2003 300exc vs 2003 450 exc

One of the riders for the shop has switched back to 2 stroke, but the trade off is marginal. If you do not compete then the 2 stroke is definately less maintenance intensive. Simply said, racers tend to put more into maintenance. The RFS does carry the weight up higher and consequently the COG causes some distinct handling differences (turning and jumping) but the benefits of engine braking and torque tend to offset the other. In the end, it's rider preference (for now), however; there is the issue of environmental acceptibility which tends to currently favor the 4 stroke. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

I rode a Husky 510 (4-stroke) about 10 years ago. I sold it and bought a KTM 360 M/XC in '96, then sold it 18 months ago and am riding DRZ400 now. Everything is a compromise. The 4-stroke power delivery is definitely smoother, making it much easier to find traction in slippery conditions. They definitely aren't as flickable as the lighter 2-strokes though. It used to be that the 4-strokes were the more maintenance-free bikes, but with the newer high tech, high revving thumpers, the cards have kinda changed. Top end jobs are much messier on a 4-stroke. I don't think there is a clear winner, they are just different. I saw a 3 month old Gas Gas 300XC for sale in the local newspaper last weekend.....if I can talk my wife into getting it I will have the best of both worlds- one of each. ;)

IT COMES DOWN TO WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND PERSONAL PREFERENCE - THERE ARE ADAVANTAGES TO BOTH. I LIKE THE 4-STROKE POWER DELIVERY BEST ( AND THE 6 SPEED GEARBOX). IF YOU'RE RIDING ENDUROS, HOWEVER, YOUR CONDITIONING HAS TO BE BETTER FOR RIDING THE 4-STROKE. IF THE TERRAIN IS SMOOTH, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL BUT IN ROUGH TERRAIN YOU SLAM INTO THINGS MORE ON THE 4-STROKE - I DON'T KNOW IF ITS THE COG THING, OR THAT MORE WEIGHT IS ON THE FRONT END, OR WHAT. THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A BIG DEAL UNTIL YOU'RE 45 MILES INTO A 70 MILE EVENT AND YOUR LEGS ARE ALREADY JELLO. IF LONG DISTANCE EVENTS ARE A REGULAR, BE READY TO BE IN BETTER SHAPE THAN YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE ON THE 300. ALSO, MAINTENACE IS EASIER ON THE 300 - NO VALVES TO ADJUST, LESS FREQUENT OIL CHANGES, EASIER OIL CHANGES. YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH EITHER CHOICE (I MAY BE MAKING THE SAME CHOICE AT SOME POINT).

I disagree with ktmatk about endurance. *I* find my 01 400E much easier and less tiring to ride and race in the woods than my 99 205E was. I love my 250 but the 400 is just so much easier to ride longer. I sprung the suspension correctly on my bike when I bought it and rode it stock all last year. VERY nice. Sucked everything up well with no big hits. I've revalved both ends over the winter and it's even better yet. It's sure no jumper but it sucks up square edge holes, big root and rock hits and eat whoops with no fuss.

Maintenance is somewhat more intensive on the 400 but it's really not bad at all once you've been through it a couple of times. Maint is also more expensive since you should change the oil more often than most 2 stroke guys are used to, plus you need to replace the two oil filters ($10 for a pair) every 3rd change or so. By my rough calculations, though, not having to buy pre-mix anymore pretty much evens out that equation for me.

I didn't personally notice the 17 or so pounds of weight difference between the 250 and the 400. The 400 feels very nimble on the trail and I know I'm faster and more consistent with it. Some folks do notice the weight more, though.

I'm not trying to talk you into a 4 stroke, per se. Just trying to talk to some of the other points and to answer some of your questions. I think the 300 is a very fun bike and, since they may very well not be available after '06, you might want to ride them while you still can get them.

I've seen guys go from 2 strokes to 4 strokes and then back to 2 strokes. Others go to 4 strokes and never look back. I don't think you are truly going to know which is best for you until you spend some good time on a 4 stroke to compare. Kind of a gamble but at least then you know. Hopefully you know someone who could let you have a good ride on one (not just a fast lap around the parking lot) before you put down the cash.

I own both a 426WR and 380exc. Am an A enduro rider.

Like the two stroke better, except for fuel mileage.

ktmrandy, make sure it's a long day. If you haven't ridden a thumper you'll probably hate it at first. From lack of power (compared to the 300), engine braking, to the higher center of gravity you'll be wondering what all the hoopla is about. But given a bit of time on it you'll actually come to like some of those same traits. My buddy has one and we swap on occasion and first impression is always I hate the darn thing, after a few miles it grows on me. I still like my 300e better. Coming off the 300 I'd go with the 520 instead of the 400, at least if you liked the power your 300 had.

don