I don't know what to do, HELP!!!

[LWilson250]

Ok I am going to run this by some fellow enduro/harescramble riders. I have been riding my 1995 XR250R for 2 years and I decided it was time to jump to something better. I have found a 1998 KX250 for $2600 with an oversize tank, Scotts damper, new top and bottom end, new exhaust pipe and a whole lot more!

My problem is I am having second thoughts about selling my XR. In some ways I love the XR but in most I hate it. It’s a fun “putt putt” bike but tends to hate me when I try and ride it fast. The forks flex, the engine stutters and it doesn’t like to turn.

I am planning on riding hare scrambles and enduros a lot this next year. I think the KX would be a fun bike to have, much better for the more aggressive riding I do. But at the same time I would miss the easygoing manner of the XR.

I have also gotten hooked on trials. So now I am going to have to get a trials bike also!

I really don’t know what to do, so I turn to you guys.

Lee W.

 

[bake]

I kept my XR as a spare, it's nice to have a backup bike or just an extra ride for when friends come into town. Great bike to teach with too.

 

[KTM-Lunatic]

Keep the XR as a spare and buy a real bke for Enduro's Get a KTM !!!!:)

 

[LWilson250]

Originally posted by KTM-Lunatic
Keep the XR as a spare and buy a real bke for Enduro's Get a KTM !!!!:)

I would but... I'f I don't sell the XR I will have ZERO cash for a new bike. I found a 2001 KTM 300E/XC that I want but I can't come up with $3600. KTM's are always just out of my reach...

Lee W.

 

[fatherandson]

Lee,
Here is how I view the KTM cost issue....buy a KTM and ride it OR buy something else, add this item ($$), modify this item ($$), and then go ride it.
I can not afford to buy a new KTM, but I have a '94 and '99 KTM EXC and love both of them!!!

 

[justql]

I just bought a 2000 kx 250. It will be for MX and play riding. I already had a 2000 Gas Gas ec250. I wouldn't dream of selling the GG, but also couldn't turn down the KX. Keep'em both, unlike women, you can have two bikes and ride them both.;)

 

[LWilson250]

But see if I get the KX250 I won't have to spend any money changing it. It's already fully set up for what I need. And then I am only spending $2600 and not $3600 or more. I am going to buy a trials bike so I don't want to spend too much on my enduro bike...

Lee W.

 

[gasgasman]

I would think twice about buying a KX with bottom end work done to it.

 

[LWilson250]

Originally posted by gasgasman
I would think twice about buying a KX with bottom end work done to it.

Do you know Herb Fish? The KX I am wanting is his bike. I need to go look at it next weekend. It's the only bike I can even get close to affording.

Lee W.

 

[yz 200 guy]

KTM this and KTM that. Guys, the KX has already had a lot of money spent on it to be offroad ready - tank, damper, freshened up motor... From my experience with KX's, it had better have straight rate springs and revalved suspension to remove the harshness. A flywheel weight on the 98 is almost a must, they have a lot of low end stock. Shorter pull rods help KX's turn better in the tight stuff too.

I see KTM's with different triple clamps, revalved suspension, aftermarket pipes at the races all the time. They are great bikes, but not perfect, so don't go there. Let Lee spend his money, you spend yours...

I would stay away from any bike with engine work that was done by someone who didn't know what they were doing, but to say a KX with a new lower end is suspect, I just don't get it. Crank bearings don't last forever.

Lee, you could sell that XR for a lot of money, then afford gas, oil and entry fees for an entire season. However, if you like to trail ride, then the KX is a poor cousin to the XR. Those stupid 5 speed KX gearboxes are the devil's work, you'll feel like you are missing first gear all the time. For H/S racing, the gearbox is less of an issue.

BTW Lee, my KX is for sale...;)

 

[LWilson250]

All the engine work was done at Wild West Honda and Kawasaki. The bike also has a brand new clutch.

I don’t have many options really; my price range doesn’t extend over $2800. I haven’t seen many bikes for the amount I can afford. There is another KX, a 1999 for $3100 that I would want even more then the 98 but it is out of my price range... If anyone wants to give me their KTM I wouldn’t say no ;).

