craving a two stroke. (yamaha or ktm)

4csHATER
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4csHATER
Edited Date/Time 2/17/2018 8:47am
trying to get some opinions.


im wanting to build a yz125 or yz250

or ktm 125 or ktm 250

i only have the money to do one or i would be doing both.

but i need to know which way to swing.

i like 125's cause no arm pump--- i like 250s cause power and delivery


i currently race outdoor pro. so im kinda tossed on which way to go.

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AJ565
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AJ565 2/12/2018 7:12am
2/12/2018 7:12am
A brand new bike or a used bike? I've ridden the new YZ125 and it was a dog. Back to back comparison on a new YZ250 and my '18 KTM 250sx I felt the suspension on the YZ was more plush and the power was good. It vibrated so much though that my hands and feet went numb in two laps. My KTM is smooth as butter and after getting the suspension setup to where I like it it's a toss up between the two although I give the fork edge to the YZ.

The KTM feels like riding a 125 its that light. The YZ you could feel the extra weight, but it was still light feeling. Brake wise there is no comparison to the KTM, seriously the best brakes in the market. So much front bite that I've been able to slip the front tire on the rim unless the rim lock is really cranked down. If you can get to them I'd try and go to both the Yamaha and KTM ride days and ride both.

Now if you're going used I'd tend to lean towards the YZ. Sure the older KTM's are decent, but the 250 vibrated pretty badly like the YZ does and the 4CS suspension sucks.
Hondas4Life3
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Hondas4Life3 2/12/2018 9:45am
2/12/2018 9:45am Edited Date/Time 2/12/2018 9:46am
If your a pro I would build a 250 as you'll be ringing the 125's neck and changing piston or rings every 15 hrs. If you do a 125 Id at least make it a big bore.
Pirate421
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Pirate421 2/12/2018 10:44am
2/12/2018 10:44am
The 2013-2014 KTM 250sx are good bikes. No 4cs, fast and good handling. Can get good used ones for $3-$4k
UPSman334
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UPSman334 2/12/2018 1:31pm
2/12/2018 1:31pm
The ktm 250 blows the yz250 out of the water power wise. i was too going to buy a yz250 but went with a ktm, my 18 has the AER not the 4c junk. it’s been a great bike so far. 6 more horse than the YZ stock

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JWACK
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JWACK 2/12/2018 3:53pm
2/12/2018 3:53pm
UPSman334 wrote:
The ktm 250 blows the yz250 out of the water power wise. i was too going to buy a yz250 but went with a ktm, my...
The ktm 250 blows the yz250 out of the water power wise. i was too going to buy a yz250 but went with a ktm, my 18 has the AER not the 4c junk. it’s been a great bike so far. 6 more horse than the YZ stock
Not at peak sir. The 250s are within 1hp at peak. The ktm is up in the mid 6 horses and down 6 horses to the Yz on top top.
4csHATER
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4csHATER 2/12/2018 4:23pm
2/12/2018 4:23pm
okay not trying to start a war but im just trying to solve the issue between buying the right two stroke.....


the 125s are all not powerful enpugh and i do know that lol.

but the i havent ridden the ktm 250

i have ridden the yz250 but it vibrates my hands off the damn bike. maybe if i tried to foam the frame, subframe, swingarm. it would be differnt.


is the yz250 pretty reliable... if i get a yamaha i want the cdi to be replaced with a vortex cdi. and if i do that what breaks? honestly.
UPSman334
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UPSman334 2/12/2018 6:09pm
2/12/2018 6:09pm
the yz250 has been the same bike since like 2005, i would find a decent used one. i have a ktm but would trade my WP for the SSS suspension yamaha has any day. other than that ktms clutch, brakes, looks, it’s just better in my opinion
rollin64caddy
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rollin64caddy 2/12/2018 6:53pm
2/12/2018 6:53pm
4csHATER wrote:
okay not trying to start a war but im just trying to solve the issue between buying the right two stroke..... the 125s are all not...
okay not trying to start a war but im just trying to solve the issue between buying the right two stroke.....


the 125s are all not powerful enpugh and i do know that lol.

