2020 YZ250FX or 2019-2020 Husky 350FX

JB 19
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JB 19
Or KTM 350 XC...

Anyone with experience riding both?
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sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 4/15/2020 5:46am
4/15/2020 5:46am
JB 19 wrote:
Or KTM 350 XC...

Anyone with experience riding both?
No, but I assume the major difference, besides CCs, will be KYB versus WP and aluminum versus steel frame. Those bikes will handle and feel very different.
resetjet
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resetjet 4/15/2020 6:57am
4/15/2020 6:57am
What ya gonna do with it? For offroad 250fx all the way. You will be able to ride the bike to its full potential. 350’s just have too much power to grab a handful for b or c riders. I love my 250fx at 230lbs b rider
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JB 19
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JB 19 4/15/2020 8:03am
4/15/2020 8:03am
resetjet wrote:
What ya gonna do with it? For offroad 250fx all the way. You will be able to ride the bike to its full potential. 350’s just...
What ya gonna do with it? For offroad 250fx all the way. You will be able to ride the bike to its full potential. 350’s just have too much power to grab a handful for b or c riders. I love my 250fx at 230lbs b rider
I had a 2016 350 SX and loved the engine for moto and offroad. I currently ride a 2018 Honda 450. I have a Husaberg 300 that is my single track bike.

I'm looking for a bike that I can race in offroad, events, but still practice moto on a weekly basis. My first choice would be the Husky 350FX, but the Yamaha is at a lower price point and people are raving about it. I know the Yamaha has a good engine for a 250, just not sure how much it gives up in low end and midrange to the 350.

Sounds to me like the 350 has the better engine, but the Yamaha has the better suspension, just wondering if anyone has a first hand impression.
sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 4/15/2020 9:53am
4/15/2020 9:53am Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 1:27pm
The Yamaha 250F motor is incredible, easy to tune withe the app, and you can't go wrong with KYB stuff. Take the extra money from getting the 250F and get a Twin Air power flow kit.

I am 165 pound Vet rider (who used to race the B class) and there is nothing I can't jump on most tracks on the Yamaha 250F. It has so much torque and still pulls well through the top.
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PTshox
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PTshox 4/15/2020 10:22am
4/15/2020 10:22am
I have a 2016 KTM 350 XCF. I rode the yamaha. I can tell you that yamaha handes much better than the KTM. The KTM is good. But the yamaha is very stable and turns better. Yamaha just needs to make a 350 FX.
GPrider
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GPrider 4/15/2020 10:40am
4/15/2020 10:40am
I'm in the same boat. Leaning hard to the Husky 350fx. Been doing research daily killing time. Current ride is honda 450x and 450L. Wanting a smaller single track bike I can also race worcs on.
Spooner
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Spooner 4/15/2020 10:51am
4/15/2020 10:51am
Why did you rule out the 2-strokes?
Johnny Depp
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Johnny Depp 4/15/2020 11:16am
4/15/2020 11:16am
If you decide to go blue, be sure to check out the price for a warranty that covers blown engines and cracked frames.
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Titan1
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Titan1 4/15/2020 11:24am
4/15/2020 11:24am Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 2:47pm
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
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colintrax
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colintrax 4/15/2020 11:29am
4/15/2020 11:29am
JB 19 wrote:
I had a 2016 350 SX and loved the engine for moto and offroad. I currently ride a 2018 Honda 450. I have a Husaberg 300...
I had a 2016 350 SX and loved the engine for moto and offroad. I currently ride a 2018 Honda 450. I have a Husaberg 300 that is my single track bike.

I'm looking for a bike that I can race in offroad, events, but still practice moto on a weekly basis. My first choice would be the Husky 350FX, but the Yamaha is at a lower price point and people are raving about it. I know the Yamaha has a good engine for a 250, just not sure how much it gives up in low end and midrange to the 350.

Sounds to me like the 350 has the better engine, but the Yamaha has the better suspension, just wondering if anyone has a first hand impression.
You had a 350 and loved it, currently ride a 450 and 300 2 stroke. I dont think you're gonna be happy with the 250, and I'm a proponent of people riding the small bore bikes.
Get a Husky/KTM 350
JB 19
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JB 19 4/15/2020 11:52am
4/15/2020 11:52am
Spooner wrote:
Why did you rule out the 2-strokes?
I'm a 90's 2 stroke guy and own a 96 CR250, but my go to bike has to be a 4 stroke. Trust me, a 250XC definitely crossed my mind. I've raced my 300 a couple times.
Hcallz5
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Hcallz5 4/15/2020 11:53am
4/15/2020 11:53am
I'm currently in the same boat. Both are good bikes I think it comes down how lazy you are on the bike. 350 if you are heavier/lazier. From what I've read both bikes need some tuning/tweaking right off the showroom floor.
JB 19
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JB 19 4/15/2020 11:55am
4/15/2020 11:55am
Titan1 wrote:
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end...
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
The thing I like about the 350 is the revvy nature of it, but is still so responsive. How would you compare the Yamaha 250FX to a 350?
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skeef2.0
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skeef2.0 4/15/2020 11:57am
4/15/2020 11:57am
The 2020 350xc is a great bike. 90 degree corners, sweeping corners and braking bumps is where the bike shines. It’s very “flickable” In the air and lands like butter. Very comfortable at all speeds.
Riding it on the rear wheel with the power down is a bit unstable IMO. I’m tall and built and the KTM feels short to me. From the levers, to pegs, to sharp cornering I struggled when I pushed it hard.

if you ride hard then the Yamaha is the bike for you all day long. IMO the Yamaha works best being pushed. If you ride lazy and sit a lot, the bike is going to fight you around a track.

