KTM is getting to me

3D
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3D
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 1:42am
I think I may be falling for it.. I never wanted a KTM until the last year. Now I'm actually seriously thinking of getting a 250SX. I feel like I want to support the brand that's doing good things for the sport. I also really want to get back on a 2 stroke again. Am I being brain washed?
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SlowMoFo
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SlowMoFo 6/1/2010 7:05am
6/1/2010 7:05am
I was hesitant when I first considered it but I went for it and I have no regret it! I rode blue for years and I loved the bike since day one. It's an 07 and I still have it, love it! I wish I could afford a new one!
Huckster
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Huckster 6/1/2010 7:07am
6/1/2010 7:07am
I would buy one in a heart beat. I actually owned a 2001 520 and loved it. They just need to get their pricing in line with the Jap bikes so that its not an issue.
adamdf
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adamdf 6/1/2010 7:14am
6/1/2010 7:14am
KTM has somehow managed to blend the exotic with the mainstream, they have it going for them that's for sure..the jap bikes just seem like clones in comparison, not that that is a bad thing, but KTM has somehow become unique, but not to the extent that their performance suffers because they have gone too far the other direction, and they are winning people over for sure. My last KTM was an 08 450SXF, since then i have been on kawis, i love my KX250F and my soon to be sold KX450, but at the same time, the quality is nothing when compared to the KTM which is superb, something tells me my next bike is going to be orange again..
sxf138
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sxf138 6/1/2010 7:14am
6/1/2010 7:14am
Your being brained washed by all the other fools who bag on KTM. You wont be dissapointed with the 250 sx

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chrisgg90 6/1/2010 7:15am
6/1/2010 7:15am
I have rode KTM for a while now but changed to Suzuki this year cause of the deal, but I can't wait to get back on a KTM next year love the bikes
KGAspeed
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KGAspeed 6/1/2010 7:27am
6/1/2010 7:27am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 11:16pm
The fit & finish on a KTM is beyond any of the Japanese brands in my experience.
plowboy
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plowboy 6/1/2010 7:28am
6/1/2010 7:28am
Since I'm too old and broken down for moto, when I race it's HS so if I had the money I'd have a KTM300 no doubt. They just seem more purpose built. They are a little more pricey but you get a lot of good stuff with the bike. I have yet to meet the person who regretted buying one.
newmann
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newmann 6/1/2010 7:36am
6/1/2010 7:36am
If you are into any type of off road / motocross, they make something for everyone including a choice between 2 stroke and 4 stroke. Plus , their two strokes keep getting constant upgrades. Quality stuff, and as far as pricing I seem to recall seeing the msrp on the 450 being less than the 2010 RMZ450 that never showed up here in the states....or did it?
WhKnuckle
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WhKnuckle 6/1/2010 7:42am
6/1/2010 7:42am
I had '01 and '02 250SXs and they were both superb bikes - the quality is head and shoulders above Japanese bikes, I don't care what anyone says. And the '02 in particular was really fast. I understand they've toned them down some in later years but they're still fast.

I wonder if the older cylinders will fit the newer bikes? They had some monster motors in the '02/'03 time period. Or if you want, I'm sure Pro Circuit or someone else can port the newer cylinders to those specs. The carbs are different, though.
lucero10x
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lucero10x 6/1/2010 7:43am
6/1/2010 7:43am Edited Date/Time 6/1/2010 7:43am
KTM is much closer to mainstream then they have been in 30 years. The bandwagon boys just need something shoved down their throats for years before they finally see the light. Ktm has been shoving hard the last ten years, their bikes have always been purpose built and high quality, with a few exceptions.
dcg141
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dcg141 6/1/2010 7:47am
6/1/2010 7:47am Edited Date/Time 6/1/2010 8:09am
I have raced 300's for so long I can hardly remember the last other bike I had. I race MX, GP's and Hare Scrambles and if there is a better bike to handle that work load I have not found one. I'm looking forward to seeing the 350 but the new changes on the 300 XC is really what has me excited. Also resale on 300's is very good because it appeals to such a wide range of riders.
jaeckle
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jaeckle 6/1/2010 7:48am
6/1/2010 7:48am
After 13 years riding Hondas the Orange bug bit me bad this year. Must buy KTM 350 or 450 in fall. This is the most excited I have been about getting a new bike in many years!
fcr
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fcr 6/1/2010 7:53am
6/1/2010 7:53am
They sure have made them tasty ......
kaboom645
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kaboom645 6/1/2010 8:03am
6/1/2010 8:03am
After riding KTM's in '00 and 01' I was a little reluctant to give them a try. Both my 00 and 01 bikes had horrendous susp., and did not corner worth a crap.They were unbelievably fast in stock form though. The PDS shock ate the lower pivot bearing constantly( I rode 5 days a week ususally), and all the bolts were butter soft and seemed to break off or strip the threads very easily. It was also impossibly to keep bolts tight on the bike, and things like the shifter and kickstarter falling off were a regular occurance( even with the use of locktite)

