What small 250-400cc Bike to Get?

[tjanson]

If you go for a KDX just be ready for a less street friendly dual-sport. I feel like this thread may have gone to the dark side too soon :).

The KLX300 is basically a KDX chassis with a big heavy 4 stroke engine. Weighs about 30 lbs more than a KDX (250 vs 220). The weight is carried higher up, with the cylinder head and all that 4 stroke stuff, so it makes a pretty good difference in handling. The transmission has a wider spread than the KDX, so it'll be more comfortable if you are riding 55 mph + for extended periods on the road. Also, it'll get 50-60 mpg while the KDX will get 20-30 and needs 2t oil mixed in.

A 2 stroke will be the better bike on the trails, be faster, start easier, and will make that cool 2 stroke sound. A 4 stroke will more practical if you are riding on the road a good amount. That's how I see it.

[scottmac]

Something like a WR250R might be the ticket. You can pare it down and race it in a Hare Scramble - I've raced
mine a couple of times. It's street legal so you can put racks on it and do a long DS ride. It would be a lot more
fun than your KLR for the job.

[Canuman]

Originally Posted by dirtysouthjacket

Awesome, thanks so much everyone for the input. Hopefully the KDX owner gets back to me. He has a local person looking at it, so we'll see. But the KDX is definitely on my radar screen as a bike to get to start.

Novaboy, I found the two threads you started VERY informative in helping out with learning about enduro's and hare scrambles as well as good beginner bikes. I feel the same way you did when you started the thread of... "Ok, I want to do some races... what do I do first?"

It's often better to start off on a forgiving bike and work your way up if need be. There are plenty of hot bikes sitting in garages because they scared the crap out of their riders. Jeff Fredette made a heck of a name for himself on the KDX in the enduro world. It's an iconic bike, yet is easy enough to ride. Don't expect mild four-stroke manners. Two-strokes are a very different game. They shit and get.

Sounds as if you're on the right track.

[dirtysouthjacket]

I've got a sale pending on a nice looking titled KDX with farkles, just working on pickup details since its about 500 miles away. I really narrowed it down to the KDX or a KTM 200 like many suggested. Its going to be a trail, enduro bike first. I needed it titled since I will be riding it to and from my playgrounds. I've got the F800GS as my main DS steed. So the fuel mileage and comfort doesn't matter very much for this bike. The KDX sounds like it is a great learner and is a good bit cheaper than the KTMs. Hopefully it is as forgiving as people suggest. I'm definitely up for the challenge of learning to ride this type of bike, but will make plenty of mistakes I'm sure.

Once I pick her up, I'll make sure to post some bike porn and what my initial thoughts are. Thanks again everyone!

Novaboy, I'll be posting up in your thread once I get some skills under my belt and give the thread another data point of what its like to go from riding a DS to trying out a race. Thanks again!

[Hockeygod]

Looking forward to seeing pics and reading about the details. What year did you get?

Like many have said, still lots of support for KDX's out there. I bought springs from Fredette several years ago and after doing an Internet search last night, he is definitely still in business (competed in his 32nd ISDE!)... Plus tons of other KDX support out there. This knowledge helps support my decision to keep mine for a few more years!

[Canuman]

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

[Grreatdog]

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.

[Canuman]

Originally Posted by Grreatdog

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.

[Grreatdog]

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

[dirtysouthjacket]

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!

[Canuman]

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

Congrats!

Originally Posted by dirtysouthjacket

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!