Well since I've bought Troy his first 'real' bike - a lovely little Kx85 2 stroke machine, with both low rev rideability and high rev white knuckle acceleration, I seem to have become a little 2 stroke smitten.
Even worse I may have the opportunity to puchase a pretty new KTM250EXC (with leccy start). But I've only a few days to decide.....................................
There are of course plus and minus points. Years ago I had a KTM200EGS and it was fantastic, very light and so rideable in the low rev range when you just wanted to slowly climb an obstacle/hill etc - and when you opened her up she was a right laugh. Seemed cheap to run too. Now the modern bike has the additionaal joy of a powervalve so surely this would make it somewhat tamer for the slower trail obstacles (like Devil Steps, Simms, Piggery etc etc)................ or are these modern EXCs still too much for the trail riding??
It also has 6 speed, so although I can find myself sometimes having to chug 15 or 20 miles of road back home, I cant see this being an issue at 60-65mph (again my old 200 never had a issue and I often rode the road up to Totnes to meet my Paignton mate).
Filling up with fuel would be a burden. As my current bike only does 60 or so to reserve, I cant see it being any worse (as tank size I believe is much bigger) but of course the pre-mixing thing is an extra chore.
As for my bike well I do love her and she never lets me down. I do suffer from the occasional lower back pain, so one of the prime reasons would be just to have something more lighter and nimble (and I'm just under 12st without my riding gear on, so a 250 would be ample in my eyes).
So what to do?? I did meet Dave (I always get his name wrong, so hopefully it is) whilst out with Ben on a moors loop today and he has one of these KTMs - he just uses for his Enduros. He advises to stick with my blue machine for trail riding.
When I first started reading this I didn't realise it was a "one or the other" type quandary..
If you can then buy it and try it for a while, see how you get on for 6 months or so and more importantly when given the choice see which bike you are taking out more often.
If the blue beastie has to go in order to fund this then I say no. There's a lot to be said for having a bike that you know, and you've just done your rear suspension so it'd be a shame to sell her on now.
Still there is the argument that unless you burn your bridges to your old bike you may never commit to your new bike, especially if it means learning (or relearning) a new ride technique. Personally I find the 4 stroke engine braking is idea for lane riding and it's what I most miss when on a 2 smoke.
Somehow I get the feeling that I haven't really helped very much...
cheers, Rich.
-- Edited by RichT4 on Thursday 28th of April 2011 05:10:22 PM
Swapped my TTR for a 06 250 EXC 2 years ago - despite much advice against it......
I love it to bits - yes it bit me a few times to start with, but it's like riding my lads mountain bike it's so light, despite all the bollocks and micky taking on here about KTM's it's been very, very relaible (except the side stand ) will do 100 miles on a tank (11.5 L I think ) takes my 15 st carcass anywhere I ask it to and is comfy now I have a Selle seat (bargain E blag) on it.
It's very easy and cheap to maintain and parts are very easy to get. I don't know what year the one is your thinking about but mine has 3 different springs for the power valve and by fiddling with these, leaning it off and putting the stock pipe back on it's tamed right down and will plod up a hill lovely just above tick over. It does however still rear up if you happen to hit a nasty bump and your right hand happens to twist back a bit though
Pre mix isn't really such an issue - I carry 2 small bottles with enough oil for 5 l Fuel in each that gives me a 200 mile range and my arse won't go that far anyway.
It's OK on the tarmac but I wouldn't want to go more than 20-30 miles in one hit on it with it's 'trail' gearing.
So I can't advise you to swap as I don't have a scooby about the WR but Hamster has one so Nuff said....but I can tell you I love my EXC and am very suprised that I do as untill having it was a confirmed anti 2 stroke.
There are times I wish I had a bit bigger 4T for longer legged stuff, but for me and the type of riding I do (Most of the lanes I ride are within 10-15 miles on my home) the EXC is great.
If you could then like Hamster says you need to live with it for a while really as you woill either love it or hate it - as I would imagine based on my swap from a TTR it will be a completey different beast.
JT
-- Edited by jt on Thursday 28th of April 2011 07:47:37 PM
Hello may i add my five penny worth , the old steel framed wr450 was has been regarded as a bit lardy but very reliable all the same all the wrfs have grown a very good reputation folks that said you could consider the wrf 250 see my thread in projects /small project and poss check out the vid on page two of events /somerset the results of my fettling fiddling are amazing ? now ive own and ridden a ktm250 T2 like JTs and there a top bike the newer version is amazing it took the top five places in the enduro class of the moor to sea not bad ? plus a extreme enduro /trails rider enterd the scotish and finished the two day event he wasnt last ahem ? how? well the modern T2 can be a 4T you can lug them in a high gear and they will not stall true ? now they can be a little wild it depends how there set up ive ridden JTs bike and its a big pussy cat very soft and gentle power next to no power band how? well the ktm motors come with a adjustable power valve the little brace screw that nobody touchs on the outside power valve housing there set at the factory and not many people mess with them ,now turning the screw in stiffens restricts the power valve from opening capping the hit from the motor a new bike comes with three springs the red one being the stiffest soffening the motor like JTs plus you get that e/boot nice ? at last a six speed box like the husaberg version the berg has a larger tank ? better check that ?and they all get newer sus new generation frame ? all very nice
While I love the CCM 4stroke with it's engine braking I can't wait to get my CRM sorted.
Never really felt the lack of engine braking was an issue. You soon learn the knack of riding downhill using throttle and brakes. The uneven running can be wearing on the tarmac but never stopped me riding as far as Exmoor, Cornwall, or East Devon to start rides.
Can't comment on the premix though cos it has an oil pump.
