What should I do with one of my bikes?

mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 11/14/2018 4:30pm
11/14/2018 4:30pm
Hi all.

I need some suggestions as to what I should do with one of my bikes. I have a '17 KTM 250 SX and a '18 YZ250F. I got the Yamaha after I got the KTM because I realized the KTM wasn't really the right bike for me; the main thing is I can't ride a 2-stroke, like it should be. I need to decide what to do with the KTM. I have some ideas and was hoping to get some opinions on the right move. The bike is virtually new with only 15hrs and not ridden hard. I have ridden the Yamaha much harder.

1. Simply keep it and learn how to ride it as it's paid for.

2. Sell it and put the money towards upgrades, such as Factory Connection suspension and FMF exhaust system, for the Yamaha.

3. Sell or trade it and get a 450 (YZF or CRF) so that I have both a 250F and a 450.

4. Sell or trade it and get a second 250F (CRF or KTM).

Thank you!
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Sheriff245 11/14/2018 4:34pm
11/14/2018 4:34pm
Or maybe sell it and get a 125/150 to learn to ride a two stroke properly without the big power of a 250
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mattyhamz2
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mattyhamz2 11/14/2018 4:35pm
11/14/2018 4:35pm
Learn how to ride that smoker = Better on the 250F...
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Monk
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Monk 11/14/2018 4:37pm
11/14/2018 4:37pm
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you aren't riding it properly. That's just simply not true. 250 2ts are extremely effective when you short-shift and use the meat of the power vs revving them... Loud noise doesn't equal faster...

But my answer is just ride it, or sell it and save the money for gas and oil (and an eventual rebuild) for the 250f.
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mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 11/14/2018 4:44pm
11/14/2018 4:44pm
Monk wrote:
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you...
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you aren't riding it properly. That's just simply not true. 250 2ts are extremely effective when you short-shift and use the meat of the power vs revving them... Loud noise doesn't equal faster...

But my answer is just ride it, or sell it and save the money for gas and oil (and an eventual rebuild) for the 250f.
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do.

I do love the KTM, but I guess I've been unsure about how to ride it. I'm going out to my usual track next Wednesday if the weather cooperates, so maybe I'll take both bikes and really spend time on the KTM.
Monk
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Monk 11/14/2018 4:47pm
11/14/2018 4:47pm
Monk wrote:
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you...
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you aren't riding it properly. That's just simply not true. 250 2ts are extremely effective when you short-shift and use the meat of the power vs revving them... Loud noise doesn't equal faster...

But my answer is just ride it, or sell it and save the money for gas and oil (and an eventual rebuild) for the 250f.
mnoble0902 wrote:
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do. I do love the...
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do.

I do love the KTM, but I guess I've been unsure about how to ride it. I'm going out to my usual track next Wednesday if the weather cooperates, so maybe I'll take both bikes and really spend time on the KTM.
No, you just ride it where you feel comfortable... I've been passed by guys who just idle their bikes, and others who rev their bikes...
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slipdog
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slipdog 11/14/2018 4:50pm
11/14/2018 4:50pm
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mnoble0902
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mnoble0902 11/14/2018 4:58pm
11/14/2018 4:58pm
Monk wrote:
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you...
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you aren't riding it properly. That's just simply not true. 250 2ts are extremely effective when you short-shift and use the meat of the power vs revving them... Loud noise doesn't equal faster...

But my answer is just ride it, or sell it and save the money for gas and oil (and an eventual rebuild) for the 250f.
mnoble0902 wrote:
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do. I do love the...
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do.

I do love the KTM, but I guess I've been unsure about how to ride it. I'm going out to my usual track next Wednesday if the weather cooperates, so maybe I'll take both bikes and really spend time on the KTM.
Monk wrote:
No, you just ride it where you feel comfortable... I've been passed by guys who just idle their bikes, and others who rev their bikes...
I'll keep this in mind and get the KTM out and figure out what I want to do. Thanks.
JM485
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JM485 11/14/2018 5:47pm
11/14/2018 5:47pm
Monk wrote:
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you...
How should a two stroke be ridden? People seem to have this perception that unless you ride it wide-open, and exactly like RC or JS, you aren't riding it properly. That's just simply not true. 250 2ts are extremely effective when you short-shift and use the meat of the power vs revving them... Loud noise doesn't equal faster...

But my answer is just ride it, or sell it and save the money for gas and oil (and an eventual rebuild) for the 250f.
This man is correct. You don’t need to be balls out pinned everywhere, I’m usually a gear higher than anyone else and somehow I’m miraculously able to go fast on a two stroke still.
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Turbojez
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Turbojez 11/15/2018 5:51am
11/15/2018 5:51am
Defiantly sell that POS.














