Posts
6
Joined
10/7/2021
Location
West Chester, PA
US
Edited Date/Time
11/4/2021 5:28am
Getting back into riding! Want to mainly ride tails, woods, etc near Reading, PA. Grew up learning to ride on a small KDX100 during family summer vacations, mainly flying around a grass field. Had a FZR for a few years in my 20's. No 50 years old, 5'11" and 190lbs.
Shops hear me are telling me to buy a KTM 350 or 400. My budget is, let's say $4k. Good with a wrench - so if I get a bike that needs to be modified, I am comfortable doing the work.
QUESTION 1: 125 or 250 Have been leaning towards a 2-stroke due ease of maintenance and fun factor. Would a 125 be enough? Would a 250 with mods (i.e. flywheel weight, throttle tamer) be too much?
QUESTION 2a: Assuming a 125, I have been leaning towards a Yamaha YZ125 - that would be modified for the woods (flywheel weight, 18" rear, etc.) or do I get a 2015 KTM 125 TC or the KTM 125 TE - i have seen all available for sale used locally.
QUESTION 2b: Assuming a 250, also looking at a YZ 250 modified like the 125, but add a throttle tamer.
Please help! Need advice from this experienced group!
Shops hear me are telling me to buy a KTM 350 or 400. My budget is, let's say $4k. Good with a wrench - so if I get a bike that needs to be modified, I am comfortable doing the work.
QUESTION 1: 125 or 250 Have been leaning towards a 2-stroke due ease of maintenance and fun factor. Would a 125 be enough? Would a 250 with mods (i.e. flywheel weight, throttle tamer) be too much?
QUESTION 2a: Assuming a 125, I have been leaning towards a Yamaha YZ125 - that would be modified for the woods (flywheel weight, 18" rear, etc.) or do I get a 2015 KTM 125 TC or the KTM 125 TE - i have seen all available for sale used locally.
QUESTION 2b: Assuming a 250, also looking at a YZ 250 modified like the 125, but add a throttle tamer.
Please help! Need advice from this experienced group!
2A: YZ125X model comes from Yamaha with 18" rear wheel, side stand, and smoother power delivery.
2B: Same, as question 2a but YZ250X
The Shop
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A 125 and 250 two stroke is fun but no matter what they are finicky. Jetting and power wise, a 125 is either on or off generally and a yz250 for me was not fun in the woods. Yes the suspension was good but it was rigid and the power was abrupt and just generally not much fun for trail riding. Some good racers make it work well but not for an older guy coming back to the sport to have fun.
Third, some will say not necessary but the e-start is huge. Especially in the woods when you’re at awkward angles such as hills and rocks and you will most likely stall a lot more on the trails.
Other recommendation if you want a 2 stroke is a 250/300xc/tx/te/XCW. They have the e start bigger tanks and a kickstand. They make look stupid but if you’re not racing a kickstand makes life a lot easier. Plus the 250/300 woods bikes from the Austrian brands have a much easier power and to manage than the yamahas. I’ll make that statement from personal experience owning multiple of each of those bikes.
https://powersports.honda.com/off-road/trail/crf250f
https://www.yamahamotorsports.com/trail-motorcycle/models/tt-r230
Several years ago we took a crf230 on a colorado trip as a spare bike when we all had ktms, and it seemed like there were times grown men were trying to decide who got to hop on the crf haha they are fun to ride!
So, here is what I ended up with…. a previously enjoyed 2017 KTM 300 XC-W. It is amazing! Though, I have installed a G2 Throttle Tamer and switched out the Yellow power valve spring for then Green one. Will provide more updates as I get more time on the bike.
Pit Row
Post a reply to: Which ride? Trails, woods, etc.