What's the best new model bike for trail riding

[Woody@nztrails.com]

Alright guys, The house has sold and I'm ready to retire my faithful KLX 250.

I'd like some thoughts on the current range of high performance 250 enduro machines. I really like the looks of the new KTM 250 EXCF and both the Honda and Yamaha 250's are also on my short list. The KTM looks like more bike for the money though with a lot of nice extras already on it. Any body out there own any of these models?

I only ride on trail rides, no racing etc and I've found that I can now out ride the KLX. I would like to buy a high performance 250 but I'm concerned with the stories I've heard about the cost of keeping new bikes maintained, it seems everyone know's someone who's had a Honda cost this or a KTM that cost that to fix when they weren't very old!

What do ya reckon? Am I on the right path or should I just buy a nice cheap new DRZ 400?

Cheers
Wood man

[tysonzane]

KTM KTM KTM KTM!!!

Get the picture or do i need to repeat myself haha.

Na seriously they're great bikes, dont reach an opinion of what bike to get before you ride one. Seriously, if you only take one thing i say, make it that! Just go and test ride one.

Their slogan is "ready to race", and its true, they're very relaible bikes the EXC's and are quite low matainance. I know of an early 2000 250EXC that was converted to 350 that has done over 300 hours (used as a farm bike) that just gets an oil change every 10 hours and filter every 20. Its simple. Somebody on here will be able to quote me how often it is for a piston and rings on a CRF and how much it costs etc, while yes i agree the CRF is a quick bike and it does post quick lap times on the motocross track, it isint as reliable, matainance free or trail user friendly IMO. The EXC range is really designed with the trail rider in mind, as far as trail riding goes i just wont compare it to anything else and you wont find me on any other bike other then an orange one. Its true that once you start riding a KTM you dont stop.

Have a look at a DRZ400, i still think they're the best value for money trail bike around but at the end of the day they are a very heavy bike, dont have upside down forks, dont have hydraulic clutch and the clutches seem to burn out after time.

The absolute mods for a KTM EXC i would say for trail riding are bark busters, radiator gaurds (you will drop it eventually and you dont want to have to buy new radiators!), clutch protector (cheap insurance), scuff tape (keep that baby looking like new) and a radiator over flow bottle (while KTM dont come out with one from factory it is a good mod because if you do over heat the fluid will fill up in the bootle and but then when it cools down it will go back in, because you never know when you might get stuck in a massive bog).

Another great bonus of KTM is that there genuine parts are easily available through out NZ and the parts are really cheap for OEM. Alot of the parts are like half the price of the genuine parts of Japanese bikes which gives you no reason to put aftermarket parts in because we all know that OEM parts are going to be better and more relaible. Plus the KTM hard parts offers nearly all the "race style" or performance parts you could ever want!

They're simply wonderfull. Talk to any KTM EXC rider and they'll agree. I know KiwiRider did a review of the 250 2 months ago and rated it very highly, next month there is a review of the 450 EXC and 300 EXC (2 stroker) which should be worth a look.

Anymore convincing? Im happy to offer more!! Haha

[notch]

I reccomend KTM. If you are looking for lower maintenance costs, go for a 2 stroke. I have a 300exc - and it is really impressive, four stroke like power (no big hit), with the weight of a 250 2T. The 300 doesn't rev as high as other bikes but has lots of stump pulling torque. I do piston and rings as a precaution every ~90 hours.
If you are buying new and intend to flick it after a couple of years then you will probably be fine with either.

The new 250 four strokes produce an amazing amount of power and rev to the moon and back, but the price is maintenace.

[Danger]

Are you restricting yourself to fourstrokes?

[GR81]

Are you restricting yourself to fourstrokes?

people only buy 2strokes when all other options are exhausted!

oh wait, thats just me

[cheese]

I love my 2 stroke. 4 stroke = maintaince kings.

[GR81]

I love my 2 stroke. 4 stroke = maintaince kings.

every vehicle requires maintenance... such is life!

[cowpoos]

get a klx 300....reliable as hell.....and handles a bit better than the klx 250....
but with alot more grunt....and only $7495

[tysonzane]

I love my 2 stroke. 4 stroke = maintaince kings.

I strongly beg to differ with the 4 stroke EXC range... I know of a long term KTM dealer that has never had a KTM (SX race bikes included) that have never failed and the only thing done on the SX race bikes is piston and ring at about the 80 hour mark. Thats mainly just for KTM's but that rule does apply for the majority of 4 stroke motocross bikes out there these days.

[crazyxr250rider]

WR450F youll love it!!! had a go on one during the weekend just been they arent as bad as every one says they are, theyre very smoth and predictable
this one had done 120 hrs without a hint of failure

[T.W.R]

get a klx 300....reliable as hell.....and handles a bit better than the klx 250....
but with alot more grunt....and only $7495

too true, but suffer from dodgy head bearings when they're pushed a bit though

better to hold off for a few months and put an order in for one of these puppies milder version of the KX450F with lights

KLX450R

[Woody@nztrails.com]

Thanks for the input guys.

Good to hear some positives on the KTMs. I called into XXX moto today (new KTM dealer in Auck) and jacked up a test ride - gotta tell ya that new 250 EXCF looks like sex on wheels!

Two strokes - hmmmm. Not against them or anything but I guess I grew up in a 4 stroke world. Only ever done trail rides and to be honest just never knew anyone with a 2 stroke. I know they're good now ( and were then ) and I harbour no ill will for anyone who owns one but I guess it's a bit like the old V8 v Rotary (before boy racer imports arrived). You grew up one way or the other and never crossed over?

KLX 300 - been there done that back in 97 and was not a happy owner. Kick start idler gear went into the clutch basket 3 times in a year! Impressed with Kawasaki though as they came to the party with costs. Promised myself I would never go back from the electric leg. If the new KLX450 ( or a new hi po KLX 250) was on the market now I would be staying green.

WR450 - Good mate rides one and he's done 90hrs no worries. He's a big guy though and often comments on the power being too much. I find that I can stay with him on tight stuff and only drop back in the open areas of a ride. 250's just seem a little more faster in tight stuff? Just doesn't have the same appeal as the KTM - can't put my finger on why? It should & I know they're a great bike.

DRZ 400 - too heavy! 15 kg's or so heavier than the KTM or Honda. Another good mate rides one and he loves it but I leave him well behind in the tight stuff.

I'll ride the KTM in the next week or so - try my mates WR450 and might even have a quick blat on the DRZ just to set my mind at ease (lot of money between a DRZ @$8500 and a KTM @ $13500!

[Woody@nztrails.com]

KTM KTM KTM KTM!!!

Anymore convincing? Im happy to offer more!! Haha

Don't need to much more mate, - you don't work for KTM do you? - haha

Thanks for the advise - I asked for a quote - including most of your recommedations (forgot the overflow bottle though - bugger).

[cowpoos]

KLX 300 - been there done that back in 97 and was not a happy owner. Kick start idler gear went into the clutch basket 3 times in a year! Impressed with Kawasaki though as they came to the party with costs. Promised myself I would never go back from the electric leg. If the new KLX450 ( or a new hi po KLX 250) was on the market now I would be staying green.

fair enough....that problem has be fixed....the idler gear is a beef mutha now....my klx gets used daily and does big KM's...on the farm...I have nothing but praise for the machine....well apart from constantly going through fork seals....but thats more of an enviromential problem me thinks....

I here the wr450's are good bikes though!!

[The_Dover]

Have you looked at the Husqvarna TE's?

Pretty high spec and from the reviews I've read and the riders on thumpertalk.com they are pretty shit hot bikes.