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Dirt Bike Discussions By Brand
KTM MX & Off-Road Dirt Bikes
To buy a KTM 250exc or 520exc
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[QUOTE="quadrunner, post: 132746, member: 24190"] Well mate, you ask a lot of good questions. I have a new 2001 520EX/C with 2.5 miles on it. So the short answer, is I know practically as little about the 520 as the 250 2 stroke, which I've never ridden either. Did spend a little trail time on a 300 EX/C and really liked it. But without steering you to one or the other, to phrase the questions in a more general sense of two strokes versus 4 strokes, I can help with plenty of experience on each type, just not KTM. 4 strokes are usually more tractable. KTM two strokes are exceptionally tractable also. Few bikes are as tractable as Suzuki DR350, DRZ400, Honda XR400,600,650R etc. Kaw KDX200-220 very manageable too. Those bikes should all be easier to ride in the tight stuff. Simply more forgiving. Maintenance...all KTMs and Euros are basically high maintenance. From what I've seen, the KTMs are getting better. Parts prices on KTMs are really not out of line. I freaked because my owners manual calls for the "Large Maintenance Kit" to be installed every 60 hrs. That kit consists of clutch basket, liner plates, piston, connecting rod, crank bearings, timing chain, timing chain tensioner. Whew! Tell me it ain't so! Every 60 hrs! I called the dealer. He said not to worry. He hasn't sold the kit yet, and to expect 3.5-4 years of hard trail use before worrying. Price on the kit is $740 US. I think your size and weight favors the 520.... I suspect the 520 is at least as good on the single track, given your size weight. A smaller rider might do better on the 250. On the fire trails, this favors 4 strokes, since they can run wide open throttle with little detriment. 2 strokes prefer to have the rpm varied, and don't sit well with continued wide open throttle. I can't answer about the SX. If it was me, I would want at least 5 gears for the trail riding I do. (Colorado) Motocross suspensions are stiff so they can land those big jumps. I was having some problems on the trail with a CR500. My mentor noted...."I bet you are not using more than 4 inches of your suspension." He was right. What you want is to be using ALL of your suspension travel for the type of riding you do. If you are not, it's too stiff. For the riding you do, you should at least occasionally be bottoming out so you know you are using it all. Should also not, it's rocky here. That's why they call them the Rocky Mountains? For rocky, rooted, gnarly trails, you want a SOFT, plush suspension that soaks up the hits so you don't. This keeps you on line. Stiff suspensions have a tendency to knock the bike off line. Last point on the 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. Up here in Colorado, there are a few, undeniable advantages of the 4 stroke, range being one. The other advantage of the 4 stroke is that jetting is more forgiving. Some of our best riders are the 2 stroke guys. We go up a thousand feet or two, take a break. While 4 strokers grab a snack or drink of water, 2 strokers are scrambling for the next leaner jet from their tool pack. They are masters of swapping jets on the trail, because they need to be. Large changes in elevation are a fact of high altitude trail riding here. Hope this helps. [/QUOTE]
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Dirt Bike Discussions By Brand
KTM MX & Off-Road Dirt Bikes
To buy a KTM 250exc or 520exc
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