250f to 250 smoker or 350?

potatoflake
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potatoflake
So it's looking like I'll be able to pick up a new bike sometime this year and I was just curious about anyone's experience with switching from a 250f to a Fc 350 or tc 250. I like the idea of the 2 stroke because it takes me back to the days of screaming around on my 85 and 125, but that 350 really sounds like it's got a damn good engine. I'm a slow b rider on my best days and really just am out there to have fun, love my 250f but it's time for something more powerful.
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TJMX947
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TJMX947 3/21/2017 9:37am
3/21/2017 9:37am
I don't think you can go wrong with a 350. I am a 250F rider at heart but getting older (and fatter) I found myself wanting more power as I didn't feel like being pegged everywhere just to get over the smallest of obstacles. I tried a 250 two stroke and it was fun but I just felt more comfortable on the four strokes so I eventually got back on a Honda 450 which was pretty light and easy to ride by 450 standards.

I now have a 2016 KTM350SXF and its really a fun bike to ride. It feels like a 250F on nitrous. Keep in mind my seat of the pants opinion is based on coming off a 450, it could feel like a heavy turd stepping up from a 250F. Kaleb Russell mentioned that its way easier to get back on a 250F after riding the 350 but difficult to step up from the 250F to the 350. Anyhoo, you only live once so I say go for it...if you hate it get something else, there are tons of people looking to buy clean 350s.
Monk
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Monk 3/21/2017 12:26pm
3/21/2017 12:26pm Edited Date/Time 3/21/2017 12:29pm
How old is your current 250f? I find the 350 one of the hardest bikes to learn to ride due to its odd motor characteristics. Not super strong off the bottom where you can lug it a gear high but it's so powerful when you rev it out it can be hard to ride efficiently. A current YAMAHA, KTM or Husky 250f is a rocket ship and you can ride it pretty wild without the consequences of 450 power...
potatoflake
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potatoflake 3/21/2017 6:20pm
3/21/2017 6:20pm
Monk wrote:
How old is your current 250f? I find the 350 one of the hardest bikes to learn to ride due to its odd motor characteristics. Not...
How old is your current 250f? I find the 350 one of the hardest bikes to learn to ride due to its odd motor characteristics. Not super strong off the bottom where you can lug it a gear high but it's so powerful when you rev it out it can be hard to ride efficiently. A current YAMAHA, KTM or Husky 250f is a rocket ship and you can ride it pretty wild without the consequences of 450 power...
It's a 2012 on t4 no back fire screen and a pipe, the newer 250fs make like 44-46 I hear and I'm pretty sure mine made 40 stock so I might be pushing 43 ponies I really do love my 250fs for just that reason if being able to hold the throttle wide open and steer!
Monk
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Monk 3/21/2017 6:43pm
3/21/2017 6:43pm
Monk wrote:
How old is your current 250f? I find the 350 one of the hardest bikes to learn to ride due to its odd motor characteristics. Not...
How old is your current 250f? I find the 350 one of the hardest bikes to learn to ride due to its odd motor characteristics. Not super strong off the bottom where you can lug it a gear high but it's so powerful when you rev it out it can be hard to ride efficiently. A current YAMAHA, KTM or Husky 250f is a rocket ship and you can ride it pretty wild without the consequences of 450 power...
potatoflake wrote:
It's a 2012 on t4 no back fire screen and a pipe, the newer 250fs make like 44-46 I hear and I'm pretty sure mine made...
It's a 2012 on t4 no back fire screen and a pipe, the newer 250fs make like 44-46 I hear and I'm pretty sure mine made 40 stock so I might be pushing 43 ponies I really do love my 250fs for just that reason if being able to hold the throttle wide open and steer!
It's kind of a misconception regarding power. A stock KTM might make 44hp but it's done at a very high RPMs. As you mention, that what I like about 250fs also, you can just kinda hold the throttle on, you cannot do that with the 350, it's just too powerful... I think you could be a good candidate for a 250 2t. The power is super linear but they pull strong right off idle...

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BobPA
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BobPA 3/21/2017 8:36pm
3/21/2017 8:36pm
I owned both, and the 350 is easier to go faster on. I keep my 2 stroke for the woods and some odd track days. The 350 is pretty damn good in the woods too, mine is just setup too stiff to be effective. Ride them both, it all depends on what you like too.
TJMX947
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TJMX947 3/22/2017 10:21am
3/22/2017 10:21am
Like these guys are saying you definitely can't ride a 350 wide open like a 250F. The similarities to me are how nimble the 350 is compared to the 450. And yes the power is more oddly configured. On a 250F I was 3rd/4th everywhere. On the 350F you can just rev it for days in 2nd gear. 3rd gear almost to me isn't very usable with stock gearing.

