Which Bike To Get?

[tmac450]

seems youve made up your minds on the yammy...

despite what u hear the yammys and most new-gen 4 strokes cost ALOT more in the longrun than a 2stroke.

id get a nice 250 2-stroke for what your doing. if you know anybody that's good with some spanners it costs all of about $300 to do a decent rebuild on a top end every year. compare that to stupidly short interval oil changes, valve tolerance checks, DOUGHY POWER.

upto you, but personally I think you got the whole 2 stroke scene viewed as 15 years ago when 4strokes truely were almost maintenance free.

be it a yammy 4 stroke or honda/ktm/yammy/kawasaki 2 stroke youll end up with a good bike either way if u keep maintenance upto it.

They're not that bad. If you look after your bike properly, the most you need is an occational valve adjustment. All bike oil changes should be regular due to the small capacities.

Despite what you've heard, a well looked after 4 stroke should have longer intervals between maintenance than a 2 stroke. But rebuilds are much more complicated and expensive.

As far a doughy goes, you musn't be riding the right ones. Give me a grunty, tractor torquing 4 stroke over a peaky, unuseable 2 stroke anyday.

Dirt bikes aren't about biggest most powerful. In 2006 the Australian 4 day and International 6 day were both won outright on 250 4 strokes. Shayne Watts once won the 6 day on a 125 2 stroke. 2 strokes are almost non existent in the top levels of just about all dirt bike diciplins.

Whatever floats your boat I guess, but don't shoot down 4 strokes for the same reason you acuse others of dismissing 2 strokes.

[toca_rop]

Ive got an 06 drz400 which I brought new and have so far done 3500km on it trouble free, I ride it to work nearly everyday and take it offride as often as I can and it has not let me down. I go riding with a couple of mates 1 has an xr650 and another has a gasgas 400,in a straight line drag I can beat the gasgas and can keep up with the xr650.The drz doesnt need constant maintanence like the yz/wr or crf just regular oil changes for peace of mind about my only complaint I have is the suspension is a bit soft for offroad so this will be something ill be looking at shortly, apart from that I cant really fault it

[JBomb3000]

As far as the modifing goes, I am in the camp that doesn't beleive dirt bikes should need modifying so I look for what needs the least. The KTMs pride themselves as being ready to race. Also, on your paying comment, in the last few years this has become a myth and the Jap bikes have caugh up in pricing. The WR450 is only around $200 cheaper than the KTM, the KTM250 is about $800 cheaper. As you would know, $200 would barely buy you a decent set of bars.

Those Chinese bikes are just top notch arent they.

I don't think what your saying about the KTM's being "ready to race" compared to the Jap bikes is very accurate any more. 3 - 4 years ago yeah but Honda and Yamaha have lifted there game. The WR and CRF have decent alloy bars and reasonable exhausts on them these days. But like you said though the price difference is becoming less and less so they needed to offer more. Your also overlooking the fact that alot of people seem to think it's necessary to run a $800 - $1000 steering damper on the KTM to cure the high speed nervousness that seem to be an inherent KTM trait. Throw one of them on and it blows your value theory out of the water.

On a side note I just finished reading the new ADB with the 500cc enduro shootout and the new Dirt Action with the 450 enduro's. The Dirt Action comparo was a good read, they managed to get 9 of the 450's together only missing on the Sherco. The TM EN450 got the gong as best 450 overall as well as winning best race bike, the Husky TE450 won best Enduro and the Honda CRF450X best trail bike.

In the 500cc ADB test they had 6 bikes with only the Beta missing. The husky TE510 took the overall win as well as best race bike and the Sherco 5.1i won best trail bike.

[turtle33]

the problem with all these "industy shoot outs" or mag shootouts are that they gererally written by mx/enduro guns, who generally ride the ring out of their bike. The REAL world doesn't work like that. I see it evry time I ride, some gumby has read in ADB that the ktm is a weapon bla bla , busy one and has it almost wrecked before he has any idea wtf he's got him self in for. I told you, for you level that the drz is the BEST, THE CHEAPEST and MOST REILABLE bike for YOU. Dont get caught up in all this printed media sh*t. The wr450 (altho I rate them quite highly) sounds like a bit to much bike for you. Stay well away from any of the 250f's (you need to ride the ring out of them). KTM's as a rule are a FULL COMP bike not the putt around in the bush type bike, they boil in a heart beat if your not moving. I personally have a gasgas 450 and rate it as the best alround bike I have ever owned. (ive owned every type of bike from ktm to atk) The earlier comments about the KTM being better resale is BS in the price range your looking in. (I wouldnt touch a 5k KTM). If you look around you will find 04 gasgas 450 for 6.5k (just) it has the low down grunt of a XR with the top end of a ktm and it take 2 lts of oil. It seems you have made your mind up though so just buy the WR and be done with it. Im telling you that a begginer to an intermediate rider will have way more fun on the drz than the WR. Howw many average riders get the bike more than a mtr off the ground NOT many so my point is that ther is little point of the race spec bikes.

[JBomb3000]

the problem with all these "industy shoot outs" or mag shootouts are that they gererally written by mx/enduro guns, who generally ride the ring out of their bike. The REAL world doesn't work like that. I see it evry time I ride, some gumby has read in ADB that the ktm is a weapon bla bla , busy one and has it almost wrecked before he has any idea wtf he's got him self in for.

Don't agree at all with what your saying nearly all the shoot outs these days always have at least one or 2 testers who are clubman riders or just plain old trail hacks. They also go to into detail about which bikes would suit certain types of riders. Hence why the award the best bike for different styles of riding not just an overall winner.

