Vet Needs advice on a Brand new 2 Stroke 250

Harry Backmon 3/18/2017 6:10am
3/18/2017 6:10am
As a long-time YZ owner (see my bike check) I must say, GET THE KTM or HUSKY. They are better bikes. Period.

I love my YZ250, but the KTM is the bike. KTM should be applauded for continuing to develop the 2-stroke. They have the best brakes, the best clutch, easy to swap air filter, decent suspension with the 2017 model, are the lightest and make the most horsepower.

Honestly, I don't think it is a hard choice, and if I was in the market that is what I'd be buying.
miketherider 3/18/2017 7:58am
3/18/2017 7:58am Edited Date/Time 3/18/2017 8:02am
Same boat, maybe not as fast a rider. YZ is hard to beat; the X model is the best of both worlds, compliant suspension but plenty to still rip some motocross. Plus, there are enough used ones you could scoop up an extra set of wheels and run a 19 rear when you want to run a more mx oriented setup.

The new Husky and KTMs are nice, though. But it's generally regarded the KTM is a lot harder to ride with its power; and with the Husky/KTM you have AER fork which has a ton of mixed reviews. A lot of stories of malfunction as well. Brakes are way better, and obviously hydraulic clutch makes it easier to ride. Chassis are good, YZ handles well unless you're at high speed a lot, then you will want a stabilizer.

I have a 2013 YZ250 with rekluse, 18 inch rear, flywheel weight, X CDI and some other gadgets and it's a do it all bike; tight single track or practice days at the track. OEM top end kit was $130 shipped and that will last me another 40-50 hours with a rering after 20.

Either one are great bikes. If you plan to spend more time in the woods, you could also look into a KTM 250XC; counterbalanced with a button, but again, AER forks and maybe a little too soft for any mx riding.
Mickolobe7
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Mickolobe7 3/18/2017 10:10am
3/18/2017 10:10am
Mickolobe7 wrote:
My buddy owns a bike mechanic shop right by my shop and Im always in there and one day I asked him how come you always...
My buddy owns a bike mechanic shop right by my shop and Im always in there and one day I asked him how come you always have so many KTM's in here always. He said because KTM is the fastest 2 stroke out there and everyone wants one, but they always need to be rebuilt and worked on. He said the top end goes on them quick and they always need to be worked on. The squeeze the most HP out of them. I was going to get another 2 stoke myself but he said stay away from them unless you want to keep dumping money in it and always want to work on it. He said go with a YZ all day. But if you want the fastest bike KTM is it.

Maybe that might help you on your pick YZ or KTM
seth505 wrote:
I'd totally disagree with this. I've talked to more people who have gone way too long on a ktm top end and they still run fine...
I'd totally disagree with this. I've talked to more people who have gone way too long on a ktm top end and they still run fine even when they shouldn't. There are a lot of factors that go into that but still.
As a yz and sx owner, my advice is the sx for sure.
I have never owned a KTM so you would probably have a better option than me. But I agree with some of the other guys on here that if you want a straight up race bike KTM all day. But if you want a badass 2 stroke that is a little more reliable YZ is the way to go.

If I was going to by brand new I think I would buy KTM because I never had a brand new or a KTM at all, and they are sick looking!
Racer111
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Racer111 3/18/2017 10:40am
3/18/2017 10:40am
I'll take tried and true any day. The Yamaha might be old technology, but it's SOLID technology. Get the new Yamaha put a PC Pipe and Silencer and a V-Force Reed kit on it and you'll have the same power as the KTM and a bike that's bulletproof. All for the same price as the KTM. With The Yamaha you get a bike that mechanics have been working on for 11 years. Parts are cheaper and much easier to come by.

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crusher773
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crusher773 3/18/2017 7:38pm
3/18/2017 7:38pm
Mickolobe7 wrote:
My buddy owns a bike mechanic shop right by my shop and Im always in there and one day I asked him how come you always...
My buddy owns a bike mechanic shop right by my shop and Im always in there and one day I asked him how come you always have so many KTM's in here always. He said because KTM is the fastest 2 stroke out there and everyone wants one, but they always need to be rebuilt and worked on. He said the top end goes on them quick and they always need to be worked on. The squeeze the most HP out of them. I was going to get another 2 stoke myself but he said stay away from them unless you want to keep dumping money in it and always want to work on it. He said go with a YZ all day. But if you want the fastest bike KTM is it.

Maybe that might help you on your pick YZ or KTM
I had a KTM 125 I had it 3 years and only ever out 2 top ends in. The thing finally blew the bottom end and it still ran. Made a believer out of me. We didn't spend half as much rebuilding them as we did Japanese bikes.
swtwtwtw
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swtwtwtw 3/18/2017 8:14pm
3/18/2017 8:14pm
yz250F...forget the 2 stroke. put a big bore kit in right away and enjoy all day long. (currently I ride a TC250)
Hower131
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Hower131 3/20/2017 10:22am
3/20/2017 10:22am
Thank you for the input everyone. Makes me feel a little bit better about the KTM. I know the YZ is tried and true but I'm heavily leaning KTM. This also opened my eyes to the Husky TC250. There is a dealer within an hour of my house and I'm going to stop in..maybe could land a better deal.

As far as parts go, I've never had an issue obtaining KTM parts for my 350...and I the more I think of it, it might be nicer to keep that bike so I have a street legal trail bike and then a full on track/hare scramble/racing bike.

Once I pull the trigger I'll post of some photos of me getting smoked by some young kids on 125s!

Thanks again, Vital!

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