Bought a pumpkin...

[firffighter]

I love how a KTM thread always gets lots of attention.

I really think a lot has to do with terrain. After 2 KTM's, I like the KDX220 for the tight, steep, nasty, wet stuff here in Oregon. The advantages of the KDX220 are its torque for climbing, its soft suspension to soak up rocks, roots, etc. at slow speed, its short rake for tight turning, and its durability.

I have only ridden the 200exc's and 300exc's, so I couldn't tell you how a 250 compares. I would love to try one though. The 200's I owned were a ton of fun in the open terrain for sure. They are also supper light and slim so you can toss them around. But, there is stuff that my 220 gets up and over that my KTM200 couldn't do. The 300's I've ridden have the torque, but you have to have a steady throttle hand in tight woods or else you get into trouble quick.

The price is also a factor for sure. Not too many great woods machines for under $3K.

Hope you enjoy your new ride, and keep us posted with ride reports.

[wanaride]

Price? $3850 used. I could have gotten an older one for cheaper but I wanted THAT bike.

I did some trail riding with the kids this weekend. This was the first time I've had the KTM in the woods, and I was very impressed. The power, handling and suspension were confidence inspiring. I felt better on this bike on my first trail ride than I ever felt on my KDX200. It could all be in my head, of course, but it sure felt real.

I need to play with the fork clickers to get the rebound a wee bit faster, but it is close to what I want with the stock settings. I don't know how the weight compares but the bike felt very light and flickable as the trail switched back and forth. The KTM made me feel like a hero! The bike would lug all day, and when you wanted more power it was there in abundance, but it was sooo controllable. Even with the "aggressive" power valve spring, the bike was totally controllable with no noticeable hit. The wider gear spacing with the XCW allowed me to keep it in second gear for most of the day. Not once did I think I was in over my head with this bike.

Yep, just like you thought, the KTM sucked...

[Indawoods]

I was the same way about my KTM... I wanted to justify in my head that the 3K I just laid down was worth it. After a sore ass... super stiff suspension and the kicker of looping the thing out really really bad... I came to the conclusion that I was in over my head in the woods and sold it to get a KDX.

I have never looked back. But this is my experience and I am happy that the bike is working out for you... you deserve it!

[jc7622]

It's not that you were over your head, Inda. I think they just don't have the same smooth, controlable powerband as the KDX. I rode a friend's KTM300 this weekend. The power delivery sucked. It must have been jetted wrong or something because it was like a 125...nothing on bottom...let the revs build and then...wham there it goes.

We rode on a really rough, technical trail later that day and he did struggle with it on some of the hill climbs. By the end of the ride I was challenging myself to see if I could ride up the steep sections without breaking the rear wheel loose. The KTM's were spinning wildly.

[Colorado Mike]

yeah it was jetted wrong. I've ridden the 300 and really liked the motor, almost electric inpower delivery. I really hated everything else about it though. Perfect bike for me would be a KTM 300 motor in a YZ 125 frame. Might not last long , but wow, what a combo.

[Jeb]

I'll second Colorado's Mike comment on the 300 motor and the probable poor jetting. 'Rode one last year, 'like having an electric motor. A very STRONG electric motor.

[firffighter]

I will say, that the prices of used KTM's has come down quite a bit lately. There is an '06 250XCW locally for $3K. A year or two ago '99 and '00's were going for that price.

I will stick with the KDX though. It fits my needs just fine.

[skipro3]

It's all about recreation. If you are having fun on your bike, then why change? I'm sure carvr is of that thought. If anyone could ever wear out a KDX, it would be that guy. His is still strong as ever!

A KDX is the woods weapon for the recreational rider as well as the aspiring competitor. It'll take you from that vacant field down at the end of the street, to the trophy podium at any enduro out there. How ever much you put into that KDX, you are going to get back out.

Sure wish we could swap out wimmen like we do bikes... wanna see if you got a good one, just go try one out. Bikes, not wimmen. They don't like us to do that.

[kawagumby]

A woman who lets you buy whatever bike you want is pretty good tho. Best of both worlds.

[canyncarvr]

Lets you buy?

Mine bought the KDX for me in the first place!

Did I mention I got a trials tire for Idaho?....

[firffighter]

CC, which trials tire did you get?

Make sure to give us a report on how it does.

I'm still waiting on my back ordered MT43

[kawagumby]

Lets you buy?

Mine bought the KDX for me in the first place!

Nirvana...attained. I am humbled.

[canyncarvr]

I just brought it up to make ski happy..he's SO concerned that my lil 200 be prepared as best it can for Sawtooth conditions.........

This thread has taken a turn or two.....

Anyway..the guide guy (no1clyde) said he has one bike with a trials tire..one with some kind'a Maxxis or other. He said it got pretty rocky there. I got to looking at a brand new M5B..all the space between the knobs..thinking of rocks getting crammed between the knobs, then getting tossed..and the resulting bump and loss of traction.

So I got the ONE not knobby 18" tire they had..and that at the third shop I asked. It's a Kenda 270. Yeah...not really a trials tire at all...but SSHHsshhhhhhh...don't tell ski that!

There are DR650 riders that have used 'em for 5000 miles and still have 50% tread. They are supposedly pretty darn good traction..unless it's wet. Which is pretty much what you would expect considering the tread pattern.

Pushing a knob on the M5B is like trying to move a 3/4" stub of rebar sticking out of Grand Coulee. On the Kenda..it smushes all over the place.

Sorry about the technical terms. I'm not really TRYing to talk over everyone's head yanno............ I've been told my communication skills are pretty crummy...........

I'll be taking my brandy-new M5B along just in case.

[Mr. Wibbens]

I just brought it up to make ski happy..he's SO concerned that my lil 200 be prepared as best it can for Sawtooth conditions.........

Lil 200 goes more places his puny lil 250 ever will

So I got the ONE not knobby 18" tire they had..and that at the third shop I asked. It's a Kenda 270. Yeah...not really a trials tire at all...but SSHHsshhhhhhh...don't tell ski that!

There are DR650 riders that have used 'em for 5000 miles and still have 50% tread. They are supposedly pretty darn good traction..unless it's wet. Which is pretty much what you would expect considering the tread pattern.

I think most DR650 tend to be full of **** most of the time
I think 3000 miles tops is about the norm

I'll be taking my brandy-new M5B along just in case.

Good thing

[fuzzy]

Can't expect too much out of a 'Zook dirt bike... Not to piss in anyone's cheerios, but I always hated their dirt stuff, and the DR's seemed especially junky. On their other side, Wib loves his V-Strom, and their sport bikes are good going all the way back to the 70's...