KTM 250 sx or KTM 300 sx

sandman768
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sandman768 4/14/2026 11:33am
4/14/2026 11:33am
wiggins419 wrote:
I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends...

I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends 3rd longer. I also rode a yz250 back to back and was pretty bummed to see it’s basically just as fast 🤦🏼‍♂️. Idk I would just get whatever ones cheaper. Can’t go wrong

What is your gearing? My 25 came with a 46 rear! They came with a 49 back in 23, not sure what they were thinking but put a 50 rear on….14-50…..they do sign off quick, its a low to mid engine, but they left alot on the table with stock mapping

AMetts
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AMetts 4/14/2026 11:34am
4/14/2026 11:34am
wiggins419 wrote:
I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends...

I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends 3rd longer. I also rode a yz250 back to back and was pretty bummed to see it’s basically just as fast 🤦🏼‍♂️. Idk I would just get whatever ones cheaper. Can’t go wrong

That's probably the only complaint I have with my 300 is it signs off pretty early, the only reason I would really like it to go a bit further is prevent shifting to fourth then immediately back into 3rd I can ALMOST keep it in 3rd most of the time and instead of shifting when it signs off I'm so close to the next corner I don't shift so I end up coasting a little more and lose time. 

Seems the consensus is the pipes don't do a whole lot, supposedly this can be helped with an ECU reflash I may try sending mine to Pinit racing soon as they seem to be the best option thats not the $600 ERM. 

jimperreira 4/14/2026 11:43am
4/14/2026 11:43am

59 years old. Never raced above expert level. Mostly off road and a fair amount of mx. 160 to 165lbs racing weight. I prefer 250’s everywhere except extremely tight trails where I actually prefer a 200. 

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Jkawi
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Jkawi 4/14/2026 11:51am
4/14/2026 11:51am

If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They are still deadly and super fun to ride. I don't have one, but my best riding buddy does and I ride it a lot. It's a super fun bike to ride. Something about those 2000's era 2 strokes is just different than the new stuff.

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sandman768
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sandman768 4/14/2026 11:56am
4/14/2026 11:56am
Jkawi wrote:
If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They...

If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They are still deadly and super fun to ride. I don't have one, but my best riding buddy does and I ride it a lot. It's a super fun bike to ride. Something about those 2000's era 2 strokes is just different than the new stuff.

Critical parts are drying up fast. soon as it starts popping out of gear you are done….good 2nd bike to keep the hrs down for occasional rides….not sure anyone is reproducing that era of RM gears, shift forks, clutch baskets, powervalve parts ect. 

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urbanlift707
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urbanlift707 4/14/2026 11:05pm
4/14/2026 11:05pm Edited Date/Time 4/14/2026 11:07pm
wiggins419 wrote:
I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends...

I have 6 hours on my 25’ 300sx. Biggest complaint is it falls on its face. I have a pipe on the way, hoping that extends 3rd longer. I also rode a yz250 back to back and was pretty bummed to see it’s basically just as fast 🤦🏼‍♂️. Idk I would just get whatever ones cheaper. Can’t go wrong

IMG 7616 1Just offering a different perspective but I owned the 3 TBI 300’s 23,24,25. All with pc pipe and silencer and then I got a 2026 yz250 and imo the yz250 is not even close power wise stock. $800 later and a full pc motor and my yz fucking barks!!IMG 1826 1IMG 1824 10.jpeg?VersionId= tIL64Y99t5fZi5anIMG 1420 3.jpeg?VersionId=I Yt1jJMFdcuANYJV6JOyrxm lp0IMG 1419 3IMG 1417 2IMG 1418 0IMG 7823

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dfoerster92
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dfoerster92 4/15/2026 1:52am
4/15/2026 1:52am

I haven't ridden a ktm 250sx but I've owned several yz250s over the years and last summer I decided to try a ktm 300sx and I found a low hr used 2024 ktm300sx with a bills pipe on it and I will say i love the thing, I never thought i would own a ktm as im a Yamaha guy and was very hesitant on making the switch but now im mad I didn't do it sooner, like I said I really can't compare to the ktm 250sx but my 300sx is miles ahead of the yz250s

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sandman768
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sandman768 4/15/2026 5:25am
4/15/2026 5:25am

I loved my 99,2000,2001 & 2008 YZ 250”s…..great bikes…..I have a pile of worn out transmission gears and shift forks to prove it…..