I rode them for 5 laps around the same track back to back.
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JB 19
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JB 19 4/15/2020 11:59am
4/15/2020 11:59am
colintrax wrote:
You had a 350 and loved it, currently ride a 450 and 300 2 stroke. I dont think you're gonna be happy with the 250, and...
You had a 350 and loved it, currently ride a 450 and 300 2 stroke. I dont think you're gonna be happy with the 250, and I'm a proponent of people riding the small bore bikes.
Get a Husky/KTM 350
I actually like riding smaller bikes and the handling benefits from them. I like the 350 because it's so similar to a 250 2 stroke. Probably should get a Husky 350, but I keep hearing how good these Yamaha 250's are and the suspension is enticing to me.
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Hcallz5 4/15/2020 12:08pm
4/15/2020 12:08pm
I'd go with the Yami for suspension alone. KTM is already more expensive then you have to spend another $600-1k to get the suspension working well. I'm waiting until the 2021's show up and hopefully they rebate the 20' 250fx.
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JB 19
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JB 19 4/15/2020 12:12pm
4/15/2020 12:12pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 4:40pm
skeef2.0 wrote:
The 2020 350xc is a great bike. 90 degree corners, sweeping corners and braking bumps is where the bike shines. It’s very “flickable” In the air...
The 2020 350xc is a great bike. 90 degree corners, sweeping corners and braking bumps is where the bike shines. It’s very “flickable” In the air and lands like butter. Very comfortable at all speeds.
Riding it on the rear wheel with the power down is a bit unstable IMO. I’m tall and built and the KTM feels short to me. From the levers, to pegs, to sharp cornering I struggled when I pushed it hard.

if you ride hard then the Yamaha is the bike for you all day long. IMO the Yamaha works best being pushed. If you ride lazy and sit a lot, the bike is going to fight you around a track.

I rode them for 5 laps around the same track back to back.
I think the 350 engine is like magic. It's so good, but the suspension in a rough harescramble or gncc is what im most worried about. I bought Dal Soggio inserts for my 16 350 to fix the forks. I know the forks are better now, but honestly suspension is more important to me. My Honda is revalved by factory connection and is pretty good. It's
remapped and is a good overall package. I think I just want something that is more suited to eastern off road racing.

Just wondering if the Yamaha has enough usable power, which it sounds like it does.
sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 4/15/2020 1:31pm
4/15/2020 1:31pm
Titan1 wrote:
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end...
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
Well, a 250 will never have the torque of a 450, but the Yamaha comes the closest. It’s got the most low end grunt. Most turns on an MX track I can get away with third gear.
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colintrax
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colintrax 4/15/2020 2:08pm
4/15/2020 2:08pm
JB 19 wrote:
I actually like riding smaller bikes and the handling benefits from them. I like the 350 because it's so similar to a 250 2 stroke. Probably...
I actually like riding smaller bikes and the handling benefits from them. I like the 350 because it's so similar to a 250 2 stroke. Probably should get a Husky 350, but I keep hearing how good these Yamaha 250's are and the suspension is enticing to me.
If you look at the dynos the YZ isnt really that fast, it just feels fast. And the suspension isnt magic, you can get good working suspenders on any bike these days.
If you can, ride one before you buy it. Maybe you'll love it, maybe you'll hate it. Nobody can tell you what you'll think. Good luck!
Titan1
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Titan1 4/15/2020 2:29pm
4/15/2020 2:29pm
Titan1 wrote:
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end...
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
JB 19 wrote:
The thing I like about the 350 is the revvy nature of it, but is still so responsive. How would you compare the Yamaha 250FX to...
The thing I like about the 350 is the revvy nature of it, but is still so responsive. How would you compare the Yamaha 250FX to a 350?
I think the last time I rode a 350 was back in 2016...so, it's hard to say from that far back, and I don't know what the current 350's are like at all...but I remember thinking that 250 with a little bit more low end would be amazing!
Titan1
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Titan1 4/15/2020 2:31pm
4/15/2020 2:31pm
Titan1 wrote:
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end...
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
sandtrack315 wrote:
Well, a 250 will never have the torque of a 450, but the Yamaha comes the closest. It’s got the most low end grunt. Most turns...
Well, a 250 will never have the torque of a 450, but the Yamaha comes the closest. It’s got the most low end grunt. Most turns on an MX track I can get away with third gear.
Oh, I agree with you there...but it was a stark difference going from my 450 to the 250...

