Posts
311
Joined
3/25/2018
Location
CA
I'm in the market for a new bike and wondering between the two. I used to ride pro but that was ages ago, and I am 52 now...ugh. So my focus at this stage in life is on which bike will put the biggest smile on my face. I may race but mainly will doing practice motos at the track. I also love free riding and blasting around through the trails. So far the 2019 YZF 250 sounds like a great bike. I was just wondering if the 350F is almost the same in weight but has way more engine, it would be like riding a really hopped 250? If that is the case, I'm leaning more to a 350F. Seems like an easy choice unless the 250 feels way lighter on the track?
The Shop
I’ve said this before, but I’ve ridden my KTM and a Husky back to back and I would choose the Husky. The KTM is more aggressive, but I’m not an aggressive rider
I own a 19 350 and love the bike, but right away I put my Cone valve forks on it. I really don’t like the AER air forks. It’s does have more bottom and more over rev. I don’t really like the top end of the YZ, but the 19 is better then in the past.
The 250 feels lighter on the track, I’d think it’s best if you can take a few laps on both. The cockpits feel pretty different so that could be the deciding factor. Or What is the price difference between the 2?
However, if you like to keep the RPM's low and grunt around the track, a 350 results in an uninspiring bike that never quite seems like enough. If you like to wring a bike's neck 125 style, you better be a damn good rider on a 350, as you're going be going very, very fast. So the other side of the porridge is there's not enough torque and it's too fast to simply go WFO everywhere.
The 350s really do sound like the real deal! Especially for someone who prefers to keep twisting than shifting.
Husky or KTM? Ugly orange or ugly side plates? lol I did see a KTM with flo yellow plastic that looked pretty sweet...
Pit Row
Some other input:
I rode a 2016 YZ250F at a demo day. Power was very nice for a 250F, but it was kind of boring to ride.
Recently sold a '18 CRF450R. It was a great bike, but the power was a handful.
Recently bought a '19 KTM 450SXF. Havent been to the track yet, but initial impression is the weight difference is very noticeable and power is much more manageable.
My regular riding buddy has a '17 350SXF that I've ridden many times. Down low is very similar to a 250F. Midrange and above is 450 level power. The '19 350 is supposed to have more low to mid, which sounds nice.
It's pretty mellow off the bottom with good mid-range and a killer top end.
KTM feels more aggressive and race ready, but harsh in chop. Crazy, but it’s surprising the difference you feel.
Btw, I have seen more than a fare share of '18-'19 valve guides break in the Yami 250f's. I'm not stirring the pot but it was enough to scare me away from the new Yami 250f. I rode both '18 and '19 Yamaha 250f's and the '19 350 engine isn't even in the same league. It's a 450 when you want it to be and a 250f at heart. My 150 is now my novelty bike that I ride a few times a year. I'm 195lbs, 5' 10" novice/intermediate. I've been riding over 30years and the 350 outs a smile on my face every time I ride it.
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