OT: What KTM dirt bike to match my 690SMC?

[zimm]

I'm 5 days from getting home from deployment to see my new-to-me 690SMC.

I'm also searching for a dirt bike to ride at the "Kahuku" the big motocross complex on Oahu. There's a main track- which I'll avoid, several smaller practice tracks, and miles of steep, gnarly, slippery trails through the woods. Lots of clay/mud, roots, pine needles and rocks on the trails. The tracks are pretty open with decent jumps. I'm looking for a do-it-all KTM for a rusty off-road rider.

It's been 7 years since I had a '00 WR400 which was too heavy and I never did use all the power. I had a '88 YZ250 before that that was awesome, but not a trail machine- worked great in the Cali desert though.

So.... what bike to get? I'm leaning towards the 250XC-F model. There's also the 250XCW 2 stroke. If I get a 4 stroke, I can plate in Hawaii- not that I will, but it's nice to have the option.

I'm not going to put many hours on the bike, so maintenance won't be much of an issue. Probably riding a couple days per month with my schedule.

Any suggestions from the moto crowd?

[Tfunk]

If you get the chance go ride a new Husaberg 390-450-or 570........absolutely mind boggling chassis feel and easy, no VERY EASY to ride longer and not have the bike ride you........ my .02. And I am a dyed in the wool KTM owner, ask Hollywood.

[gravityfreak]

If you get the chance go ride a new Husaberg 390-450-or 570........absolutely mind boggling chassis feel and easy, no VERY EASY to ride longer and not have the bike ride you........ my .02. And I am a dyed in the wool KTM owner, ask Hollywood.

I'm a die hard 2smoke fan (I ride a Husqvarna wr250). I returned to 2 strokes after owning a few WR's (450 and 250) plus I've ridden heaps of MX 4t's. The one bike range that is tempting me back to the dark side of 4t's it is the Husabergs Tfunk mentions. They are sick. Husaberg is owned by KTM anyway so you're still keeping it in the family and built quality and most of the running gear is KTM / White Power etc.
Expect to see KTM's follow suit with the new engine layout.

[zimm]

Thanks for the suggestions, but no Husaberg dealers in Hawaii. How about KTMs?

[gravityfreak]

Thanks for the suggestions, but no Husaberg dealers in Hawaii. How about KTMs?

If you're a decent rider and have a pair - get the KTM 300 exc 2-stroke with the electric start. Awesome bike. Of course you can be boring a get the 450 exc like everyone else and have to worry about valve clearences and oil changes on two bikes!

[Tfunk]

Thanks for the suggestions, but no Husaberg dealers in Hawaii. How about KTMs?

Husaberg's are now sold through the KTM dealer network......

[arctic954]

I currently have a plated WR426..... have been eye-balling a KTM 200 EXC 2-stroke for quite some time now... can be plated --- and a good balance between weight & power.

Last summer -- I had an aluminum frame 1999 Honda CR125 ---- though the power was peaky.....the weight of the thing was incredible! Felt like a mountain bike. Had taken it to the MX track and also did woods single track with it. I can't image what the 200 would be like --- same weight, with a little more grunty power.

[LandonMcQ]

My 300mxc well compliments my 690smc

[Suns_PSD]

250XC 2 stroke is widely considered the best all around motorcycle. It can do the track and the single track and they are very light.

The only catch is that the 250SX can be had for a lot less usually and is a great bike as well and can be made into an XC if need be.

I basically hate 4 stroke dirt bikes and nothing is worse to me than a 250F. Regardless of how fast I can ride one they just aren't very fun.

[B_palmer22]

3 hunny EXC happiest bike i've ever met. Takes abuse and asks for more.

[Antikid]

if you have a thumper, then you HAVE to get a 2 stroke. it is a completely different experience.

[zimm]

Dilema. I can't afford a 2010 2 stroke- an '10 250XC is gonna cost me $9100 OTD

They do have either a new-leftover 2008 KTM 250XC-F or a 450EXC for over $2k less than MSRP, which I think is a good deal, especially being out in hawaii with limited competition from dealers. They also have a '09 with smaller discount, and '10 at full MSRP.

The 450 is $1,000 more than the 250.

It worries me that the prior poster said the 250 was not a fun bike. What about the 450EXC? I can probably get that for just under $7 OTD.

Or I can just wait for a used 2 stroker motocross bike to come along. There's been several YZ250's on craiglist out here for $3-4k. The KTM 2 strokes are hard to come by (probably because people keep them). I tried to pick up a KTM 200EXC 2 stroke for $1800 but it was sold within 12 hours of the ad. I've seen less than 1 KTM 2-stroke per month listed for sale- I check everyday.

One perk of the 450 is that it's street legal too. So I could get into dual sporting, trail exploration too. Might also come in more handy when I move back to the Washington D.C. area in a couple of years.

Or I could just get a used beater and enjoy it for the rest of my time in hawaii. I have $3k to spend- any more and it's a bank loan

[Suns_PSD]

I imagine that the sort of riding that is done in Hawaii makes the 2 strokes far superior in your likely ride conditions and that has seriously affected demand. That is why the much higher MSRP 4 strokes are actually costing less.

I think a 4 stroke would be a PILE in the conditions that I have heard about in Hawaii.

Just buy a used 2 stroke 250. RMs and YZs convert very well into excellent offroad weapons.

[shane]

only one choice SX250 they are great fun makes the 250F feel like a baby kitten and my 250F has the 300 top end kit fitted

i gave my mate a ride last weekend he got off his 2010 CRF 450 , he only did one lap came in and said i was crazy as it makes
so much power it scared the crap out of him and that was compared to his CRF450 :-}}}

if you cant get a new one buy a used SX 250

[sakke83]

shane, i hate you

[arctic954]

+1, pick up a used, cheaper 2 stroke.

Have the cash ready, look often, and jump on it the day its posted. (me personally, I'd hold out for the KTM)

[shane]

shane, i hate you

dont be like that

from last friday KTM RC8R 1190cc 170+ HP



on this

[Tfunk]

Hey Shane.....

[Husyourdaddy]

I would also go with the Husaberg FE 390; the radical engine handles like a 250, it has a light, has EFI, etc... My other choice would be the KTM XCF-W with headlight; I think for a novice it would be a great all around bike. 450's are too powerful for my taste.

[Suns_PSD]

i gave my mate a ride last weekend he got off his 2010 CRF 450 , he only did one lap came in and said i was crazy as it makes
so much power it scared the crap out of him and that was compared to his CRF450 :-}}}

This makes no sense to me at all. The 250 2 stroke has about 8 less hp, 10 pounds less tq, and a much narrower powerband than a 2008 CRF450R and in no way shape or form has the hp of a 450 MXer. Not even close.

[sakke83]

power is close to 450, little less but no more than 3hp. it's how 2 smoke delivers that power, hit is bigger than on a 450 that has more linear powerband (better to ride).

[Deadend]

My 300mxc well compliments my 690smc

thats what i was going to say - cant go wrong with a 300cc ktm 2stroke

[gravityfreak]

My husky 250 2t makes 50hp. The only reason the 450 is faster is due to traction. I've owned and ridden many 450's and yes they are fast and dead easy to ride fast but damn - they're just so boring. I'd rather ride my two stroke and have fun and feel fast than a 450 and be bored and be fast.

[smokin single]

YOU'LL LOVE THE 3 HUNDO! I would personally get a 2t, but I ride mostly woods offroad.