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STFU noob
The guy was retired for how many years 3?-4? 5? Him now getting a role with Yamaha for R&D and racing is in no way a slap in the face to ktm. We don’t know the whole story, maybe ktm didn’t want him.
KR coming back puts KTM in a tough position. He probably wants pretty good money. Does KTM pay him to race for what 2-3 more years or do they use that money to keep 1-3 younger riders that might develop into the next KR?
That’s not a tough spot. Dude retired, ending his racing contract with KTM. Years go by Yamaha asks for his employment he takes it.
Some of y’all are way to emotional about this industry.
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KTM probably wouldn't have to worry about KR coming back on a Yamaha if Decoster wasn't so insecure.
That is no shit. Shouldn't they have let Russell run however long, however well he wanted? He earned it. Evidently when Carioli and Dungey "came back", Decoster was hyper critical of their performances too. Evidently he didn't remember the leeway teams gave him in his twilight years of racing.
Pretty cool to hear he is choosing the 250F over the 450 like most do in the XC1 class. At his skill level, he could rip on a 65.
I think so too, I wonder if some guys would be better off doing that.
Thad Duvall comes to mind, he was amazing on the 250f...I don't remember if we won an overall or not but he damn sure was in contention from XC2. He just never quite seemed to find the same magic on the 450.
Or a guy like Grant Davis, when he does move up to XC1, why not stick with the 250 for a year or two? It's clearly capable as he won two overalls this year.
KR did win a race or two on the 150sx a few years ago after he had the XC1 title wrapped up.
I think the manufacturers "make them" ride the big bikes. They are selling bikes, they want the public to see the 250 winning in XC2 and the 350/450 winning in XC1. Even though I believe the 250 is the best woods race platform and is 100% capable of winning against 450's in this discipline. Im sure KR got to choose what bike he wanted to ride, but i dont think thats how it goes for most riders. Although that being said, Draper seems to be meshing with the 450 just fine
So is there a wr/yz350 or not
100% no real.
It’s new bike season for me, currently deciding between the new ‘25 YZ250FX and a ‘25 KTM 300XC. Apples to oranges comparison, but has anyone switched from a 250f to a 300 2T or vice versa?
Edit: for offroad/gncc
I just recently made that exact switch- 250FX to Tx300- definitely waaay different bikes but both fantastic. Full disclosure I spent decades on 2 strokes. If your racing you’ll definitely appreciate the 2 stroke on dead engine starts. And I was pleasantly surprised how could the new spring fork is on the KTM/Husky. You really can’t go wrong on either bike and I’m sure I’ll one day be back on an FX just for something new when I get bored with the 2 stroke. Enjoy whichever way you go!
Put fuel injection on the original 400 motor and call it a day
That was a great f-cking engine!
no.
I went from a 16 250SXF to a 24 EC300. Tell you what a 300 is a hell of a lot of bike. More finess required to ride it. You cant muscle it around like a 250f
This whole thing does not make sense. Why would KR come back and race 3 hour GNCCs? He's in his late 30s and has nothing to prove. He's the GOAT. Also, why would he come back on a 250F if they are apparently developing a 350? makes no sense. Also, he has KTM backing for his training facility. That would certainly impact that.
Don't get me wrong, i would love to see it. Just doesn't add up to me.
Pit Row
you have to read this whole post. His ktm backing is going away, leaving KTM is not his choice. KTM is in trouble financially and theyre cutting cost everywhere
I did exactly this. I raced yz250f's since they came then in 23 I bought 300xc tbi. I raced my first national enduro they very next weekend on the 300 and it was good. A month later I went to the next national enduro on my 250f and it was like I forgot how to ride a motorcycle. I kept the 250f a little longer but never could ride it after riding the 300. I now have a 350xcf along with the 300. I keep trying to ride it and like it but the 300 is just so good. The biggest thing is no engine breaking and wiith the 250f I loved the engine braking for braking late into corners. Now I can't stand it!
So with ktm cutting cost are they going to cut back on the amount of $$ they have put into Aldons facility and the amount of $$ they pay him per year?
Who cares?? That’s up to them.
Generally speaking a 250/300 2t is going to work better in really tight stuff and harder enduro while the 4t will work better on more open courses. More traction on a 4t but more effort to lean it over which can add up over 2-3 hours. I have been told that the 4t has an advantage in gncc or any series with lots of 4t entries because of all the 4t spaced accel bumps. I may be too slow to notice that. I do notice you can be lazier on slick hills on a 250f than a 250/300 two stroke.
I have a 24 TX300 and a 25 250XCF and my opinion is right the opposite of yours lol. The 250F wears me out and the 300 is a lot easier for me to carry momentum bc of the lack of engine braking. I feel like I have to ride the piss out of the 250F to get going and keep a flow in the woods. I'm most likely gonna sell the xcf and just keep the 300.
I just get weird arm pump on the 300. My throttle arm locks up most likely due to the 2 stroke vibrations. My 250f i dont have this problem. Both bikes wear me out the same lol.
Now all the rumors make sense! Russell is coming back to race XC2 quads on a newly developed Yamaha 350!
I think the Japanese big 3 are already running 250 motors in the 450 frames.
Kawasaki isn't anymore, for 25 the 250 and 450 have their own frames.
Incorrect. Same frame KX250 and KX450
Second sentence, https://motocrossactionmag.com/are-you-ready-for-the-all-new-2025-kawas…
Basically the same frame, the 250 has a slightly more relaxed head tube angle
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