I have finally had the thought of changing bike brands but don't know what bike to change to. So, I have only been on KTM since I started riding at 4 years old, first bike was a 50 mini adventure. I now ride a 23 KTM 250SX-F. However, I recently rode my friends 2018 YZ250 and a 2016 KX250. Not sure if it was how I was riding that day but man I felt comfy and felt like I was going faster than I would on the KTM. I am thinking that maybe I would be comfier on a Japanese bike rather than the Austrian bike but I'm also worried that if I switch, I won't end up liking it and then I'm stuck with that bike. I know it's all personal feel and everyone is different but I'm just looking for any advice from anyone who has gone from the Austrian bikes to the Japanese bikes.
Sorry for the essay lol.
Why have you left it this long to try a different brand??
Jeez man, variety is the spice of life. Get after it on something else. You never know until you try.
CR500
Have never taken riding seriously, only ridden for fun but I started racing in 2023 and now I'm starting to have the thoughts haha. Then after riding the other bikes it has made me really think.
Straight up I am not man enough for that. Plus i weigh 70kg that thing would ride me haha
The Shop
Luxon 4-Post Bar Mounts
$189.95 - $239.95
Free shipping: VITALMX
DeCal Works Huge Plastic Inventory of UFO and Polisport kits.
Get a stopwatch out. You might be faster on Austrian after all even though it seems "slower."
Don't ask Prado.
I hear going from steel frame life to aluminium while changing continents is highly recommended.
Try different bikes, if you don’t like it, sell it and get a new one.
I sold my 23 Husky 350 for Yamaha 450. I went from not wanting to ride to riding 2-3 times a week because it was so much more comfortable and predictable to me.
I've always been more comfortable on a Japanese brand motorcycle and I've owned a couple KTMs. I've heard that from several riding buddies who have switched back to a Japanese brand as well.
Just give something else a try, if you don't like it you can always switch it up again.
Your not going to be slower or faster on any bike- my advice buy the bike you think “looks” the best. Ultimately that’s the only thing that matters..For me right now I just really like the looks of the KTM…but it’s a personal preference..
Are you racing? If so, check to see who pays the best contingency in your local series. If you just ride for fun, who cares? Do whatever you want. There are no bad bikes these days.
Stark Varg
If you like the hot crazy chick, Honda or the latest Yamaha platform.
If you like the grounded woman that only has one purse and doesn't need an hour to put her makeup on before she leaves the house, Kawasaki or KTM.
Honda. Quality and believe their parts are less expensive.
That's definitely a good idea, thank you. Might still be faster but it was just very comfortable especially the Kawi. Will just have to give a few bikes a go and see what really speaks to me.
Appreciate all the comments everyone! Will definitively just have to get a few different brands, get the stopwatch out and just see what I'm fastest on and what I'm most comfortable on. Only proper way to know is by actually riding them haha
Although the KTM,s I had were 96 and the 2006, the Honda and Yamaha,s felt the same as resting my hand down my pants.
Home.
If you like the feel of another bike, then that's one thing. But thinking that you'll all of a sudden have dramatically better race results on another bike is quite another. Comfort can increase confidence, and confidence can help you improve, but rarely is the bike the limiting factor in the speed equation.
All this being said, you don't need to justify trying a different brand. Life is short - get what you want and enjoy it! If you don't like it, sell it and get something else. You're not married to any bike or brand. I had KTMs for years then went to TM and Yamaha for several years. Back on KTM and happy that I am.
Pit Row
You want the Suzuki.
If you ride mostly for fun, try something new if it feels better. If you race and/or are concerned with lap times, I’d caution you against going what “feels faster.” The butt dyno can and does lie. When I got my 450 SXF (my first KTM), I swore it was a slug and I was slow as molasses on it. The reality was that it just didn’t hit hard like my previous bike and I was actually far faster on it.
Another example I had was years ago when 4-strokes started becoming the norm. I took my dads 02 CRF450 and my 02 CR250 to a track a friend owned. I rode both bikes, and without me knowing, he was timing me. When I pulled in after riding both, he let me know he was timing and asked me which bike I thought I was faster on. I said the 250 (2-stroke) hands down. It felt fast. I was banging gears, turning berms to powder, and always heavy on the throttle. I came in wrung out like a dishrag. Meanwhile, the CRF felt like I was on a trail ride. I only used 3rd and 4th gear, no clutch fanning, rolling on the power, and could have ridden all day.
“Nope. 6 sec/lap faster on the 450.” I was floored as I never would have guessed.
That’s really the only sensible choice.😂
If you are riding for fun, try a 2 stroke...
I rode one of those last weekend at Barona.. they were having a ride day there. What an incredible bike.. might have to get one of those next!
I do race but I race more for fun than trying to be the next best thing. Plus, I only started 2 years ago and I'm 25 so I think that ship has sailed haha. It just got me thinking if I would be comfortable on a different bike. I did feel faster, but I cared more about how nice I felt on the bike. It just felt like it suited me more but not sure if it was the difference in frame. Will just have to give some more bikes a test ride and then commit to what feels the best. Like everyone says worst case I can always sell it and get a different one. Again, thanks and appreciate all the advice.
Bottom line is if you only raced KTMs then everthing else will be a step up so you can relax. Biggest POS I ever had was a KTM 450 😝
My current bike is a 24' Gas Gas MC350, last bike was a Kawasaki KX250. I love my 350 and loved my Kawasaki, but from what I've seen in here, and been told by friends who have ridden pretty much all of the new 250's, I wouldn't go the kawi route unless you're prepared to put some money into the engine to get it to your liking. No hate on the kawi, it's a great bike, just a little behind the other bikes on power.
If you're worried about buying the bike and not liking it, I would look at your local marketplace or Craigslist to see what there is a lot of, what is selling the easiest, and for the most. You won't get what you paid back, but maybe you won't be out as much, in case you hate it.
That said, pick a color. Unless you're pretty damn fast, any of the modern day bikes will be plenty for you. We live in a time where all the bikes are pretty damn good.
It’s funny how different preferences are. I like mine more than any bike since my 96 CR250…
The Hodaka 100 looks pretty sweet!
Pick a color. Seriously.
-Steve
Trying stuff is key. You learn a lot along the way. Beware of buying a bike thinking it will solve everything…it won’t and every bike has its own DNA.
Post a reply to: Switching Bike Brands. Any Advice Would Help.