2t Ktm for a .. commuter ??

[ben_wheely]

Well the drz is giving me engine troubles, as something seem so to have blown again (valve, valve seal or piston ring i believe). Its being picked up thursday to be sorted. I do like riding it, i do like the torque, acceleration and bottom end power, but its hard work off the road. It is the S version and slightly heavier and less powerful then the E, but it does the trick. Since ive had a proper off roader, i've been getting into a lot of green laning, and my father is a member of the trf, so we do their events too (only whiteway barton motocross track so far) And i do enjoy it, but its a bit big and heavy and quiet a handful for my little off-roading experience...

The drz is good for what i do.. commute to work, green lane, take girlfriend on the back. It also has the luxuries of indicators, rear pegs, speedo, long lasting oil and a (kind of) reliable engine.

I rode my fathers wr250 on the road the other day to get parts for the drz, found it a lot lighter, better handling, braking and surprising quick for a 250. So all this goodness on the road, i bet its twice as nice as the drz off the road. I didn't try it out though.

So im after a new bike, although i like the wr i dont fancy one as maintanence is pretty crazy, i been looking into a crfx230, and maybe ... but i have an urge to go back to 2-stroke ! So without i doubt i looked into ktm's. Now i know the modern 2-smokers need you to mix oil into the petrol which is a bitch (although ive heard a marked baby bottle does the trick) but the EGS comes with a prelube system, and a 'normal' oil tank. Only thing is the EGS was stopped being made since 2001, but an old bikes still good .. yea ?

Well after all this writing i get to the bottom of it. I need a bike that i can commute to work and green lane on weekends. My work is only 7 miles away from home and is all town riding so the maximum speed (by law) is 40. So this isn't really a lot ? Would a 2-stroke ktm be up for this ? Would it start every morning ?Or will i be getting myself into a lot of problems ? I am looking at a 200 exc/egs, surely being a 2-smoker that a small run everyday would do it good ?

If not can anyone else suggest ? Sorry for the essay, just thought i would put you into my shoes.

[MarJay]

It won't be ideal for a daily bike. It will need rebuilding after a number of hours rather than mileage, and as such you'll be rebuilding it every few weeks.

I'd suggest getting a CG125 for the commute and the KTM for the weekends off road.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[ben_wheely]

Even the exc range ?

That is the thing though, i need 1 bike for the both, and i would rather cycle than have a CG125.

[G]

The 2 stroke EXCs have quite reasonable service intervals in hours; maybe 30 or 45 at the lowest?

However I'm not sure how it would take to town riding; suspect you would be going through maybe too many 'heat cycles' and also clog it up a bit if you're not opening it up for that much of the time.

Same engine, but the CCM404E loses a bit of weight to the DRZ and has better suspension.
XR250 is also worth considering. CRF230 is still rather new and expensive.

I would like a KTM 200cc 2stroke, but not sure how well it would handle a daily commute; definitely not designed for that sort of thing!
While the EXC range isn't as 'hardcore' as the SX motocross bikes, but is still a competition enduro bike.

[ben_wheely]

Service intervals meaning i would have to rebuild it ? I understand what you mean about not opening it up, but there is a few nice stretches coming into town (im on the outskirts) and its only normally a 20-25 min ride. Although i guess i wouldn't get away with telling mr officer that i had to open it up else it could clog up or overheat

Ok so how do the 4t exc 250's compare with maintenence ? How regular are oil/filter changes and valve clearance checks ? I would rather spend time maintaining a bike then rebuilding one.

[G]

Don’t think the ‘rebuilds’ are that often, might be; but it’s simpler than doing valve shims in a 4 stroke. The 4 stroke EXCs have much tighter service intervals; depends on the year etc, but in the past I’ve definitely seen them at 15 hours.
Remember these are competition machines; they are designed to be as highly tuned as they can get away with to win Enduros; then often be at least partially stripped and inspected straight after.
Not what I’d choose for a daily commuter, really.

[KTM Gordo]

Something else to bear in mind is that as a competition bike it's built for speed and not for comfort - the seat will not be all that comfortable a place to be. Especially on pot-holed streets.
____________________
Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.

KTM 990 Adventure | KTM EXC 250 Racing | Land Rover Freelander SE Td4

[ben_wheely]

Ok thanks, im not too bothered about comfort im 19 not 40

[G]

You may well be after sitting on a hard saddle for that long; though I haven't found my 690 saddle that bad for short distance and it's harder than some mx saddles . Definitely gets nasty for long distances though.

[ben_wheely]

So what do you mean by service intervals? A plug chop to see if its running lean/rich, and changing the plug occassionaly like any 2t ? Or is there more involved for a higher tuned engine such as the 200 exc ? Is the services 'do-able' in your home garage ?

[MarJay]

[G]

I suggest you look at some KTM manuals; as mentioned before, available for download on their website. They can be a bit confusing for some years, with there being various difference service schedules; so basic ‘inspection’ ones you do your self and others that they recommend you get a dealer to do, but are perfectly possible to do yourself.

[ben_wheely]

[mr.tattoo]

2 strokes are fine, people who slate em dont own them, my 300 and 380 are fine in moto trim and dailey use, new rings every40/50 hours and piston 80/100 and youl be fine. much more fun and way cheaper to fix if they break, if you ride to slow youl foul a plug but thats no biggy, my 300 never does. a 250 exc ktm will wipe the floor on and off road with your drizzle mate....... wr250 are great little bikes and VERY reliable for a 4 banger 250......
____________________
www.surreysupermotos.co.uk

dyno . tuning . mot . spares . repairs , kent / surrey borders !!!