Opinions please - WRF or EXC-f

[fergie]

the boss has said to sell my ttr230 and her ttr125 and buy myself a bike a bit more suitable, I like the look of both the yam wrf 250 and the ktm exc-f 250.
i only ride trail and am an old fart who does not need or have the ability to keep up with you young hotshots.
The thought of having a wheel standing fire breather terrifies me! i need a go anywhere,do anything bike,pretty much like my tt230 only more useable power.

what are your thoughts please.

[K6K]

what model years are you thinking of?
For new bikes the EXC-F is going to be a bit lighter 105ish versus 114ish for the WRF (semi wet no fuel) which would be a big consideration for me.
Also I think the WRF will be pretty mild compared to the EXC-F in stock form due to emissions controls etc. (which possibly could be a good thing for you). That said no 250 4T is a real fire breather so If you are planning to buy new I would personally go for the EXC-F.

[fergie]

I had not really thought of buying new,was thinking no more than 2 years old but with another year nearly over there may be some good deals coming up with dealers trying to shift old stock before 2010 models arrive.

[vazza]

Have you read the last 2 DRD's? I think one of them has the 250F shootout.

The bike that won it was the WR250F Yamaha.

If you're an every day rider I would recommend this bike, the EXCF is more of a race ready machine.

[barty5]

personally id go with the yami youll find it ill cost you less for parts etc

[takitimu]

Depends how tall you are & easy you can pick a bike up.

The KTM I think feels taller & the WRF is heavier.

So I'd figure, if the KTM is to tall go WRF, if you struggle to lift the WRF but the KTM is ok, go KTM.

[oldskool]

I am very happy with my EXC250RFS. It only took me around 20 minutes of riding to get used to it and now I feel like I've ridden it all my life, it is so familiar. I thought about the WR but they are hard to find and the ones I've seen were too expensive.

[Blair.DRZ]

If its just for trail rides etc then I rate the WRF, got a 06 model about a year ago and love it on the trails, very very reliable, easy to ride, gets me everywhere I need to go with no problems, and has some get up and go when needed..........never ridden the EXC-F though so can't comment on that.

[FlangMasterJ]

The EXC-F is a KTM. Get it.

[IIIRII]

Ride a KTM 2 stroke enduro bike ....before you deside what you think you need

[clint640]

Ride a KTM 2 stroke enduro bike ....before you deside what you think you need

X2 If you are in the market for a WRF/EXC 250 4 stroke you really should have a blast on a 200EXC. I'm a very average off road rider & I love riding my mate's 200EXC. I've never found KTM parts to be expensive compared with the japs either.

Cheers
Clint

[FlangMasterJ]

I've never found KTM parts to be expensive compared with the japs either.

Yeah that's a myth.

[vazza]

Yeah that's a myth.

Indeed it is.

[fergie]

I have not ridden a 2 stroke for 15 years or more and when i did(it was a cr125) it frightened the shit out of me!Im a lover not a fighter! Can modern 2 strokes be ridden sedately or do they have to be rung out?

[vazza]

I have not ridden a 2 stroke for 15 years or more and when i did(it was a cr125) it frightened the shit out of me!Im a lover not a fighter! Can modern 2 strokes be ridden sedately or do they have to be rung out?

Nah mate they dont have to be thrashed. The new 2stroke KTM's are amazing, you're able to chug around the bush practically idling. Very user friendly machines. I would recommend them to anyone learning to ride.

My dads are real old man rider and he'll be getting one, hes considerd the 4stroke as well.

[fergie]

now that has given me even more to think about! decisions,choices? what to do?

[Reckless]

Ok I'm always goin on about my 08 200exc so I've kept out of even suggesting it as Rupe and Barty are sick of it and give me shit LOL!!!

but know you raise the subject?

I'm an old fart thats only been riding Off road 3ish years or so. Started a on CR250 good bike but sold it for the lighter more enduro based Ktm200exc. Power to weight ratio almost what the 250 had, but its not always trying to get away from you (well me anyway) like the CR250 was. I have never had it tapped out except on the beach. You can take it to an MX track and thrash it like an MX bike or potter around in the forest.
The two hundy is more enduro based, has an adjustable power valve so you can make it deliver power how you want, Dual curve ignition as well if you buy a $25-00 switch. And you get the cheaper maintenance of a 2 smoker! For my level best thing I've done!

I could go on but here's (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showpost.php?p=1129335924&postcount=19) what convinced me to step back from the 250 to the 200. Read the "Woods bike shootout" in that post, its getting a bit old now but the theory is still relevant!
Cheers

Btw in the article the XC/w (cross country wide range gearbox) is same or very similar to our EXC

[vazza]

200 would be a great bike for you fergie. Definatly check it out.

