I found a 97 KTM 250 EXC, I had some questions

Wounds from a friend are better than kisses from an enemy.

Don't get a loan. Save the money yourself. Here is why: If you own a bike you are going to have maintenance costs - bikes are not cheap to own. Most small loans are at exhorbant interest rates. If you get a loan to buy the bike it will cost you like about 3400.00 @ 21%. Think of how many goodies that will buy --- because you will want them. Moreover, calculate the top ends, tires, gas, plugs, chain & sprockets. With that 900 dollars you save by paying cash you were just able to maintain the bike for one season with all that (a top end, tires, chain and sprockets, gas, pre-mix, tranny fluid, blah, blah, blah). Now figure a payment on top of that. It kind of puts a damper on your riding it. But you will be really pissed off because you bought it and it sits in your garage because you can't afford to ride it.

If you can save the money and pay cash then you have the discipline to set aside the cash for the maintenance and the goodies. Plus if you really tear it up on a tree then you don't have to make a payment on the mangled thing.

Another thing from an old goat, if you have to ask someone's opinion on wether or not you should barrow money then you have no business barrowing it.

BTW, KTM = good bike, don't know about the year though. I owned a '96 300 EXC (very dependable) and parts were becoming difficult to acquire because everyone was stocking stuff for newer year models --- I think the 96 and 97 were very similar for parts availablity. If I were to by a used bike I would research parts availability. As MY rule of thumb I will not buy a bike more than two years old.

Good luck

Three words: condition, condition, and condition.

The price means nothing without knowing the maintenance history and usage on a dirt bike. Very few people go thru and do all the required maintenance BEFORE selling a bike, unless they are a reputable person and friend. Or, the bike has so few hours it is not in need of the major maintenance and repairs that come with a 5 season old machine.

It may be a good bike, but it could also need the rear linkage rebuilt, swingarm bushings, wheel bearings, suspension service/repair, top end, bottom end, tranny work, head tube bearings, tires, cables... you get the picture.

It does not sound like from your post that you are the type that gets a kick out of buying a clapped out POS for a bargain and bringing it back to life. I have a dimented friend that is of this personality type, but he can split cases one evening, order parts the next day, get the parts in, and reassemble and install the motor in another evening.

A '97 is the right age to be in need of alot of work. If you cannot verify the hours, then skip it. You can keep your eyes peeled and pick up a for sure low hour '99 or '00 EXC or jap MXer in that high 2K/ low 3K price range. They are out there.

JMO,

'97 have the Marzochi 50 mm forks which eat fork seals and are constructed out of inferior metal. You would be better to look for '99 or newer. I like the 2 year rule, there is always someone buying new and selling at a big loss due first ride depreciation and some type of dislike with the scoot. I used to by new, now only will if after 3 months can't get it used.

Well, I have a 97 250 EXC, so perhaps my thoughts would be useful...

About fork seal leak - put on Marzocchi fork boots, no more leak. Looks old fashion but works.

Motor is kind of weak compared to the new ones I gather. Add a Delta II valve and jet properly for Colorado altitude. This will help. I've removed the flywheel weight (the flywheel is pretty heavy without the weight) but this makes the bike stall easily in the rocks around CO.

If you are lookiing for a bike of that vintage I would recommend the 300. It has a noticeable boost in low-end torque, which really helps in the rocks.

BTW, I agree: condition, condition, condition. Except that mine is beat up (I used to drop it a lot because I was learning) but runs real well and is well cared for.

Where do you ride? I ride in the Gunnison area.

i just got me a loan for 3 yrs on a 2002 200 exc and the intrest rate was only 12.5%. just wanted to share