KTM 250sx V 350sxf

Ktm life
Profile picture for user Ktm life
Posts
184
Joined
12/17/2012
Location
Tremonton, UT, USA
Ktm life
Edited Date/Time 11/23/2014 10:56am
Hey everybody, I need your opinion on this one. I'm in the market for a new bike this spring and I've narrowed it down to a ktm 250 two stroke or a ktm 350sxf. I currently have a ktm 450FE, but after riding it for a year, I feel I want something lighter and less "boat" feeling. I had a 2011 350sxf before this 450 and really loved it. But I've read on here how much people love these new two strokes and how tunable they are. But I haven't owned a two stroke in the last five years and it makes me nervous of the wheel spin, because the tracks here in Utah are hard packed and square edged 60-75% of the time. Thanks!!
|
Jeremy200
Profile picture for user Jeremy200
Posts
250
Joined
8/11/2011
Location
NZ
Jeremy200 11/21/2014 10:35pm
11/21/2014 10:35pm
i had a 150sx then got a 250sx. had the 250 for 2 years now. great bike but needs to ridden aggressively. as soon as you get tired your times plummet.

i demoed a 2011 350 way back and thought it was boring but about a month ago i demoed the 2015 and loved it - way better engine. i want one.

that said - you can't beat that 2t sound and you will have a massive smile when you get it right on the 250sx - more fun but way more work.

my recommendation: get 1 of each - but you can't go wrong either way.
The Ultra Fit Norwegian 11/21/2014 11:05pm
11/21/2014 11:05pm
Just orderd my 2015 ktm 450, picking it up next weekend, tought about a 350 but ended up whit the big oneWoohoo
Trickassmarks 11/21/2014 11:15pm
11/21/2014 11:15pm
Stoked on my 14 350sxf . I now have the best of both worlds now I installed a rekluse.
2strokerider 11/22/2014 1:02am
11/22/2014 1:02am
the new 350s are head and shoulders above your 2011!!! i wasnt too keen on the 2011 model ones- felt underpowered and heavy. My 2015 model 350 is an awesome bike! definitely the easiest bike ive ever had to ride fast on. Doesnt tire me out like my 450 used to and alot more fun.

the ktm 250 2 strokes are great bikes too. I would say you would love either- but for racing the 350 is a better bike in my opinion

The Shop

See All »
Dick Trickle 11/22/2014 2:34am
11/22/2014 2:34am
2strokerider wrote:
the new 350s are head and shoulders above your 2011!!! i wasnt too keen on the 2011 model ones- felt underpowered and heavy. My 2015 model...
the new 350s are head and shoulders above your 2011!!! i wasnt too keen on the 2011 model ones- felt underpowered and heavy. My 2015 model 350 is an awesome bike! definitely the easiest bike ive ever had to ride fast on. Doesnt tire me out like my 450 used to and alot more fun.

the ktm 250 2 strokes are great bikes too. I would say you would love either- but for racing the 350 is a better bike in my opinion
I had the 2011 350 also and thought it was heavy and took ages to get the suspension sorted. Also had headshake that only a scotts damper would get rid of. I also had a 2012 sx250 which was 10 times better. However, for hard pack i would go like 2strokerider with a 2015 350. The two strokes are fantastic in the sand... float over the whoops and you can ring them out in the berms. The 350 would be more usable in the hardpack and sounds like the new 15 model has its shit together.
shanes
Profile picture for user shanes
Posts
578
Joined
3/4/2014
Location
AD
shanes 11/22/2014 4:06am
11/22/2014 4:06am
had the 2013 450 , went back to 350 as more fun but just picked up the 2015 SX 250 and loving it so much more rewarding to ride and it weighs nothing , illl be staying with the 2 stroke , i always kept my 2010 SX250 as a spare bike and for friends to use , when i sold the 350 i started riding that again and ordered the new one , the new one is a great bike straight out of the box
go the SX 250 you won't be sorry
MxKing809
Profile picture for user MxKing809
Posts
6374
Joined
10/13/2013
Location
Big Sand Whoops, MI, USA
Fantasy
1068th
MxKing809 11/22/2014 4:39am
11/22/2014 4:39am
You should buy mine.... $5,900, 12 total hours on it



