke engine performance to call it a blast around the track. Yes, it’s a 105 cc; you can start getting over it now…or get on riding.

 

Introduction

Riders who are just starting out are most often thinking that their very first bike will be one of sacrifice and, being positioned at the entry-level of the SX Competition lineup, the 105 SX is very often considered so, but it will soon have riders change their opinions about it as most likely these weren’t aware of the small engine’s capabilities in the first place. Displacing only 103.96 cc, the single-cylinder, two-stroke motor will only have to move around approximately 300 pounds (rider included, as the bike only weighs 149.91 lbs). It features kick starting only so riders will know from the very beginning of their riding days what’s a kick starting routine. Also, they will know about the full benefits of a six-speed transmission so that they can only ascend in what concerns the dirt bikes that they buy and gather skills fast.

A veritable dirt bike, the 105 SX is characterized by a 16.34 inches ground clearance, which is less than the previous model year’s 16.93 inches, but still sufficient for what the bike is built to do. Still, the seat height remains positioned at 35.43 inches above the ground. The 2009 model year is supposed to be a sweeter handler as the wheelbase has been increased from 50.31±0.39 inches to 50.79±0.39 inches while the steering head angle remains of 66-degrees.

While the front 1.69 inches WP USD fork is capable of the same 10.83 inches of wheel travel as on last year’s model, the WP monoshock PDS now offers 11.81 inches of wheel travel, slightly more than last year’s 11.34 inches for the rear end. The suspensions work just as well with the 19-inch wheels or the 16-inch pair now available.

KTM offers no Six Days version of the 105 SX, but only a refreshed look and that’s enough to relaunch it for 2009.

2008 KTM 105 SX History

Competition

Kawasaki is the only manufacturer to offer a proper alternative for the KTM 105 SX in the form of their 2009 KX 100. Being powered by a liquid-cooled 99 cc, two-stroke single with KIPS, also fed through a Keihin PWK28 carburetor and mated to a six-speed transmission, this bike gets the same credentials as the Austrian one does. Kawi also offers a Monster Energy version of their entry-level two-stroke bike.

Yamaha and Suzuki do not offer a separate 100 cc two-stroke bike apart from their 85 cc ones as Kawasaki does (see their KX 85), but only the YZ85, respectively the RM85 and RM85L while Honda and Husqvarna look from the side.

Exterior

The 2009 KTM 105 SX might be the smallest bike in its lineup, but it’s a damn good representative of it as well as a preview of what you’ll be getting when going in the big league. What first meet the eye are the aggressive fenders and number plates as well as the mudguards and side panels featuring updated graphics. Like on all other SX models, the rear spring is Orange painted, but in this case that is well camouflaged as most of the bike’s plastics are Orange.

Aluminum units such as the swingarm and the small silencer aren’t black painted, but neither are the rims so, from this point of view, it stands apart from bigger SX models. At least the narrow seat, fuel tank, frame and fork legs are black and that helps at pointing out the important stuff in the bike’s overall design.

As much as we’ll talk the look of the 105 SX over, it’ll still be a muddy blast when out on the track. So check out the ride that we had on the previous model year.

2008 KTM 105 SX Test Ride

Price

The starting price for the 2009 KTM 105 SX is $5,498, exactly 500 bucks less than the new 125 SX so this last will always look more tempting, but if you’re a beginner rider, we say stick to the 105 SX for a good while and then go straight for the 150 SX or even the 250 SX.

Conclusion

Overall, the KTM 105 SX is a bike that we would recommend to those who know that they’re capable of obtaining good results and only need the proper bike to start on in order to show off the skills that they’re born with and have just started to develop.

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SPECFICATIONS

 

Engine and Transmission

Engine type: Single cylinder, 2-stroke
Displacement: 103.96 cc
Bore x stroke: 52 x 48.95 mm (2.05 x 1.93")
Starter: Kickstarter
Transmission: 6 gears
Carburetor: Keihin PWK 28
Lubrication: Mixture oil lubrication 1:40
Transmission oil: 15W50
Primary drive: 19:66
Final drive: 14:49
Cooling: Liquid cooled
Clutch: Wet multi-disc clutch, operated hydraulically
Ignition: Moric digital 2M1

Chassis and Dimensions

   
Frame: Central double-cradle-type 25CrMo4
Subframe: Aluminium
Handlebar: Aluminium Ø 28/22 mm (1.10/0.87")
Front suspension: WP USD Ø 43 mm (1.69")
Rear suspension: WP monoshock PDS
Suspension travel front/rear: 275 / 300 mm (10.83 / 11.81")
Brakes, front/rear: Disc brakes 220 / 200 mm (8.66 / 7.87")
Rims, front/rear: 1.60 x 19"; 1.85 x 16"
Tires, front/rear: 70/100-19"; 90/100-16"
Chain: 1/2 x 5/16"
Main silencer: Aluminium
Steering head angle: 66°
Wheel base: 1290±10 mm (50.79±0.39")
Ground clearance (unloaded): 415 mm (16.34")
Seat height: 900 mm (35.43")
Tank capacity: approx. 5 liters (1.32 gal)
Weight (no fuel): approx. 68 kg (149.91 lbs)