Last Friday I purchased a new 2010 KTM 250sx and I couldnt be happier with the bike so far.This bike corners extremely well, and feels like you are riding a 125 with ALOT of power. Since Friday I have put close to 15 hours on the bike and I have only lost 1 bolt so far. The susp. has potential, and I got it working pretty well with just some clicker adjustments, despite the fact that my speed and weight demand significantly stiffer springs. The jetting was spot on other than be just a little fat on the bottom so a pilot jet swap is being considered. In stock form the engine runs like an enduro bike.. Change the powervalve spring and all that changes. The bike pulls very well right off the bottom and roll on power in slick hardpack corners is very predictable. My favorite part of the bike is how easy it is to work on it.. There is significant room to get to the plug, and air filter maintenece requires no tools( although I do remove the seat which is held on with one bolt to make it easier to feel around the filters sealing edge)
3D
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3D 6/1/2010 8:30am
6/1/2010 8:30am
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
Motoxc
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Motoxc 6/1/2010 8:33am
6/1/2010 8:33am
I currently have an 08 250 SX. I had an 08 505 xc-f too. I am a oil burming fool and I would love a 10 250 sx also if I could afford it. I have had a couple of YZ's and RM's and a 450 KX mixed in over the years but I always go back to the orange bikes for their superior fit and finish. Contrary to what people on Vital say, if you get your suspension set up you are good to go on pretty much any brand, but the KTM's have lots of nice parts stock!
Hank_Thrill
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Hank_Thrill 6/1/2010 8:33am
6/1/2010 8:33am
How can you be brainwashed? You went from racing technologically advanced, cheap and easy-to-maintain two-strokes to a complicated, heavy, expensive and impossible-to-work-on four-strokes. Seems pretty logical to switch back, especially if you're more into having fun on a dirt bike, rather than the long distance piss competitions at the local track for a plastic trophy.
Motoxc
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Motoxc 6/1/2010 8:35am
6/1/2010 8:35am
3D wrote:
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have...
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
I think a few powervalve springs will come in your little manuel brief case along with some other minor tuning parts.

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Justin314
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Justin314 6/1/2010 8:47am
6/1/2010 8:47am Edited Date/Time 6/1/2010 8:51am
Get one. I had been on Yamahas since I started riding in 2002...had a 2002 125 that I did a ton of work to, and a 2008 250F. I was interested in a bigger bike, and wanted another 2-stroke. I tried a couple YZs and liked them, but there wasn't much going into them..pretty much a 2006 with bngs. I also tried an RM, and a CR for shits and giggles. I had ridden a couple KTMs, but never a 250 and none of the newer generations...so I pretty much bought mine blind....and I love the bike. Its super fast, handles great, and while I loved the suspension on my YZF, the suspension on my 2010 pumpkin has been good to me too..its just more important to get it set up for you. The fit and finish is also impressive. My only gripe is the use of wood screws for the shrouds that thread directly into the tank. If you're a taller rider like me, swap the bars out asap. I went with the Easton bar with a comparable bend to a CR High, and moved the mounts to the forward position on the clamps, 5mm offset facing rearward.
Justin314
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Justin314 6/1/2010 8:49am
6/1/2010 8:49am
3D wrote:
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have...
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
Motoxc wrote:
I think a few powervalve springs will come in your little manuel brief case along with some other minor tuning parts.
Three come with the bike, with the middle spring installed. Red is the most aggressive. The ignition also has two maps.
DanDunes818 6/1/2010 8:50am
6/1/2010 8:50am
Who that love dirtcycles could look at the new KTM's and not see a beautiful work of art. They are trick pieces of machinery . Not to mention every time you watch a race whether there's 1 orange bike on the line or 20 of them they're pulling the holeshot.
rockcrawlerdude 6/1/2010 8:54am
6/1/2010 8:54am
if i could afford a new bike it would be a 250sx with the KTM 300 kit installed on it...
kaboom645
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kaboom645 6/1/2010 9:51am
6/1/2010 9:51am
3D wrote:
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have...
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
When you buy the bike, like already said they give you 3 springs to choose from as well as 2 ignition curves. They also give you a 1 size leaner pilot, a different needle jet and one size richer, and leaner main jet.