downard254
Profile picture for user downard254
Posts
4073
Joined
12/10/2012
Location
Bremen, OH, USA
downard254 11/22/2014 7:15am
11/22/2014 7:15am Edited Date/Time 11/22/2014 7:15am
If you're worried about the wheelspin, add a bunch of flywheel weight to it. Really does make a difference. I had a 1990 RM250 and added about 15 oz. of flywheel weight to it. That sucker was electric. Still had the light airy two stroke feel, but smoothed out the kick in the ass that RM's have always had. I've added 11 oz. to my '06 RM250 but feel I need more weight to mellow out the kick the way I like it. I heard rumors that when John Dowd had RM's he added around 18-20 oz. Don't know this to be a fact, but I would agree with the suggestion.
mxb2
Profile picture for user mxb2
Posts
22437
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Bowie, MD, USA
mxb2 11/22/2014 8:11am
11/22/2014 8:11am
cant even compare the 11/12 350 to the 13-15 night and day difference.
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
37164
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA, USA
TeamGreen 11/22/2014 8:40am
11/22/2014 8:40am Edited Date/Time 11/22/2014 1:05pm
mxb2 wrote:
cant even compare the 11/12 350 to the 13-15 night and day difference.
Yup!

And, now you've got the Husky, too!
Trav138
Profile picture for user Trav138
Posts
1477
Joined
3/8/2012
Location
USA
Trav138 11/22/2014 9:25am
11/22/2014 9:25am
Serious moto racing 350sxf
Everything else 250sx
RbR
Profile picture for user RbR
Posts
1086
Joined
12/9/2011
Location
Saint Paul, MN, USA
RbR 11/22/2014 11:46am
11/22/2014 11:46am
FWIW ... this fall I installed a 365 kit on my 2011 350sxf and really love it. Adds a little more bottom, but a lot more mid range torque and still revs the like 250f.
Ktm life
Profile picture for user Ktm life
Posts
184
Joined
12/17/2012
Location
Tremonton, UT, USA
Ktm life 11/22/2014 12:35pm
11/22/2014 12:35pm
Thanks guys!! Keep it coming I like hearing all different perspectives on this
Ktm life
Profile picture for user Ktm life
Posts
184
Joined
12/17/2012
Location
Tremonton, UT, USA
Ktm life 11/22/2014 12:36pm
11/22/2014 12:36pm
MxKing809 wrote:
You should buy mine.... $5,900, 12 total hours on it [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/11/22/71229/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
You should buy mine.... $5,900, 12 total hours on it



That's a sweet bike!! Why are you selling it? And are those carbon fiber hubs?
ob
Profile picture for user ob
Posts
1751
Joined
3/14/2010
Location
Cardiff, CA, USA
ob 11/22/2014 1:04pm
11/22/2014 1:04pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2014 1:07pm
350 doesn't feel much different than the 450. I've had all three.
Johnny Depp
Profile picture for user Johnny Depp
Posts
6435
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX, USA
Johnny Depp 11/22/2014 1:26pm
11/22/2014 1:26pm
We should start with a few questions: Where do you plan to ride (hard dirt hard edged tracks only?), Your ability and age weight etc., your budget?

If you've got it down to 2, and only race, get the 350. Just don't start trying to make it faster, if you do that you should go with another 450.
MxKing809
Profile picture for user MxKing809
Posts
6374
Joined
10/13/2013
Location
Big Sand Whoops, MI, USA
Fantasy
1068th
MxKing809 11/22/2014 1:30pm
11/22/2014 1:30pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2014 1:31pm
MxKing809 wrote:
You should buy mine.... $5,900, 12 total hours on it [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2014/11/22/71229/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
You should buy mine.... $5,900, 12 total hours on it



Ktm life wrote:
That's a sweet bike!! Why are you selling it? And are those carbon fiber hubs?
Thanks! They're fake hubs, just a 8 dollar sheet of textured carbon vinyl sticker..... And I'm selling to buy a home and give my 2nd ACL replacement the proper heal time. It'll be hard to do with that bike sitting here!!
Johnny Depp
Profile picture for user Johnny Depp
Posts
6435
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX, USA
Johnny Depp 11/22/2014 1:38pm
11/22/2014 1:38pm
Yeahhh, ACL replacement...Scratch the 250

