I recently bought a street-legal XR600 to explore the logging roads of So Oregon. It's a joy to slide around and wheelie, but, obviously, a beast on technical trails. The safe and logical thing, I told my wife, is to buy another bike better suited for trail riding.
After reading the postings on this site I get the impression that a 250 MXer would be too much and too stiff for my 140 lb, 47-yr-old body. The XR250, too underpowered for my level of play. That leaves the WR250F (so much $$$ and screaming RPM), the WR & KTM 400s($$$$, not that much lighter than my XR), the KTM 200/300EXC ($$$, stiff), and the sleeper KDX200/220.
My 1st question is do the KDXs slide around and wheelie very well, without slipping the clutch and yanking on the bars with all your might? My next question is, would any of you be willing to let me demo your bike? I'll let you ride the "Beast." Thanks, Jimbo.