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Message: [QUOTE="Tiger, post: 211865, member: 19572"] [b]Going Pumpkin after jap snacks...[/b] Jay, Here you go..it's my own perspective. If you are a diehard for the light weight, then buy a 200. If not, then buy a 400. Honestly, the only time I feel the weight is when I've crashed (not often) and I have to pick it up. The bike feels light when rolling. It rides even better. The over all feel is more stable and not as nervous as a 125. Also realize the suspension is valved for off road. It is much plusher than my YZ's or CRF's. While that may not be good at a supercross track, it is fantastic everywhere else. You'll have no trouble on the table tops. If you are heavy, then add stiffer springs. That's the only mod I felt I needed to make (I'm >210 lbs.). Read this weeks Cycle news and you'll see Guy Cooper (KTM 520 EXC) gave Doug Dubach (White Brothers Factory YZ 426) all he wanted in the VET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP in California. So, yeah she'll Moto! Shoot, this weekend at the Winter Olympics in FL (I was there) KTM 520's and 400's were winning motos at one of the top 3 Amateur events in the country. The E button is an advantage. I saw two CRF 450 riders stalling their bikes on flat turns and then they could not get it started afterwards. Sad! I felt for them. Realize that the KTM comes with factory components you will have to pay extra for on any Japanese bike! The Magura (Pro Taper style) handle bars are what a factory bike comes with, add a REAL Twin Air Filter, better suspension components (look at the quality when you go to the shop), standard frame guards, a triple clamp/bar component that is 3 way adjustable!, a spark arrestor (or not) standard, you get to choose transmission (Wide ratio EXC or MX style MXC), 3 (2.0 SX, 2.9 EXC, 3.9 MXC)extra tank options (I personally like the MXC tank...it is a great fit...but sit on them in the shop...you'll know when you do), DID chains, real sprockets, an Italian seat cover(!), model flexibility no Japanese brand can offer, and to top it off, reliability on their new 4 strokes has been beyond good. Read the accompanying YZ 250F crank horror stories (yikes). So, a japanese bike seems like a bargain until you add up what you REALLY have to spend. I know, I did it on my YZ's for years. I'm not doing that again. It costs too much! As far as the handling, I'll be honest and say I'm not sure what all the hoopla was about. I felt comfortable on the thing right away. It may be because the 4 stroke decompression puts more weight on it when turning. I really was surprised. Some say the 520 is more of a handful...but that the 400 let's you get away with a lot more (like a 125) due to less rotating mass. I rode it back to back the other weekend with my YZ 250 and to be honest, I'm amazed at how similar they are (handling wise). Where the KTM shines is in rough terrain. Braking bumps, chop, square edged stuff, etc...It really is much easier to ride. If you are looking for an all around motorcycle, you'd be hard pressed to choose otherwise. Read this weeks Cycle News. If you were closer to NC I'd let you ride it one weekend. Let me know. Good Luck, Paul [/QUOTE]

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