17 yz250 vs 17 250sx

Madmax31
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Cincinnati, OH, USA
Fantasy
8/30/2016 5:33am
I get wanting to get a new bike, but I'd have a very hard time buying a YZ. I'd rather have a well used 5-7 year old RM as opposed to a YZ. The YZ's feel heavy, and a little harder to turn.
resetjet
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Tampa, FL, USA
8/30/2016 6:22am
You can't go wrong either way. I feel that this years KTM may have pulled away. They have advanced the motor beyond what was done previous, and that was what was needed.
DC323
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8/30/2016 7:05am
No way I'd buy a brand new YZ250. Not because they aren't great bikes (they still are), but because I refuse to pay that kind of money for a bike so long in the tooth. That's why when I sold my 13 RMZ450, I picked up an 06 YZ250 for cheap that was low hour. It's practically a 17' model for a quarter of the price. I'm happy and so is my wallet.

8/30/2016 7:15am
YZ
just something about matching bikes that sooths the soul lol

The Shop

EEE299
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8/30/2016 7:25am
DC323 wrote:
No way I'd buy a brand new YZ250. Not because they aren't great bikes (they still are), but because I refuse to pay that kind of...
No way I'd buy a brand new YZ250. Not because they aren't great bikes (they still are), but because I refuse to pay that kind of money for a bike so long in the tooth. That's why when I sold my 13 RMZ450, I picked up an 06 YZ250 for cheap that was low hour. It's practically a 17' model for a quarter of the price. I'm happy and so is my wallet.

Exactly what I did. Why pay 7k when I could get the same bike for 3-4k easy with some of the other work already done for me. Pinch
8/30/2016 9:25am
YZ
just something about matching bikes that sooths the soul lol

I know what you mean. Smile






ob
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Cardiff, CA, USA
8/30/2016 9:50am
Everybody on here complaining about the 16 and older ktm? The guy wants a 17, they are totally different, brand new frame, engine, suspension, etc. He isn't asking about your 14s suspension. And yamahas don't break? Right. And parts pricing? You can buy the same aftermarket parts for a KTM as for a yamaha. But the stock parts are the best available. When I ride SSS stuff I'm never blown away, it's ok but nothing great. I haven't ridden the new KTM air forks but like everybody says it sounds like they work really well. Not that weight is all that important, but they don't weigh the same.
8/30/2016 10:15am
ob wrote:
Everybody on here complaining about the 16 and older ktm? The guy wants a 17, they are totally different, brand new frame, engine, suspension, etc. He...
Everybody on here complaining about the 16 and older ktm? The guy wants a 17, they are totally different, brand new frame, engine, suspension, etc. He isn't asking about your 14s suspension. And yamahas don't break? Right. And parts pricing? You can buy the same aftermarket parts for a KTM as for a yamaha. But the stock parts are the best available. When I ride SSS stuff I'm never blown away, it's ok but nothing great. I haven't ridden the new KTM air forks but like everybody says it sounds like they work really well. Not that weight is all that important, but they don't weigh the same.
Then you haven't ridden an SSS equipped machine set up correctly for your weight, speed, etc. Also, when you rode the SSS equipped machine, when was the last time it was serviced? Old oil makes a difference.

I'm not trying to pick a fight, just offering what I know from my own personal experience. Both my bikes work really, really well. The harder I hit the more plush they are.
c0ncEpT
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Harrison Twp., MI, USA
8/30/2016 1:19pm Edited Date/Time 8/30/2016 1:19pm
Do you drink the orange koolaid? If yes buy the KTM. If no buy the Yamaha. Simple as that Laughing Laughing Tongue Tongue
race
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8/30/2016 4:37pm
Well, seems like both bikes have been pretty well covered so I'll add ... good luck with demo days. I've been to some where the bikes were so poorly set up you would NEVER consider buying one based on the demo ride.

You might get lucky and find a demo with well set up bikes. Or just watch your local track for the new models and pay the owner something to try it out. Chances are it will be better set up than a demo bike.
IceMan446
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Sacramento, CA, USA
8/30/2016 4:52pm
c0ncEpT wrote:
Do you drink the orange koolaid? If yes buy the KTM. If no buy the Yamaha. Simple as that Laughing Laughing Tongue Tongue
Pretty much what it comes down to.

