KTM250 EXC vs EG225KDX

[Wolf]

On Saturday I picked up a brand new 04 EXC 250 to replace my nicely set up EG225.
On Sunday I rode an enduro with it. I broke it in at 8 am, keytime was 10, my minute was 17, plenty of time for setup right?

I am not going to write a big comparison, its not worth it, there is no comparison.
I know some of you aren't gonna want to hear this, I didn't either a couple of weeks ago.

Bottom end of the 250 is comparable to the 225, but thats it.
Everything else the 250 rules. I didn't even set the sag, or adjust forks or anything, figured I need to ride it at least once to break the suspension in anyways. Handling off the show room floor was superb. It doesn't turn on a dime like the green machine, but you get used to that quickly...going in hot and brake sliding is the perfect cure (and I like that anyways - its my style). Power is magical, the seat is actually nice! Ergos are great. My MXTECH front suspension on the KDX was ok, the stock forks on the 250 blow it out of the water.
Brakes are awesome, and I really like that hydraulic clutch.

I liked my KDX, as you know, but now I feel like I gave everyone on the KTM's a headstart (my riding buddies told me so :rotfl: ).

I'm not sure how much faster I am actually going to be on the KTM , but I rode 70 miles yesterday without getting tired and was able to hang with my usual riding buddies VERY comfortably. Could have gone for more, and take that as a great sign.

 

[rethnal]

If you get that much time to open it up where you have to try to keep up with someone then you bought the wrong bike, should have went with the KTM to begin with. The KDX never claimed to be a fast bike and with some mods it can make most woodsriders very happy with the speed and torque. I had a 98 KTM 250EXC and it sat tall in the saddle, was longer, more like a MX bike. Not what I was looking for. And the power was not very forgiving.... it was like on or off.... again not what I was looking for. I'm happy that you got what you want but I love my KDX and it is in a word.... comfortable. :)

 

[Wolf]

This isn't intended to bash the KDX, I liked it a lot! I raced it and did well with it.
Not sure what you mean with this....

"If you get that much time to open it up where you have to try to keep up with someone then you bought the wrong bike"

And just to claify....I really do think that there is a place for the KDX.

I did get smoked by a guy on a KDX on Sunday;)

 

[rethnal]

Not trying to slam you Wolf... I was just saying that if you run full out alot... KDX is not your bike... That's all. I spend most my time in the woods, tight knarly trails etc... I can almost guarantee that I would be much less tired than you on your KTM after we were done. If you want to try it... I'm game! :)

 

[Wolf]

You'd probably be much less tired than I am, period! Remember, my hair line is receeding:)
That said, I'm game. Looks like you're not to far from me. Lets go ride some day.

 

[rethnal]

According to your profile I'm 3 years older and probably balder, weight 200lbs and smoke... That said...sure! I'd love to go riding with ya or anyone else who rides. I ride locally alot but plan outings throughout the year, last Labor Day I went to LBL in Kentucky for 5 days... What a blast! This spring I am planning to go to St. Joes in Missouri... wanna go???? Fuzzy is going and I plan on getting some others to join us too! Check out http://www.mostateparks.com/stjoe.htm and let me know! :)

 

[JasonWho]

Congratulations on your new scoot. It sounds like you got what you needed. No offense intended AT ALL, but from your comments, it sounds like you were naive to think that a bike with a $3,999 MSRP price point would compare to a bike with a $6,248 MSRP price point. It seems a lot of people miss that point. They are two different bikes designed for two different things. Well, at least it wasn't another one of those GoldWing vs. KDX threads. :-)

 

[Wolf]

Ok, I don't smoke (anymore), and you are three years older....on paper!

 

[Wolf]

Jason, tell that to Mr. Fredette, or the guy that smoked me on Sunday:)
BTW, my KDX had as much or more $$ sunk into it as I have into this new KTM (yes, I got a smoking deal - not antwhere close to MSRP).

 

[rethnal]

:) I feel that was on occasion! I guess Rich didn't like my link to the planned ride. PM me and I will send it to you or email me. I would like to get a bunch of you guys to go... makes it so much more fun. :yeehaw:

 

[Rich Rohrich]

PM me and I will send it to you or email me.

