I'm looking for a new ride

[Ayrtonsenna]

Hi Guys
Just sold my 450 Exc…time for a new bike (Budget of 7/8k comfortable - 10k Not happy but could make it happen )
I did have a Husaberg FE250 2013 lined up…but the deal fell through… “Ive sold it- you ?#$&! what” - wasn't a happy camper.
So I turn to you for guidance, to help me through this difficult time….I find my self walking into the garage late at night steering endlessly into an empty void, where the mighty 450 once stood, thinking…did I do the right thing.
At this stage, I’m really enjoying the trail rides but would like to think of doing a few Enduro’s….the 450 was great for open farm land, firebreaks, flat out- but I figure anyone can go fast, I’d like to slow it down / technical riding / steep decants, tight forest tracks, jumping logs- with a little less baggage.

Prefer a four stroke….low hours…late model Husaberg / Husqvarna / KTM - personal preference type of thing.
I’m in my late 30s / 6 foot / 85Kg…brown hair , blue eyes…like long walks on the beach- lol - relax I’m married!

So I was thinking..
Husaberg FE250 - can’t find one in my budget
Husqvarna FE250- can’t find one in my budget
KTM EXCF 250 - apparently a little gutless?
KTM XCF 250 / 350 - make a good Enduro bike?
Open to suggestions..

I tend to read far to much online…getting my self incredibly confused…….please point me in the right irection!

Ants

[pete.ktm]

looking to do the same. although i still have my 450 and after the first ride last weekend after winter/injured they are fucking awesome bikes. apart from being heavy pigs.

waiting to see the reviews on the new yamaha yzfx and wrf 250's before i decide but will probably end up with a 350exc-f. would prefer a 350xc with the non-pds suspension but i'm not too thrilled about no kick start and possibly more maintenance needed due to it being basically a race bike.

let us know what you find.

[Ayrtonsenna]

Hi Pete
Yes….few key points there- XC- no kick start??? saving weight apparently…..you have to wonder….higher revering engine -more service intervals - 350EXCF maybe the go…I’d like to hear from anyone that has one..wonder if I’d notice alot of difference between the 450 and 350…?

A

[Tazz]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-800544533.htm

[Ayrtonsenna]

God help me.....started looking at a new Husq FE250

[pete.ktm]

God help me.....started looking at a new Husq FE250

yeah do it bro! nice bikes.

then you can tell me how you like a 250 vs 450 before i make the same mistake, lol.

you not interested in the FE350? or the slightly more main stream KTM 250/350xc's?

guy on the thumpertalk yamaha thread reckons he's got a ride on the new yammie 250's on dec 6th, i'm holding out till then before i put some serious thought into my next one.

[thorns]

God help me.....started looking at a new Husq FE250

Try take one for a ride if you can before buying. I went to a Husky demo day earlier this year, and this was by far the most disappointing bike there thinking it could be quite a good casual enduro bike, but after riding, no way could I own one, spun one lap and gave it back to them.

I'm 6ft3, 105kgs, and the TE125 was a quicker and much more fun bike than that.

If your coming off a 450, I think you might be disappointed by the FE250, really was just a slow boring bike I found, and even a couple of the beginner riders there on the day thought the same.

[Shane06]

Just curious, how come you guys aren't looking at 2stk 300s those new huskys look good

[thorns]

Just curious, how come you guys aren't looking at 2stk 300s those new huskys look good

Can confirm, those 300 smokers are a great bike. Having ridden 250 motocross smokers, thought a 300 would just be insane, but actually really easy to crawl around in, great traction. Not much of a top end, but hell, with the torque those things have you can just run a taller gear everywhere.

If I was buying an enduro/trail bike, would be number 1 on my list.

[pete.ktm]

Just curious, how come you guys aren't looking at 2stk 300s those new huskys look good

thought about it a lot.

but basically just never had the chance to ride one and the 250 2-strokes i have rode were buzzy/racer/loop it easy as type machines. i know the 300's arn't like that but until i get a good ride on one i probably won't be convinced.

last two ktm demo days i couldn't get a ride on one, too popular. did i miss the wellington demo day this year?

[Ayrtonsenna]

Try take one for a ride if you can before buying. I went to a Husky demo day earlier this year, and this was by far the most disappointing bike there thinking it could be quite a good casual enduro bike, but after riding, no way could I own one, spun one lap and gave it back to them.

I'm 6ft3, 105kgs, and the TE125 was a quicker and much more fun bike than that.

If your coming off a 450, I think you might be disappointed by the FE250, really was just a slow boring bike I found, and even a couple of the beginner riders there on the day thought the same.

Shit really? I was on the invite list- last Husq day here in Chch "apparently" there was a problem with there email system and I mist out- Buga! Last KTM day I went to fell in love with the 450, and had to have one. So a little guttered I didn't get the opportunity this time.

[Ayrtonsenna]

yeah do it bro! nice bikes.

then you can tell me how you like a 250 vs 450 before i make the same mistake, lol.

you not interested in the FE350? or the slightly more main stream KTM 250/350xc's?

guy on the thumpertalk yamaha thread reckons he's got a ride on the new yammie 250's on dec 6th, i'm holding out till then before i put some serious thought into my next one.

Yeah thanks! mistake....lol....350 you recon? could be a good compromise..

[Ayrtonsenna]

Just curious, how come you guys aren't looking at 2stk 300s those new huskys look good

I've owed a few two smokes...back in the day- young fella - the 4s now feel more "planted" to me - 2s are twitchy- maybe just me

[Ayrtonsenna]

So.......anyone out there who's running a FC250 in enduro / trails ?

[thorns]

Rode the fc250 at that demo day as well. Really fast bike, but all the power is pretty much above 10k rpm. Not sure it would work that well on tighter trails.

For me I would rate the bikes they had on demo day like this:

Fe450 (was really impressed by this bike, seemed as fast as my kx450, would be good trail riding, and fun day mx ie grassroots mx days
Te300 - absolute tractor, would be pick if all I did was enduro riding, not like any two stroke I've ridden, stupid amounts of traction and could crawl up anything it felt like. Didn't rev out up top, so just need to short shift, it's like a diesel almost
Te125 - seriously stupid amounts of fun, surprising for a small bore
Fc250- pretty much have to ride like a two stroke, drop out of the power window and your going nowhere fast
Fe250- less said the better

Was gutted they didn't have a fe350 to try out, apparently they sell them to fast to have any demo bikes available.