Quick back ground, I'm not a racer per say, but when I did, I ran C class and finished toward the tail end. I'm more of a "ride with the buddies" type of guy who can eventually get to where we need to go. SE riding so plenty of tight rocky single track, but a fair share of atv/sxs wide trails we visit too. Red clay, roots, loose black soil, you name it, but hardly any sand. 6'1 250lbs without gear.
tl:dr used bike, grab a yz250fx, 450fx, beta 300rr or an Austrian 300 even though I didn't mesh with my TE 250
When I got back into riding a few years ago I burned through a steel frame WR450 and then a poor mans yz250x (2011 with fww, 18, rekluse) within a year or so before buying a new 21 yz250fx in late 2020. The fx was a great platform. It inspired confidence, let me rip around faster gaining more speed, etc. The only real time I felt let down was long steep hill climbs where I felt like it was slowly losing the power to carry me. I also never did the suspension on this bike, and though I didn't jump it (not a track guy) I felt like it carried my weight and size beautifully.
Fast forward about 2 years, after a Beta demo day I got bit by the 300 bug, bad. Ended up trading the fx for a 2020 TM 300EN (carb, 5 speed). Rear shock needed some love so I had the suspension revalved/resprung. This thing was an absolute rocket in the mid range. I could lug it a gear high to crawl over anything I needed, I could open it up and think "oh shit" if I got too much. Hours started creeping up and I got a little worried about sourcing parts so I eventually sold it.
After selling the TM I did a Yamaha demo day and loved the 450fx. Felt like it had the power to get me over anything I needed. Instant torque, but could feel the weight in the tight stuff. I then rode a buddy's 24 KTM 250xc. I thought this was the ticket. Playful, lugged decent, made me smile. I ended up buying a 24 TE 250 because the price was too good to pass up. Had the suspension valved/sprung on this as well. I could never fully get comfortable on this unit. The front end felt like it always wanted to wash out in a turn or jump from the ruts. I messed with clickers, sag, rake, tire pressures etc. I also missed the liveliness of the TM engine or even the XC variant I rode previously. Riding trends with buddies also changed so I sold it.
Here we are now. Most of my buddies are getting a little more serious with local SORCS racing or the yearly TKO enduro. I really have no intentions of joining these, however I've picked up photography/videography again and would like to get back out there with them, so I'm looking at picking up something used to be able to follow them around or run up ahead to get some shots.
I'm trying to keep my budget at 6500 or less. I've found 20+ Yamaha 4t's (fx variant), a few Beta's, and a GasGas tpi EX 300 with 50 hours within this budget. I know the Yamaha platform will work, but I feel like another 300 suites my riding style and location however I'm concerend I'll hate the Austrian variant after hating my TE. I've also found a 2021 TM 300en with around 100 hours.
Stark Varg
From what you've said I would think a 300 is your best bet. And for what its worth it sounds like they missed the mark with your TE and the forks were under sprung.
With your budget should be able to get a KTM 300xcw. Try to find something with 30-50 hours, seems these last 150 or so hours before needing a top end
I'm on the West Coast, but had a '24 YZ450FX and am going back to a 300. It was great when things were fast, but a handful when things were techy. Maybe if I was in better shape, I could have made it work, but the 300 is so much easier to ride for me. Going with a Beta this time versus the KTM.
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I like a 450, 2 strokes require way too much maintenance. The FX can be tamed down quite a bit with the app, I race one in hare scrambles and have another for my practice bike. The 450 can be ridden lazy, but has enough umph for unexpected hill climbs around blind corners. I've never felt it's too much, just takes throttle control like any other bike.
Curious what additional maintenance the 2 stroke is requiring? The 300s are going 100-150 hours before top ends, going to have to check the 4 stroke valves before that.
I wouldn't run a 2 stroke over 100 hours, 50 if I was racing it, because you're asking for the skirt to break. Power valves also need maintenance, I've had a power valve break at the stem and drop into the cylinder. I've had a ring locating pin fall out allowing the ring to spin and catch the exhaust port, breaking the piston. I've had a power valve wear until it stuck into the cylinder and broke the piston. I've had a piston skirt shatter and took out the engine case, I've had a crank seize...
So far never had any of my 4 strokes have a mechanical failure. In one weird instance I had a bike that all of a sudden started burning oil like crazy. I took it apart to rebuild it and found all of the ring gaps had lined up letting oil by. It was a 17 year old ttr-225 that was all original still, crazy odd thing to happen. In nine 4-stroke dirt bikes, three street bikes, twelve vehicles, and one boat I've had no blown up engines. Out of five 2-stroke dirt bikes and two jet skis I've blown up every single one, some multiple times. They can be reliable, but take rebuilds more often and more tinkering to stay that way. This is my personal experience ymmv.
Fair enough reason, his description said he’s not a racer but can understand what you’re saying. I’m not a 2 stroke or 4 stroke guy, I have both and both seem to require same level maintenance on my end and if something is needed the 2 stroke tips to the scale of do it yourself and for lower cost
The sx tbi 250/300s with low hours are in your budget. Would not be scared to go that route and re valve for offroad.
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