Ok. so i have definitely decided to stay away from the 144/150sx, and pretty much all the Ktms due to the fact that the closest dealer is almost an hour away. Im gonna stick with a yamaha (dealer is 10 miles away). I actually got a chance to ride my friends TTr250 all weekend, it was a blast. But i feel the big is just to heavy for what id like to do. Im gonna stick with a YZ125. I will be riding on 8 acres, and i appreciate the advice. We've been clearing trails the last 2 weekends and i ive saved up enough so i should be able to get a bike on the 15th of nov.

FWIW, I don't believe the KTM150 has the same problems as the 144? There are a few around here that have been good.

I would go with the Yamaha as well. The dealer being so close is a deal maker, well, that and the fact that the YZ is a great bike.

FWIW the KTM 150 is a 144 and the same bike with normal year to year changes. They have been full of issues since day one but are slowly getting better.

FWIW, I knew that. The new ones have a different ignition and maybe piston/cylinder?? which helps prevent failures. They are a really good bike that will kick the 250f's butt, IMO.

Not a good first bike, though, for various reasons. I wasn't trying to encourage the fellow one way or the other on this one. I was trying to soften your "hit" on the 150. It is a class beating bike. Period.

Can't go wrong with most Yamahas.

The 144/150 is more competitive against 250F's than a 125 but a class beater? not a chance, you are still at a disadvantage against the thumpers.

The reality and history I've seen with the KTM144/150 is that the 07/08 had some issues with rings snagging ports and taking out the top end, seemed corrected for 09. 08 had tons of CDI issues also seemingly corrected for 09 and all of them have had gearbox issues which has allegedly been fixed for 2010.

OK. Didn't know about the gearbox issues. But I still know a good rider on a 150 can beat the class of 250f's. Just takes a "no-mistakes" kind of guy(a good 125 rider). The 150's power is easily competitive.

Now you got me wondering about this '08 200 gearbox that we have?... It seems to be a great tranny so far. What was wearing out/breaking on the 150's? Sorry about the hijack! I think JawdenWilsabi has it figured out now anyway.

Many reports of first gear breaking in the gearbox.

Thanks for the info Chili.