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twhig
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twhig 4/15/2026 7:26am
4/15/2026 7:26am

I have had both bikes over the last 4 years.  I’m still just as happy with my 300 SX as the day I brought it home in 23.  I have had it mapped with Twisted D and it broadened out the delivery quite a bit and let it rev infinitely.  PC pipe, shorty silencer and suspension is the only thing I have done.  It is the funnest bike I have ever had.  250 is a blast too, but if I was to do it again, it would be a 300 in a heartbeat.  Either way you cannot go wrong.  

TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 4/15/2026 8:21am
4/15/2026 8:21am
stackman17 wrote:
58 yo vet rider getting back into riding/racing after ten year lay off. I transitioned to 4 strokes like everyone else in the 2000s.I want to...

58 yo vet rider getting back into riding/racing after ten year lay off. I transitioned to 4 strokes like everyone else in the 2000s.

I want to get back my early days of racing with a 2 stroke. I loved my 1996 Suzuki RM 250!

Opinions on either bike is appreciated. Thanks.

The 250 will remind you of your RM in all the right ways…except…with MORE POWER 💪🏼🤣

The 300 is one helluva 2 stoke that pulls a lot like a 450-4 stroke & signs off a but early compared to a 250. 

TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 4/15/2026 8:23am
4/15/2026 8:23am
Jkawi wrote:
If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They...

If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They are still deadly and super fun to ride. I don't have one, but my best riding buddy does and I ride it a lot. It's a super fun bike to ride. Something about those 2000's era 2 strokes is just different than the new stuff.

I feel this way about my ‘07 RM 125 😎

Jkawi
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Jkawi 4/15/2026 9:22am
4/15/2026 9:22am
Jkawi wrote:
If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They...

If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They are still deadly and super fun to ride. I don't have one, but my best riding buddy does and I ride it a lot. It's a super fun bike to ride. Something about those 2000's era 2 strokes is just different than the new stuff.

sandman768 wrote:
Critical parts are drying up fast. soon as it starts popping out of gear you are done….good 2nd bike to keep the hrs down for occasional...

Critical parts are drying up fast. soon as it starts popping out of gear you are done….good 2nd bike to keep the hrs down for occasional rides….not sure anyone is reproducing that era of RM gears, shift forks, clutch baskets, powervalve parts ect. 

rebuilt bottom end and gearbox last year for him. I told him what parts he needed, didn't seem to be an issue at all. shift drum, 1 shift fork, full rotating assembly, all the bearings, seals, etc. I agree on the OEM stuff, but there is lots around still for that era. If I was talking 1995, sure.

Could be the bike too. My Wife has a 06 ttr125 big wheel and broke the kickstart lever. That was a bitch to find. Ended up with a used one off Ebay for about $100 more than any modern bike brand new part.

Suzuki and Kawi shared a lot of parts in that era, maybe thats why there seems to be a better market for parts?

Jkawi
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Jkawi 4/15/2026 9:24am
4/15/2026 9:24am
Jkawi wrote:
If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They...

If you are nostalgic about the old RM, I would say get an 06 or 07 RM 250. You will never need another bike again. They are still deadly and super fun to ride. I don't have one, but my best riding buddy does and I ride it a lot. It's a super fun bike to ride. Something about those 2000's era 2 strokes is just different than the new stuff.

TeamGreen wrote:

I feel this way about my ‘07 RM 125 😎

I have never been on the 125 of that era, but I wouldn't hesitate. Might even be more fun than the 250...

inthebadboycorner 4/15/2026 4:16pm
4/15/2026 4:16pm

FYI, a decade ago I changed up my 250 sx to a 300 with the KTM kit. Stronger midrange and top, but signed off a little earlier.

My race results never changed, midpack forever!

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