Help Rot Box pick a different bike.

[Rot Box]

Hey fellas, I think I’m going to part ways with the 2008 KLX450R today if this guy doesn’t back out. Been a really good bike for my needs but I’m just ready for a change.

What should I get next?? I’m not covering long distances anymore but I am still getting out quite a bit. I’ve slowed down a lot in my age too haha. Really thinking a 300 2T would make me happy? Been a long time since I had a 2T!

Needs? ~60 miles range on fuel. Electric start on a 4T, Street legal, Probably take it on the annual dunes trip. Lots of single, two track, open desert and fire roads. Chasing the younger generation around too. I enjoy a variety of everything and a 450 does a good job of that but the weight is getting to me a little.

I like weird/unusual bikes (My favorite ones have been ATK’s) but I’m not sure I want to get into something that’s dated and hard to get parts for. I don’t know that I need a bike that costs more than about $4k either and I’m happy to pick one up that needs a little love. Not brand loyal but KTM has bit me hard twice in the past—gasp! Haha

So far I’ve looked closely at the TM, Beta and Sherco 300’s but they’re a little out of my price range. Thought about converting a YZ250 to fit my needs but it would take a some moneys and I don’t know what I’d do about a headlight…

Watcha think? Ideas would be appreciated 😎

Andrew

 

[Gravy]

So, no bike will give you 60 miles without a desert tank. Especially a 300.
If I want to do some road miles a 2 stroke isn't really it. However, if you only want a plate for a quick jaunt, then I firmly believe a 300 is the best all around bike. Strange to say it but if I only raced, I'd be on a 350, but since I also have to maintain ($$) a bike I put 100+ hrs on a year and enjoy riding everything -I've been on a 300 since 2014.

If you want lights, narrow your search to a KTM 300 XCW or a Husqvarna TE300. My preference being the Husky since I like linkage much more than PDS.

Bikes are so much better than they used to be, and fuel injection is an absolute game changer. I do think $5500 is probably a more realistic budget since you'll want post 2017 for the counter balanced motor and post 2019 if you'd like fuel injection (on a 300).

 

[Rot Box]

Thanks! So road miles would be few and far between mostly just connecting trails and such. Ok with a desert tank too as long as it’s not a giant ball buster like the one I had on my 20 Husqvarna haha.


I may need to up my budget 🤔

 

[Tonkaman]

I agree with Stratton, I think the 350 is the ultimate all around bike. The single biggest negative being maintenance of a 4 stroke, especially a used one.

I’ve been heavily contemplating selling my bike, so I can find my kids next bike. It fits some of your criteria. It’s a 2016 Beta Xtrainer 300 registered as street legal. Heavily modified, low hours.

good: in your budget, unique bike, street legal, cheap to maintain, nimble as a bulky goat.

Cons: the steep steering angle and short wheelbase make it a bit too nimble in the sand or at top of 6th. Obviously not great at pavement but great for connecting trails.

 

[BronkoRob]

I don’t ride right now, but I did for years and had a bunch of bikes, including a few ATKs. I tried to build the do it all bike a few times from both sides, lite weight 200 2T but hated road miles and long trips, big ATK 600s and XR650R but wasn’t the greatest in technical single track.
The newer ATK 605s were pretty good outta the box, but like you said, some parts are hard to come by. Was lighter then an XR650R and had e-start though. I did an 05 YZ250 with a WR transmission and it was pretty dang good. Desert tank I could do 60 miles. Did a few “dual Sportish” trips, but gotta remember to pack the 2 stroke.

KTM RFS bikes are probably in that price range and those were pretty sweet bikes. I had an 07 450XC and it was great!!! If you find one that needs work, can make them whatever you want pretty easy. Long stoke/short stroke motors, factory big bore with a 525 top end, couple transmission variations, aftermarket parts all over the place, open/closed chamber forks, and super simple and reliable. When I was in CA, there were a lot of guys putting mega miles on them with just basic maintenance.

they are getting long in the tooth but I’m sure there are a lot of neglected deals floating around that can be had for a good deal.

After all my bike experiments I realized no 1 bike is perfect for everything, I just needed a bunch of different bikes in my garage. lol.

Good luck with the search though.

 

[Gravy]

It's too bad your 500 was such a lemon.
You're more than welcome to come do a ride day with me. I've got a half dozen bikes you can ride and get a real sampling of what's out there.
Beware though if you ride my current 300 you'll likely buy one the new TBI motor is just so so good.

Derek's Beta 300 x trainer is extremely fun especially with the factory fox podium shock, and aftermarket pipe. It's not really and X-Trainer anymore. More like a shorter wb more playful 300rr.

I have ridden the Beta 200 RS, 300 RR.
and about a half dozen Shercos including their 300 and 250 2t and 250,300 and 450 4t. The Shercos are quirky very smooth but not as exciting as I'd hope for.

 

[Rot Box]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it. The guy picked up my bike yesterday so I have a little cash. Thinking I might pump the brakes a bit for now and save a bit more. I have a pretty sweet YZ250F I can ride for now.

The xtrainer sounds like a fun one for sure i bet it’s a hoot on some of the single track in my neck of the woods. Also yes I’m a big fan of the RFS KTM’s—that engine is oh so good! Mr. Gravy I would love to take you up on that but you’d leave me in the dust!! haha.

I’ve got an eye out for the 350 for sure. It ticks off most of my boxes. Friends dad has a 2016 six days and it’s been rock solid.