Its kind of funny. I used to laught at the mag's "recommended setup" specs, as every place and riders preference is different, but I can honestly say this is the first bike I have ever owned that MXA's setup for jetting and susp settings is so far playing out to be exactly what I need. I would love to find someone selling a used muffler to give it a try as I have read and been told by several people it makes a huge difference in power and overrev

I should also add a comment about the screws that hold the tank shouds on.. At first(10 yrs ago) I thought they were kind of cheesy, but I have come to appreciate them recently. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying to repair a stripped or spinning nut in a tank, you will relise just how great these are.

I know alot of people who say to get taller bars, but so far mine, with the clamps in the second furthest forward position, work perfect for me. I am 6'1" tall and 205lbs and I feel I have WAY mor room on this bike than the YZ250, or 450F I just came off of(both with Windham bend bars). Bars are just like susp. though where it is all about personal preference
robot870
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robot870 6/1/2010 10:16am
6/1/2010 10:16am
I just got back on a 2 stroke after ten years and i'am having soooo much fun. Even though four strokes are faster, better and everything else.

I rode twice over the weekend and can't wait to kick start my pinger as soon as possible.
Bulldog
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Bulldog 6/1/2010 10:40am
6/1/2010 10:40am
robot870 wrote:
I just got back on a 2 stroke after ten years and i'am having soooo much fun. Even though four strokes are faster, better and everything...
I just got back on a 2 stroke after ten years and i'am having soooo much fun. Even though four strokes are faster, better and everything else.

I rode twice over the weekend and can't wait to kick start my pinger as soon as possible.
KTM 2-Stroke technology with E-Start. As much fun starting it with the magic button as riding it!
dcg141
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dcg141 6/1/2010 10:47am
6/1/2010 10:47am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 11:16pm
3D wrote:
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have...
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
kaboom645 wrote:
When you buy the bike, like already said they give you 3 springs to choose from as well as 2 ignition curves. They also give you...
When you buy the bike, like already said they give you 3 springs to choose from as well as 2 ignition curves. They also give you a 1 size leaner pilot, a different needle jet and one size richer, and leaner main jet.

Its kind of funny. I used to laught at the mag's "recommended setup" specs, as every place and riders preference is different, but I can honestly say this is the first bike I have ever owned that MXA's setup for jetting and susp settings is so far playing out to be exactly what I need. I would love to find someone selling a used muffler to give it a try as I have read and been told by several people it makes a huge difference in power and overrev

I should also add a comment about the screws that hold the tank shouds on.. At first(10 yrs ago) I thought they were kind of cheesy, but I have come to appreciate them recently. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying to repair a stripped or spinning nut in a tank, you will relise just how great these are.

I know alot of people who say to get taller bars, but so far mine, with the clamps in the second furthest forward position, work perfect for me. I am 6'1" tall and 205lbs and I feel I have WAY mor room on this bike than the YZ250, or 450F I just came off of(both with Windham bend bars). Bars are just like susp. though where it is all about personal preference
The best MX mod for the 2 strokes are the Dicks Racing carb mods. They taper bore the carb to 39MM and it really wakes up the top end. The 300 also benefits from thier head mod also. The engine loses none of the stock qualities but just gains mid to top. Either the FMF or PC shorty mufflers also make difference in power.http://www.dicksracing.com/...performance/2-stroke
Tiki
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Tiki 6/1/2010 11:04am
6/1/2010 11:04am
I like KTM's product as well. Much different today then my 78 KTM 400
3D
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3D 6/1/2010 11:14am
6/1/2010 11:14am
3D wrote:
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have...
Ok, so I'm not alone. I'm pretty much committed to getting the 250SX smoker. My 450 isn't even worth getting rid of, so I'll still have both. I've ridden blue and red for the past 16 years and I'm ready for a change.
Is powervalve spring something that KTM sells?
kaboom645 wrote:
When you buy the bike, like already said they give you 3 springs to choose from as well as 2 ignition curves. They also give you...
When you buy the bike, like already said they give you 3 springs to choose from as well as 2 ignition curves. They also give you a 1 size leaner pilot, a different needle jet and one size richer, and leaner main jet.