And learn to ride the pumpkin properly Grinning

Seriously though, like it was mentioned before, the KTM doesn't need to be screaming all the time to take you to the next corner FAST. It is certainly different than your Yamaha, I would give it a chance, spend some time on it and inhale deeply while doing that. Smell is one of the reasons I moved to 2 strokes.
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ss-racing
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ss-racing 11/15/2018 6:54am
11/15/2018 6:54am
mnoble0902 wrote:
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do. I do love the...
That's just it. I have always thought a 250 2t should be ridden wide-open most of the time, which I don't do.

I do love the KTM, but I guess I've been unsure about how to ride it. I'm going out to my usual track next Wednesday if the weather cooperates, so maybe I'll take both bikes and really spend time on the KTM.
LOL, If you could ride your KTM 250 2T wide open most of the time around a track, you'd belong alongside the pros at the next SX race. I have a mildly modified YZ250 (2T) and its actually a bit of a handful when on the pipe and hooked up...
My favorite advise to anyone that rides it, " Make sure you have it pointed in a safe direction before opening the throttle".
seth505
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seth505 11/15/2018 7:07am
11/15/2018 7:07am
The 250sx engine is smooth, you can get away with being a gear high a lot of the time, it's not worlds apart from a 4stroke.
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kb228
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kb228 11/15/2018 7:08am
11/15/2018 7:08am
Id sell the ktm and use it for your suspension. Keep the extra money for rebuilds and stuff like that. Dont kid yourself, if you dont like the bike youre not going to ride it. Dont leave your money depreciating in the garage.
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AJ565
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AJ565 11/15/2018 7:23am
11/15/2018 7:23am
Something I noticed when I was at the track with my 250 2T is I love my bike. I rode a guys 350 (my bike '18 250sx his bike '18 350sxf so same frame and suspension) and once I hopped back on my bike I hated it. The power delivery is so different that I quit riding for the day because I didn't like my bike anymore (we've kissed and made up since). I stick to either riding just 2 strokes or if a buddy wants me to ride their 4T I wait until late in the day when I'm not going to ride much more. This maybe part of your problem if you're riding them back to back on the same day.

Overall learning to ride the 2T well is going to make you faster on a 4T because you don't have to work as much. 2T you learn corner speed and late braking which will translate over to the 4T.
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chaseNCMX
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chaseNCMX 11/15/2018 7:38am
11/15/2018 7:38am
I'd say sell it and get a 125/150. Ride the 125 for 2 months and take what you learn from that and transfer it to the 250f. If you can get a 125 around a track quickly you'll be amazed at how well you can get around on that 250f. Just my .02. Good luck either way.
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BobPA
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BobPA 11/15/2018 8:00am
11/15/2018 8:00am
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you want the guy to quit from frustration? 250 smokers, especially the new KTM, are much easier to ride than a 125. Put the yellow powervalve spring in it, back the set screw out flush with the cover. The bike will be linear smooth, but still make good power.

Also, some people just fit 4 strokes better. If you do not agree with the bike, sell it.
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MPJC
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MPJC 11/15/2018 8:04am
11/15/2018 8:04am
If you like to lug the bike you could convert it to a 300, put a gnarly pipe on it, and have the perfect bike for your riding style.

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MPJC
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MPJC 11/15/2018 8:10am
11/15/2018 8:10am
BobPA wrote:
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you...
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you want the guy to quit from frustration? 250 smokers, especially the new KTM, are much easier to ride than a 125. Put the yellow powervalve spring in it, back the set screw out flush with the cover. The bike will be linear smooth, but still make good power.

Also, some people just fit 4 strokes better. If you do not agree with the bike, sell it.
Green spring?
BobPA
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BobPA 11/15/2018 8:26am
11/15/2018 8:26am
BobPA wrote:
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you...
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you want the guy to quit from frustration? 250 smokers, especially the new KTM, are much easier to ride than a 125. Put the yellow powervalve spring in it, back the set screw out flush with the cover. The bike will be linear smooth, but still make good power.

Also, some people just fit 4 strokes better. If you do not agree with the bike, sell it.
MPJC wrote:
Green spring?
I felt the green spring is just too soft everywhere. The yellow spring seems to make the bike most useable for me. I go from tight technical rocks, to full on Moto and never tough the engine settings.
barnett468
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barnett468 11/15/2018 8:40am
11/15/2018 8:40am
Only you can answer your particular questions. If you are thinking about a 450, you should test ride one once since you already have a bike you apparently don't like.
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Forty
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Forty 11/15/2018 8:46am
11/15/2018 8:46am Edited Date/Time 11/15/2018 8:47am
You’re in VA. You need a woods bike. Sell them both and buy a yz250fx. Great woods bike and is a capable moto bike also.