So many options it’ll make your head spin! 😎

 

[Rot Box]

My brother rides a 70* 2010 Husaberg FE390… bear with me haha. If you’ve ever seen on you know what I’m talking about. It’s the one they installed the engine upside down in?! He claims it’s the best bike ever made and having ridden it I don’t think he’s far off. Ticks a lot of my boxes for sure especially the weirdness. Gonna ride it in St George in a few weeks and see if I need one or not.

Also have the 2010ish Italian Husqvarna on my mind. Had a few—loved them.

Alright things are really going sideways I know haha. Just get a new 300/350 and be happy. I’m gonna save some more and take that six days out for a scoot.

 

[Tonkaman]

You’re more than welcome to take mine out just for fun. It might help you decide for yourself the pros/cons of the 300. Located in West Jordan

 

[BronkoRob]

Totally forgot about those 70 degree husabergs. Husabergs in general were pretty awesome.

I’ve heard the 390/570 bergs being the best handling bikes ever from more than a few folks.

If you like the Italian husky’s, how about SWM??

 

[Die Blaue Ziege]

I think it has been well documented that the best road trip/off road/adventure bike is a honda 90. Ed March would agree

 

[Rot Box]

You’re more than welcome to take mine out just for fun. It might help you decide for yourself the pros/cons of the 300. Located in West Jordan

Thanks man I appreciate it 😎 If I get down that way I’ll let you know I’d like to see one up close.

Totally forgot about those 70 degree husabergs. Husabergs in general were pretty awesome.

I’ve heard the 390/570 bergs being the best handling bikes ever from more than a few folks.

If you like the Italian husky’s, how about SWM??

SWM… I had a 2010 TE510 (almost the same thing) and that one was a winner 😎

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

I have about 230 hours on my Sherco 300, if you want a good all around bike, I think it can't be beat. I've owned a couple of KTM brand 300's, which have also been good, most recent being a 2018 TX300. Positives for Sherco: Front end holds a line better than any bike I have ridden, easily get 60 miles before reserve on a tank (suzuki needles helped a lot), super linear power (con if you want a real snappy bike), still carbed if you want simple. Negatives: aftermarket is a little spendy, ordering OEM is a pain until you figure out parts networks then its not bad, super linear (pretty boring compared to my TX, still gets along just no hit), counterbalancing is pretty weak nothing compared to the KTM balancer, its a heavy bastard my 2020 with a few guards and heavy custom skid plate is 272 ready to ride.

 

[Gravy]

^this is my exact same feelings about the shercos^ They have a little bit different rider triangle than I was used to but the KYB forks are very good
I think @anderson750 would say the same thing.

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

I see why people think they feel a little different but I have my TX and Sherco set up the same with bars, hand and foot controls, flat foot pegs and bars forward of center on the forks. Feel the exact same as far as triangle. If you can charge, the Sherco forks are amazing. Definitely different but not so weird you get on one that its like going from a camry to f350. Really hard to go wrong with any of the 300 2T in my opinion, really the golden age of bikes.

 

[anderson750]

^this is my exact same feelings about the shercos^ They have a little bit different rider triangle and then I was used to but the KYB forks are very good
I think @anderson750 would say the same thing.

I never really rode Jack's bike, but his feedback was that after spending a year on the Yamaha, that he felt like he was back on a KTM with the Yamaha suspension. The bike was very planted and predictable. Running in the 250 Pro class at National Hare & Hounds and the West Hare scramble races, the Sherco's were definitely underpowered compared to the Husky and KTM's. If IRRC, the stock Sherco 250sef was about 2.5 hp less than the Austrian bikes and once we got the factory ported head, it brought the hp up about 1.5. Not something that is a serious consideration for a recreational rider.

The bikes were also very dependable. We never had a mechanical failure all year long on any of the race or practice bikes. The OEM parts support can be a challenge, but due to the low failure rate we saw, I would not be concerned about it.

 

[Gravy]

No not a huge difference, you're totally right 100%. I thought the pegs felt further back but maybe that was the feeling I was getting from the stock Sherco bar bend being kinda different or in a more rearward position, I've only got maybe 30 miles on a Sherco 300 and 20 on a 300 4T (which is a very interesting bike for sure!)

The Betas have a very short peg to seat distance, but I really like them in technical terrain. The Sachs forks are a pain from an aftermarket tuning standpoint but the Race model has better forks.

If you like the KYB forks on the Sherco and Yamaha you'll be impressed with the new WP coil fork that just came out on the 2024's. I've been spoiled with cones on my last two bikes, and it's the first bike I could almost race confidently on stone stock suspension, IMO it's better than the KYB SSS fork--- it's really that good. I'm looking hard at the 2025's since KTM is in financial trouble maybe I can get one for a deal. I've already got 170 race hours on my 2023.


I ride so many different bikes - I can pretty much ride anyone's setup without too much bother, but I can tell if someone's got 5mm back pegs, bars or levers rotated. I once rode a 100 miles Sage Rider national on a Husky TE300 and then two weeks later rode the Sugarloafers National on a RMZ450. That' was.... different... LOL

 

[OrangeSkidPlate]

I'm very interested to try the new WP forks, I have heard great things. Rexburg motorsports only has 34 2025 Husqvarna 300s.....
I have heard of some killer rebates going on around here, my buddy just picked up a 2024 Gasgas ES 500 for 8800 out the door.