2004 KTM 250 EXC ride report

[lawman]

mine's on the truck on the way to the dealer, boys! got the seal of approval from the better half (hell it was pretty much her idea, think i'll keep her!), & a guy is coming in from several hours away to pick up my present mount. i decided that was a good omen, a sign from heaven, & who am i to ignore something like that? i'll post a review once she gets here.

 

[ktm033]

congrats lawman!

 

[Fred T]

Originally posted by fishhead
Stop it!!!

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

Use the force Luke! If you want one hurry they will be sold out fast, they are already getting hard to find here in Michigan. The dealers mya be sold out of them before spring ever hits!

 

[lawman]

thanks, 33! guy just left my house after driving from indiana to memphis, with my trusty three hunnert in the back of his truck. now if the new 1 would just come on! say, does ktmusa give tracking numbers?

ps i heard the same rumor about a potential shortage, so i put in my order.

 

[ktm033]

Lawman,

My '04 was paid for and on order for six weeks, got it about 3 weeks ago. My dealer said that he had to pull a lot of strings to get it and that the '04 two strokes weren't going to last long. Based on the way my 300 runs I would have to say he is right, the bike is truly awesome!

 

[lawman]

oooh, can't wait.

 

[THUMPER-DARRYL]

Comment about weigt of 250f and 200 KTM way off.. Last years 2003 weights on same scale. same day, show room bikes , no gas: KTM200exc-216 lbs, KTM 300-321 lbs, Yam.250f- 247 lbs. KTM 520exc-248 lbs. My 200 is very fun to ride , but hard to ride fast if you are tired or lazy, 250 more broad power, so easier to ride when lazy, but 400 or450 the easiest to ride fast all the time, just keep out of the real tight stuff. That applies for me anyway. You really need 3 bikes.

 

[fishhead]

321 lbs for the 300! Must be a typo. 221 and I'll get on board!

 

[DH Dad]

Where did the 7 lb. savings come from? Only visable difference I can see from pictures is that there's now a single pipe header it looks like vs. the double pipe from last year. Frame looks the same as does the suspension and parts spec. Has the engine itself gone on a diet?

 

[DH Dad]

Well it appears that the pipe itself saves 2 kg.=4+ lbs.

Maybe I'll get a new pipe for my 03 250 instead of trying to sell it and get a new one.

 

[Smit-Dog]

THUMPER-DARRYL -

So for real-world weights (excluding gas only), the 300exc is only 5lbs more than the 200exc? And the YZ-250F is 247lbs? And these were all 2003s?

I'm surprised at these numbers...

 

[DH Dad]

My guess is that the 247 lb. weight is a WR-250F. I went back and looked at the post and nowhere did it state YZ. This would make sense since the WR carries electric start/battery where the 300 and 200 EXC do not.

 

[DougRoost]

I wondered the same thing (WRF vs. YZF)

 

[Smit-Dog]

Originally posted by DH Dad
My guess is that the 247 lb. weight is a WR-250F. I went back and looked at the post and nowhere did it state YZ.

Sorry, my dyslexic-addled brain saw "Yam.250f" and processed YZF.

 

[lawman]

ktm took about 7.7 lbs out of the engine, the rest out of the frame & plastic. & boys, you can feel every gram of the weight loss. the engine is a total redesign. the oil drain is on the opposite side, & it even holds less oil. this new 250 is an awesome motorcycle! it is way better than i expected; i'm glad ya'll helped talk me into it. no time to type a full report in here, but you can find mine & some others on ktmtalk.com.