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The NEXT dirt bike?

Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I've got a guy that's very interested in my KTM 250 XCFW and he's going to look at it this Friday... it's no secret that I haven't been totally happy with the little bike and while it works well enough, for some reason I'm not totally happy with it.

I have no idea what's next, I think I want to try a KTM 350... I would LOVE a KTM 500, but I don't know that I can afford it. :eek: I loved my 300, but had a hard time managing the power in very bouldery, technical terrain... not sure if the 2 stroke powerband was ideal for me in that situation. I know we've talked about the 350 before and some say it doesn't have the bottom-end of a 450 (which it shouldn't), but I think I'd be OK with the 350...? Or perhaps I should just stick with a 450.... :rofl:

I like technical desert riding... I'm not fast, but I do like a bike with enough power to pull the front wheel off the ground effortlessly. Any thoughts?
 
R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
Greg, meet us in the Swell next Tuesday and I will get you some seat time on a 350XCW. I don't think you will like it. The real power is in the higher RPMs like your 250/300. It feels light but is missing the arm pulling grunt. I personally would not be satisfies with one.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
rholbrook said:
Greg, meet us in the Swell next Tuesday and I will get you some seat time on a 350XCW. I don't think you will like it. The real power is in the higher RPMs like your 250/300. It feels light but is missing the arm pulling grunt. I personally would not be satisfies with one.
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If I could, I would! I can't miss work... especially right before taking time off for a Baja trip.

You make a good point... I have always liked the instant power & torque of the 450, the high RPM power isn't really my cup of tea. Perhaps it's an easy answer.... 450.
 
Caleb

Caleb

Well-Known Member
Location
Riverton
500 XC-W :rofl:

This next spring (probably mid to late winter realistically) I plan to pickup either a new 500 XC-W or a Husqvarna 501. They're pricey but put a grin on your face from ear to ear every time you get on one :) I also loved my 300 and would get another in a second, but I think I liked the 500 more. (I know this post doesn't really help you much :D)
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Tonkaman said:
....Best 30 seconds ever!
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Wost part was it was on asphalt... and I had no gear on. And it was a BUILT 500... powerband hit and it was CRAZY how much power that bike had. Remind me to tell you the story next time we hang out. ;)


jeeper said:
I vote 2stroke :)
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I'm almost over the 2 stroke... I loved the 300, but I think I'm just more comfortable on a 4 stroke.


Caleb said:
500 XC-W :rofl:

This next spring (probably mid to late winter realistically) I plan to pickup either a new 500 XC-W or a Husqvarna 501. They're pricey but put a grin on your face from ear to ear every time you get on one :) I also loved my 300 and would get another in a second, but I think I liked the 500 more. (I know this post doesn't really help you much :D)
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It does help! I just need several thousand beyond the money from the 250 to get into a 500... :rofl:
 
R

rholbrook

Well-Known Member
Location
Kaysville, Ut
Gravy said:
I need about 20lbs lighter and an electric start and dead reliable... maybe I need a 300 XC...
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With my WR it was 40lbs lighter compared to a 300XC. I'm old and my shoulders are bad and after every ride my shoulders would hurt for a day or two. On my one ride on the 300XC my shoulders were fine the next day. I rode Craig's YZ450f for 30 min after riding the 300 and it felt 50lbs heavier If you didn't like the 300 Greg, my question would be whether or not you tunes the power valve to your tastes.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Rot Box said:
What about an RFS KTM? 400-450? They have that old school/tractor style 4T power but they don't weigh as much as a car and they handle decent... Well mostly decent if you get a 05-07ish model.


Or one of these because they're kind of like an RFS KTM except much cooler in a not everyone has one sort of way: http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=32066761&cat=236&lpid=&search=husaberg&ad_cid=3
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I'd consider something like that, but really want to hold out for EFI for some reason... :eek: ... Unless I end up back on a 2 stroke. I dig Husabergs! May have to do some research on that one, he claims it's pretty light... wonder how it compares to KTM's from 2012.


rholbrook said:
With my WR it was 40lbs lighter compared to a 300XC. I'm old and my shoulders are bad and after every ride my shoulders would hurt for a day or two. On my one ride on the 300XC my shoulders were fine the next day. I rode Craig's YZ450f for 30 min after riding the 300 and it felt 50lbs heavier If you didn't like the 300 Greg, my question would be whether or not you tunes the power valve to your tastes.
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You know, it's hard to explain what my hangup with the 300 was. I rode 5MOH without issue on that bike, but every now and again I had a hard time controlling the power when I was in massive rocks (21 Road) going slow, needed a bit of speed, then slowing down again real quick. It was fine 99.8% of the time, but I think I was just looking for an excuse to try something new. I also didn't like the feel of the bib in the front, but that has nothing to do with the bike itself.

The power valve settings were stock, stock pipe. I bolted on a high compression head and enjoyed the added bottom end (could ride technical stuff a gear higher), but it was more more pipey (is that a word?) at higher RPM's and took more effort to manage in high-speed, loose rocks. I also didn't like how it felt at high speeds, felt like you were wringing it's neck over 65+ MPH... the overspeed feel and noise made it feel like I was pushing it too hard, if that makes sense?
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Gravy

Gravy

Ant Anstead of Dirtbikes
Supporting Member
Location
The Land Northward (Bountiful), Utah
You really should ride my yz some time. Obviously no electric start but with a rekluse it's really that necessary for trail riding. The only time I really want an electric start is racing.
It's just so mean but so easy to control at speed.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Gravy said:
You really should ride my yz some time. Obviously no electric start but with a rekluse it's really that necessary for trail riding. The only time I really want an electric start is racing.
It's just so mean but so easy to control at speed.
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I've been cutting back on the weight of my bikes since I sold my WR, I don't know that I want something heavier again? The 300 and this 250 have been very easy to whip around and maintain control on, where the WR450 could get away from you and wear you down over a day's riding. That said, I'd be game to ride your YZF next time we get together!
 
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