Maybe time for a new bike

[Blair.DRZ]

Ok, thinking about upgrading the DRZ ( something with electric start ). Have been looking at the KTM 400 exec ( which i think are trail bikes ) as I only do trail riding so don't really need a motorcross bike. Was even looking at the KTM 250 exec but as I'm a 6 foot 3 and a tad under 90kg, was worried about size and power. I love the grunt of the DRZ 400, how much different would the KTM 400 power be ? Anyone had any experience with these bike, whats maintenance like etc etc

Any help/advice is hugely appreciated

Cheers !!

[DELLORTO]

a ktm 400 is pretty bloody fast.......drz400's are realy gutless for their cc rating because their stock exhaust pipe limits them........
but drz400's are still fast even though heavy and resricted

if i was you id go for a rmz250.... those ktm 250's are good though.....also electric start is useless......if your legs work perfectly why have electric start??

[kezzafish]

I used to have a DRZ and have a mate who has an '04 400EXC which i've ridden a wee bit. Are you looking at the brand new 400EXC? cos that may be different. They stopped making them for a few years so they're not as easy to find as many bikes. The exc is in no way crazy power and i'd say that my DR had more whollop down low (although i had a big bad home made header pipe on mine cos as dellorto said the standard one is just cruel). The question is why do you need to change bikes?

The EXC is a better bike than the drz. They are better built but parts are generally more expensive. They're not much lighter (look up on the net for weight) and don't have noticeably more power (it's easy to get power out of your dr if power is what you're after) the big advantage over your dr is suspension, handling and brakes which are all heaps better on the EXC, the conventional forks on the dr are super gay. The EXC also has 6 gears which is cool.

I sold my DR cos of the weight, the gay suspension and cos it was past it's use by date. I bought a 450 MXer which is good but i regretted not riding a few more bikes before i bought it. My 450 has a huge amount more grunt than my DR did but i didn't need the grunt to go faster i needed the suspension. Therefore i have often thought that a 250 4stroke may have been a better choice and i could probably go harder for longer on one. I'm no midget either (6"5 and 95kg).

The best advice i ever got about buying a bike (although i didn't listen to it 'cos i'm a know it all fuckwit) is ride heaps of different bikes before you decide. Ride a 450 mxer and ride a 2stroke enduro bike (KTM, GASGAS or similar) i'm pretty sure you'll hate a 2stroke mxer as your used to the low down tow of your dr but still worth a hoon. A 250 4stroke is DEFINATELY something you should ride, for peace of mind if nothing else.

I've ranted off on some random tangent here so if you have any Q's abou the 400EXC i'll do my best to answer em (and i'll keep it short! ha haa)

[noobi]

if i was you id go for a rmz250.... those ktm 250's are good though.....also electric start is useless......if your legs work perfectly why have electric start??

Ah someone who has never had the bike stuck in a rut up to the pegs and cant kick start because the kick start hits the ground, you learn quickly that electric start is awesome for a trail bike because we get in muck that motocrossers dont
Two strokes not so much but a big bore four stroke, electric start is magic

gasgas or similar

no dont get one, everyone tells me there gay

[flyingcr250]

Ah someone who has never had the bike stuck in a rut up to the pegs and cant kick start because the kick start hits the ground, you learn quickly that electric start is awesome for a trail bike because we get in muck that motocrossers dont
Two strokes not so much but a big bore four stroke, electric start is magic

i agree, or if your stuck on the side of a hill (which sorta resembles everest) and your too f****d to get your leg over electric start is the best, wish my bike had it

[Oper8r]

I've got a 250 SXF. I am 5ft10, 80kg's and the bike is awesome BUT, i would really love an electric start, as the bike stalls easily and when you are buggered, stuck in mud with a slippery boot, in a deep rut, on the side of a hill, it is just way up there on my list of things that would have been handy right then. I have ridden a mates DRZ400, nice, but after a KTM i would find it less of a fun ride. Cheers

[DELLORTO]

Ah someone who has never had the bike stuck in a rut up to the pegs and cant kick start because the kick start hits the ground, you learn quickly that electric start is awesome for a trail bike because we get in muck that motocrossers dont
Two strokes not so much but a big bore four stroke, electric start is magic


no dont get one, everyone tells me there gay

actauly that did happen to me..........at river-head the first and last time ill go there........

