ktm 350exc vs 500exc vs wr250r

[ADVNCW]

Originally Posted by crazybrit

didn't you already post this once, like 7 posts ago


FWIW my 07 450 exc has been a fantastically reliable bike. I think I have close to 7000 all offroad miles on it at this point.

Yep, looking for some discussion from KTM owners. I have just looked at KTMs and read about them, watch my buddy on his. So THANKS, I like to get some good information rather than hype (FWIW from the interwebs).

Like many, this past few months I have been considering which motorcycle and trying to decide...

[crankshaft]

Originally Posted by rickypanecatyl

Disagree. KTM works hard to market their bikes as "ready to race" and veterans on here familiar with the "intense maintenance schedule as compared to a daily driving cage" are used to that and often will honestly say they did nothing to their bike that made it 800 hours before a rebuild, because in their minds "the known fixes" (as hilighted by the "whiners" ) and regular maintenance are considered "nothing". BUT it isn't that obvious to a newbie.

At least cut Jim some slack - of course it's great to know how to work on your own bike, but it isn't crazy for the busy person with $ to think that the dealer should know what to do and be able to take care of it for you.

By the way, MY WIFE knows KTM only uses carbs in their rally bikes and that they were still running them in the Moroccan rally. Maybe she could do some research for you?

Well Ricky, your bike was hammered to shit but you got a golden parachute, so why still grind the axe? I don't expect anyone to be responsible for my dirt bike maintenance, it's my job. All my friends, regardless of what they do for a living work on their own bikes, even my friend that's an MBA. Not many dealers know much about what they sell, it's a fact. It's a low volume business, so not many dealers are going to spend the money to train techs. It sucks but that is the reality. I know of two shops that I would trust to work on my stuff, two out of 50..... Is it KTM's fault that the dealer sucks? Maybe but maybe not, go find an independent shop or a better dealer. Does crying on the internet solve your problems? In your case, it sure did but you certainly cried more than most.

As usual, the people that don't understand fuel injection are the first to cry about it, while the intelligent folks do some digging and figure it out. Carb or FI..... spark or fuel, you need both......

[kj7687]

Originally Posted by crazybrit

What kind of "situation" is this. I guess I've never had one where the power of the WR250 wouldn't be sufficient. If you tend to get into these "situations" often perhaps the bike and it's power output isn't what you should be troubleshooting.

Well said. Understand how much power your bike has "in reserve" at any given speed, and ride accordingly. I've ridden thousands of highway miles on my 20 horsepower, 5 speed DR200. The WR250R has an extra gear and a lot more power and torque - more than enough to safely ride highway.

[rickypanecatyl]

Originally Posted by crankshaft

Well Ricky, your bike was hammered to shit but you got a golden parachute, so why still grind the axe? I don't expect anyone to be responsible for my dirt bike maintenance, it's my job. All my friends, regardless of what they do for a living work on their own bikes, even my friend that's an MBA. Not many dealers know much about what they sell, it's a fact. It's a low volume business, so not many dealers are going to spend the money to train techs. It sucks but that is the reality. I know of two shops that I would trust to work on my stuff, two out of 50..... Is it KTM's fault that the dealer sucks? Maybe but maybe not, go find an independent shop or a better dealer. Does crying on the internet solve your problems? In your case, it sure did but you certainly cried more than most.

As usual, the people that don't understand fuel injection are the first to cry about it, while the intelligent folks do some digging and figure it out. []Carb or FI..... spark or fuel, you need both......

Aaron I just stumbled on your 690 build thread this morning and it was excellent! I sure appreciate the info you posted, and respect your tenacity, perseverance and creativity.
But I think its unfair to expect the average guy to have to go thru that to get a relialbe bike - or even expect that to be common knowlege. At nearly every breakdown my bike had, I explained honestly to KTM NA how I was using my bike and they insisted the 690 wasn't like the EXC line and could be depended upon for the high miles I was using it for. I don't want to be naive, but at the same time if you don't trust the company selling you the bike you have... if you can't count on what they are saying that's pretty sad!

C'mon guys don't take things so personally! Crazy Brit the reason I and probably you are continuing on this thread is that the original topic of the tension between relieability and performance is an important issue even after the OP got his bike and it's worth having intelligent discussion on.

[jon_l]

Originally Posted by kj7687

Well said. Understand how much power your bike has "in reserve" at any given speed, and ride accordingly. I've ridden thousands of highway miles on my 20 horsepower, 5 speed DR200. The WR250R has an extra gear and a lot more power and torque - more than enough to safely ride highway.

I agree, good point.

One note - I'd be surprised of the DR200 has any more than 15 HP. 20 is more than the stock KLX250S. This makes your point even more valid about riding within your (and your bike's) safe working limits.

[crazybrit]

Originally Posted by rickypanecatyl

C'mon guys don't take things so personally!

I didn't think/sense anyone was taking this personally. If you really feel this way, it might be time to quit.

[Foot dragger]

Originally Posted by Off the grid

I dunno, pretty much anyone knows when you buy a brand new bike you need to re-jet it, de-smog and do a lot of adjusting and fiddling to get it dialed in right.

"Ready to race" means that an EXC can be driven granny-slow through the woods (me) or hit the Hare Scramble circuit. (few of my buddies)

This is so,KTM has to jump through some hoops to get their dirt bikes plated in the US,the tall gearing and wonky jetting are maybe the most obvious. I just like that they do it with out making the bike weigh 320 lbs. If a guy is looking for something to ride around town or mostly street/dirt roads there are many better more casual bikes to be had. Even the FI bikes need another ECU or some trickery to be done to the stock ECU to make them run like a proper dirtbike should,then they're illegal according to the EPA.
There's no bike smog check being done currently ,but,there might be at some point though.

I do like having what is really a plated race bike with the 530 and any KTM dualpurpose bike,I dont ride it on the street any farther then needed to get to a trail.
Some knowledge is needed to make a KTM dual purpose bike run like it should,its the price of admission,all dirt bikes are prone to being fiddled with,I dont mind it.
The oil transfer issue is far from prevalent,mostly the 08 bikes had it,pretty rare to have it come up on a newer model.

[Rusty Shovel]

Originally Posted by rpet

I would love to own either KTM mentioned, but nothing in your description (60/40, TAT) calls for anything but WR or DR in my opinion.

If I was shredding Norcal trails with a bit of pavement in between, the EXCs seem to be optimal.

Why don't you get a used 2008 KTM RFS EXC and a used WR250R... two bikes for same price as a new EXC, and you would have the perfect bike for both uses?

One last thing... a KTM 500 doesn't seem the right tool for improving offroad skills. I think you get that bike when your skills are finely honed.

Thanks Rpet! I've been lurking on this one. Your advice seems the perfect solution for me.

[Crawdaddy]

Originally Posted by wizz

I ended up getting the 350 and will tell you it has no problem doing highway speeds and it is a blast. easy to pick up, feels like a mountain bike compared to my xr. it has penty of power once properly geared, add a megabomb header and fmf pipe and the power is great across the powerband. i ended up deciding that 45 horses on a 250lb bike was plenty and i dont feel tired after a day riding from fighting the bikes power.

Congratulations! (me too).......yet this thread rambles on