ktm 300 xcw vs... Looking for options

[birdman2447]

Hello all, I am looking to get back into trail riding up here in maine as training. There is a decent amount of riding, mostly woods riding sorta 2nd & 3rd gear stuff. Looking for opinions on what bike to buy looking to sped around 3k on a used bike. I have owned both 250 2 and 4 strokes. All Japanese bike but never a KTM, however the 300 really has my eye. I am wondering what you guys have for opinion on them? I have also been looking at the 450's but I like the weight of the 2 stroke as well as the low cost to maintain it. Any 300 riders on here?

[Hacktastic]

What year? Got lots of experience with 300cc displacement 2-strokes.

[gemini2k]

Indeed he does. He is helping me put my yz300 smoker together for the first time tomorrow.

[chillindrdude]

I just picked up a 2013 ktm 200xcw. Its a trail shredding machine for sure. Given that its nearly 40lbs lighter than my former 250 4stroke, feels more nimble and responsive while riding. The 2stroke should be more reliable and rebuilds less costly. The power definitely comes on quicker compared to the 4stroke. The hydraulic clutch on the ktms are money. Feels way smooth and controlled than a cable actuated one. And the E Start is a godsend in tech climbs if i stall out.

[profro]

Everyone I know with a 300 detunes it via powervalve, throttle tubes, ReKluse, gearing, etc. Personally I think 300s would be great for the desert or at altitude. Otherwise depending on your height go for a 200 or 250. Most people love the bottom end torque of the 300 and very few that I know of locally actually ride a 300 on the pipe. In my opinion, if you want the torque then just stick with a 4-stroke. Otherwise grab a smaller, more nimble 200 or 250 and stay on the pipe. But don't be fooled to think that they can't lug in technical trail.

My 2012 250sx

[chillindrdude]

obligatory bike porn...

[batts65]

I have a 2005 exc 450. it is heavy but you can really lug it along in 2nd and 3rd on the real tech stuff. It is also plated so I can ride the roads between trails without much worry (no inspection, but it is registered and insured). I have gone past a lot of police and they do not even look at me.

Some of the guys that ride where I do have the 300 and say it has a lot of the benefits of the 4 stroke and the light weight. Like said prior there is a lot of tuning that I know nothing about.

If going new, then get the 2012 or 13 350exc, just need to change the rear sprocket and it is all set for the trail and still street legal. Bike is amazing in the woods.

The magic button is also great, most of the KTM's have them since 08 or 09. Especially when stuck on steep hill.

**** Spam **** I am looking to sell my 450. I am in upstate NY. (sorry, had to do it)

[Hacktastic]

All the KTM 300's have very flat motor powerbands, except for the SX models with the different ignition. I wouldn't even worry about staying on the pipe with that bike.

If you're doing ONLY 2nd or 3rd gear stuff, look into a KTM 200. It has the frame of a 125, it's light as hell, and the motor is super friendly like the 300. No reason to haul a 50+ HP machine that's taller through tight stuff if you're never going to make use of it's real power and the stability.

I wouldn't even think about riding a 4-stroke around on tight stuff only. Heavy, prone to overheating, annoying compression braking, very poor handling and cornering.

FYI, if you're looking to spend around $3k, you could pick up a used 250 2-stroke with a worn out top end for way cheap, and send the cylinder and head to www.ericgorr.com for a 300cc kit on it with whatever powerband you'd like. Costs about $650 for all fresh stuff, and a bunch more power. Find a YZ250 with a blown top end for $1000 and get that kit and have a bunch of money left over to customize it how you want. And you want have to deal with the craptacular KTM suspension, brakes and the expensive parts of the mid 2000's (which is what you'd get for $3k).

[Lelandjt]

Dub post

[Lelandjt]

In short I agree with everything that'sbbeen said. I have a 2010 300 and love it. Since getting it every friend that's tried it has bought one. Some have plunked down for new 2011s and 12s, others have gotten 2005s or 06s for $2500-$3000. 2005 is the oldest you wanna go. On the newer ones we've all taken the Estart and battery out. It kickstarts so easily that stuff is dead weight sitting up high. We all live at altitude and like riding at low rpm so the 300 is the best 2stroke for us. If I lived at sealevel I'd wanna testride a 200 to see if it could be lugged well enough to make me content. Lighter and less gyro effect would be nice but the 300 is pretty light and nimble and its massive power is fun.

I considered modding a blown YZ into a big bore woods bike but the more I looked at KTMs the more I liked everything I saw (even the linkless suspension). I decided it was worth the money to just buy the complete package and have jetting and stuff already figured out.

[birdman2447]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I have narrowed my choices down to the ktm 250 and 300, minus the sx model due to the more peaky tuning. I am a intermediate rider and not picky as long as the bike is in good shape with how it is setup so that's what is most appealing about the ktm. If i found a to set up one of the Japanese 250sx bikes for the woods would require me to but springs, flywheel, etc. But I guess its not a ton of money considering how cheap they are. The 300's are tough to find used but I am going to keep my eyes peeled for one over the next few months as its my first choice. For now I have access to my brothers cr250 and cr85. That cr85 is about the same size as my dh bike and a blast to just mess around on.

If I look at Japaneses 250's are there any ones to stay away from? Is there a certain 250 that is know to have more broad power and be a better candidate for a woods bike?

[Lelandjt]

YZ 250 back to 2005 is the first choice, then older YZs, then RM250, then CR and KX. If you like playing on the CR85 imagine a KTM 105xc. It's like the CR but with bigger bore and wheels. I did the suspension and some other stuff to suit an adult and it's a blast on small tracks and tight trails.

[birdman2447]

Nice, I bet that thing is a blast, the cr85 is fun but the little power it dose have is right at the top so its pretty useless for a 170lb guy. I will look into the yz's more. All my bother did to his cr250 was a flywheel, springs and a knarly pipe. Any recommendations on what the yz would need to make it trail ready. Should the suspension be re valved if I i was going to spring it for a 170lbs woods rider? Or can the stock dampers compensate for the softer springs?

[Lelandjt]

I'd ride it and play with the clickers before having the suspension tuned. Just like an MTB get an idea of how the springs feel and what you can't accomplish with the adjustments before spending money. Mods I'd do to turn an MXer into a trail bike in order of importance:
Fly wheel weight and change sprocket if neccessary so 1st doesn't require a lot of clutch slipping or wheel spin in slow techy stuff.
Gnarly pipe and Q Stealth silencer.
Full wrap handguards and akid plate
Kickstand
If the motor needs work anyway a big bore and porting
18" rear wheel and Pirelli MT43 trials tire
Auto-clutch and handbrake setup

[dfinn]

Huh, what? Bike porn, I got that. Not at all relevant to the post but since we're sharing, here's my new toy