Info on KTM's please

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

Hi BCF thanks to the advice of the forum (particularly G) i've decided i'm going to get a off road bike purley for fun and keep my road bike (tcat) for touring/ long trips.

However i'm still not clued up on the different types of bikes available and their advantages. I see that the 300exc is praised a lot on this forum and it's a bike i'm really considering but i can't really be sure as i don't enough about the other bikes they offer.

I had a 2T Dt125R that i sold as i didn't like the power delivery or the weight of it. It was utterly useless off road as i had to slip the bloody clutch constantly to get it moving in the thick mud, it had literally no low end and the power band started to get on my nerves. Is this common with DT's and is the 300 exc completely different or is this a 2T thing?

I also love the sound of the 4 stroke dirt bikes. I heard a drz400 fly past my house the other day. Omg that thing even for something considered sluggish was amazing. My DT had an annoying high pitch wine, like bee's in a tin can Embarassed

not cool.

Main use for the bike will be off roading in thick mud, deep water and some green lanes with the occasional hoon around town.. Maybe the odd commute.

I'm not specific to KTM's but the exc range appeals to me. I have a budget of £1000.

Could you guys kindly inform me on the differences between each bike and what one you'd recommend to me? I did search google all i could find was owners praising each bike, no real comparisons. Thanks Smile

Marmaduke · Scooby Slapper Joined: 08 Jan 2013 Karma :

Good luck getting the KTM for £1000 (that isn't falling apart) Neutral

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

Plenty of older 300EXCs going for that sort of price. I got a 98 model with 2005 suspension for £960 I think it was. Some spares the turns generally good nick, though a bit tatty as you'd expect.
Seen plenty of others get similar deals

4 strokes at that price range are more questionable - to start with, you can't get as old ones.

As for the 2 stroke power delivery - a 125EXC is a lot different to a DT.
Sure, it's pretty revvy, but it probably makes more power before the powerband kicks in than the road bike does at peak power. And its probably lower geared as stock.

The 300EXC is very different, with a very smooth flat delivery with oodles of low down pull - you can tickle it up steep muddy hills and the like.

You'd be able to get a DRZ for not off that budget, but they are a good bit heavier than a DT.

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

First off - get a push bike Smile

.

Now you're saving on daily fuel costs, even though that's not much on a YBR,

Next, get a job if you don't have one, they give you money Smile

.

I'd keep an eye out for a 250cc+ enduro bike from the mid 90s onwards.

CRM250s have come down in price a lot. They are not a 300EXC, but should do just fine for green laning - still a good chunk lighter than a DRZ etc.

I'd look to try and get a ride on a dirt bike or two and see how you find it.
Also, ride your Thundercat if you haven't.

Work out which activity you like more.

Have you got off road gear?
Getting properly kitted up costs too.

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

People said the same to me about the Husaberg 501. Never found moddern bigger bikes to be a problem - if you ride them slowly, they'll pootle just fine.

Something like the KTM200 I had was a bit more of a pain as it really took off when you hit the power band. However, I'd be happy at greenlaning speeds - it was more irksome when tired at the end of a four hour enduro and you're letting the bike doing the riding while you try and hold on!
I doubt I'd find it an issue on the lanes however.

Note that the later KTMs come with adjustable powervalve springs that can change the feel of the delivery, so can be set more aggressively, but generally they aren't by default.

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

Fuck it, grab the EXC, tidiest best kept one you can for your money.

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

A competition dirt bike is great fun for the right situation.
Your situation sounds like it could be problematic - lots of short journeys on a performance 2 strokes where it doesn't have a chance to to warm up may not be great.

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

What about a 525 G? I heard it's just oil/filter changes and valve checks which seems too easy? Valve checks on my ybr was a doddle, is it a lot harder on the 525?

I've fell in love with ktm riders Embarassed

looks ace. Should be better on road too right? Not as much engine warming and idles better? engine braking would be nice aswell. I don't mind having to warm it up each time if all it I need to is let it idle, but I have heard for the 2 smokes its a bit more then that as they tend to 'load up' on idle?

Thanks for the help G and um.. encouragment Paddy Laughing

Sorry I keep asking questions, I tend to 'jump the gun' a lot and want to make sure I do things right this time. Thumbs Up

..I will probably just hear another 525 'roar' past and on the night be searching ebay for one Whistle

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

A 525 is a bike with worse service intervals and worse reliability than a 300 and will cost more when it goes wrong.
A bike with a lot more spinning parts that weren't designed for sustained high rpm - seen a good few used for road use blow up a bit too soon.

There's no ports to cause issues, but it's still a performance engine made to win races - and one that does very well at it. A good warm up will be important.

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

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

Meh, I have a shit bike for the daily run, costs peanuts and lets me run my bigger bike when I want to as I have spare cash flying around. Laughing

Dischord · World Chat Champion Joined: 08 May 2005 Karma :

EXC's are fine as everyday bikes, the service intervals stated in the manual are slightly exaggerated and I wouldn't follow them unless the bike was brand new. I sold my EXC 125 to a friend and he uses it everyday to work which is only 2 miles away - no problems.
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rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

Rode a ktm 360exc 1997 today for a few minutes on some grass..

Shocked

holy shit..

First thing I noticed was how tall the thing was! I thought my dt125 was tall but even leaning off the edge of the 360exc's seat at 5'10 i had to tip toe with one foot to touch the floor Neutral

maybe it was just that bike and the suspension had been fucked with?

The power delivery was mental Very Happy

he said something about it having a car air filter and the end can was fucked.. Also wasn't in the best condition (didn't even have a back brake Shocked

) but even with those issues it hooked up really well. Everytime the guy gave it full throttle in the wet grass (I wasn't brave enough) the front wheel lifted.

It did pull well and I managed to pick up some speed even pulling away in 3rd but it still felt like a 2 stroke power delivery wise and I did kinda wish the power band was lower in the revs but still well impressed with it.

How is the 360exc compare to the 300exc? I think if the 300 has more low end and less of a 'hit' from the powerband it will be perfect.

Thanks.

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

Proper dirt bikes are tall - that's how they are.

I've got a couple of inches on you but shortish legs. I'm certainly not 'flat footing' it and may well be on toes - but they're light bikes so it's not an issue.

I haven't ridden a 360, but did used to have a 350 which I suspect had relatively more brutal delivery than the 360 as it didn't have a powervalve at all.

The 300 I had was much calmer than that with a very flat delivery - however, they can be set up to be more aggressive, so do make sure you get a ride first and work out what you need to do to calm it down if it has been set up aggressively.

Fizzer Thou · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :

Love my 450EXCRFS

https://i1309.photobucket.com/albums/s624/YamaBlue2/Bikes/HafrenRally2008011_zpsaea714d3.jpg

Easy to touch the ground with both feet as well (no I am not 20st - only 13.5st)

But I would not use the bike for everyday transport though.With no ignition switch it never leaves my sight when out and about.
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rhys1005 · Crazy Courier Joined: 02 Oct 2010 Karma :

Fizzer Thou · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Aug 2011 Karma :

I paid a lot under the RRP for my 450.As for the boots,they are SIDI Adventure but are falling apart now as been used for enduros,rallies and greenlaning.I have a new pair of Alpinestars but they are like walking around in deep sea diving boots as they are not as flexible as the SIDIs.

I forget what make the enduro jeans are,but the over-the-boot style certainly keeps the water and mud out of the top of the boots.
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'