GasGas 300 Enduro's? - Changed my mind, its 4 stroke time!

[SamJL]

Im thinking of selling my KTM 200sx and getting a GasGas 300 Enduro so I can go green laning, as everywhere I ride is closing down. I do like to go on track now and then, and I also like a bit of Enduro, but track's mainly! I really want something I can green lane on aswell! Iv'e basically narrowed it down to 2 choices! The Gas Gas 300's seem very cheap for what your getting, Iv'e seen 2005 bikes going for around £1500 ready to go, and 2002 KTM 300EXC's usually go for more then that, for an older bike!

Either a GasGas 300 on around a 2005, they seem very cheap!

Or a KTM 300EXC on a 2002 or maybe earlier, these seem alot more expensive then the GasGas!

How different are the two bikes, and whats the better bike?

Thanks, Sam
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[euan]

I have nothing to compare it to as it is my first offroad bike but I really like my Gas Gas 300.

Only had it for a few months but it is always good fun, tons of power and feels really easy to throw around.

I paid 1000 for a 2000 model.

[Blue_SV650S]

[SamJL]

The GasGas is looking good due to the price, but I have a KTM now and love it, so want something as good. Does anyone know what the weight difference is like? Although I want it to be road legal, I ride MX Tracks and the odd Enduro track so I want something that can handle that, as well as a bit of greenlaning! The lighter the better, I like jumping and don't really want a heavy bike!
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[G]

Why not road register the 200? Planning to do that to mine and might actually get around to it as it seems I shall have some spare time.

[SamJL]

[G]

Fair enough then.

The 250 and 300cc bikes have a lot more sedate feel when not being ragged as I think I've mentioned before.
They're a few kg heavier, but not much - think under 5kgs for a similar year. All the KTMs do use the same suspension, etc.

I wouldn't say there's a massive difference between the big Gas Gas and KTMs.

[SamJL]

I think the 300EXC is the one for me!

Although I was looking at Husaberg 450E's as they seem quite cheap, but I think its a bit to heavy off road for what I want.
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[SamJL]

Well after riding my friends 06 YZF250 at the weekend, I will be getting a 4 stroke next. Its just so much easier to ride fast, and the suspension seemed softer and nicer then my KTM. I was instantly faster on his YZF then I am on my KTM that I have over 2 years riding on! It was just such a nice bike, soaked up everything, was amazing over whoops and bumps.

My KTM is great on a smooth track, its a very fast and nimble bike, but his YZF just seems to soak up every bump, very easy to ride fast, and with it being a 4 stroke, you don't have to work any where near as hard. I had alot more fun in the 1 hour I rode his bike for, then the 2 years Iv'e had my bike for, the power delivery just made it so much nice to ride, it was awesome! My bike has even been re-sprung for my weight, but it just doesn't compare for me! Iv'e always been a fan of 2 strokes, its all Iv'e ridden off road for years, Iv'e never wanted to go 4 stroke, but after riding my the YZF Its completely changed my mind!

So, now im off to look for a YZF250 thats been made road legal, or possibly a WR250

Does anyone know how much KTM 200sx's sell for? I've just had a new piston and gasket set put in it, and I will be putting a new rear tyre, new sticker set and new grips on it as well! Any Idea of what the going rate is? Iv'e tried to look around but can't find any for sale, due to the rareness of the bike!
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[G]

Remember you've been riding a 4 stroke motocross bike compared to a big bore 125 enduro bike.
I'd still suggest you get a go on a 250/300 enduro bike if you haven't as they have a very different character.

Did you try any big jumps etc on the YZF? Often a bike can feel pretty harsh because it's been setup to handle the worst possible situations - while if you are riding a bike that feels quite smooth, it can mean it can't handle the nastier stuff.

I've always found the KTMs to be a little harsher and thought the Gas Gas 300 I had ridden felt smoother, but taking the same one for a reasonable lap at Ashdown Farm showed that when takien over nastier stuff it was just as harsh as my KTM.
With the bigger 4 strokes I know they can often feel smoother thanks to more momentum in the unsprung mass, but of course you lose out in other ways - but haven't heard this for the smaller ones so much.

Enduronews is a reasonable place to get an idea of prices - keep an eye out as usually 200s come up with some regularity.

[SamJL]

I did, what I would concider, some reasonable sized jumps on it, and a couple of times, I messed up, missed the down slope and flat landed, and it seemed to take everything in its stride, it felt as nice as then the KTM landing jumps, although the KTM did feel like it could handle the big jumps a little better, it also felt nicer through the rough stuff. It's just the way I got on it, and was instantly quicker then I am on my KTM, the 4 stroke just seemed to suit me more aswell, less rev's needed, could keep it in the mid range, less gear changes, and not as much need for me to keep using the clutch. I know this sounds like my being lazy, but I found it so much more fun to ride.

I know someone with a KTM 300EXC on around a 2004, so I will have a go on that and see how it feels compared to the 4 stroke bikes. But to be honest Iv'e pretty much got my mind set on a 4 stroke now, unless the 300 massively impresses me! His bike was pretty much standard aswell, just an exhaust, no suspension mod's, it just felt perfect. Did a few lap's on it, and was so much quicker then I was on my KTM. I like the raw power of the KTM, but I much preffered the power delivery and the low down on the YZF.

I will try a few bikes before I make my mind up. Iv'e narrowed it down to one of the 300's if they really impress me, or a YZF250, or CRF250. I don't really want a 450 4 stroke, I know there quite heavy and I think the power will be a bit to much for me.
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2009 CBR1000RR
2004 KTM 200SX
2004 KTM 65SX

[Blue_SV650S]

for enduro/green laning, I think a yz/wr is a mitake over the 300 2t ...

that said, the suspension on my ktm is way too soft for me if I wanted to do jumps, yet I think my wr would be ok
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The purpose of life is to fight maturity.

[G]

Motocross bikes are generally considered to have a bit better suspension anyway, though on KTMs I thought they were generally fairly similar bar some extra adjustment on the motocross models (preload adjusters as stock on the front etc).
I would have thought the 250f MX bike wouldn't be so great for laning as blue suggests, but if it works for you .

[Blue_SV650S]