KTM 125 EXC 6 days 2016 — Specifications

When KTM stamps the number "6" on a machine, it's not a matter of chance. It's a statement. The Six Days of Enduro, this legendary event held since 1913, represents for the Austrian brand what Le Mans represents for Porsche: a natural hunting ground, almost a playground. The KTM 125 EXC 6 days model year 2016 fits into this tradition with remarkable consistency, carrying within its smallest components the DNA of a machine designed for the Slovakian special stages of the 2015 ISDE, its bogs and its rocky terrain.

At 94 kg dry weight, this 124.8 cc two-stroke stands out as one of the sharpest enduros in its class. The square single-cylinder engine, with its 54 mm bore for 54.5 mm stroke, is not a compromise engine. Its exhaust valve pilots power across a wide range, and the 6-speed gearbox gives the rider the freedom to choose their operating speed according to the nature of the terrain. Facing a Husqvarna TE 125 or a Beta RR 125, the KTM powertrain stands out for its responsiveness and ease of maintenance, the air filter being replaceable in 15 seconds chrono, without tools. On a special stage, every minute counts.

The tubular steel chrome-molybdene frame, painted in the team factory orange, immediately contrasts with the EXC series. It's not just a matter of aesthetics: the geometry has been calculated to maximize longitudinal rigidity without sacrificing torsional flexibility, which translates to directional precision difficult to fault even on rocky passages. The WP inverted 48 mm fork with 4CS technology, with its 300 mm of travel, works in tandem with the rear PDS mono-shock developing 335 mm of stroke. The particularity of this 4-chamber system is to offer compression and rebound adjustment accessible by a simple wheel click, without disassembly. At 960 mm of seat height, it is clearly not aimed at beginners, but at experienced riders capable of exploiting it fully.

Brembo braking with Wave discs remains a reference in the category. The floating 260 mm front disc absorbs thermal variations without irregular bite; the full 220 mm rear disc, non-perforated, offers superior wear resistance in prolonged use conditions. Giant aluminum 7050 wheels with CNC machined hubs and Metzeler tires co-developed with KTM complete a rolling chassis, designed as a system and not as an assembly of parts. The Supersprox bi-material crown, with its aluminum core and steel teeth, resists wear better than the monomaterial sprockets found with some competitors.

At 8,090 euros, the KTM 125 EXC 6 days is clearly positioned above the standard EXC and assumes this extra cost with a level of equipment usually found on much larger displacement machines. The 9.5-liter tank, the Camel saddle shaped for long hours, the protection skid plate, the handguards and the exclusive graphics make this machine a collector's edition as much as a competition tool directly usable. For the intermediate to advanced rider looking to compete in regional enduro without completely rebuilding their machine right out of the truck, it is a serious proposition. For a beginner, the power-to-weight ratio and seat height risk making the experience brutal.