Pit Row

See All »
MxKing809
Profile picture for user MxKing809
Posts
6374
Joined
10/13/2013
Location
Big Sand Whoops, MI, USA
Fantasy
1068th
MxKing809 11/22/2014 1:40pm
11/22/2014 1:40pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Yeahhh, ACL replacement...Scratch the 250
Yup, second in the same knee by the ripe old age of 25...... No fun
Ktm life
Profile picture for user Ktm life
Posts
184
Joined
12/17/2012
Location
Tremonton, UT, USA
Ktm life 11/22/2014 1:56pm
11/22/2014 1:56pm
Johnny Depp wrote:
Yeahhh, ACL replacement...Scratch the 250
MxKing809 wrote:
Yup, second in the same knee by the ripe old age of 25...... No fun
I know how you feel, I just got a rod put in my arm 3 weeks ago. (From a crash about about a year and a half ago) Im a old geezer at 21 now ha. already looking forward to the spring though. Johnny I'm 155 lbs race mx, arenacross and some desert races. I get out and ride trails with my buddies whenever I can as well. I race in open am, college boy, or c class depending on the weekend and amatuer in desert.
Johnny Depp
Profile picture for user Johnny Depp
Posts
6435
Joined
10/16/2014
Location
Buda, TX, USA
Johnny Depp 11/22/2014 2:06pm
11/22/2014 2:06pm
KTM life, the 350 sounds just right. I hate to say it, but slow and steady wins the race. You know the tortoise and the hare thing. I'm 56 and still riding. If you want your bodies to last you'll want to tone it down.
Flatliner
Profile picture for user Flatliner
Posts
4233
Joined
11/3/2009
Location
CA
Flatliner 11/22/2014 4:37pm
11/22/2014 4:37pm
mxb2 wrote:
cant even compare the 11/12 350 to the 13-15 night and day difference.
TeamGreen wrote:
Yup!

And, now you've got the Husky, too!
Same bike for now...... Differences coming?
#991
Profile picture for user #991
Posts
1685
Joined
8/7/2013
Location
Melbourne, AU
#991 11/22/2014 5:09pm
11/22/2014 5:09pm Edited Date/Time 4/3/2015 4:16am
Johnny Depp wrote:
KTM life, the 350 sounds just right. I hate to say it, but slow and steady wins the race. You know the tortoise and the hare...
KTM life, the 350 sounds just right. I hate to say it, but slow and steady wins the race. You know the tortoise and the hare thing. I'm 56 and still riding. If you want your bodies to last you'll want to tone it down.
...
evomx244
Profile picture for user evomx244
Posts
239
Joined
1/19/2008
Location
Morrow, OH, USA
evomx244 11/23/2014 2:34am
11/23/2014 2:34am
I just went through the exact same dilemma 2015 250SX vers leftover 2014 350SXF in the end price on the 350 won me over. Still not sure I made the correct decision.
shanes
Profile picture for user shanes
Posts
578
Joined
3/4/2014
Location
AD
shanes 11/23/2014 4:36am
11/23/2014 4:36am
i was out riding mine again today and a mate was there with his he is 52 , said its the best bike he has ever owned and it is just some much fun to ride
hellion
Profile picture for user hellion
Posts
1089
Joined
12/19/2009
Location
Westfield, MA, USA
hellion 11/23/2014 5:52am
11/23/2014 5:52am
I'm always enticed to try the latest greatest four stroke. Then I buy it, and in less than six months I'm bored to death with it. They do make everything easy, but they kind of take the edge off too.
Right now I'm intrigued by the 350 too, I wish I could just rent one for a couple months.......
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5946
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off, CA
nytsmaC 11/23/2014 10:56am
11/23/2014 10:56am
hellion wrote:
I'm always enticed to try the latest greatest four stroke. Then I buy it, and in less than six months I'm bored to death with it...
I'm always enticed to try the latest greatest four stroke. Then I buy it, and in less than six months I'm bored to death with it. They do make everything easy, but they kind of take the edge off too.
Right now I'm intrigued by the 350 too, I wish I could just rent one for a couple months.......
This. There is the allure of them being the all hyped ultimate bike, but the novelty wears off quickly and I just can't wait to get back on a 2-stroke. Done the 4-stroke thing 3 times now in 2002, 2008 and 2012, and came back to 2-strokes each time.

Get the 250 and have no regrets.

Post a reply to: KTM 250sx V 350sxf