but the i havent ridden the ktm 250

i have ridden the yz250 but it vibrates my hands off the damn bike. maybe if i tried to foam the frame, subframe, swingarm. it would be differnt.


is the yz250 pretty reliable... if i get a yamaha i want the cdi to be replaced with a vortex cdi. and if i do that what breaks? honestly.
I own a 2006 yz 250 and a 17 tc 250. im 6'0"180 lbs. 34yr old vet B rider. engine feels faster on the tc and has the tuning aspects of the PV springs. but the carb is way more susceptible to altitude changes and requires more jetting changes. handling feels pretty similar to me. I guess I'm not experienced to feel the difference between the steel and alum frames. brakes are obviously way better on the tc. as far as suspension goes, the Yamaha, I feel is much better. personally I couldn't stand the air fork. I just got a spring conversion put in it and it feels way better. IMO ktm will be better with more time put into tuning but the Yamaha is a solid work horse. both good bikes. I do have a soft spot in me for the Yamaha though.

H4L
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H4L 2/12/2018 7:05pm
2/12/2018 7:05pm
If those are the only 2 manufactures your considering. My vote would go to the YZ250.
4csHATER
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4csHATER 2/12/2018 8:10pm
2/12/2018 8:10pm
H4L wrote:
If those are the only 2 manufactures your considering. My vote would go to the YZ250.
i mean what other manufactures is there that isnt over 11k (tm, beta, etc(
H4L
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H4L 2/12/2018 9:05pm
2/12/2018 9:05pm
4csHATER wrote:
i mean what other manufactures is there that isnt over 11k (tm, beta, etc(
If your buying new then yes. If your considering used a 3rd gen AF CR2 or 05 + RM2 with some mods would be good candidates as well.
4csHATER
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4csHATER 2/12/2018 9:12pm
2/12/2018 9:12pm
H4L wrote:
If your buying new then yes. If your considering used a 3rd gen AF CR2 or 05 + RM2 with some mods would be good candidates...
If your buying new then yes. If your considering used a 3rd gen AF CR2 or 05 + RM2 with some mods would be good candidates as well.
im definitely buying used... i cant afford new...

but what ever i buy im looking for suspension...


the motor will be completely taking care of thanks to my dude izumi at wpc.
Mx286
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Mx286 2/13/2018 4:49am
2/13/2018 4:49am
UPSman334 wrote:
The ktm 250 blows the yz250 out of the water power wise. i was too going to buy a yz250 but went with a ktm, my...
The ktm 250 blows the yz250 out of the water power wise. i was too going to buy a yz250 but went with a ktm, my 18 has the AER not the 4c junk. it’s been a great bike so far. 6 more horse than the YZ stock
JWACK wrote:
Not at peak sir. The 250s are within 1hp at peak. The ktm is up in the mid 6 horses and down 6 horses to the...
Not at peak sir. The 250s are within 1hp at peak. The ktm is up in the mid 6 horses and down 6 horses to the Yz on top top.
Where did you see these numbers? That’s interesting because when riding it feels like the KTM blows the YZ out of the water, both in stock trim.
H4L
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H4L 2/13/2018 6:00am
2/13/2018 6:00am Edited Date/Time 2/13/2018 6:37am
I've referenced this video a couple of times. It shows that a 15 yr. old CR250 in almost stock form other than a Dep pipe is still competitive against a modern 17 KTM. My thoughts are that KTM / Husky has finally narrowed the gap on the 2 strokes against the Japanese brands, but took them about 15 + yrs. of R&D. Keep in mind that the last time the Japanese 2 strokes had any real R&D was probably the 05 models.

https://youtu.be/A4eNJop_KC8?t=586
JWACK
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JWACK 2/13/2018 8:53am
2/13/2018 8:53am
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious.



4csHATER
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4csHATER 2/13/2018 9:42am
2/13/2018 9:42am
JWACK wrote:
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243850/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243852/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious.



and your wanting alot i dont think im wanting to spend a lot. id rather build this bike than buy one i think. that way i force myself to take the time and make investments over time.
UPSman334
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UPSman334 2/13/2018 9:45am
2/13/2018 9:45am
JWACK wrote:
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243850/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243852/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious.



the 04 rn 250 was a great bike
JWACK
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JWACK 2/13/2018 10:26am
2/13/2018 10:26am
JWACK wrote:
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243850/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243852/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious.



