Hey guys. I need a little advice (I am still a bit new).
I recently sold my KTM-450 XC-W. It was just too powerfull for me and the type of riding I primarily do. I have been looking/asking around for a replacement and came across a KX-250F. I have been told that it is primarily made for MX. I would like to know if it will pass as an enduro/trail bike. The trials close to me up in the mountain are relatively open but consist of mainly rocky terrain. Meaning that no ne means will I be by no means hammering the throttle wide open for long period of time, if ever, expect perhaps on the way to the trials.
So, my questions are:
Will the KX overheat in the slower trails?
Will the suspension be so hard and make the experience unenjoyable?
Will the lighter bike make for difficult handling in that rougher terrain?
And what will the maintenance look like for riding perhaps twice a week on the weekend?
No
KX250 makes a great trail bike. The power is too abrupt if fully tuned so you will likely need to hold back a bit with ECU settings.
Ecu,susp.,gearing. Good to go.
If you're going to be doing a lot of slow rocky riding, get a bike that has radiator fans.
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Look into a flywheel weight. It'll slow down the throttle abruptness and provide a little more engine inertia.
Won't need too much on a 250.
https://www.ktm.com/en-us/models/enduro/2-stroke/ktm-250-xc-w-2023.html
This would work great for you, right out of the box.
Kx250f is not a good trail bike for slower technical riding(first - third gear speed). Over heat easy, clutch slips, not a lot of bottom end power). If your an experienced rider you could make it work but I wouldn’t recommend it. Get a two stroke.
Agreed.
Get a bike with more low end.
My '18 and '21 both had plenty of low end for the woods. So much in fact I back the tuning down for off-road. How many have you ridden?
I ride rocky ass single track in 90 degrees and 90% humidity and it doesn't overheat. Is it going to be as good as a competition enduro bike in those conditions? Probably not. Is it better than a 2 stroke mx bike? Absolutely.
Ever hear of KX250X?
I have 85 hours on my kx250f 21 trail riding and loving it!!! To make it a trail bike : trail tech side stand, acerbis 11l tank , renthal handguards , crm carbon skidplate, crm carbon ignition cover.
I ordered a custom(more silent for not making enemies) silencer at HGS exhaust , 350 euros. The bike is too agressiv on trothlle response : put the black coupler in , biggest sprocket in the rear 52T(can ride smoother in higher gear) , I also completly closed the airfilter box with tape helps big time to make it easier to log. Hole in the side number plate and beneath the air filter.
I ride michelin starcross 5 on 18 inch rear wheel... a must for flats and comfort.
I come from mx racing and just had to adapt when your climbing big rocky mountains... log it like its almost stalling...and it keeps going up... with 52t offcourse. If its flat I use a 49t.
It can use a different chain, im still riding with original but have to thighten every ride.
Suspension : still in mx mode but on the fork all the clickers open , still have 10 cm onused on the fork. Need to take some oil out and revalve it for trail but its fine. The bike is so stabil!!! it never steps out...i def need to soften the forks but lower speed and log the bike and its fine.
Most fun bike I ever had!!!!!!! and everyone is surprised how it keeps up with the big bikes.Still on my original top end ;-) oil and filter every 5 hours but thats prob overkill, just mx habit.
Indeed... mine never overheated either :-) Def needs tuning down ...
Still on the original chain? You can't possibly have a lot of hours on it, can you. As evidenced by the you tube videos of GSXRs with knobbies in the woods, or the spectacle of R1200GS riders you can make a dirt bike out of anything with two wheels. Radiator fan, big tank, flywheel weight, 18" rear wheel, should be fine.
85 hours on the stock chain? Good Lord, mine didn't last 10. The thing was hot garbage.
Okay awesome. So something like a WR250 then?
Would it be too much of a hassle to change the gearing ratio on it and add the necessary accessories? Or would it just be more expensive than buying one that's already made for the trails?
That's what I thought.
I’ve ridden them. A 250xc is light years better. My 03 kx250 has a better motor for tech single track. As per usual your advice is garbage.
It's possible. Your not going to get a 52 tooth on the bike unless the chain is stretched to shit.
'03 KX250? LMFAO!
Not sure what kind of single track you ride but I expect it was not very difficult. If you have ridden them as much as you say you would know the 4 stroke is on another level when it comes to traction. It also handles and feels much lighter. The benefits of Fi cannot be overstated as well.
FYI I have owned KX250 2 strokes since 1986 and own one now. Is my opinion garbage?
Pit Row
Yep still on the original one :-) Have to tighten it every ride and every always give comment on the slapping chain by end of day :-) but it still goes ;-) I have 82.5 hours on it to be exactly... still have the stock front tyre on it too lol. Only raced the bike first 26 hours and then changed to trail riding because my hip is worn out...
Yea your opinion is garbage. a 250f is one of the worst choices you could make for a single track bike. The kx250f lacks grunt. Is 5 miles of hell tech enough for you?
Update us when your chain breaks and takes out your cases. You gotta be a dumb mf’er to run that for 85 hours. And even dumber to tighten it that much and not think you should replace it.
Utah singletrack may be a bit different than east coast. 250f do well here. They do stall easier than a two stroke but a good rider won't have issues. I don't think anyone is going to recommend a 250f for hard enduro if that is what you mean by trails.
The OP said relatively open, rocky terrain, not hard enduro.
A 250F is more than fine for that and a popular choice for racing in my local PA series, which is made up of predominantly rock terrain. If it is not start/stop type of technical trail where your goal is simply to make it through, then a 250F will be fine.
If you are confident in your skills, you should be fine. The biggest part is getting the bike to settle down without overusing the clutch in the slower stuff. The way these bikes are set up, from the suspension to the motor. It isn't designed to handle the slow technical riding as well as an enduro bike. But, I think the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. The lightweight and instant power can help you or hurt you. If you are confident in your ability, then go for it.
Here’s your answer, check this yt vid out. Dyracruse trail riding kx250f motocross 60+ mph. It’s sand riding wo threw the woods.
Get a KTM 300 and be happy
Thanks for all the replies guys. Really appreciate it.
On the trials I prefer to do, I do about 40km/h average. On the slower trails about 20km/h(which I don't do often).
Is that flowy enough or too slow?
Yeah it's definitely nothing hectic. Especially since I'm still learning.
So the 250f will be cool for it? How is the maintenance on it?
Easier to get a 2t if you don't want to be working on the bike that much?
When you rev the KX250F past the point you think you should’ve already shifted and it’s gonna blow up soon… is where that bike is just reaching its happy place and coming alive. Doubt that’s what you want trail riding especially if still learning as you say. If you really want a track 250F for trail riding maybe look at the Yamaha.
Maintenance on the current 250Fs is very low for non-expert riders; mostly keep a clean air filter in it and change the oil regularly. The current 2-strokes are also pretty low maintenance as well, with the added benefit of being cheap to rebuild if it is ever needed.
Each model can have their quirks but in general modern bikes are very reliable. Asking on vital you will get a wide range of input from all kinds of use cases, but likely biased towards racers. Expected engine life for casual trail riding is vastly longer than someone who is always on the limiter on the moto track.
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