Only thing that would have improved it would be an electric start
Two KTM250 2smoke riders followed me for two days on the T2T. Both had big grins all the time, even when I took the piss because the sidestand fell off one of them, (they do that apparently). The tank range on the KTM will limit you, but by the sound of it no more than you are used to already. I noticed that I put £2.68 of fuel in the CCM to the £5.50 the KTMs consumed at one fuel stop so you pay through the pump for the performance.
The engine noise made me think of a huge angry wasp stuck in a biscuit tin with a ball bearing while being shaken violently! Virtually no noise came out of the silencer however.
If you don't buy it you will always wonder what you were missing
well i was a confirmed yamaha fan and after 4 250 yams in a roll a moment of madness i changed to a 200 exc i was looking to put a smile on my face when riding and fancied another 2 stroke and i have to say i love the bike but being the 200 it is rubbish on fuel only 60 miles to reserve with a standard 9.5lt tank but im prepared to sacrifice that for the grin factor it has a switchable ignition and is soooo light my mate has a leccy start 250 and it is lovely to ride better on fuel than the 200 but his has the 9.5 lt tank the xc and some six days models have the 11.5lt the only thing i can say is try it if possible for a day and if i had the spare cash i would change mine for the xc as having recently ridden one all i can say is wow (as for the ktm micky taking i was one of the biggest and they have come along way from the early fall to bits when riding models)
ive ridden JTs bike and its a big pussy cat very soft and gentle power next to no power band how? well the ktm motors come with a adjustable power valve the little brace screw that nobody touchs on the outside power valve housing there set at the factory and not many people mess with them ,now turning the screw in stiffens restricts the power valve from opening capping the hit from the motor a new bike comes with three springs the red one being the stiffest soffening the motor like JTs
I got very brave and have now got the middle spring in one day when I'm very very brave I will put the 'looney' spring back in.
It had that fitted the day I picked it up, Now remember that I had been poddling about on a TTR 250 - holy s%*t man I scared myself to death when I wanged the throttle back on the EXC coming out the 1st bend onto the straight I went past the Missus who was in front of me in the car (had dropped me off to collect it) with the front wheel 4ft in the air with me hanging off the bars like a bit of ribbon
Probably a good thing as the impulse buy now gone so can reflect on what I want.
Doing lots of research suggests fuel consumption / tank range may put me off one. Ideally I want a bike that can do 80+ miles on a tank. My current WR has a tiny tank and will just do this if I use the reserve also.
So what else have I been looking at.....................
Well also a 4 stroke KTM250xcf-w. This is meant to be an awesome little machine, not much heavier than a 2 smoke and has a power curve between a 2 and a 4 stroke. Also got 6 gears. Write ups and thumper-talk well rate them. Anyone ridden one ????
Else I may let my little itch fade away and keep my lovely blue machine.
ive been lucky enough to ride ktm250f a xc and a older exc i prefered the xc a bit more go off the bottom the exc i found a bit flat on the bottom and mid then lit up on the top end what this ment was i open her up and nothing much happened the revs built the corner approach and then it took off followed by panic braking down shifting closing of throttle and a mess in my pants ? prefered the xc ? my modded wrf was better more user freindly ???
um i think i blame you 4 this mark! , i am quite happy with my CRF250X and am going to keep it, but you got me thinking of the old days with my RGV etc, anyway bought an 2008 GAS GAS EC250 2 stroke in a moment of madness! , pick it up sunday, what have i done
um i think i blame you 4 this mark! , i am quite happy with my CRF250X and am going to keep it, but you got me thinking of the old days with my RGV etc, anyway bought an 2008 GAS GAS EC250 2 stroke in a moment of madness! , pick it up sunday, what have i done
Woohoo ....... go for it Kev. You'll love it, I know Chris M loves his GG250.
I did ride Biffs GG 300 at WWB last weekend - just 1 lap on 'full power mode'. Although I had no time to get used to it, I hated it lol. Just move the throttle a micron and it takes off like a scolded cat. No only does it have no engine braking, the bike seems to continue reving quite high when you shut off the throttle, so it accelerates down hills unless you brake.
I am sure a few more laps would have made me feel a little happier, but I was keen to hand it back. Which is a good thing for my bank balance.
Not like my old KTM200EGS which I used to love and was an ace all-rounder.
I hated it lol. Just move the throttle a micron and it takes off like a scolded cat. No only does it have no engine braking, the bike seems to continue reving quite high when you shut off the throttle, so it accelerates down hills unless you brake.
oh crap, think i could be doing a lot of badgering, and some will say whats new!
bought an 2008 GAS GAS EC250 2 stroke in a moment of madness! , pick it up sunday, what have i done
Well if your like me going from the TTR to the EXC then 1st you go WWOOOHOOOO when you open it up.....this very quickly turns to WaaaaaaHAAAAAA......
I confess I found it a bit 'interesting' to start with and can fully appreciate the 'move throttle a micron' comment that wheely makes - and it did spit me off a few times to start when I inadertantly 'gave it a handful' - but stick with it, took me a few weeks but it will put a huge grin on you face
So what else have I been looking at.....................
Well also a 4 stroke KTM250xcf-w. This is meant to be an awesome little machine, not much heavier than a 2 smoke and has a power curve between a 2 and a 4 stroke. Also got 6 gears. Write ups and thumper-talk well rate them. Anyone ridden one ????
Ever thought of looking at a Husky TE250 4-stroke, my 2010 model is fuel injected, has 6 gears and produces 36bhp.
) will do 100 miles on a tank (11.5 L I think 
) takes my 15 st carcass anywhere I ask it to and is comfy now I have a Selle seat (bargain E blag) on it.
one day when I'm very very brave I will put the 'looney' spring back in.
I went past the Missus who was in front of me in the car (had dropped me off to collect it) with the front wheel 4ft in the air with me hanging off the bars like a bit of ribbon 
