2004 KTM 250 EXC ride report

[Fred T]

I got the chance to ride the new bike this weekend in a variety of situations from dirt roads, fast 2 tracks, fast single track that was sandy and whooped out and various "event type" single track at the Jackpine Enduro. I have 5.5 hours on the motor now. I had to "work" at the Enduro so I couldnt be riding all the time, but i did get a great sampling of trail that I either pre rode or sweep rode for the events this weekend. The bike is noticably lighter than the 2003. They claim to have lost 7 pounds and I believe them. I use the 18 MM off set tripleclamps on both bikes but I feel that with the different frame and swingarm that the '04 turns better and is even more stable. The suspension is very good, better than my 2003. (I had my forks done by Enduro Engineering and they were very, very good. EE did both bikes but the '04 is better) My shock is stock and works great. Valving might be a little lite in the huge sand whoops but in the more "event type singletrack" it was awesome. OK, the motor - at first I thought it was a little less powerful and didn't have that adrenalin rush midband hit that I was used to so I thought it was weaker. But as the motor got some time on it and I became more used to it the bottom end got stronger and it started pulling harder right off the bottom and was just more "electric" smooth and easier to ride. The bike has the Rad Valve stock and with a converted SX motor I expected it to just be weak off the bottom then hit and pull hard. NOT THE CASE! This motor is really smooth and easy to ride, makes going fast easier because it just pulls so evenly and helps throttle control. The gearing was great for even first gear bar banging tight virgin trail. I geared my 03 down, but this one seems good. The stock jetting was perfect and I have no spooge at all. It was very hot and humid (high 80's) this weekend and about 1000
Ft. I like how the bike starts right up and will sit and idle. As I reflect back on the time spent on the bike "easy to ride" and "feels light" keeps ringing in my head. I love the bike and I'll bet it will wear the rider our a little less because of the weight, the handling and the motor. I had no problems with the rear brakes getting too hot or going away in some "brake dragging" situations and they stop great. (I'm not real hard on brakes though) I did put my solid rear rotor on it though so that may have helped them. I used stock brake shoes. I thought the brakes worked good.

If you get one I suggest you send your forks to Enduro Engineering and get them valved and sprung for you - mine were awesome and I never even flet like touching the clickers. They were spot on. I do have a tendency to tweak the settings but it just feels well balanced and turns so well that for now I'm pretty happy with it.

I hope this helps some of you.

 

[BigBore]

Lighter and better handling......I like the sound of that! I still can't believe they shaved 7lbs, thats something else. About the motor--did it feel at all any more responsive or snappier than the '03 off idle?

 

[MWEISSEN]

Nice write-up Fred! Thanks!

Does the '04 come stock with 18mm triple clamps?

 

[GETMETOCA]

Originally posted by MWEISSEN
Nice write-up Fred! Thanks!

 

Yes, Fred Thanks! :thumb:

 

[Fred T]

Originally posted by MWEISSEN
Nice write-up Fred! Thanks!

Does the '04 come stock with 18mm triple clamps?

No, I have Applied Racing Triple Clamps off my '03 on it.

 

[grunk250r]

well I must say that I had EE revalve my 03'125SX shock for enduro/h.s., and was very unimpressed. It was/is so harsh still on small stuff, that I called them back to double check that it was indeed revalved for enduro/h.s. I did NOT speak to Alan, but the "suspension" guy I did speak with looked up my file and said it was and it should be good...I told him I wasn't happy with it, and got no response. So i'm STILL riding it this way. I'll quit rambling...glad to hear you like the 04'250EXC though!!

 

[OCCRA_Racer]

Fred

How about somemore insight to the '04 now that you have a bit more time on the bike. Did you ride the bike with stock suspension, what was it like and what made you change it?

I'm thinking of jumping ship from a 4stroke and going back to a 2smoke. The 200 and 250 EXCs look inviting.