This is a real problem you have here. ?
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MPJC
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MPJC 11/15/2018 8:52am
11/15/2018 8:52am
BobPA wrote:
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you...
If someone is struggling to ride a 250 two stroke, why in the world would you suggest he sell it and buy a 125? Do you want the guy to quit from frustration? 250 smokers, especially the new KTM, are much easier to ride than a 125. Put the yellow powervalve spring in it, back the set screw out flush with the cover. The bike will be linear smooth, but still make good power.

Also, some people just fit 4 strokes better. If you do not agree with the bike, sell it.
MPJC wrote:
Green spring?
BobPA wrote:
I felt the green spring is just too soft everywhere. The yellow spring seems to make the bike most useable for me. I go from tight...
I felt the green spring is just too soft everywhere. The yellow spring seems to make the bike most useable for me. I go from tight technical rocks, to full on Moto and never tough the engine settings.
Makes sense. I thought you might have meant green spring since the yellow spring is already installed.

I also agree that some people just fit 4 strokes better. I had a 250 sx (2016) for a while and found it fun, but just couldn't get good race results on it. It's just not forgiving of mistakes, which isn't great for the modestly skilled like myself. I traded it for my buddy's freshly rebuilt 350 and love that bike! And I'm keeping my 250f around both because it's such a great bike, and because then my son can go riding with me.

I did ride a newer 250 sx and thought it felt like it had less peak power than my 16, but was definitely torquier and smoother with better handling and suspension - easier to ride all around. I wouldn't be averse to picking up a newer 250 sx someday.
Bultaco
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Bultaco 11/15/2018 9:01am
11/15/2018 9:01am
Which one do you have the most fun on?
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xr70 11/15/2018 9:08am
11/15/2018 9:08am
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ron36
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ron36 11/15/2018 1:20pm
11/15/2018 1:20pm
Make the sx250 more yours, change powervalve and gearing and tame the wild horse.
Its a very friendly bike when you're comfortable.
Don't sell it, its allready paid and you have a very fun bike.
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dkurtd
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dkurtd 11/15/2018 7:41pm
11/15/2018 7:41pm
I have a KX250 2T and a KX450f and I would say I don't rev the 250 anymore then the 450. I will say for me the biggest difference is how and when I shift, I shift the 250 allot more then the 450. The 450 I get lazy on and lug and shift less. My fun meter is definitely higher on the 250 but my lap times are lower on the 450.
1983YZ125
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1983YZ125 11/15/2018 10:22pm
11/15/2018 10:22pm Edited Date/Time 11/15/2018 10:23pm
Monk wrote:
No, you just ride it where you feel comfortable... I've been passed by guys who just idle their bikes, and others who rev their bikes...
This.

I just sold my YZ250F for a Beta Xtrainer (300).

Prior to this Beta, my experience was a KTM 200 and a YZ85 friends had growing up that i rode for a few minutes and got off because they were a PIA to ride.

I had a huge concern based on my little bit of previous experience but so far i'm extremely happy with my choice.This Xtrainer is just so easy. Power from idle onward is absolutely amazing.

I'm a lugger and this bike fits me so much better than anything else i've owned. I don't see me going back to a 4 stroke anytime soon, extremely happy with this purchase and decision to give a 2 stroke a try.
mark_swart
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mark_swart 11/15/2018 11:15pm
11/15/2018 11:15pm
mnoble0902 wrote:
Hi all. I need some suggestions as to what I should do with one of my bikes. I have a '17 KTM 250 SX and a...
Hi all.

I need some suggestions as to what I should do with one of my bikes. I have a '17 KTM 250 SX and a '18 YZ250F. I got the Yamaha after I got the KTM because I realized the KTM wasn't really the right bike for me; the main thing is I can't ride a 2-stroke, like it should be. I need to decide what to do with the KTM. I have some ideas and was hoping to get some opinions on the right move. The bike is virtually new with only 15hrs and not ridden hard. I have ridden the Yamaha much harder.

1. Simply keep it and learn how to ride it as it's paid for.

2. Sell it and put the money towards upgrades, such as Factory Connection suspension and FMF exhaust system, for the Yamaha.

3. Sell or trade it and get a 450 (YZF or CRF) so that I have both a 250F and a 450.

4. Sell or trade it and get a second 250F (CRF or KTM).

Thank you!
Get a 125! I had the 17 Husky 250 for a while and couldn't come to terms with it either. And that's after a year racing a YZ 125 and a lot of years on 450s. I also race vintage on a CR500 and think it's a puppy dog. I tried a pipe and all the springs on the TC and it always felt sketchy and unpredictable. Actually traded it for a 17 YZ 250F that I love. You would probably enjoy a 125 and it will also help you carry momentum on the 250F. It's not just you when it comes to that 250 KTHusky thing.

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