A very very small amount of the guys here could actually ride either bike like they should be ridden. Get the one you like the color of the most and go have fun.
Skidaddle
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Woodland, CA, USA
8/30/2016 5:02pm
300
dedi684
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Ravena, NY, USA
8/30/2016 5:38pm
Whatever fits you best. On paper my 15 ktm 250 destroyed my previous and latest yz's. It turned great and the power and clutch were awesome. I didn't get comfortable on it so i went back to a yz. No problems holeshotting vet B on a bone stock yz but that's just me and my opinion Smile
Andy_White
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Fort Wayne, IN, USA
8/30/2016 5:40pm
Yz all day but you should ride both. Reliability is a joke on the ktm, and the vibration is pretty wild. I ran a stock yz...
Yz all day but you should ride both. Reliability is a joke on the ktm, and the vibration is pretty wild. I ran a stock yz exhaust a whole season and it was dented or whatever, but the ktm just broke after 12 hrs. Not on a weld just middle of the pipe. It had electrical problems, the air filters don't seal well either.
The vibration is pretty wild? Elaborate because that's completely incorrect. Unless you have ridden a 17 in which the topic being discussed you really have no valid opinion.
3D
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Tamaqua, PA, USA
8/30/2016 7:43pm
Personal preference. I'll just say that I'm an ex card holder. Had Yamaha and everything else jap. Have KTM now. Not switching back anytime soon. If you can ride, you can ride. I still smoke the same people, and the same people still smoke me. If I had blue, pink, green, purple, or China, the results are the same if I like it. Right now I like orange. Next bike could be..... Whatever the fuck I want.
8/30/2016 10:28pm
Something to keep in mind with the KTM is that a 300 kit can be added easily. That's a major reason I bought a KTM.
kiwifan
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USA
8/31/2016 12:41am
Racing a bike these days is expensive, the YZ is cheaper and parts are cheaper, however if cost isnt an issue then the KTM may be better. There is also a question mark around the KTM reliability...but thats only based on what I have heard.
erik_94COBRA
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Houston-ish, TX, USA
12/12/2016 11:10am
Any more input on this topic? Saw some local fast guys do very well on the YZ250 this weekend.
tek14
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Vantaa, FI
12/12/2016 12:36pm
If you are not pro.. get KTM sx250 its day and night easier to ride. Even Yamahas motor is not too agressive, new KTM is smooth for everyone and still have power when u need it. AER48 forks work much better in 2-stroke than they do in 4-strokes also.
sandman768
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Saratoga Springs, NY, USA
12/12/2016 1:13pm
I had 4 brand new YZ 250"s over the years, loved them all...but I got tired of replacing tranny gears! That was a deal breaker for me...I"ve had 3 recent Xc 300"s I use for MX, Gncc, Woods ect. I put 100"s of hrs of total pounding on my XC"s, and they just keep going. The Ktm"s are unique, sometimes finicky to jet but they are built to last in my opinion. The forks have always been the problem with Ktm"s, but we're talking 17 vs 17, the Ktm AER forks are a huge step in the right direction. Pretty hard to get excited about buying a new YZ, a new Ktm or Husky is just that....NEW...my 2cents".
12/12/2016 1:19pm
I never rode a new ktm 2 stroke but Im sure theyre awesome bikes. I bought a barely used 2016 yz250 for a good price in the summer and I love it. All ive done to it is added a tooth on the rear sprocket and made minor suspension adjustments. If money wasnt an issue Id probably get a new ktm. Its just for me the YZ is great out of the box and parts are readily available and much cheaper than ktm. I have nothing but good things to say about the YZ...except it has a little front end push that some other people noted.
12/12/2016 1:24pm
I never rode a new ktm 2 stroke but Im sure theyre awesome bikes. I bought a barely used 2016 yz250 for a good price in...
I never rode a new ktm 2 stroke but Im sure theyre awesome bikes. I bought a barely used 2016 yz250 for a good price in the summer and I love it. All ive done to it is added a tooth on the rear sprocket and made minor suspension adjustments. If money wasnt an issue Id probably get a new ktm. Its just for me the YZ is great out of the box and parts are readily available and much cheaper than ktm. I have nothing but good things to say about the YZ...except it has a little front end push that some other people noted.
What tyre are you using? My YZ125 used to push the front end & I was using a Dunlop MX32. Changed to a Bridgestone X30 and the problem went away.
slipdog
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Nor Cal, CA, USA
12/12/2016 1:44pm
tek14 wrote:
If you are not pro.. get KTM sx250 its day and night easier to ride. Even Yamahas motor is not too agressive, new KTM is smooth...
If you are not pro.. get KTM sx250 its day and night easier to ride. Even Yamahas motor is not too agressive, new KTM is smooth for everyone and still have power when u need it. AER48 forks work much better in 2-stroke than they do in 4-strokes also.
Don't know if you know that the valving is very different between 2-stroke and the 4-stroke in that the 4t has a no float solid clamped mid valve stack and the 2t has no mid valve compression stack at all.
wreckitrandy
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Granite Falls, NC, USA
12/12/2016 2:07pm
Just curious,,,,, which parts are cheaper on the YZ?
seth505
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SD, CA, USA
12/12/2016 2:22pm
Just curious,,,,, which parts are cheaper on the YZ?
There are a few things you'll find on message boards for decades to come
1) KTMs are weird
2) the KTM will cost a lot more
3) The forks are garbage (even though it's completely different than the fork the person is referencing incorrectly)
4) Parts will cost you 2x as much compared to a Yami
5) The quality is questionable compared to the YZ (hello, yz gears grenading)

From my personal use and actual facts based on owning past YZ and SX, the YZ was not more reliable and parts didn't cost more on the SX. That said, both very fun bikes!
ROCKNDAWG
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Kingman, AZ, USA
12/12/2016 3:44pm Edited Date/Time 12/12/2016 3:51pm
I have a 2017 KTM 250SX and have owned multiple YZ250s from stock to full blown 265s.
And i personally think the KTM is more than a little better in most every way than any of the YZs I have owned. YZ250s always had a weird feel in the front that always took 3 or 4 rides to get used to every time i rode another bike ( I wish the front end felt like a YZ125 but they don't!), Everyone goes on and on about SSS forks, I actually like the KTMs air forks better, plus if i want them harder or softer all i have to do is change the air pressure. I think the back end works better also. Power wise the KTM isn't much faster, but it lugs around a ton better if you are just putting around in the hills (I did have to lower the needle one clip and turn out the air screw). Over rev isn't great on the KTM (it isn't on a stock YZ either!), But I threw on a cool look Scalvini pipe and that really helped that. Vibration is also way down on the KTM. Reliability wise I don't have enough hours on the KTM to give a good opinion, but i doubt it will be any worse than a YZ. I broke a tranny in the first 2 hours on a YZ once, along with going thru 3 cranks and a couple barrels. Bottom line I vote for paying the little extra for the KTM, On resale you will get more than that back anyway.
ROCKNDAWG
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Kingman, AZ, USA
12/12/2016 3:46pm


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