Best Enduro Bike

6/11/2019 11:56am Edited Date/Time 6/13/2019 8:13am
Hi fellow Vitards!

Looking for some feedback, am 48, 6 ft 2inch tall, and 240 lbs. Looking to trade my 2018 Rockstar Husky 450 and move over to a 2019/20 enduro bike. Looking for a bike that sits tall, is fast, and handles well.

The goal is riding in the desert and on trails... getting too bloody old for tracks not to mention not wanting to injure myself.

Thoughts please and thanks?
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M-M
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GB
6/11/2019 11:58am
Ktm 450 exc, done.
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TriRacer27
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6/11/2019 1:40pm
Heard great things about the Yamaha 450X for larger riders.
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Davey
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Champaign, IL US
6/11/2019 1:54pm
KTM 300 XC
6/11/2019 2:01pm
TriRacer27 wrote:
Heard great things about the Yamaha 450X for larger riders.
Interesting, haven't looked too much into the cross country style bikes, thank you!
Ramrod
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6/11/2019 2:13pm
Husky 501
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GasGasOrAss
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6/11/2019 2:48pm
Not sure why people are recommending 450s and 500s for trail riding. You need a 300. Ktm or husky considering your height. Beta’s are a bit short. Unless by trail riding you mean fire roads, you will seriously regret a 4 stroke over a 2 stroke. Especially a 450 or 500.
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Press516
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6/11/2019 3:24pm
KTM 300 EXC... Hear it all the time.

But if you are a little more outgoing, check out the GASGAS 300XC. The '19 is a big step up from the older models. I just met a hardcore enduro rider here in AZ that moved to a GASGAS from his KTM and he says it simply works better (for him).

So, second hand info from me on both accounts... Wink

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GasGasOrAss
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6/11/2019 3:56pm
Press516 wrote:
KTM 300 EXC... Hear it all the time. But if you are a little more outgoing, check out the GASGAS 300XC. The '19 is a big...
KTM 300 EXC... Hear it all the time.

But if you are a little more outgoing, check out the GASGAS 300XC. The '19 is a big step up from the older models. I just met a hardcore enduro rider here in AZ that moved to a GASGAS from his KTM and he says it simply works better (for him).

So, second hand info from me on both accounts... Wink

I have an 18 xc300. It’s an amazing bike. Stock KYBs hands down the best handling enduro bike right now. Excellent power too once jetted correctly. Only downside is resale value since it’s not a very well known brand.
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6/11/2019 4:00pm
Ramrod wrote:
Husky 501
Funny you say that I almost picked one up when I purchased the 450... kinda wish I had of now...
6/11/2019 4:02pm
Not sure why people are recommending 450s and 500s for trail riding. You need a 300. Ktm or husky considering your height. Beta’s are a bit...
Not sure why people are recommending 450s and 500s for trail riding. You need a 300. Ktm or husky considering your height. Beta’s are a bit short. Unless by trail riding you mean fire roads, you will seriously regret a 4 stroke over a 2 stroke. Especially a 450 or 500.
Good points, thank you. Interestingly, was also looking at the 6 days KTM 300 2 smoker?
Madc32
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Portland, OR US
6/11/2019 4:10pm
If you ever get on a track again you won't want the six days PDS. Look for something with linkage.
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Skids
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AU
6/11/2019 4:28pm
2 stroke - 2019 KTM 300 XC
4 Stroke - 2019 KTM 350 XCF
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PTshox
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Highland Village, TX US
6/11/2019 4:36pm
Skids wrote:
2 stroke - 2019 KTM 300 XC
4 Stroke - 2019 KTM 350 XCF
What he said above... It's it super tight go with the 300. If not super tight... get the 350 XC. I have the 350 XC
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Press516
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6/11/2019 5:12pm
Press516 wrote:
KTM 300 EXC... Hear it all the time. But if you are a little more outgoing, check out the GASGAS 300XC. The '19 is a big...
KTM 300 EXC... Hear it all the time.

But if you are a little more outgoing, check out the GASGAS 300XC. The '19 is a big step up from the older models. I just met a hardcore enduro rider here in AZ that moved to a GASGAS from his KTM and he says it simply works better (for him).

So, second hand info from me on both accounts... Wink

I have an 18 xc300. It’s an amazing bike. Stock KYBs hands down the best handling enduro bike right now. Excellent power too once jetted correctly...
I have an 18 xc300. It’s an amazing bike. Stock KYBs hands down the best handling enduro bike right now. Excellent power too once jetted correctly. Only downside is resale value since it’s not a very well known brand.
Exactly what he said... The KYB's were simply better than the WP's. I also checked, the '18 and up are the ones to have.
tyoung523
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Bennington, NE US
6/11/2019 5:25pm
Yamaha yz450fx for sure perfect bike for taller riders and is super fast and versatile.
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braaap707
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Charlton City, MA US
6/11/2019 5:32pm
It comes down to either a KTM or Husky 300 two stroke. They're hard to beat great do it all bikes. I'd buy a TX or XC with the aer forks and linkage. If u want lights and don't mind the overly plush suspension get a TE or XCW. KTM XCW with the PDS no linkage is slightly taller then the rest. Id also say check out the new Gas Gas as mentioned above. I rode a 18 300 and was impressed by its egros and especially how good the kyb suspension was setup just bone stock. I just think the 17+ counter balanced KTM/Husky 250-300 are just really smooth and effortless to ride. Little more refined but Gas Gas is a close second for me.
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Johnny Depp
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Buda, TX US
6/11/2019 7:26pm
If you want the best, you are going to want the bike that has dominated the World Enduro Circuit the last few years.

Beta.

Enduro GP Overall the last 2 years and leading this year, Junior Championship the last 2 years, and Enduro 1 last year.



Their 4 strokes are also leading in the Big 6 and the West Coast Hare Scrambles and packing the podium.

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JB 19
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Marion, OH US
6/11/2019 7:34pm
Enduro...or....ehh... Desert and open trails aren't enduro. If you really mean enduro you don't want a 450 as your first choice. It will work, but there are much better choices....a 300 2stroke being the most popular.
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ama530
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Lehighton, PA US
6/11/2019 7:37pm
For cross country or more open terrain, go with a 4stroke. Husky FX350 or KTM 350XC-F. Single track and technical trail, go with a 300 2 stroke. Take your pick. Husky, KTM, Beta, Gasgas, Sherco. They are all good.
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Derpin' DJ
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6/11/2019 8:04pm
KTM 250 EXC, 300 EXC, 350 EXC-F or Sherco 300 SEF-R

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nytsmaC
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Frig Off CA
6/11/2019 8:18pm
TM 300 EN. They’re great for us tall guys compared to anything else I’ve ridden.
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motorscross
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6/11/2019 8:18pm
did someone just put a fucking gasgas in there? get the fuck out
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GasGasOrAss
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6/11/2019 9:12pm
did someone just put a fucking gasgas in there? get the fuck out
I put myself in your mom. She was shouting obscenities too but it definitely wasn’t to “get out”
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endurox
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Garden City, ID US
6/11/2019 10:17pm
put a 18 inch wheel on your rockstar and revalve the suspension.
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