[KTMDad]

I just (december) got an 07 ktm250exc-f, I reckon its one of the best bikes I've ever had. I rode a heap of 450's(helps to have a mate who works at a bike shop) and finally jumped on the ktm250 and within 20mins was sold.
Enough power for me without gettting tired from "hanging" onto a wild thing!
Mostly I follow my 8yr old around trails but when I get out with mates I have all the power I could need.
I'm 6'1 and up round the 100kg mark and thought I would never own anything but 450's.
As said before get on as many bikes as you can before you comit, Whats good for me might be short of your goals.
If you see a ktm250 following a kx65 with full monster engery kit around the trails come say hi, I'll give you a ride so you know what your in for.
Cheers

[flyingcr250]

I just (december) got an 07 ktm250exc-f, I reckon its one of the best bikes I've ever had. I rode a heap of 450's(helps to have a mate who works at a bike shop) and finally jumped on the ktm250 and within 20mins was sold.
Enough power for me without gettting tired from "hanging" onto a wild thing!
Mostly I follow my 8yr old around trails but when I get out with mates I have all the power I could need.
I'm 6'1 and up round the 100kg mark and thought I would never own anything but 450's.
As said before get on as many bikes as you can before you comit, Whats good for me might be short of your goals.
If you see a ktm250 following a kx65 with full monster engery kit around the trails come say hi, I'll give you a ride so you know what your in for.
Cheers

i felt exactly the same way when i jumped on my 300 exc for the first time. great bikes

[DELLORTO]

nothing can be compared to the "bummer hummer' though.......

[hospitalfood]

it is always time for a new bike. the trick is not to sell the one you already have. its like houses and the property market.

[Paulus]

Was even looking at the KTM 250 exec

Cheers !!

KTM 250EXC is a 2 stroke. 250EXC-F is a 4 stroke. The 2 stroke 250 will have about the same power as the 4 stroke 400 so I wouldn't worry about the power (unless you meant the 250EXC-F). 2 strokes require a lot less maintenance than 4 strokes these days for the slight hassle of having to mix your gas.

[Blair.DRZ]

Yeah I had my eye on the 250 Exec-F, not really after a 2 stroke, four stroke are probably better for my riding.
The DRZ is great but I'm looking for something that could be a bit more fun to ride, its like when you've been with your missus for a while and you want something a bit newer and perkier.
But sounds like I need to take several for a test ride first and I'll find what I'm looking for.

[Dent]

I had a DR-Z400e for a while, before changing to a Gasgas EC300. I didnt expect that I would ever like a 2 stroke (based on bikes from 20 years ago), but the modern 300 enduros are quite different to the older 125/200 cc bikes.

Big step up in suspension quality, which gives you more confidence. Huge difference in center-of-gravity (lower) and overall a lighter bike. Hydro clutch, 6 speed close ratio g/box.

Kickstart only is not that big a deal, unless you have some medical issues with your leg etc.

I would try a 300 ktm or gasgas if you can, before you decide. Preferably one thats been jetted for smooth/progressive throttle response.

[B0000M]

not really after a 2 stroke, four stroke are probably better for my riding.

sorry to tear your post to shreads....

have you ridden an one of those ktm exec 2 strokes?

a lot of people rode a 2 stroke once apon a time and it had light switch power (all on or all off) or have a friend who had one once and has told them that

i personally have not ridden an exec (though next time im near any of u guys id like a go for my own judgement) but i ride a honda CR250, and this thing has plenty of low down power - more than 250 4 strokes, with even more if you're prepared to open it up up high. from what im told by all the guys on here that have gone from mx 250 2 strokes - the CR's, KX's, RM's, YZ's, SX's etc to the ktm EXEC's is that the ktm makes so much power down low and they are very easy to ride.


if you are looking for something a bit more perkier and fun to ride, then a 2 stroke would definately be worth looking at! 2 strokes = fun