id go 4 stroke i know alot will tell you that. i grew up on 2 strokes and hated the slow heavy 4 strokes, until i got a yz 4263 years ago, holy shiznit i though. they are pretty close to the 2 stroke for weight especially the newer ones with aluminum frames. i now have a 03 crf 450 and i love it.
while i was on my 426 i cun run with and or beat every person i rode with on the trails except 2 and they were both pro racer's on untter light weight ktm 200sx's they have both since then went to ktm 450 sx bikes, and they are realy good, both are A class riders. in the same time they went to the 450's we rode a few times and in those times, i was able to keep the lead on them for 1/4 of the ride and maintain thier pace after i got to tired of them riding me like a french whore. hehe. i need to ride with them again now with the honda 450.
the new 450 4 strokes have utter crap loads of grunt great for on the trail, lets say you get surprized at a realy steep uphill you wernt planning on just grap some throttle and go, no need to down shift like on a 2 stroke to get into the power band. that and fuel range my honda 450 has roughly 2 times the range of my brother inlaws cr 250. were i can make most loops here in MI on my stock tank he cant with out a long range tank. for me the new 4 strokes are the better bike.
if your trail riding and agressively here is a short list of must have's
1. bark buster's or what every brand you like just make sure they are made of some kind of METAL, with or with out the little plastic wind gaurd. stay away from the all plastic ones.
2. radiator guards and brace's. much cheaper than new radiators.
3. full skidplate not the little guards here and there or a glide plate, go for the big basterd full montey.
4. front and rear disk guard.
5. heavy duty tubes, and carry at least one front tube(because you can always use a front in the rear tire to get you back but not the other way around)
6. a good tool kit and stuff it.
7. a camel back drink system
8. chest protector
9. good boots
10. knee brace's
11.vented goggles
12. and start off before you even ride by taking your brand new bars and cutting a 1/2 inch to a full inch off each side of the bars.
yep that should be a good start.
other things fully redone revalved and resprun suspension for your weight.
ohh i forgot come on up to MI we have a butt load of trails up here. they are of varying types aswell, if you want high speed trails we gotem, if you want tight trails we gotem, if you want rocky trails we gotem, if you want sand yea we have lotsss of those, elevation changes we got that, and island with almost no dirt to be seen and only rock we got that to. hehe.
Looks like your having a good time. I just picked up a CRF450X. What fun that has been. Have fun and watch out for what looks like a little mud puddle.
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Craig
Vancouver, WA
RC51
CRF250R
CRF450X
My wife just got herself a TTR-125 and been riding that thing all weekend.
I am thinking about picking up a dirt bike myself. Planning on doing mostly "aggressive" trail riding.
Can't dicide between the 2-stroke and 4-stroke KTMs.
I know 4-strokes are the way of the future, but 2-strokes are just so much lighter/agile.
So i am thinking to myself:
'06 KTM 300 XC-W
or
'06 KTM 450 EXC-G
Ideas, comments?
Thanks!
KTM is a great choice for an off-road machine. I had a new '02 400 EXC, stepping up from an XR 400. Big improvement in performance & handling with the Katoom. I was instantly faster on the Katoom. After a year of So. CA riding and amateur off-road racing, I wanted something lighter so I went with a 200 EXC (for those of you who aren't familiar with that bike it's a 200 2-stroke in a 125 chassis) and I really enjoy the bike.
4 strokes put down the power totally differently than 2 strokes and there's a definite riding technique change in going from 1 to the other. I noticed it particularly when setting up and during jumps. 4 strokes push the front wheel down on acceleration and 2 strokes pull the front wheel up. Thus, not only do they put down the power differently, as a result, they have different handling characteristics.
If you're used to riding a 4 stroke off-road bike the 400 EXC is a super choice.
If the question (was) is 2 stroke or 4 stroke, I'd say, ask yourself how you want the power delivered (as noted above) and how you want the bike to handle (steer with the front tire or use alot more of the back tire to work the corners.)
Either way, KTM makes great bikes, down to the OE pegs which are larger than many other brands, provide a more stable platform for your feet.
Good Choice!
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2000 Corvette Convertible 408 RWHP, 390 RWTQ. 6spd.
2004 Big Dog Bulldog Prostreet 117"/1918cc S&S. 6spd.
2005 Ducati 999 Biposto - RED
2003 Triumph Bonneville T100. 904cc big bore / FCR 39s.
yep ive thought about getting a 200mxc or sx ktm. the only 2 guys i cant beat right now out of all those i ride with are riding those 200's, but i dont feel terrible the are both A class riders so i shouldnt beable to beat them. there are days and certain trails when i can hang with them or pace them, but never have i been able to beat them. ive often wonderd how riding those bikes would be or riding my last 125 with a bit more arse to it would be.
diggy sorry i didnt get back to man ive been busy with my new to me TL1000R and fixing some crash damage on my crf450. ive only rode in the U.P. once at drummon island (the rock) toughest riding in MI for man and machine. as for the rest of my riding in MI all the trail riding has been in the L.P. normally from 131 or I 75 west. but one thing i have heard is the UP has the best trails as michigan has lots of sand, and the further south in the trail system you go the more whooped out it is.
KTM 300 XC-W or KTM 450 EXC-G
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