Lee W.

 

[HiG4s]

Have you considered a 125, most modern 125s are more powerfull than an XR250, and certianlly have more suspension and you get to race in the smaller bike class. I know there is a Husky WR125 1999 for sale for $3000. And if you look around you could probably find a KTM or so used for around the same. Also KDX200s are only $3900 new, and while not the same as a KX, lend themselves to aggressive riding better than an XR. Just opnions.

If you look around more you might find a better deal.
I know I saw a 96 RMX250 for sale here local for $2000.

I guess what I'm saying is "If you're in doubt, hold out."

 

[Trigger1911]

There are a bunch of KDX's for great prices in the for sale section of DRN forums with all the mods already done. Dont waste your time putting a MX bike in the woods when you can have a woods bike to begin with.

Just putting in my 2 cents, nott trashing anyone with a KX.

 

[LWilson250]

I thought about that but I really don't want a KDX. I am now thinking about saving a little more and just getting a KTM like I want. I can get a nice 2000 KTM 200 E/XC for $3400 or a 2001 KTM 250 M/XC for $3500.

Lee W.

 

[WoodsRider]

FWIW, the gap between an XR250 and a KX250 is a pretty big one to make. You will have to re-learn throttle, braking and clutch control. A modified KX is a full-on race bike. It doesn’t have any of the nice “easy to ride” features that made learning on your XR so much fun. Ask Herb what he rides when he's out working trail. Be ready to replace certain KX items on a regular basis. Before Joey Ambrosini switched to GasGas he raced a KX250 for Team Green. According to his dad/mechanic they replaced reeds every 10 hours and clutch plates every 20 hours. Of course Joey rides his bike very hard, but his results were typical for the rest of Team Green off-road (Fred and Chuck).

The KTM EXC’s, while still being race bikes, make decent trail bikes and tend to last longer than most modified MX bikes. I have to agree with Trigger though. The KDX can be both a docile trail bike and modified into a competitive race bike. With a price that’s easy on the wallet (both initial purchase and replacement components) it is also a step up from your current mount.

 

[alanreeves]

For the money I'd go for the KDX, it was my first decent off road bike and was more than capable. They are a so much better than a lot of people say.

 

[ODEI]

If you can afford the 98 KX 250 and keep the XR go for it. Mr. Fish is not hard on his equipment and the biek is in great shape.The bottom end was done just becasue he wanted to not that it needed it. That bike is a great buy. Plus it is already set up for harescrambles and has all the bells and whistles.


Pete Odegaard

 

[yz 200 guy]

Lee,

Unless ODEI is getting a commission, the KX sounds like a good buy. I'm very familiar with KX's because my buddy has a '98 and I have a '99. We both like my motor better, but only because his stalls easier and hits harder down low. Jeremy did my suspension so it is better than his stock stuff for woods but straight rate springs helped out a lot.

Lee, you are all over the map on bikes, you know that? I suggest you make a plan and stick to it. Trials, hare scrambles, spare bikes, a budget and college don't all fit. Make some choices.

My observations? Multiple bikes mean more expenses, bad if you are on a budget, bad if you are pressed for time to keep them nice. KTM's are fine bikes, but if they are $1000 dollars more than a modified Jap bike, and you don't have the extra $1000, then there really isn't much of a decision to make. Ride bikes before you buy and be realistic, if they don't feel right, ask yourself if you can change them without major $ to fit YOU. I don't see any fast guys on XR250's, or TTR's or DR's at our hare scrambles. There is a reason for that.

 

[LWilson250]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I rode the KX250 today and loved it, so yup I got it. Well I put a down payment on it. I still need to sell my XR to pay for it. I test rode it today at Skull Creek and had a blast, sure it was wet and muddy but ohh well! I was amazed with the bike, the power is SOOO nice. For everyone who said it was going to be a big scary jump to a 250... You were wrong, I felt right at home on the green monster. Very fun to ride!

Thanks again!

Lee W.

 

[LWilson250]

I posted a pic of the KX in my photo section here at DRN. Check it out!

Lee W.