Bike Wanted!

[Wellyman]

Although I haven't been hiding it., I would really like to get a husky for my next bike. they are the right height and ergonomics.
mmmmmmm....... Husky.
WM

[Murderotica]

KTm's are expensive. a cheapers japper may be a better option. Honda of course. CRF250X
WM

KTMs are faster

[Wellyman]

KTMs are faster

Yes.... but we wouln't want too much power if he is only starting out riding.
a 250 thumper would still be the way. and also reliabilty is an important factor.
WM

[Danger]

Chipster is a bike rider from way back and would have no problems with the power of the 450EXC. Very user friendly. Stay away from the 250's, too gutless unless your looking at the racing models then the reliability/maintanence issues become a factor and they are not made for road use and trail riding. Probably a KTM is the most reliable out of any of the big diesels, along side perhaps the WR400's. But the KTM comes with better quality parts and seeing as you have a local dealer would be the way to go I would think.
For what its worth, a friend of mine races a KTM SX525 and even that has very controllable easy to ride power. Everyone that buys an EXC250 diesel ends up putting a 350 kit in it, so just get the EXC450 and be done with it.

[Chipster]

Yep, there are a couple of 525's I've looked at, they seem to come up for sale more often than the 450's. Some folk seem to think that they're a bit TOO grunty, and that the 450 does everything the 525 can do. That's probably partly true, but I weigh 100kg so figured that the 525 might haul me round OK, and that I should be strong enough. I've been riding for 25 years so should be OK to slot back into offroad mode. I can't wait! Might have to go and buy some new kit, I think I'll have grown out of my old stuff from when I was 20! /

In an ideal world I would definitely go for the 450, however it may have to be a 525. I'd be chuffed to have either! And the Husky was going to be my first choice (I looked at a couple in the Papakura shop) it's just that there's no dealer up here. Good fun looking around though...

[Chipster]

Went for a spin last night on my mate's 450fe Husaberg last night. What a blast that was! Brought it all back, and man did it have some power! It's still being run in, so had to be a bit conservative with the right hand, but you can feel the potential. We were just on a local mx track, so lots of short bursts. Never used anything other than 2nd and 3rd and I was surprised how tractable these diesels are. Much better than the point and squirt strokers, althought I hear these have changed quite a bit from the 125 YZs and RM's of the early 90's that I was used to and now have a wider power band than 1000 rpm...!

Anyway, that's me sold on getting a 450 or similar. Can't wait to be able to get shot of my road bike now and go hunting for a dirt weapon...

[Motu]

Both 2 and 4 strokes have powerbands across the whole rev range these days,but on the diesel it's wider because they are now reving higher than a smoker,and yet still pull really well from low down.

KTMs models are just numbers and letters to me,I get all confused - but if you have a dealer there I reckon you can't go far wrong with one...although lack of dealer wouldn't worry me.Depends on what you think you can handle off road,more power is more fun,but takes more work to control - do you want to push a bike to it's full potential,or ride a bike you can't use? The 250s have half the service life of the 450s,something to think about.The smokers make serious power,have less weight and maintenance and last a long,long time these days,and beleive it or not are fun on road as well.

Me? Money no object,I'd have a Husky....

[Sketchy_Racer]

GO YAMAHA OR KAWASAKI!! they are the best.... hmmm maybe not the kawasaki, but YAMAHA rules!!!b

dont go buy some european shit, it will only cost you more money. And DONT get a honda, they suck arse

[crazyxr250rider]

KTMs are faster

2002 250EXC 4T`s were shit my mate had one and my cousins RM125 Could piss all over the hunk of shit all it was is a sleved down 400!
Oh yeah come to think of it so could his KLX250