Posts
48
Joined
10/3/2017
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
US
Edited Date/Time
2/6/2019 7:57pm
Are the newer KTM 2 strokes better bikes than the older Japanese bikes?
I currently own a 2002 rm250. The bike is in like new condition besides the wheel set. Every bearing has been replaced, the motor has been rebuilt, new pipe, fresh suspension, all new cables etc.
I set the bike up for MX but lately have been doing a lot more off-road riding than moto and want a bike that's setup for it.
I'm debating whether to buy the parts needed to make my RM an off-road bike (wheel set, rekluse, desert tank, skid plate and armor) to the tune of about $2500 and ride it or to sell and buy a 2015 ish KTM 250/300xc used. The KTMs go for about $5k used and obviously I would need to tailor it to myself.
So, update the RM or buy a KTM? What would you do?
I currently own a 2002 rm250. The bike is in like new condition besides the wheel set. Every bearing has been replaced, the motor has been rebuilt, new pipe, fresh suspension, all new cables etc.
I set the bike up for MX but lately have been doing a lot more off-road riding than moto and want a bike that's setup for it.
I'm debating whether to buy the parts needed to make my RM an off-road bike (wheel set, rekluse, desert tank, skid plate and armor) to the tune of about $2500 and ride it or to sell and buy a 2015 ish KTM 250/300xc used. The KTMs go for about $5k used and obviously I would need to tailor it to myself.
So, update the RM or buy a KTM? What would you do?
95% Rider.
The Shop
Same thing in golf. Are the new clubs better than old clubs? Yes. Will they make you play better? No. If you can't hit the ball with old clubs you wont be able to his the ball with new clubs.
MX-style power delivery and gearing will still be a huge negative for fighting fatigue and navigating technical stuff on your bike.
Get what you like...none of these things are investments except an investment in fun.
I would say however that the $2500 you spend on the RM will probably never be seen again.
Whereas you would probably see a bit better return on the newer KTM. These have a very LARGE cult like following.
Sounds like you are an RM guy through and through.....go with what you LOVE.
With that kind of spend on the RM, you would have one of the sickest ass RM's out there and be different from all us Orange peels.
Then I went and did a bonehead move and rode a 17 KTM 250sx at the track. Sold the CR 2 weeks later.
There's no way I could have dumped enough money into that CR to sniff that bone stock KTM. Off the charts better in every category. I offered the guy to ride my CR, he said "I'm good" haha.
Now I'm patiently waiting for a good deal on a 17 to pop up on CL.
Have a look at the 2018 685cc crosser!
My RM runs and handles great as is but it not an off-road bike. I worried that after doing the mods I still won't be quite satisfied with it off-road.
IMHO they aren't that much better.
RCB33
Pit Row
I have no idea as to what Zook OEM parts cost, but the Honda parts cost are rising... Must be some Magno-Moss act stuff or the Fukushima whack stuff.
Like yer old bike? Pour the piss outta your wallet into it, have something special and love it until the day you die.
"In its official lifespan from 1983 to 2006, the KDX was an evolutionary alligator, remaining mostly unchanged as eras passed and other bikes became extinct."
Feel badly, but...
TX 250
300 XC
250 XC
You’re welcome
One drawback I found with the KTM though, the things rust. Parts like axle nuts, bolts on the engine, things that don't rust on a japanese bike rust on a ktm. I found it easier to keep rust off the bare metal pipe on the RM125 that was sitting right next to my ktm. Now I have 2 ktm 50's in the garage and its the same story, the bare metal pipes on my yz250 and yz125 are easier to keep rust off than the 50's.
However you may start to find getting parts for your RM will become or has become difficult. Anything oem will be drying up.
I would also look at the YZ250x. I now ride a YZ250 and prefer it as a total package to the RM or KTM and I find the build quality higher on the Yamaha. Sure the KTM comes with brembo's, E start, hydro clutch but I feel the Yamaha is built better, just feels more solid to work on
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