That's what the PM is there for. ;)

 

[rethnal]

That's cool Rich! :)

 

[Rich Rohrich]

That's cool Rich! :)

Nice try though indawoods . :rotfl:

 

[JasonWho]

Again, no ill will intended in my reply. I sat on a 2004 200EXC at a dealer and it felt great. I don't think it had a sandwich holder on the back fender like my KDX though. I would imagine it to be a great bike for racing often. It wouldn't do me any good though, as I would get tired even if I had full factory support and works bike. I raced one enduro and toward the end, me and another wore out rider argued politely with "no you go first, no you go ahead" for a few minutes. I think a hiker could have passed us at that point in the race.

Wolf, I think you point out a great misunderstanding of pricing that I have seen others say, as well. My point is that you have one bike designed to meet a $3,999 MSRP price point. The other bike is designed to meet a $6,248 MSRP price point. A company buys or builds parts at 10,000 quantity pricing for use when building a bike. An individual buying parts at quantity one pricing to replace a part he has already paid for, is not the same as the same part being incorporated into the original design. In essence, just because someone buys $2,249 worth of parts does not mean he now has a $6,248 bike. It means he still has a $3,999 bike with extra stuff on it.

If one buys a car with the luxury package, he doesn't pay for cloth seats, then buy leather seats and swap them out, then have some cloth seats sitting in the garage not getting used.

I understand how people's needs evolve, as I am sure yours did. I am just trying to get my fellow KDX riders to see it all from a different point of view.

 

[rethnal]

Nice try though indawoods .

The post was legit... I didn't post it trying to promote, simply informational and to the direct post. I may not agree with but respect this site.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

. I may not agree with but respect this site.

I wish you luck with your new endeavor ( I mean that sincerely). Hopefully for your sake it doesn't prove to a be more of a hassle than it's worth, which I can tell you from experience it will be at times. :bang:

 

[G. Gearloose]

225/250...Every girl knows you can't compete with a 1" longer stroke..

 

[Wolf]

I did see the link before Rich deleted it (sorry Rich, my eyes were too fast;)). Thanks.
As we get closer to it, I'll let you know. Sounds like fun!

 

[Rich Rohrich]

I did see the link before Rich deleted it (sorry Rich, my eyes were too fast;)).

It's the carrot schnitzel, good for the eyes. :)

 

[JasonWho]

Aren't you on the clock, Rich? :-) Eric ain't payin' you to moderate.

LESS TALK, MORE WORK :-)

 

[Wolf]

225/250...Every girl knows you can't compete with a 1" longer stroke..

That would be true!
I didn't really want to compare, just point out my impressions.
Its that apples to oranges thing....

I should point out...I did not buy the KDX because it was cheaper. Yes, money obviously matters, but that was not the reasoning for the KDX! I don't think that is the main reason why most people buy KDXes either.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Aren't you on the clock, Rich? :-) Eric ain't payin' you to moderate.

LESS TALK, MORE WORK :-)

I don't wear a paper hat so I don't work for an hourly wage. :rotfl:

 

[Wolf]

Rich, I see a 315 in your Bike(s) column! How do you like it?

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Rich, I see a 315 in your Bike(s) column! How do you like it?

The Montesa is my new favorite bike. :yeehaw:

I pretty much suck at the whole trials thing so far but I'm constantly amazed at how much fun I can have doing something as simple as trying to ride across a 4x4 the long way, or trying to bunny hop an 8" railroad tie behind the shop. The bike is a riot, and even if I'm never a good trials rider I'll be a better rider in general as a result of practicing on the Montesa. It made me instantly faster riding my mountain bike through my single track loop. Lots of skill transfer possibilities between the two.

My only regret is I didn't buy a trials bike years ago. :cool:

 

[rethnal]

My next bike is going to be a trials bike! Man... it's unbeliveable what those guys can do... Like you said Rich.. it will make a better rider no matter what or where you ride. Especially in the woods I think. The private club I ride at has some trials set up and I am alway banging around on it, getting better all the time... the KDX does better than you think it would! :laugh: