3xxish Enduros

[TRD270]

As not to detract DS thread any further. I was looking at orange bikes and was thinking maybe the the 350 XW-F was the right bike to start looking at.

Then I had an honest realization about my skill level and the technicality I'll likely be riding and how it would be hard to justify a 10k+ bike.

Sooooooo. Thinking maybe a KLX300R is more inline with my needs/wants.

Wondering if any of you 2 wheel guru's had an opinion on them.

 

[Vonski]

I’m no guru, but if there’s any consideration for resale, the orange 350 (or the other KTM owned equivalents) would be the better choice. Occasionally, Kawasaki will discount their bikes to the point where it would make the price for that 300 hard to pass up, especially if it’ll still meet your needs.

 

[TRD270]

I’m no guru, but if there’s any consideration for resale, the orange 350 (or the other KTM owned equivalents) would be the better choice. Occasionally, Kawasaki will discount their bikes to the point where it would make the price for that 300 hard to pass up, especially if it’ll still meet your needs.

I know it’s also a testament to your argument. But you can pick up a brand new 2023 for less than 5k right now.

Even if I took a bath on it after a few years and sold it for 3k. Is a $2000 loss less than what you could sell a couple year old KTM for?

 

[Spork]

I ran across a group of guys riding Honda 300 Rallys (one guy on a KTM) up by Fish lake I guess they started somewhere in back east (South Carolina?) and were going to end in Oregon using mostly dirt roads. I think they said they were already out 2 or 3 weeks. Looked like a great adventure.

 

[glockman]

I rode hobble creek single track with a dude on a klr300 a couple weeks ago. He did fine on it. It's probably a good bike to get your feet wet with again and see if you are going to ride much. However, that bike will quickly be the limiting factor of your riding progress.

 

[Rot Box]

At just over 280 lbs (if I’m not mistaken) you’re gonna feel the KLX on the trail. Mediocre suspension is going to factor into that as well.

I’d find a cared for used 16ish or newer KTM/Husqvarna 350 and be done with it. Just my not so humble opinion.

 

[Gravy]

If you're wanting to put a plate on it, both are a fine choice. A 350xwf is a lot of bike, they will go 100mph stone stock. It's a great bike but definitely a premium price.
And yes you'll lose less exactly like you think.

Bikes are SO much better than a few years ago. Even our klx230r has 6 gears and perfect fuel injection.
I just built a used FC250 for my wife and it's pretty amazing.

 

[02SE]

I hope you didn't take my 'social influencer' joke to heart. Your comments on the DS thread are just fine.

As for the KLX300. I was looking at them yesterday while getting tires for one of my streetbikes. If you are 280 lbs as @Rot Box stated, new higher-rate springs will probably be needed for anything. The Japanese seem to think everyone is 150 lbs.

I know a guy who has a '23 KLX300, he likes it as a street legal bike that can ride trails. he is probably 180 lbs.

I personally have not ridden one.

 

[TRD270]

I hope you didn't take my 'social influencer' joke to heart. Your comments on the DS thread are just fine.

As for the KLX300. I was looking at them yesterday while getting tires for one of my streetbikes. If you are 280 lbs as @Rot Box stated, new higher-rate springs will probably be needed for anything. The Japanese seem to think everyone is 150 lbs.

I know a guy who has a '23 KLX300, he likes it as a street legal bike that can ride trails. he is probably 180 lbs.

I personally have not ridden one.

Not at all, just figured maybe this discussion was worthy of its own thread.

Also to be clear I’m specifically looking at the KLX300R not the 300. Has different suspension components

I’m a fat bastard so I think a 250 is out of the question. My 450 was a handful for me in my youth, I’m sure a 450 would kick my ass now.

But @Rot Box was talking about the bike weight not my weight 😂

 

[glockman]

But @Rot Box was talking about the bike weight not my weight 😂

I just figured you tall guys hide weight better than us battle gnomes.

 

[Rot Box]

But @Rot Box was talking about the bike weight not my weight 😂

Yep, I meant the bikes weight haha. My KLX450R is around 270lbs with fluids and it’s a tank.. would not want more weight and less engine. My YZ250F feels like a bmx bike in comparison 😂

 

[Gravy]

Everyone of the desert guys Stratton, Brian and I race with got faster when they switched from 300 2t to 350 4 strokes. My son has a 2018 ex model and it's fun.

I've long said, "if I only raced I'd buy a 350, but since I ride everything, I own a 300."

My requirements are quite unlike most other people's.
A 350 4t is faster (top speed) no doubt. This is partly because while a 300 may spin up to 9200rpm; a 350 will willingly turn 14500rpm.
Stone stock my '23 will do about 76mph, a 350 will do over 100mph.
The new bikes actually share the 6 speed gearbox from Pankl (the F1 supplier).

On the flip side: they're more costly to modify and more expensive to maintain than a 300 2T for the number of hours I do per year. I'd have to be like Tyson and buy a new one every 1.5 years instead of every 4.
A 300 is just so much better at going slow in hard terrain and the engine mod/ maintenance costs are comparitively fractional.

Just as an FYI the new XWF is kindof a combo between the old XCW and EXC.

@TRD270 I'd personally get an FE350.
Linkage (vs pds rear suspension on the XCW/XWF), lights (makes it easy to street legal) but not all corked up like the FEs /EXC models.

 

[02SE]

I just figured you tall guys hide weight better than us battle gnomes.

Well, I'm like 270, So having never met @TRD270 , I just assumed that maybe the '270' in his name was his weight...

A pic from the Salt Flats. I'm the guy in the blue t-shirt and Suzuki ball cap.



The TurboBusa with no bodywork, went 238 mph.

The shorter guy in the middle of the pic set the record in that class. He committed suicide back in April. I'm still finding myself being mostly angry about that.

Smart guy, good friend, lots to live for. I don't understand...

https://www.eernissefuneralhome.com/obituaries/Troy-W-Stuart?obId=31185354#/obituaryInfo

 

[mbryson]

Mostly angry is right! Sorry about your loss. I'm still mostly angry about those types of things that happened 25+ years ago so I assume the anger doesn't really leave?

 

[02SE]

Sorry for my off-topic post. Please continue the 300ish enduro discussion.

 

[glockman]

Timely, but my brother who I am mad at for the above stated reason had a WR250F. I trail rode it a bit with him last year when he bought it and it is an amazing bike. I am just as fast on it as my 300 2T. You might consider one of them. Lights are already there, just needs a street legal kit. The stock tanks are a bit small however.

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

Little late to the party but my father-in-law has a 2022 KLX300R, I have ridden it on a few occasions. I thought it rode fairly nice down the trail (I am 150 pounds and my FIL is 175ish), definitely not setup to hit things fast or aggressive. Definitely not a screamer, good low end power but really squirrely when you bring it up into the higher gears. He complained about a lack of aftermarket. It is heavy and you will be aware of it.