It's a fine line between picking a bike that's not going to kill you in the first 5 minutes and something that you won't outgrow in 3 months. my first bike was a WR426, now that was a step learning curve! While my skill level at the time was much more suited to a 250F or XR400, I went with the bigger bike and managed to not kill myself. There were times early on when I though what the hell am I doing but I was pleased I did further down the track when I didn't have to buy another bike as my skills improved.

While a DRZ 400 or XR 400 sound like it would suit wesleytarbuck well they simply won't deliver the excitement of a 450.

Edited 04/04/07 12:24 AM by JBomb3000

[Chooka]

Don't agree at all with what your saying nearly all the shoot outs these days always have at least one or 2 testers who are clubman riders or just plain old trail hacks. They also go to into detail about which bikes would suit certain types of riders. Hence why the award the best bike for different styles of riding not just an overall winner.

It's a fine line between picking a bike that's not going to kill you in the first 5 minutes and something that you won't outgrow in 3 months. my first bike was a WR426, now that was a step learning curve! While my skill level at the time was much more suited to a 250F or XR400, I went with the bigger bike and managed to not kill myself. There were times early on when I though what the hell am I doing but I was pleased I did further down the track when I didn't have to buy another bike as my skills improved.

While a DRZ 400 or XR 400 sound like it would suit wesleytarbuck well they simply won't deliver the excitement of a 450.

The simple fact is he has 3 - 6 grand to spend, wants little maintence and something to suit his riding level.

we are giving this guy an idea of what will suit HIM not what we would buy......

DRZ 400 ticks all the boxes that he requires....

Chooka

Edited 04/04/07 12:59 AM by Chooka

[tmac450]

I don't think what your saying about the KTM's being "ready to race" compared to the Jap bikes is very accurate any more. 3 - 4 years ago yeah but Honda and Yamaha have lifted there game. The WR and CRF have decent alloy bars and reasonable exhausts on them these days. But like you said though the price difference is becoming less and less so they needed to offer more. Your also overlooking the fact that alot of people seem to think it's necessary to run a $800 - $1000 steering damper on the KTM to cure the high speed nervousness that seem to be an inherent KTM trait. Throw one of them on and it blows your value theory out of the water.

On a side note I just finished reading the new ADB with the 500cc enduro shootout and the new Dirt Action with the 450 enduro's. The Dirt Action comparo was a good read, they managed to get 9 of the 450's together only missing on the Sherco. The TM EN450 got the gong as best 450 overall as well as winning best race bike, the Husky TE450 won best Enduro and the Honda CRF450X best trail bike.

In the 500cc ADB test they had 6 bikes with only the Beta missing. The husky TE510 took the overall win as well as best race bike and the Sherco 5.1i won best trail bike.

A lot of people run steering dampners on Jap bikes too (I fact I see them more on Jap bikes than on KTMs). I have never ran a dampner on a KTM )and I've ridden plenty of Jap bikes that need it more). No need once you understand how they work (especially in the later models that seem to have pretty much fixed the high speed head shake). Basically when you increase the steering angle and tripple clamp on any bike, you improve the steering's responsivness. Many enduro racers do it to their Jap bikes and then put on dampners for the high speed stability. The KTMs have ther steering set that way out of the box so those not used to it think they need a dampner.

I do agree that the DRZ 400 is the pick in this case because of it's reliability and electric start. But as I said with earlier, another great option is the XR400 (the only negative being no electric leg). I've ridden both and find the XR's weight distribution to be more maneageable. Don't forget the KLX400 which is basically a green DRZ.

That said, I'll repeat that the best thing to do is have a go of as many different bikes before you decide. Have a go on some of your mates bikes and see how they feel (keeping in mind each bike's set-up options etc).

[Chooka]

I do agree that the DRZ 400 is the pick in this case because of it's reliability and electric start. But as I said with earlier, another great option is the XR400 (the only negative being no electric leg). I've ridden both and find the XR's weight distribution to be more maneageable. Don't forget the KLX400 which is basically a green DRZ.

That said, I'll repeat that the best thing to do is have a go of as many different bikes before you decide. Have a go on some of your mates bikes and see how they feel (keeping in mind each bike's set-up options etc).

Spot on, either three are perfect but ride as many bikes as you can!!

Chooka

[Trough Lolly]

As far a doughy goes, you musn't be riding the right ones. Give me a grunty, tractor torquing 4 stroke over a peaky, unuseable 2 stroke anyday.

Whatever floats your boat I guess, but don't shoot down 4 strokes for the same reason you acuse others of dismissing 2 strokes.

I ride a CR500, torque isnt a problem and would MASH any typical 4stroke. cept maybe a very select few euro bikes...

a KTM EXC300 2stroke would be a great trail/track bike with prety low maintenance!

[tmac450]

I ride a CR500, torque isnt a problem and would MASH any typical 4stroke. cept maybe a very select few euro bikes...

a KTM EXC300 2stroke would be a great trail/track bike with prety low maintenance!

A CR500 would probably ride you!

The 500s were getting flogged in the Euro MX championships in the open class just a few years ago. In the last couple of years, they are even getting beaten in desert racing by the thumpers. Too unmanageable. Even the best riders wouldn't be able to keep up with a 250f on a CR500 on your typical enduro loop or technical MX track. The 500s only 'MASH' 4 strokes (or anything else for that matter) on the straights. Fortunatly there's a hell of a lot more to dirt biking than boring straights. BIGGER IS NOT BETTER IN DIRT BIKES. I used to flog my mate on his CR500 on an XR200, you don't get doughier than that.

The EXC 300 is a good, torquey 2 stroke with a broad spread of power. And, now they have electric start there'll be a heap of 4 stroke riders jumping to the 300.