[fergie]

thanks for the link reckless,have printed it out and will devour it tonite with the feet up on the lazyboy and rum and coke in hand.
It is a pleasure to recieve such great replies to an honest question,lots of discussion. gives a new angle to the thought of my next bike.cheers.

[Reckless]

Still try them all Fergie.
Nothing delivers more linear power than the four stroke, it will always climb a bit better than the 2 smoker in the soft stuff because of that (Well until Direct injection takes off). But the 2 smoker is much cheaper to recon/maintain and has good fun factor with the increased character of the 2smoke engine! Each to their own!

Shit haven't ridden for a few weeks I just went to the garage and have a sit on it.
I Bought a new seat cover with a bump in it, with my last order from the USA and haven't even had a chance to bloody well try it out yet!!!
Grrr! Bloody renovations!!!

[IIIRII]

Dont think 2 stroke MX bike , think TRIALS bike that goes like the clappers, if you need it too....
ENDURO bikes are made to be ridden slow & fast....
Im just completely blown away by how versatile my KTM is , it easily putts around over logs and stuff like a trials bike and also has enough jandal to scare me on the fast bits.
I run the yellow spring, and a gnarly pipe on my 250 and its awesome.

I was also reluctant to go to a 2smoke, was worried about power delivery , but I rode Keiths Husky, xens 250ktm, then a 300 ktm and that was it .....
Went out a bought a 09 KTM 250 exc.

No comparison IMO
I just dicks every other bike I have owned.
So light and tractable and FAST if you want it to be.

[little.whittle]

I have a 125sx and i ride enduro... goes fine never fould a plugand it has a decent amount of bottem end. Much beter that the jap 125's which are all top end... Enduro bike would be more friendly and easy to ride tho

[That Guy]

After much test riding and thinking I just bought a WR250F. In the end it was between that and a KTM200EXC.

It was a 49/51 split though and the best answer for me would have been to be able to buy them both! They are both awesome bikes.

The KTM200s are awesome machines. If I was fronting up for a race I'd probably rather be on the KTM most of the time (unless it is really snotty and then for me electric start and a bit more torque and flatter power curve wins the day) as it is just a little bit more race focused in my opinion.

I chose the WR because, for me, it was easier to play ride on (and ride slow) but still capable of the odd enduro or cross country race....the better compromise for the various riding I want to do...only just.

I made the decision by agreeing with myself the next bike would be a KTM200EXC...

By the way, I chose the WR over the CRF or KTM250F for reliability reasons - 4 strokes are more expensive to maintain than 2 strokes, but of the 4 strokes the WR engine seems to have the best record for reliability by a fair margin.

[green machine]

After much test riding and thinking I just bought a WR250F. In the end it was between that and a KTM200EXC.

It was a 49/51 split though and the best answer for me would have been to be able to buy them both! They are both awesome bikes.

The KTM200s are awesome machines. If I was fronting up for a race I'd probably rather be on the KTM most of the time (unless it is really snotty and then for me electric start and a bit more torque and flatter power curve wins the day) as it is just a little bit more race focused in my opinion.

I chose the WR because, for me, it was easier to play ride on (and ride slow) but still capable of the odd enduro or cross country race....the better compromise for the various riding I want to do...only just.

I made the decision by agreeing with myself the next bike would be a KTM200EXC...

By the way, I chose the WR over the CRF or KTM250F for reliability reasons - 4 strokes are more expensive to maintain than 2 strokes, but of the 4 strokes the WR engine seems to have the best record for reliability by a fair margin.
I wondered when a Yami rider was gonn cut in on the KTM cheer squad...........:innocent:

[klx kid]

yea! GET A YAMAHA STEVE!!!!! haha im a bit biased haha

[green machine]

yea! GET A YAMAHA STEVE!!!!! haha im a bit biased haha

Unlike 90% of the previous posters.....hehe,no bias there

[warewolf]

I really love my 200EXC but don't rate it a 'gentle' or 'trail ride' bike. It's a weapon, it's a very exciting and busy ride. It's not a lazy bike to ride. And in cross-country races I reckon I'd be faster on a 250F due to their ability to find traction on killer steep hills and snotty mud - we get both and often at the same time.

If you must have a KTM 2T, the 250 & 300 make much better 'gentle' bikes: more grunt so you don't have to work the gearbox or clutch, and longer wheelbase so they are more stable.

But in answer to your question, either the wr250f or exc250f will suit you well, they are very similar bikes.

Go ride them all... buy the one that lights your fire...