Has anyone plated A KTM 250(4 stroke)XC or XC-W?

[kojack06]

I'm interested in hearing thoughts and feedback on this. I've never ridden one but it seems they would be a great dirt road/Big Bend bike.

[SilverBullet]

XC and XC-W are both two strokes. But irregardless either of those or a XCF-W 4 stroke can be plated and would handle dirt roads/Big Bend with ease ... but unless you also plan on some single track riding in the mix probably not the best tool due to shorter service intervals. Nothing very technical about dirt roads and Big Bend riding so I would opt for a tamer dual sport like a WR250R with much longer service intervals and engine life. Dirt road riding to me says you'll be putting plenty of miles on the bike.

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[codyy]

Originally Posted by kojack06

I'm interested in hearing thoughts and feedback on this. I've never ridden one but it seems they would be a great dirt road/Big Bend bike.

450/525 better.

The 250 doesn't pull enough torque for longer gearing that's required for road duty. I typically run a 14/50 combo on my 525 that nets me a 70mph cruise without spinning the motor too much. Especially at big bend where you're dealing with long fast stretches where I'll be cruising in the 50mph range and running up to 75-80mph in spots.

A plated 250 would be great, but only if you're linking trails say at Talimena or in Arkansas; where you have elevation changes but not to the extreme of Colorado where it will effect power.

Also, I'm not sure where you're coming from, but the KTMs are not an XR as far as maintenance goes. I've currently got three, and have owned 7 over the last 10 years. I'll "most likely" never buy another Jap bike, but be aware of what you're getting into.

[kojack06]

I was reading an issue of Dirt Bike from several years ago and they had a test of the 250 four stroke wide ratio and spoke of what a great bike it was and essentially it being on a much higher performance tier than the WR250. I was just interested if someone had plated one. Completely understand the motorcycle was designed as an off-road motorcyle. Thanks!

[ekms377]

Unless you need to go 65-70mph.....250 is just fine.

[codyy]

Originally Posted by ekms377

Unless you need to go 65-70mph.....250 is just fine.

It's the ONLY way to fly

[hizzo3]

An adventure set up on a 500exc is on my list for this category. Its lighter than a wrr and much more power. Heavier in maintenance, but there are some work a rounds for that. I would say 300cc min for freeway, 250cc is OK for FM or county. YMMV

In all honesty though, you are talking 30 lbs difference between the two dry, in stock form. By the time you add lights mirrors and such, your not far off from a 350exc in terms of weight. Then the 350 is only about 11 lbs lighter than the 500.

I could stand to lose 11 lbs and call it even game and have more

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[stan817]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

XC and XC-W are both two strokes. But irregardless either of those or a XCF-W 4 stroke can be plated and would handle dirt roads/Big Bend with ease ... but unless you also plan on some single track riding in the mix probably not the best tool due to shorter service intervals. Nothing very technical about dirt roads and Big Bend riding so I would opt for a tamer dual sport like a WR250R with much longer service intervals and engine life. Dirt road riding to me says you'll be putting plenty of miles on the bike.

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You think a WR250 has "much longer service intervals and engine life" than a KTM 450 ?? What do you base that on??

[hizzo3]

Originally Posted by stan817

You think a WR250 has "much longer service intervals and engine life" than a KTM 450 ?? What do you base that on??

The manual?

Compare the two maintenance schedules. Not sure on overall life, but typically the more maintenance intensive it is, the more likely something will get missed.

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[Jbay]

he's talking WR250R comes street legal, not 250F dirt bike

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Jbay

he's talking WR250R comes street legal, not 250F dirt bike

Correct as I was trying to push him to a dual sport instead of a plated high performance dirt bike which is just not needed for dirt roads.

WR250R has a service interval of 26,000 miles for valve adjustments and 4,000 miles for oil change. 250XCF-W is what 2,000 miles for valves and 1,000 miles for oil? I didn't even bother to look it up because I know it is not even ballpark to the WRR.

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[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by stan817

You think a WR250 has "much longer service intervals and engine life" than a KTM 450 ?? What do you base that on??

The first valve adjust on the Yamaha is at 16k I believe. Heck, on the KTM you will be through your first top end by then.

For Big Bend I had a WR450 and now that I have my KLR I wouldn't dream of taking that WR back there. It is way too overkill, too buzzy, too twitchy, too harsh (unless going warp 7 or higher), and just wasn't much fun to do. Now for someone that doesn't know how to ride dirt, a KLR doesn't make for a good beginner bike. But if you know how to ride it does just fine.

[codyy]

Oranges and blueberries

[hizzo3]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

Correct as I was trying to push him to a dual sport instead of a plated high performance dirt bike which is just not needed for dirt roads.

WR250R has a service interval of 26,000 miles for valve adjustments and 4,000 miles for oil change. 250XCF-W is what 2,000 miles for valves and 1,000 miles for oil? I didn't even bother to look it up because I know it is not even ballpark to the WRR.

_

True, however you can do mods that help with oil change intervals. Valves need checking but aren't that often out of spec on the new ones. Most just run it until it has trouble starting. On the 500 its closer to 12k miles. The ktm though is 50 lbs lighter with more power. Just depends on his specific needs.

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[DFW_Warrior]

Originally Posted by codyy

Oranges and blueberries

I agree. And when you are planning on making orange juice why on earth would you try to use blueberries? Why would any sane person want a high strung race bike for riding easy dirt roads and pavement?

That is an honest question. I had one, it sucked. Lucky for me I ride a ton of trails so it wasn't a big waste of a bike. If the goal is to look cool with all the other middle aged ADV crowd, then yes, orange all the way! Otherwise, they are way too overkill for Big Bend and any other TX style dual sporting.

[poser]

For dirt roads and big bend why not got for the KTM 690. That's a sweet ride!

[poser]

I'm feel'n a little orange hate
Don't listen to it, get orange, they make you a better rider and if not at least you look better picking it up off the ground like me

[Jbay]

cant we pick on these guys instead?

[hizzo3]

Originally Posted by Jbay

cant we pick on these guys instead?

Hey! He has one of Rod's shirts!

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[codyy]

Originally Posted by DFW_Warrior

I agree. And when you are planning on making orange juice why on earth would you try to use blueberries? Why would any sane person want a high strung race bike for riding easy dirt roads and pavement?

That is an honest question. I had one, it sucked. Lucky for me I ride a ton of trails so it wasn't a big waste of a bike. If the goal is to look cool with all the other middle aged ADV crowd, then yes, orange all the way! Otherwise, they are way too overkill for Big Bend and any other TX style dual sporting.

Whatever you say Sparky, as long as you can keep up.