KTM 125 EXC Six days 2012 — Specifications

Six days. A thousand kilometres of terrain. Forty hours in the saddle. The International Six Days Enduro is not a race — it is a survival test for the machine as much as for the rider who pilots it. And it is precisely to meet this extreme demand that KTM developed the KTM 125 EXC Six Days, a factory version immediately recognisable by its chromoly frame painted in orange, the signature colour of the KTM factory team. Not a simple graphics kit slapped hastily onto a standard EXC: a machine conceived for those who want to line up their race number alongside the riders who dominate the special tests.

What strikes you first about this 2012 model year is the coherence of the whole package. The liquid-cooled 124.8 cc two-stroke single-cylinder benefited from a redesigned airbox and an optimised-flow intake tract that improves rev build-up. The exhaust, whose resonance pipe was recalibrated in conjunction with the exhaust valve, delivers explosive power but without a sharp hit, which matters enormously when the terrain gives way beneath the front wheel at every corner. At 95 kg dry with a seat height of 960 mm, this machine is one of the lightest in the enduro segment — a decisive advantage over a Husqvarna TE125 or a Beta RR 125 on long special tests.

The fully revised chrome-molybdenum steel frame gains in lateral rigidity without sacrificing feel. It absorbs the impacts transmitted by the suspension more effectively, resulting in more precise steering and a less exhausted rider at the end of the day. The 48 mm WP upside-down fork with open cartridge works in concert with the PDS rear shock lengthened by 7 mm and mounted at a flatter angle to provide more linear progression. The forged aluminium swingarm, lighter than its predecessor, recentres the shock absorber's mass for a more balanced weight distribution. These are details that, taken together, make the difference after eight hours of liaison sections and special tests.

The Six Days-specific equipment partly justifies the €7,550 list price. The Camel SXS seat improves long-distance comfort, the solid rear disc resists heat build-up better during repeated descents, and the black anodised Giant rims with zinc-nickel spokes are significantly more robust than the standard components. The quick-release front wheel kit and tool-free brake pad changer are no luxury when a two-minute service stop can decide a victory or an elimination. For a used KTM 125 EXC Six Days, these elements should be checked first: spoke play or a warped disc can betray a machine that has seen hard competition use.

This model year is clearly aimed at experienced riders who are comfortable with a responsive two-stroke that tolerates little imprecision in throttle management. A beginner will be overwhelmed by the machine's character as soon as the terrain becomes technical. On the other hand, for an experienced enduro rider looking for a serious base for off-road competition — or even for a KTM 125 EXC Six Days supermoto build on an urban circuit — this factory version represents a solid starting point. KTM did not invent the two-stroke enduro with this machine, but in this precise segment, in 2012, nobody did it better.