4 Stroker rides a KTM 2 stroke

Today I take advantage of a offer from Garrett (GMoss) to ride his 2006 EXCW 300. You meet the nicest people on KTM talk. The guy knows I am confused and offers me a chance to ride his brand new bike and changes the power valve for me. Thanks Garrett!

I have been trying to figure out the best two stroke for a 58 year old to ride tight, nasty, muddy hare scrambles without getting to tired. This all came about when I was ridding a hare scramble in Columbus Ohio. It was slick, muddy, root infested, and on one hill, 65 % of the riders had to drop out including me. I could not keep the rear wheel from spinning and I have this problem on tight muddy, rocky root infested steeps. Granted I am not a good rider and that is most of the problem but if I can get some help with a different bike then I will buy one. I just could not get up the hill. Well while waiting for the race to end so I could return going the wrong way and avoiding the hill I had a front seat to the race. I sat there and watched the KTM 2 strokes go up the hill at 1/2 the speed of everyone else with no wheel spin. Just could not believe it!

Now I get on a quest to buy a 2004 200 EXC (fits my budget) and then Garrett lets me ride the 300. To me coming off a four stroke the 2 stroke was amazing. I rode it up some little steeps in second and 3rd slow enough that someone could have been walking beside me and it never faltered. Just climbed right up as slow as I wanted to go and the engine would not stall.
Decision: I do not want to be worn out from a 5-hour ride or a 2-hour hare scramble . I would think a 300 would wear me out from the reciprocating mass of the engine as my old WR 400 did. So we know after I sell my bike my budget will afford a 2003 or 2004 KTM 200 or 300 EXC. I have been told to stay with those 2 years or later for the improvements. Will the 200 EXC with mods be easier to ride or the 300 EXC?
200 EXC Mods
J bone or Munn motor mods $500.(If I don’t get the motor mods on the 200I would have to ride it like a 125 and I am not looking for that. I want down low easy creepy power and flickable comfort.)
Get the steering at 18-degree angle somehow $300-$450.
Re-Valve, respiring, and needle with new and progressive suspension $700. (200LBS)
Some good riders say this is the best way to go for me.
300EXC
No motor work needed
Re-Valve re work suspension $700.
Do not know about the steering, I really liked the 2006 I rode but I will have to buy a 2003 or 2004.
I know there will be some cockpit changes and maybe some gearing and other changes but which way to go? Thanks for your opinion. Fred

Masterphil said:

If you like to rev much more than lug, get the 200.
If you like to lug some, but mostly keep it in the mid, get the 250.
If you like to lug lots, and could care less about top-end past peak power, get the 300.

If you try to ride the 300 like a 250, it will wear you out quickly. If you ride it a gear high and use the torque, the 300 is a pretty "calm" bike.

Me, I'd do the 300 with reworked suspension.

Click to expand...

I like that is seems to put everything together. I called MX and the suspension is $750. to do it right. The motor guys are telling me after they redo the engine the 200 will lug all day long with no need to rev. Thats is what is confusing me.

Where are you when I need you JBone?

Man, just when I thought the 300 was the bike for me along you come saying the 250 is way less tiring to ride then the 300. Now I am very confused. So far, in all the posts, TT, Dirt rider, and KTM talk you are the only one who says the bike tires you out. But realize I am 58 and cannot have fun if I can’t ride the bike all day for 50 miles. At first, I was convinced the 200 with motor mods was the one, then I thought the 300 would be the best. Now I just don’t know. . I do know I am tired of my top-heavy feeling, wheel spinner in the steep mud, Honda 250X 4 stroke. Give me more help please. Thanks, Fred, levy1@earthlink.net