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Edited Date/Time
3/26/2013 7:50am
So the last few bikes I've owned have been 450's... CRF's and YZF's. Loved all of them, particularly my '05 CRF. They worked really well for what I normally do, mostly track days, a GP or REM saturday mx occassionally, and some offroad, Ocotillo or wherever.
Yeah, I will hit jumps, but nothing huge, no thanks. So with that said, I'm thinking one of these two bikes might be just the ticket, plush suspension and smoother power? The last KTM I owned was a 360 and I didn't care for it much, lol. Which one of these bikes works better on an MX track? Is the 300 better suited for tight trails and not so much MX? Maybe I should just get another 450, Idk.
Any opinions are appreciated!
Yeah, I will hit jumps, but nothing huge, no thanks. So with that said, I'm thinking one of these two bikes might be just the ticket, plush suspension and smoother power? The last KTM I owned was a 360 and I didn't care for it much, lol. Which one of these bikes works better on an MX track? Is the 300 better suited for tight trails and not so much MX? Maybe I should just get another 450, Idk.
Any opinions are appreciated!
I did a quick google search and found some threads on other boards, but they mostly didn't sound like moto dudes.
The Shop
I'm 230 pounds, and currently ride/race (east coast hare scrambles) an 250 XC here in Maryland. However, if I lived in the west, it would be a 300XC hands down.
You also need to think about what type of riding style you have...Are you lugger or on-the-pipe/point&shoot rider? If you ride the 300 like a 250, it can wear you out sometimes...I know this because I used to have 300, and was relieved when I downsized to a 250 SX and 250 XC.
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/MXAS-TWOSTROKE-MOTOCROSS-SHOOTOUT-TM-250MX-VERSUS-9903.aspx
Or buy a new 2013 xc for $8300 and throw another $1000 into it
http://motocrossactionmag.com/Main/News/67272733-6b75-46a9-b7a7-dc80e5c5be10.aspx
PS, i'd buy the TM
Best motor i've ever ridden, and the XCW's handle well... I've tested the latest models, they're amazing!!!
My 06 is good, would love to get it turning a little better but i'm a tall fat bastard who can't get my weight forward and don't ride enough to complain...
Motor is soooo sweet tho, it's not funny.
I did so. No regrets. Favorite bike I've been on in the last 20 years I've ridden. Easy to ride, fast as ever, smooth. used for mx.
PC platinum 2 pipe, and PC 304 silencer for a smooth, relatively linear powerband, but with an increase of midrange pull over stock.
PC plat 2 pipe, and fmf shorty silencer is a total different animal. Mid range and top end is increased even more and just hits hard...but is still very very smooth due to the heavier flywheel weight. If you like it closer to the style of a hard hitting 2T, you will want the shorty on there.
If you want a more manageable, smooth delivery powerband, stock (or more oomph, but smooth Plat2 pipe/PC 304) is fine. Stock they do about 50.xhp, IIRC.
I am 160lb, around intermediate level skill level. The bike would bottom quickly, but the first 1/2 of the travel was like a pillow. Obviously not valved for mx.
I ended up upgrading the F/R springs and re-valved the suspension for mx with PC specs. Night & Day difference.
At your weight, you will need to upgrade the suspension immediately.
You wouldn't regret going with the 300xc, imo.
I have had the suspension revalved for the rocks so it will probably suck on the track but I would only MX it once or twice a year. We will see how that works for me when the time comes but it is great off road and thats where I ride 95% of the time. Paid 4,300 and came off a stock 2009 YZ 250 that was great on the track and just OK in the woods. I had planned to keep both but i like the KTM so much I am selling the YZ. Where I ride (PA) its hard to get one bike to do both because of the rocks but The KTM is close enough for me.
I say go with the 300 XC. LOOK! How Cool that thing looks and it's got an Electric starter. We ride these bikes for the Fun RIGHT!!! and think how Awesome!! You'll look as you're passing 4-strokes in the Woods. What the heck could be more fun than a light weight, screaming high Horsepower 2-stroke KTM that's less maintenance than a 4-Porker ( actually I like 4 strokes alot ) but I still love 2-strokes and have a special place in my Heart for them
You can adjust the power without needing a pipe. But if you're really a fast guy, there is never enough power. I went 2-stoke to save money on rebuilds. A budy of mine still hasn't rebuilt his top end on his 250... they last a while with proper mntc...
I'm older now, so I don't rev it like I was when riding 125's... This is KTM's best selling bike I'm told and I see why. So versitile!
Lug it almost like a 4-stroke or rev it with the right power valve spring and dolly setting. You can tailor it to just about anything you want to ride...
Running with a highly modified 450... It does sign off earlier than the big 4 strokes though, just need to shift again...
I offered to let GuyB ride/race it during the Alligator Enduro when he was down for Daytona, but I think he was intimidated! Ha HA!
If you're going to use it for romping on some moto tracks or fast "scrambles" type fun, get the XC. Bit stiffer susp for that type of play vs the softer XCW woods susp. Little diff gear ratios too. But both can be geared for whatever. Like FTE & EastFlorida said, these motors are VERY tuneable with p/vlv spr swaps, also map switch, throw an FMF Gnarly on it for more grunt.
It's true, this bike lives up to the hype. I've been riding up here in WA single track now for over 4 yrs, and I'm a short shifter/lugger weighing about 230 geared up & I have absolutely no problem at all getting this up or over anything. It's known as a 3 stroke! It's also a very durable bike with top shelf hardware & components on it.
Your 4t will feel like a BUS after you get that 300! Trust us. :-)
Pit Row
Ready for a trip up I5?
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/mcy/3686504635.html
Oh and one day the media will run a TM dyno comparison with other makes of bike that have been bought NOT suplied specially by the manufactures! The TM's come to the test absolutely stock unlike all the others, so take the 'down on power' stuff with a pinch of salt.
$6500 seems like a lot for any bike with 100 hours on it, how much mire is it for a brand new 250SX?
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