Thanks

 

[Smitty]

OCCRA-Racer, this is Mion Hill from OCCRA, #5 last year, just wanted to see who else was on DRN?

Just picked up a 2003 300 MXC yesterday, coming off of a CRF450. I think I'm really going to like it.

 

[OCCRA_Racer]

Mion

It's Mark Nelson (#435, was #567) here. My 250F has been down for parts so I raced my '99 YZ250 at the last three races. Wouldn't you know it, I got the holeshot the last two times. It's much easier to finish near the front when you start up there! For that reason I'm thinking about a 2 stroke again.

The '04 200 and 250 look good. Then there is the EXC vs MXC decision on top of that. What are the main differences between the MXC and EXC these days?


Thanks

 

[Smitty]

MXC is close ratio tranny
EXC is wide ratio tranny

and that's about it besides headlights.

 

[Smitty]

Say hi next time you're out there. I haven't raced much this season but I think I'll be back next year.

 

[OCCRA_Racer]

Originally posted by Smitty
MXC is close ratio tranny
EXC is wide ratio tranny

and that's about it besides headlights.

Is the MXC the same tranny as the SX or is is between the SX and EXC? How about suspension valving. Is the MXC good for a slow poke off road racer like me? Does the MXC still have that huge tank everyone takes off for the woods?

I'll be sure to say hi next time I see you. That is as long as you're not lapping me! :)

 

[Smitty]

The two stroke MXC tank is big, but not in the way by any means. You are thinking of the fourstroke MXC tank which is huge. My understanding is that the MXC tranny is the same as the SX. EXC/MXC suspension is identical and definitely ready to ride for any speed rider.

Originally posted by OCCRA_Racer
I'll be sure to say hi next time I see you. That is as long as you're not lapping me! :)

Let's hope we don't get "introduced" by me screaming, revving, and slamming into your rear tire!! :scream: ;)

 

[KDXfile]

In the US, the 2-stroke MXC's and EXC's have the same size tank which is 2.9 gal.

 

[OCCRA_Racer]

Originally posted by KDXfile
In the US, the 2-stroke MXC's and EXC's have the same size tank which is 2.9 gal.

Did that change from 03 to 04? I'm seeing 9 liters listed for the 04 250 EXC which is 2.37 gallons.

I guess KTM droppped the 200/250 MXCs this year. I wonder why that is?

 

[scottyr]

For some reason the Euro EXCs have a 9 litre tank.

 

[Drew 674]

fred..thankx for the report, have you ridden brian's 200? i was wondering how they compared to each other?

how is the jetting? you said is was on for the jack pine....is it pretty stable or does the jetting need to changed if a cloud goes over like my cr..are you running regular gas or a race gas like vp?

thankx for any info... i think my decision is between the 200/250, just doing some research before buying

 

[ktm033]

Occra I jumped from an '02 400 MXC to an '04 300 MXC, would highly recommend it. Have had the bike for two weeks, several rides under my belt and one HS. Can't believe how much more nimble the bike feels. I was a little nervous about switching back to a two smoke, now I am very happy that I did. The bike is awesome!

 

[OCCRA_Racer]

KTM033

I'll consider the 300 ( I owned a '94), however I'm leaning more to a 200 EXC(or 250). Id the stroke the same on the 250 and 300 this year? That would help make the two feel very similar.

I'm coming off a YZ250F as my main ride and I'd love a two stroke that was lighter, quicker on the start, but can rev too the moon like the 250F (13500 rpm). The 250F is a GREAT bike and it does everything I could ask off it (except nail the start). It's not bad, but I can be quicker on the throttle with a two stroke and not worry about flame outs.

The 200 should have about the same power, weight, ect. Handling may be better due to a lower center of gravity. I say maybe because the baby thumper is the best handling bike I've ever owned.

I know the 300 is supposed to be tame, yet powerful at the same time but, I find less power is faster for me these days. I'm afraid the 300 will have too much down low and jerk my arms out of the sockets at the end of a race. It's a bitch being out of shape!