4csHATER wrote:
and your wanting alot i dont think im wanting to spend a lot. id rather build this bike than buy one i think. that way i...
and your wanting alot i dont think im wanting to spend a lot. id rather build this bike than buy one i think. that way i force myself to take the time and make investments over time.
Understand that! I'm riding my Yz 250 at the moment and it took me a few years to get it where I want it but it's there now. Good luck man! I would buy the first great deal on suspension you find and build whatever bike it fits.

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Aceofspades 2/14/2018 7:39pm
2/14/2018 7:39pm
JWACK wrote:
Not at peak sir. The 250s are within 1hp at peak. The ktm is up in the mid 6 horses and down 6 horses to the...
Not at peak sir. The 250s are within 1hp at peak. The ktm is up in the mid 6 horses and down 6 horses to the Yz on top top.
Is the new ktm seriously diwn 6hp up top compared to a yz? I was thinking of getting a 300 ktm but if that the case I might consider a yz250x.
Aceofspades 2/14/2018 8:37pm
2/14/2018 8:37pm Edited Date/Time 2/14/2018 8:38pm
UPSman334 wrote:
the 04 rn 250 was a great bike
Biggest, biggest, biggest mistake I've ever, ever made was selling my 08 rm250 I bought after I sold my 6 month old, bought new this year, 2014 rmz450. I started having severe stomach issues and thought it was something terminal, sold my bike....and it was my gall bladder lol. Now I'm bikeless, sold my dream bike, and starting from sqare one all over again lol. I'm a huge dumbass . Don't sell those 04-08 rm250s!!!
Aceofspades 2/14/2018 8:39pm
2/14/2018 8:39pm
By the way: that 08 rm250 was the strongest, peppiest, most awesome 250 2 stroke ive ever ridden. Just total great power from low to top. I miss it so badly Sad
navalseabee
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navalseabee 2/15/2018 4:30am
2/15/2018 4:30am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2018 4:47am
The latest generation 2017+ KTM's and Husky's are starting to show up on the used market for pretty good prices. I personally don't know how you choose a YZ or YZ-X over an SX or XC.
potatoflake
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potatoflake 2/15/2018 7:03am
2/15/2018 7:03am
I would go with a new ktm all day. They seem to still be updating and improving their 2 strokes and that’s the kind of stuff I would like to support.

If you’re going used go with the yz since it’s been the same for so long you really won’t be missing much between a refreshed 06 and a brand new 18
potatoflake
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potatoflake 2/15/2018 7:07am
2/15/2018 7:07am
JWACK wrote:
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243850/s1200_image.jpg[/img] [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2018/02/13/243852/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
I've got an all original 04 rm 250 and Showa kit suspension for it if you are interested and serious.



:o
cody41
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cody41 2/16/2018 8:14am
2/16/2018 8:14am
The 17/18 ktm/husky vibrates A LOT less then the yamaha, but on the downside the ktm/husky integrity does not hold up over time anywhere near a yamaha. I've had 2 250sx's and 1 yz250. You can fix the yamaha vibration with a set up rubber mounted clamps. The ktm/husky is wider in the tank/shroud area and although the numbers say it is faster they don't have that 2 stroke snap like a yamaha. The yamaha is an old design, but they have not changed it for a reason and they continue to sell.
SlS257
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SlS257 2/17/2018 8:47am
2/17/2018 8:47am
Ive ridden both 250's and owned both since 2014. The new 17-18 KTM/Husky is much improved over the old version. That said with exhaust, suspension work, and a little bit of head work, there really isn't that much difference between the two once you get them in race shape. They both need work honestly. I like both though. I ride YZ just because Ive had better luck at finding deals when I need a new bike. As far as I'm concerned they're inner changeable. I ride either one and am happy. Its like buying a new 450, they're all close once you dial them in.

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