New Bike! Putting the XR400 in the bin!

[RSTMatt]

Steve, is a EXC suitable or too 'competition'? Should I be looking at 2stroke or 4 stroke?

Luke, when the XR is working I really enjoy it! Problem being is 1) the kick start is badly designed for a man vertically challenged, and it just will not start from cold without easy start. I've done a top end rebuild, cleaned the carb and every other trick on the web and I just want something I can trust and be confident it'll start in the morning!!

[Billy]

Depends which model,the 400 is perfect but hold there prices so expect to pay top money.If you want a 4/stroke have a look at a yamaha wr 250,honda crf 250 or a yamaha ttr 250.2/stroke only one i can think of for a relative new rider is a crm 250,again a very underated bike.Having only ridden with you once i cant really remember how you ride but the only point i am trying to make is dont get something that is too much of a handfull because it will put you off and you wont enjoy the riding.Seen it too many times where guys want a big hairy scary dirt bike and it bites their arses and you never see them again.These is all my own opinions so listen to other views, we all have different ideas on bikes.I personally love 2/stroke KTM`s but know they don`t suit everyone and would certainly not recommend them to a newish rider but others may disagree.The ideal situation is to get your bike running and next time you go on a run have a go on everyone elses bike.Good luck, its a lot of money if you get it wrong..............

[Stewie]

Another thing to consider, is the distance to the lanes, where a 4 banger would be more user friendly than a 2 smoke, your more than welcome to come down, and we could take 2 of the 2 smokes out ( Kawasaki KDX220R and the KTM300exc ) around the local lanes.

[gavinskii]

I have a Husky TE 250, having come from a KTM 400 EXC.

The Husky is a twin cam engine and I think feels very similar in power to the KTM 400.

I have enjoyed both bikes, however I earned my spurs on a Yamaha TTR250, excellent machine, no rads to worry about bending and they really hold their money really well and don't need too much maintenance.

Suggest run one of those first, then move up to something more specialist.

[Billy]

I have a Husky TE 250, having come from a KTM 400 EXC.

The Husky is a twin cam engine and I think feels very similar in power to the KTM 400.

I have enjoyed both bikes, however I earned my spurs on a Yamaha TTR250, excellent machine, no rads to worry about bending and they really hold their money really well and don't need too much maintenance.

Suggest run one of those first, then move up to something more specialist.

+1 for TTR250 , lovely little bikes.

[RSTMatt]

Cheers for your input guys. All things considered I'm leaning towards a KTM EXC 250 2 stroke.
Mainly because it seems 90% of TRF riders ride them, I want something new-ish and reliable, something easy to maintain and I don't now have the issue of getting to the lanes as I now have a work van.

Only issue is Steve said this wouldn't be good for a new-ish rider, is it too powerful? Would a 200 be better? Or a 250 4 stroke?

[Dave]

Based on that I would recommend a 250 4 stroke. More than enough power, smooth power, no need to carry oil, more reliable and more forgiving on road journeys.

The 2stroke is lighter, faster, more powerful than a 4banger of the same cc and more fun once you get the knack of them. Comparatively to a 4 stroke the maintenance intervals are shorter. The older KTM 2strokes aren't as reliable as the new ones; or so I have been told.

Both will do well on the lanes. Your choice, have fun!

[Billy]

You will certainly notice the difference between the XR and the KTM 2/stroke,be very carefull when buying as most of these bikes have been enduroed to death,do not go to Wales to buy one.Factor into the purchase cost at least a set of rings,probably a new piston and the cylinder replated,thats apart from anthing else.Dont forget these are race bikes and have probably been raced.When i did enduro`s many years ago i would change my bike every year as they would be totally shagged after one year of abuse.Hope you find a good one and enjoy it.

[Raleigh Chopper]

Matt,
I started trail riding a year ago on a TTR250 which is very easy to ride and will just about go anywhere, its only downside is that it is a little on the heavy side but you get used to that and all its other attributes make up for that. It is very forgiving and when you starting losing control and accidently give it a big handful of unintentional throttle you do not end up in the next county! The other great thing is that it needs very little maintenance. Like yourself I was recently drawn to a 1 year old Husky TE250 but when I learned it needs an oil change every 8 hours (bear in mind Halfords 20/50 is not recommended) a piston change every 32 hours and a new cylinder head at 50' something hours I realised this was definately not for me. The non injection Huskys pre-2009 are not as heavy on maintenance but they still have an expensive taste when it comes to oil.
Dave is correct about the wr250r which is the trail version of the '250f' but they are a bit on the expensive side and you may strugggle to get one for £3k.

Anyway good luck with the search.

Derek

[mikebikewatts]

And it maybe worth giving Tracksense a call to see if they have any of their 2005 TTRs for £1500 left as mentioned in Dave's note of December 16th. Blues are Royal!

[G-Bru]

http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewit ... 0929617995

G

[Dave]

Looks 'origional' hahaha