Its kind of funny. I used to laught at the mag's "recommended setup" specs, as every place and riders preference is different, but I can honestly say this is the first bike I have ever owned that MXA's setup for jetting and susp settings is so far playing out to be exactly what I need. I would love to find someone selling a used muffler to give it a try as I have read and been told by several people it makes a huge difference in power and overrev

I should also add a comment about the screws that hold the tank shouds on.. At first(10 yrs ago) I thought they were kind of cheesy, but I have come to appreciate them recently. If you have ever had the pleasure of trying to repair a stripped or spinning nut in a tank, you will relise just how great these are.

I know alot of people who say to get taller bars, but so far mine, with the clamps in the second furthest forward position, work perfect for me. I am 6'1" tall and 205lbs and I feel I have WAY mor room on this bike than the YZ250, or 450F I just came off of(both with Windham bend bars). Bars are just like susp. though where it is all about personal preference
I will probably have to use the bars I have now. I broke the same bone as James back in 96 and it's never been right. I have to use the perfect bar for me or I lose all power in my right hand. I do all my own valving on my Honda's so I have some pretty good knowledge on how to tune suspension and kind of like doing it. So I'm not worried about setting it up like some people I hear complain about. Most of the time people do the exact opposite of what should be done and I already learned that years ago. I rode an 02 250SX a while back and it was retarded fast but was way stiff for me. I'm sure the new bikes handle better than 8 years ago anyway.
I know what you mean about the shroud bolts stripping inside the tank. I have been there and was very close to smashing the tank with the claw side of my 20oz.
Thanks for all the info. I'm looking forward to turning orange after bleeding red since 2000 and all blue before that.
Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 6/1/2010 12:34pm
6/1/2010 12:34pm
I rode Jap stuff for years and I'm all about KTM's now. One thing that is weird is the KTM's don't feel so beat after 1 season. I use to have to replace my Jap bikes but now, even ridden 2x per week, my KTM's feel so tight and my 2 stroke will be 3 years old in August. I burn thru 10 gallons of race fuel/ month on the MX track only and that bike is so sweet.

I'm much faster on it as well.

You can buy the 250SX's really cheaply as well. Shouldn't pay more than about $6.5K for a new one. A few of the OEM parts like brakes, sprockets, pistons, and clutches cost more than Jap stuff but I swear OEM parts on KTM's last 3-5x longer than the same parts do on Jap bikes. I tried aftermarket brake pads on my KTM and the EBC stuff lasted 2 months and the stock ones last 2 years. It's freaky how well the bikes and the parts are built.

I'll probably wait until 2012 to buy another one but I can't wait.

I do have to admit though that my one struggle has been getting the rear suspension to my liking at all tracks. Sometimes it's great but other times it's real choppy. I'm terrible at setting suspension however so much of the blame rests w/ me.
rockcrawlerdude 6/1/2010 12:45pm
6/1/2010 12:45pm
Suns_PSD wrote:
I rode Jap stuff for years and I'm all about KTM's now. One thing that is weird is the KTM's don't feel so beat after 1...
I rode Jap stuff for years and I'm all about KTM's now. One thing that is weird is the KTM's don't feel so beat after 1 season. I use to have to replace my Jap bikes but now, even ridden 2x per week, my KTM's feel so tight and my 2 stroke will be 3 years old in August. I burn thru 10 gallons of race fuel/ month on the MX track only and that bike is so sweet.

I'm much faster on it as well.

You can buy the 250SX's really cheaply as well. Shouldn't pay more than about $6.5K for a new one. A few of the OEM parts like brakes, sprockets, pistons, and clutches cost more than Jap stuff but I swear OEM parts on KTM's last 3-5x longer than the same parts do on Jap bikes. I tried aftermarket brake pads on my KTM and the EBC stuff lasted 2 months and the stock ones last 2 years. It's freaky how well the bikes and the parts are built.

I'll probably wait until 2012 to buy another one but I can't wait.

I do have to admit though that my one struggle has been getting the rear suspension to my liking at all tracks. Sometimes it's great but other times it's real choppy. I'm terrible at setting suspension however so much of the blame rests w/ me.
sweet put me 1st on the list to buy yours Evil

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