Single track/woods motorcycles

Oh I agree. Power to weight ratio the 2smoke wins for sure.

 

With all these suggestions and options, this is going to be tough.

Been researching 2smokes tonight a bit, and these bikes have really stepped up the game. Fuel injection, no premix, cheap rebuilds, light, etc.

Downside is the price. Right now, it really doesn’t matter what you get in a KTM, they are all 9600-10500. 300/450/500. The 300 fuel injected has the highest price tag for a 19’.

300


450



500


Honda is bringing back 2smokes for 19’ and the 500cc might be with them. If you have ever tossed a leg over a KX/CR500, you know how exciting that can be.

Yamaha doesn’t have anything exciting in this department. Still on a carb, and the X model is ok, I guess. No waist band boner.

The Husky’s are nice, but priced over their brother (KTM), so might as well go KTM. I do like that the husky 501 traction control and mapping can be used on the KTM 500.

I should get rip roaring drunk and throw darts at pictures on the wall for a selection. At first I had no intention of riding this on the street, but what if I could? I have to insure it anyway (always insure my toys), so I am entertaining this with the 500.

 

I’m really considering a two stroke in the 300cc motor.

No kidding in the Honda’s right?

The lineup I seen was 85, 125, 250, 350, & the big bore 500cc.

I do miss how my CR250R smoker would just rail the corners and pretty much flick it around in the air like nothing. 20-30 lbs changes things on the race track. I have raced around a few tracks on the ol’ YZ426, and that bike was a tank.

 

I have done a metric assload of research, just not sure I am up for a 2 stroke again...I'm a stroker.

That being said, I will be going with a 450 as well.

So far, looks like the KTM 450 XC-F has my mind...and my wallet.

 

Not sure if I will go this season or next. We shall see.

 

I'll be totally honest. I was going to do the KTM 500 for that reason alone (street use). The way Coloradans drive, I just can't risk it. Now with all the distracted driving I see now days.....

I have always been on a 450cc class and feel very comfortable on them, and my riding style. They definitely take some skill to ride efficiently and not kick your own ass. LMAO
A couple of my buddies (13 years younger) went out and jumped on some 450's and damn near killed themselves. One broke his wrist first ride out, the other crashed so hard and about ripped his finger off (quite literally and now we call him Captain Hook, finger can't bend....ladies seem to like it though..). Both were on Yamaha YZ450F in 2010 (first year of the fuel injection). I told them these were horrible bikes to buy for average riders. The first 1/4 twist of throttle was brutal. The bike was designed for 1/2-3/4 throttle and was awesome in that range. Slow and go...not so much.

 

OUCH!!!!

I try to tell people "with skill the speed will come. With speed and no skill...it will kill." I do believe that to be a true statement.

 

Wow, you like keeping your bikes clean and looking good as well. I'm OCD when it comes to plastics, graphics, and overall condition of my bikes.

 

It’s funny that most east coast riders would be on two strokes and west coast would be on four strokes. Interesting seeing the split. From what I hear, if I was on the east coast, pretty sure I would agree. Out here, not so much.

Must be the tight woods riding. I personally stay away from that sort of riding anyway.

I will probably test ride one, if they let me.

 

Yet again, most likely tight woods riding. I’m not debating what’s a better bike for the tight single track, technical stuff. The 2smokes have it hands down.

I’m more of a speed whore.

Apex Motorsports and Rocky Mountain both let me ride the bikes in parking lots. If not, plenty of other dealers.

This 300 has me thinking.....

 

The YZ250 will always have a place in my mind, just not my garage. Started out on one and ran them for years. Only unfortunate thing is they have been really unchanged since 2006, with small updates. I like a great handling bike that corners well. Yamaha has some of the best suspension to this day, even though it’s so old...they were just leap years ahead. Nonetheless, the chassis doesn’t work well with cornering and high speed riding.

In all, the YZ250 is a good MX track bike, but not a good woods bike. If I wanted a MX bike and try and tune it for a woods bike, the Yamaha would not be my choice.

In this part of my life, I’m done trying to make a Ford Mustang beat a Corvette around a track. I’m just going to buy the Corvette and save a lot of money and disappointment.

 

Went out and looked at some bikes today.

I guess Colorado Springs is not the place to purchase a KTM. Today I seen a 11400.00 2019 350 XC. I laughed and walked out.

Denver has some good deals, and surprisingly Wyoming does as well. In fact, good enough for me to drive my happy ass all the way up there.

I did find a 2017 KTM 450 XC F with 2.5 hours on it for a really good price.

The KTM 300 keeps popping up, so I’m also going to test out one. Worst I can say is “it sucks” and buy something else.

 

I wish sport quads were more popular out here.

Rotating my Raptor 700 and YFZ450 on different trails was a blast. The raptor was killer in the mountains. So much bottom end....

The 450 was faster though, in most situations.

 

Why do you say that?