Which 2T?

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

I thought I'd put a topic on here before, but I can't seem to find it. Entirely possible I'm being a complete spastic, ofcourse.

In a few weeks / months I should be in the position to buy myself an enduro bike. I've gone right off riding on the road and fancy something with a bit of sparkle.

I want it for green lanes, enduros, hare & hound kind of things. Most of this is new to me, green laning I've done, but nothing more serious than that.

I fancy a two stroke, something a little lively, light and fun.

My first thought was for a 200EXC - but would I be better with a 250 or 300EXC?

Open to suggestions. Gas Gas EC's seem cheap, too.

Budget - £2k max really.
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

If I had the option of 200 EXC or Gas Gas EC250/300, I'd take the Gas Gas.

I'm yet to ride a 300 EXC, the 200 was great for ragging around on at fairly legal speeds, was perfect at green laning IMO.

stevo as b4 · World Chat Champion Joined: 17 Jul 2003 Karma :

Surely a Husqvarna WR, GasGas EC, TM enduro or Beta RR or KTM EXC is all pretty much all the same thing, and all you need to decde is which capacity 200,250,300 you want and which years are affordable in your price range?

I bet there won't be any noticeable difference between any of these specialised enduro bikes in how they ride or parts availability or prices? KTM may have more dealers than the others at a push?

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

The 200 EXC has a frisky power delivery.

Great fun, BUT can get tiring. It's the epitome of a 2 stroke power band. While the 250/300 are very plain.

Later bikes will be lighter and a bit better suspended.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

I've owned a KTM300 and 200 at the same time and the power delivery certainly feels very different.

After playing about a bit on a DR600 the KTM350 was probably the first 'proper' enduro bike I had. Power delivery was similar to the 200, but more so - 350cc 2 stroke with big expansion chamber and no powervalve.
I could kinda feel I got some use of the 200 (more experience helped no doubt), which I couldn't really on the 350. But it was perfectly usable below the powerband and you had the option to rev it harder and chuck some dirt behind you, or very occasionally it'd dig in and take off like that cat of scaldedness.