Posts
39
Joined
12/10/2018
Location
GB
Hi everyone,
I have just sold my KTM 200 EXC as after a few years of enduro iam wanting a more motocross style bike. I will be doing practice days at tracks as well as hare scramble and motocross races. I like the idea of a motocross bike as the gearing seems to work better for me. My problem is that i cannot decide weather to get a YZ250 or a KTM 250 sx or the 4 stroke variant of the pair. Obviously my previous bike was a 2 stroke so thats what im used to and i like the power delivery of 2 strokes in general. I currently race the AA class in enduros and hare scrambles if that helps. I have looked around and i have seen the the suspension on the Yam is much better as i dont like the idea of having to set air pressures in the KTM's air forks at all. Iam 16 and roughly 68KG or 149.914lbs. Which bike would you guys recommend for me? I live in the UK and both the Yamaha dealer and KTM dealer offer excellent support and are both fairly close. Im currently leaning towards the Yamaha YZ250 2 stroke as i want something that isnt orange lol. Let me know your thoughts.
Robert
I have just sold my KTM 200 EXC as after a few years of enduro iam wanting a more motocross style bike. I will be doing practice days at tracks as well as hare scramble and motocross races. I like the idea of a motocross bike as the gearing seems to work better for me. My problem is that i cannot decide weather to get a YZ250 or a KTM 250 sx or the 4 stroke variant of the pair. Obviously my previous bike was a 2 stroke so thats what im used to and i like the power delivery of 2 strokes in general. I currently race the AA class in enduros and hare scrambles if that helps. I have looked around and i have seen the the suspension on the Yam is much better as i dont like the idea of having to set air pressures in the KTM's air forks at all. Iam 16 and roughly 68KG or 149.914lbs. Which bike would you guys recommend for me? I live in the UK and both the Yamaha dealer and KTM dealer offer excellent support and are both fairly close. Im currently leaning towards the Yamaha YZ250 2 stroke as i want something that isnt orange lol. Let me know your thoughts.
Robert
I ride them all, got a sxf450 now en rode a yz250 for years. The sx250 would be my choise.
The Shop
On paper the KTM wins hands down. It has a better chassis, is lighter, better brakes, counterbalancer, makes more power and has hydro clutch. Some people say that the air fork is nearly as good as the yz, others hate it.
The YZ on the other hand has been around for years, has better suspension and is bullet proof.
Now as far as actually riding them, in 2015 yamaha went to a 270mm front rotor, while this still isn't Brembo stopping power it is a big improvement over the 250mm rotor on earlier years.
The engines are also different in the way they make their power. The ktm had a strong mid range and tends to fall off quicker up top. Also has hardly any vibration. The yz is more linear, less through the mid but pulls longer up top.
The ktm chassis is just better than the yamaha, turns in better but is still stable at speed.
As said before, some rate the ktm suspension as close to the yz, others hate it
I personally think the yz is the better built bike and as i get older appreciate good suspension so that's what i bought. A DEP or HGS pipe is a great addition to the yz, both are smooth but increase the power well.
Dirt rider did a shootout of these bikes in 2017, the ktm got the nod as the easiest to go fast on out of the crate but the yz was right there behind it
The time that the japs were better quality is just behind us, i had alot of them. A KTM is really great.
Yamaha good quality? How often do these gearboxes have to be opened? 3rd and 4th are regularly broken.
With the 4 stroke, the yzf250 is really a super package out of the crate. Everything is right. The ktm is 4 stroke is also good, but for the hobby rider just a bit less easy to ride.
In the 2 stroke, the overall picture of the KTM is just better, I think, the only drawback is that the KTM falls away on top. That is solved with a good head and exhaust. The yamaha needs a lot more work.
That will be your answer.
Is there a point to this discussion?
Pit Row
Fwiw i still ride my 200sx in enduros even though i have modern bikes i ride in hs and a little moto.
Brakes- KTM no contest
Chassis- KTM
Suspension- Give it to the YZ but for me personally they are pretty equal. I revalved my yz, it wasn't amazing/perfect out of the box for me and I didn't even need new spring rates either.
Motor- KTM no contest
Working on bike- KTM (much easier layout/intuitive IMO)
Hardware- KTM
Wheels- YZ (I always end up with aftermarket wheels anyway)
Ergos- KTM (this is different for everyone though)
4 stroke KTM250SX-F
Thankyou
I have also ridden several friends bikes and that have owned both.
On the 250F I like the opposite. The power is already smooth and I prefer to rev the motor more and that is why I like the KTM. If I wanted a bike with more bottom I would get the YZ.
Both are great bikes and I would take either.
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