How much Bike?

[Cascadia]

How much bike is too much bike? It will be my second and I still do not have a ton of riding time but I feel comfortable with the level I am at. I'm selling my KTM 250 EXC. Thinking about a Honda crf 250x, ktm 300 exc or a KTM 450 EXC. I will be riding mostly in AF Canyon, Moab, and a little in St. George. It will see very little time at the dunes. I am also wanting to make it street legal to get to and from a few trails. Do any of these bikes sound out of line for what I will use it for? Too powerful? Not powerful enough? Not the right model? I'm still new to bikes so I'll listen to any opinion.

 

[Greg]

IMO, if you're doing any desert riding with faster speeds, a 450 is needed. Otherwise, the CRF250x would be a killer trail bike.

I had a WR250F and it was WAY nimble, but ran out of steam in the open desert.

 

[STAG]

I'll be getting the Honda 230F because I'm so short and so the frame and everything just fits me and has a really predictable powerband. But it's kinda hard to say what is perfect, for the dunes a 250 4stroke is really a bare minimum.

Also, years are a big part of the equation too. KC's stock '06 ktm 250 makes a whole lot more power than his 2011 KTM 250 with an Akropovic exhaust system. But the difference there is rideability. His 2011 is fuel injected and has a lot smoother powerband and a helluva lot better suspension.

 

[Gravy]

I would LOVE a crf 250x
My best friend has a 450x and I love it but it's a little too much bike for me

 

[pELYgroso]

If I could go pick any bike it would be the KTM 300 XCW-e. 2 stroke trail bike w/ a wide range tranny, electric start, pre-wired for enduro lights, and all the power you could ever need on any trail while remaining very usable in the low-end. 120 mph top speed with ability to putt along a gnarly trail! Probably as much power as a 450 4 stroke but 2 stroke reliability.....makes me drool! review link: http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2010-ktm-300-xcw-review-89083.html

Since I can't afford one I went with what I think is the next best thing! early 90's 2 stroke wr 250! Similar idea to the ktm but with older suspension and at <$1k in decent condition, the best choice for me and my budget! I went from an '04 KX250F w/ a 270 kit on it, leo vince exhaust, blah blah.....a very fast bike for a 4 stroke 250 to my '94 WR250 2 stroke, and I haven't looked back!

 

[rholbrook]

I personally would never be happy with anything less than a 450 for an all around bike. Dunes, you can't beat a 500 oil burner. I love my WR450. It has a lot smoother and mellower power compared to a YZ450 There is no substitute for horsepower.

 

[Cascadia]

Rus that's why I'm thinking a 450. For all around, road, single track, and long stretches, I'd rather not be pinned in a 250. If I had the money I'd get a 250 and 450, but I don't have that kind of money. Anyone have experience with an exc 450? I've also heard that the 300 exc rides like a "3 stroke". Is it really the best of both worlds or still not enough for speed stretches without being pinned?

 

[Rot Box]

For me everything the 450 has power wise makes up for it in weight. I'm hands down a much better rider on a 250cc 2T vs. a 450 4T just because of that. Its an age old battle as to which is best, but I will say you'd have to be a very talented and very competitive rider to 'need' more than what a 250 2T has to offer for almost every type of riding.

I'm having a hard time understanding why you want to trade your 250 in favor of a 300. Was it the power you didn't like because performance/power wise the two are very similar

 

[Cascadia]

It's not necessarily that I want a 300, I've just heard good things about them and heard that the powerband is smoother. I also still haven't ridden a 4 stroke before. Does anyone want to go out on Saturday with a 4 stroke and let me try it out. Supposed to be real nice weather. I just think that a 450 would be better for the toad use it might see and the longer faster rides which I hope to do more of. Who knows, I might change my mind fast and end up with another 250. Is there a noticeable difference in a 250 2t and 4t?

 

[Cascadia]

I might as well ask while were on the subject of weight. Is the 525 exc a super heavy bike? I like the looks but other than that I know nothing.