I loved the bike though...it's a great motorcycle.
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FGR01 4/15/2020 3:57pm
4/15/2020 3:57pm
I have a 2020 FC350 and have recently spent time on my buddy's 2020 YZ250F. I don't know about the YZ250FX, but the MX version goes sorta flat on top and has no where near the overrev and pull of the 350. It gives up, what, 10-12 HP on top? The YZ is very barky on the bottom and would almost be unsettling in tight stuff (again, the MX version). If you like the revvy nature of the 350 you will for sure miss it on the YZ. Not even close.

As for size, I'm with you, I like smaller bikes. The Husky has a very compact rider compartment. I measured the 2 side by side and the YZ is like 2 inches taller from the pegs to the seat. This would be a real deal breaker for me in tight stuff (short legs). And the seat is very thin, wide, and hard. Not ideal for long off-road days sitting down.

My buddy just bought the FX350 for the exact reasons you listed. He wanted one bike to do it all and he is happy with it. He's a pretty good MX rider and one of those guys that jumps everything and he is happy with the FX350. Nice thing about air forks is being able to easily change spring rate for MX or off road. And the Husky suspension is also very sensitive to adjustments. It covers a wide range.
sandtrack315
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sandtrack315 4/15/2020 4:57pm
4/15/2020 4:57pm
Titan1 wrote:
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end...
I just rode a 2020 YZ250FX yesterday...I'm coming off a 2019 YZ450FX...and I know you can make changes, but this is the stock map...weak bottom end power...but mid-upper the thing rips. Feels light...turns great...the one I rode had Factory Connection do the suspension, and do something with the linkage, and it was amazing!

I missed the low end at first...because I ride my 450's a gear high, and just let the torque do its thing (I'm probably between about 0-1/2 throttle 95% of the the time)...but when I got used to twisting the throttle on the 250, riding a gear (or two) lower than usual, that thing came alive and was just fun!

1st gear was way to low (same on my 450fx)...

Honestly, I'm really debating selling my 450fx and buying a 250fx.
sandtrack315 wrote:
Well, a 250 will never have the torque of a 450, but the Yamaha comes the closest. It’s got the most low end grunt. Most turns...
Well, a 250 will never have the torque of a 450, but the Yamaha comes the closest. It’s got the most low end grunt. Most turns on an MX track I can get away with third gear.
Titan1 wrote:
Oh, I agree with you there...but it was a stark difference going from my 450 to the 250...

I loved the bike though...it's a great motorcycle.
For sure, I love going from a 450 to a 250, because it feels so light and agile. You just have to ride it harder. Going from the 250 to a 450 isn’t as fun, unless you’re at somewhere like Glen Helen.
resetjet
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resetjet 4/15/2020 5:30pm
4/15/2020 5:30pm
JB 19 wrote:
I had a 2016 350 SX and loved the engine for moto and offroad. I currently ride a 2018 Honda 450. I have a Husaberg 300...
I had a 2016 350 SX and loved the engine for moto and offroad. I currently ride a 2018 Honda 450. I have a Husaberg 300 that is my single track bike.

I'm looking for a bike that I can race in offroad, events, but still practice moto on a weekly basis. My first choice would be the Husky 350FX, but the Yamaha is at a lower price point and people are raving about it. I know the Yamaha has a good engine for a 250, just not sure how much it gives up in low end and midrange to the 350.

Sounds to me like the 350 has the better engine, but the Yamaha has the better suspension, just wondering if anyone has a first hand impression.
Well all i can say is if you want to rip around throttle to the stops and ride the bike hard offroad, the Yz250fx is it. You will surely feel faster. There will be times you wish you had more power, but most of the time you will smile. You can moto with it just fine as well. 350 does not handle like the 250 at all. Fine on a moto track, love the xtra power but i cannot ride it hard, the bike ends up riding me. Both good bikes, but personal choice.
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braaap707
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braaap707 4/15/2020 7:06pm
4/15/2020 7:06pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 7:09pm
Rode a 2020 Yamaha YZ250f of a friend's back to back with another friends 19 Husky 350FX. I loved motor and suspension on the Yamaha. Great tourqey feel that almost gave me the impression it was bigger then a 250. Best 250f motor I've ever ridden, last one before been a 19 KTM 250f. Although i couldnt get over its flat feel of the yamaha and just overall totally different ergos it has to the ktm and huskys. Would take me few more days to get comfy for sure. Kinda felt stinkbug like my pops 09 honda 450 ? If i had got to play with it, set sag/move bars id probably liked it more but as is the ktm/husky Overall handling just seemed more inline with what I I like and that 350 motor was really fun .Honestly both are great and u won't disappointed in either !
braaap707
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braaap707 4/15/2020 7:09pm
4/15/2020 7:09pm Edited Date/Time 4/15/2020 7:10pm
Oops sorry double post. Damn cell phones 😂

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