What small 250-400cc Bike to Get?

Congratulations! Welcome to the world of low-buck trail riding fun!

I followed a woman on a KDX for several miles on very rocky two track. She was making good enough time that I had trouble making a clean, easy pass on my 640. I don't punt people into the weeds or roost the hell out of them on dual sport rides. So I hung back waiting for a chance to pass without being an ass.

She was holding us up a little but I also don't think she was pushing it much.I was impressed at her pace given how little effort it was taking. So they will cover rough ground at a pretty good clip. I liked the way that bike was working enough that if I had tripped over a titled KDX instead of my MXC I would have bought it instead.

I've found that the KDX can go about fast enough to be scary in most trail-riding conditions if you lean on it a little. It also is a very forgiving bike in the woods with a lighter touch. If you equip it with the "gnarly woods pipe," it has good low-end, so you don't have to rev the snot out of it.

For very technical stuff, some people speak well of the Steahly off-road flywheel weight. (Others find it completely useless.) This adds another ten ounces to what is already considered to be a massive flywheel, if you like to tractor over things. I'm considering one for technical riding. It's fairly easy to swap on and off.

The Steahly on my MXC is useless. The bike is still like riding a little Tasmanian Devil.

Picked up a 98 KDX 200 from an inmate in snowy OH. Actually didn't even test ride it. It sounded great though.

But looks like the PO went through it very thoroughly and I'm excited to get on it. Based on some reading I have done and all the input from ya'll, I've made a good decision. I should be able to learn a lot on the bike, and more than likely I'll never outgrow its abilities. Hope to see some of ya'll on a trail or race someday! Thanks again for all the advice!

Hey! That's the fastest color! Wait, it was the only color! Just think how fast it will go when it gets ripe!

Congrats!