 

[Cascadia]

I'll answer my own question. The 250 weighs in at 229 and the 525 weighs in at 249. Is that a huge difference on trail? I'm 6'1 and about 180-185 ( it's winter), I'm usually 175.

 

[TRD270]

I'm 6'3 215ish, and never have a lack of power problem with my 07 WR450, it's a great bike, but it does get a little heavy after a long technical ride. You'll also get quite a bit more range out of a 250 if you plan on doing longer rides. My buddies with stock tanks on a 250 can go as far as I can on a desert tank with my 450.

I've been tempted to step down to a 250 for range, and a little lighter bike.

Then again I don't do a whole lot of wide open across the desert riding, I typically stick to more technical slower single track runs where I think I may benefit from a lighter bike with more range, I'm usually only in 1-3 gear anyway so I'm not really using all the 450's goodness.


I guess it ultimately depends how and where you want to ride, and if you have the endurance to control a 450 over a 6-7 8 10 hour ride, it's a lot of bike.

If you can get a hold of one I'd say ride one before you commit. I'd totally be down for a ride this Saturday and do some bike swapping, but unfortunately I will be working.

 

[Greg]

If you're still planning on Moab this weekend, I would like to meet up for some riding and you can try my stock-ish '04 WR450. Like has been mentioned, its a bit heavy but has plenty of power and good low end.

My bike is a bit tall, thanks to the additional foam in the seat.

I rode an older KTM 300 EXC and while it was nice and very flickable, it just didn't do it for me. I like having gobs of torque and an engine that pulls hard when you need the power.

I bet you would be happy with a 450 EXC if you like the Orange bikes.

 

[rholbrook]

I think its time for you to come riding with me and we can drag Caleb along so you can spend some seat time in a 300 and a WR450. Looking at your height, you should be fine in the saddle of a bigger KTM. The big KTM 4 strokers have soooo much power. They are fun to ride. My friend is 5-9 and 200 lbs throws one around like its a 250. Heavier flywheels help the race bikes to tame them and make them more trailable. Honestly, can you buy a bad bike anymore? When I bought my WR, I was also looking at the CRFx and KTM. What I liked about the Yamaha is that there is a dealer every 15 miles and within 45 miles, you can get nearly any part you need. KTM is a different story. Honda is like Yamaha. I have yet to be stranded without parts since I got ride of my VOR 503.

I personally dont like the 250 4Ts. I do like the 250 2Ts. I would love a newer 250 2T with a big bore kit and heavy flywheel.

 

[STAG]

My brothers KTM 250=218lbs
My yamaha YZ450F = 216 lbs
My sisters CRF150F = 236 lbs
Dry weights

 

[Rot Box]

To the OP here's how these bikes typically stack up in power with a few exceptions:

125 2T < 250 4T <= 200 2T < 250 2T < 450 4T < 520-525 4T < 500 2T

To answer your question a 250cc 2T has a LOT more power than a 250cc 4T.

As for the orange bikes I personally like the power of the 520-525 4T over the 450's. They have that old school grunt that I love, but really get up and boogie when you lay on the throttle!

I have yet to be stranded without parts since I got ride of my VOR 503.

Hey I didn't know you had a VOR! They are really cool but yes parts support nightmare

 

[Cascadia]

Well my bike just sold so I can officially start looking for my next bike. And yes Greg and Andrew, I like the orange bikes. I've slways liked orange and it looks even better on a bike.

 

[ricsrx]

If you want to take out my 250x, not to try and sell it to you but to let you get a feel for it your more that welcome to check it out.

 

[Cascadia]

Would it ride fine even with the rear spokes all bent? Just for a test ride?

 

[ricsrx]

yea i finished riding it off the trail and didnt even notice but i kept hearing a ticking noise from the rear tire then noticed the broken spoke. i dont know how two spokes break but i asume thats what lets the rim bend