 

[LoriKTM]

Ever since reading this thread originally, I've been dying for a ride on an '04 250EXC.  I loved riding my husband's '99 250 MXC, and wanted to compare the two ( "lighter" and "more nimble" for the '04 really caught my attention).  

During DirtWeek, FredT was nice enough to take his bike out for a "warm up" before his Bikes With Lights MX race.  WooHOO!!  I took it out in the back field for a quick run thru the gears, and the motor was just beautiful--- power everywhere you wanted it, would lug or rev easily, and smooth pull!  No harsh or abrupt hit anywhere.   Then I took the bike back on a little piece of singletrack that ran alongside the field-- very nice too.  The suspension was a bit taut, as it was set up for MX, but it handled well and didn't bounce me around.

I brought it back to the pits for Fred, but he was checking out another bike, so I got the go-ahead from FatherandSon for another spin.  (Like I'm gonna say "no"!)  I took it back out to the field, and found my husband Dave.  I told him to imagine a 250 motor, with the light weight and feel of my 200.  I think he was almost afraid to ride it, for fear he would like it too much!  He took a quick spin and also agreed it was very light and nimble.  I think the only thing we would have done is add a steering damper for the rocky stuff out east.

New issue of Trail Rider magazine has a quick write up on some of the new KTMs, and they specifically mention the 7 lb weight loss of the 250/300 bikes.  Their comment on the 300 was the same as mine on the 250-- feels as light and nimble as a 200. 

Anyone want to buy a slightly used '00 200EXC?!  :confused:

 

[ktm033]

The new 300 is an incredible bike. Very, very nimble, lots of electric power, but lots of power nonetheless. When I decided to go back to a 2 stroke I spoke with Brian at Lansing Cycle quite a bit. He had indicated that I would probably be happier with the 300 than I would be the 250 coming off from a couple of years on a 4 stroke. He had indicated that the 300 makes gobs of low end power/torque similiar to a 4 stroke but is much lighter. He said I wouldn't be sorry with a 250 would probably just like the 300 better. I took his advice and am very pleased that I did. The 300 suits my riding style very well. After 2 weeks on the bike I feel more at home than I did after 2 years on the 400. I loved my 400 but the new 300 is just a lot better for me. Electric power, much lighter, much more nimble, turns great, handles great and stable at speed.

 

[DougRoost]

I thought I always wanted a 200 to get that 125 frame but I rode an '03 200exc at DW and decided I like the 300 better. The 300 was less buzzy -- my hands were actually getting numb from just a short time in the woods on the 200 (and this was an '03 with the improved engine). Most of all the 300 was just more relaxed through the woods and did a better job of absorbing hits from rocks and roots rather than deflecting off them. So I'd agree and get the new 300.

 

[lawman]

i just ordered a new 250. thanks for the advice on threads like this!

can't go wrong with any of 'em, imo. anybody interested in a clean, set up, good-to-go 300?

 

[TexKDX]

Originally posted by Smitty
My understanding is that the MXC tranny is the same as the SX.

Depends on the year of the bike as well as the displacement. Generally, NO the MXC tranny is not the same as the EXC or the SX. If you get hold of the manual for the year in question KTM will list the ratios for you so you can compare them across the three bikes.

Generally the MXCs have a similar first gear to the EXC for really slow offroad work (lower than the SX), but things stay closer together as the gears go up. This causes the MXC to have less top end than an EXC.

Again, consult the manual at a dealer or friend's house for the exact story.

The EXC and MXC have the same chassis and supension setup. the MXC also has the EXC's stator and wiring harness, just no rear under fender and light and no headlight.

If you need top gear cruising for any reason - higher speed open stuff, better mileage when connecting trails via roads and forest roads in the mountains, etc, get the EXC. The 250 and 300 pull the wider ratios fine.

 

[fishhead]

Stop it!!!

This thread has me swinging by the shop to look at a new 250.