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128
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12/13/2019
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Eagle Nest, NM
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just_gonna_send_it
2/14/2022 8:40am
2/14/2022 8:40am
Edited Date/Time
2/20/2022 6:21am
Hello fellow Vitards. Looking for some advice.
I ride both MX and XC about half and half. Currently I have two bikes, a 2009 KTM XC-W and a 2007 KTM 250 punched out to a 300. Really like both of them but they're both long in the tooth. Plus, I'm getting a bit tired of upkeep on two bikes. I'm thinking of finding a bike that can go back and forth, doing both.
My idea is to buy either a KTM 450 SX and buy a larger tank and 18" rear wheel for when I XC or buy an XC with a smaller tank and 19" wheel for when I SX.
Anybody done anything like this or have opinions? Any other bikes I should be looking at that could do both easily?
I ride both MX and XC about half and half. Currently I have two bikes, a 2009 KTM XC-W and a 2007 KTM 250 punched out to a 300. Really like both of them but they're both long in the tooth. Plus, I'm getting a bit tired of upkeep on two bikes. I'm thinking of finding a bike that can go back and forth, doing both.
My idea is to buy either a KTM 450 SX and buy a larger tank and 18" rear wheel for when I XC or buy an XC with a smaller tank and 19" wheel for when I SX.
Anybody done anything like this or have opinions? Any other bikes I should be looking at that could do both easily?
If you go to Glen Helen on a Thursday, you’ll see the top off-road racers mixing it up with the SX/MX boys with their oversized tank, 18” rear and steering dampeners. Doesn’t slow them down at all.
1) In the next 5-10 years, which do you think you will do more of, XC or MX (I know you said 50/50 as of now).
2) How fast are you on MX track, really? And are you really doing big jumps? If you're pretty dang fast on MX track and really like launching jumps, stick with the SX model and then run your clickers soft when going offroad. Otherwise, I find that 'offroad' suspension on an XC model (or even an XCW) with clickers ran in for higher compression is plenty adequate for average MX riding... unless, again, you're pretty dang fast.
To each their own, I ride more offroad and would rather have my suspension work well in the woods so I don't bounce off every rock and root. Hitting the occasional double isn't so bad on soft suspension (for me).
Curious to hear your opinions.
Personally for me, I dig on 2 strokes for off-road, including single track tight stuff, and flowy cross country.
I was trying to do one bike as well, but ended up with a 2021 250xc tpi for off-road, and a 2022 FC450 for moto.
Best of both worlds!
The Shop
I think the XC tank gives you about 1/2 gallon more fuel. That tank and the rear wheel cost quite a bit more than going the other direction on an SX-F. 19 " wheels seem to be avail alllll over the place.
I'd get the 19" spare and have it avail as a spare at my off-road races. Heck, I like to have a complete wheel-set ...oh, and...run bibs!
Good Luck!
Do you want a kickstand? 18" wheel works for mx or xc, but so does a 19 unless you are talking hard enduro but then a 450 is really the wrong engine for that. You will probably not like the 450 for tight trails especially coming from a 300 2t.
I know I'll be giving up somethings and the 450 isn't ideal for XC in the tight stuff. Overall though I think the SX is around the same weight as my XC-W.
You ride trails and MX, but you might get into racing if you get a newer bike, is that right?
I would say get the XC-F, get the suspension valved for your weight/speed with a WORCS type setting and you'll be pleased!
Most guys I ride/race with in the desert, always buy the SX because its cheaper, and since they get the suspension done anyway....
It use to be relatively easy to add a 6th gear to these from the EXC, but the trannys changed around 2020 and now it’s not the same process.
Pit Row
The 450SXF/XCF are awesome, but they are not the best bike to hold for 5+ years due to the rebuild cost. If you're going to keep a bike that long and put 100+ years on per year, I'd look at a 2-stroke 250/300.
However, you can think of the used four-stroke as a 'disposable' motorcycle where as the 2-stroke is 'rebuildable'. So after 5+ years/2 or more rebuilds, that 450/350F is hard to justify rebuilding that second or third time. There will be others that are happy to DIY rebuild a four-stroke and that certainly extends the useful life of an old bike.
But that's not me, and I don't think that's most riders.
18" rear: Found that I like the cushy feel of an 18 more on the track than a 19 anyway
Slightly softer valving: Works great for me (a C level vet)...better than the SX really in most conditions
Kickstand: Never going back to a bike without one
Bigger tank: Don't notice the size difference
Put it on map 1 with TC on for off road...turn TC off on the track. FWIW, I like the air forks too. Pump them up for track, bleed them off for trail. I had to bump up a couple spring rates for the rear on the XC, but at 220 pounds, I have to go up on spring rate no matter what I ride.
To me, the XC is the way to go unless you are an "A" level rider who really hauls ass on an MX track.
I haven't had one of the current gen KTM 350, so I can't say if they are capable against a 450, but there are plenty of Vitards that have lined up on them and can add their 2c.
The 350 will be way easier to get a good start than your KTM 300 (traction, wider power, similar or higher peak hp).
Or ideally have a second set of suspension for the bike which are relatively cheap to buy and set up for moto. The downside would be when the model changes. However, good condition/near new used suspension is pretty cheap but holds relative value, and setting up is also pretty cheap with kits from Suspension101/Krooztune. Lose a lot less money than the depreciation of the second bike and the additional time/money to maintain.
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