I honestly think you need to ride a newer 250F to get an accurate view of the power output versus what you already have.
mmain62
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mmain62 3/22/2017 11:10am
3/22/2017 11:10am
I just got on a 350 after being on 250 2Ts for a few years. Holy cow is it nice. I'm in pretty good shape but I was getting tired of riding a 250 like a crazy person when all my buddies were on 4 strokes going the same speed with half the effort. Got old quick. If I get another 250 2t it'll be for a woods bike project.
dow516
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dow516 3/22/2017 1:30pm
3/22/2017 1:30pm
I had a 2013 250sx, still have a cr500 conversion, traded my trusty 08 crf450 with a pro circuit head and exhaust in on a '16 350. I have never felt as comfortable as I do on the 350. It has a broad, predictable range of power. Sometimes, I don't need 50hp at a low rpm. Especially here in Indiana, where the corners end up blown out dust berms on top of hard, dry clay. I had trouble putting power to the ground on the 250sx with an fmf fatty/shorty, one tooth up on the rear, and a 9oz flywheel weight. After I rode it for a few weeks with the 9ozer, I wished I had bought an 11oz. The 350 does everything I liked about the 250sx and nothing I didn't like.
potatoflake
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potatoflake 3/28/2017 12:44pm
3/28/2017 12:44pm Edited Date/Time 3/28/2017 12:46pm
dow516 wrote:
I had a 2013 250sx, still have a cr500 conversion, traded my trusty 08 crf450 with a pro circuit head and exhaust in on a '16...
I had a 2013 250sx, still have a cr500 conversion, traded my trusty 08 crf450 with a pro circuit head and exhaust in on a '16 350. I have never felt as comfortable as I do on the 350. It has a broad, predictable range of power. Sometimes, I don't need 50hp at a low rpm. Especially here in Indiana, where the corners end up blown out dust berms on top of hard, dry clay. I had trouble putting power to the ground on the 250sx with an fmf fatty/shorty, one tooth up on the rear, and a 9oz flywheel weight. After I rode it for a few weeks with the 9ozer, I wished I had bought an 11oz. The 350 does everything I liked about the 250sx and nothing I didn't like.
See that's my exact thinking, I don't need a monster at 5000 rpm I need it at about 11000. I always feel the most comfortable with a broad power band and the 350 sounds like it will still have enough grunt on the bottom to satisfy me. I'll most likely be selling the 250f for a left over 17 350


As far as your 250 with a fly wheel weight I'm going to have to do that for sure I'm thinking I'll build myself a smoker for a project/second bike later on
Panic_Rev
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Panic_Rev 3/29/2017 6:42am
3/29/2017 6:42am
potatoflake wrote:
So it's looking like I'll be able to pick up a new bike sometime this year and I was just curious about anyone's experience with switching...
So it's looking like I'll be able to pick up a new bike sometime this year and I was just curious about anyone's experience with switching from a 250f to a Fc 350 or tc 250. I like the idea of the 2 stroke because it takes me back to the days of screaming around on my 85 and 125, but that 350 really sounds like it's got a damn good engine. I'm a slow b rider on my best days and really just am out there to have fun, love my 250f but it's time for something more powerful.
I was in your exact situation last year and same circumstance. I wanted more power than a 250f, but I knew the 450 was just too much. I made the jump to a 350 and absolutely love it. You get the 250f feel that you love, but more bottom power that you are looking for.
potatoflake
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potatoflake 3/29/2017 7:51am
3/29/2017 7:51am Edited Date/Time 3/29/2017 7:54am
potatoflake wrote:
So it's looking like I'll be able to pick up a new bike sometime this year and I was just curious about anyone's experience with switching...
So it's looking like I'll be able to pick up a new bike sometime this year and I was just curious about anyone's experience with switching from a 250f to a Fc 350 or tc 250. I like the idea of the 2 stroke because it takes me back to the days of screaming around on my 85 and 125, but that 350 really sounds like it's got a damn good engine. I'm a slow b rider on my best days and really just am out there to have fun, love my 250f but it's time for something more powerful.
Panic_Rev wrote:
I was in your exact situation last year and same circumstance. I wanted more power than a 250f, but I knew the 450 was just too...
I was in your exact situation last year and same circumstance. I wanted more power than a 250f, but I knew the 450 was just too much. I made the jump to a 350 and absolutely love it. You get the 250f feel that you love, but more bottom power that you are looking for.
Sounds exactly like what I'm looking for! I'm going to have to keep my eye out for a ktm or husky demo day in the north west lol

I am pretty biased on the white side though my local shop happens to have a couple riders following the sx circuit (JMC motorsports) on huskys so having them down the road from me really helps

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